child-wagons-msg - 8/21/07
Period looking wagons for use by children and for transporting children at SCA events.
NOTE: See also the files: carts-msg, Dog-Carts-art, travel-msg, children-msg, babies-msg, toys-msg, child-gam-msg, child-clothes-msg, teething-toys-msg, dogs-msg.
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Stefan at florilegium.org
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Newsgroups: rec.org.sca
From: kgandek at world.std.com (Kathryn GandekTighe)
Subject: Re: Hauling infants around an event
Organization: The World Public Access UNIX, Brookline, MA
Date: Mon, 9 Jun 1997 17:44:03 GMT
Both us and friends have found that a simple wooden wagon works very well.
For an infant, tuck them into the wagon already in their basket. (We've
used a Pier 1 style Moses basket that was padded.) Radio flyer (I believe
that's the right name) makes one with removable sides. It makes it much
easer to pack and you can reverse the sides so the logo doesn't show. We
got ours at Toys-R-Us. For sunny weather, just rig up a cover in your
method of choice. When the child gets older, they simply sit in it. And,
lastly, if you're at a camping event then you have something to haul ice
and water for the camp.
Catrin o'r Rhyd For
kgandek at world.std.com
Date: Sat, 07 Feb 98 12:15:45
From: "Arianne de Dragonnid mka Grace Schosser-Payne" <arianne at trimaris.com>
To: "sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu" <sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu>
Subject: child's waggon
My husband and I are looking to make a small waggon to pull our toddler in at events, since she's new to walking and is too heavy to carry for long periods of time. We figure she'll want to pull things in it when she's older, so it'll get enough use to make it worth our while to do it right. Since neither of us has made anything like this before, we'd like other people's opinions and helpful comments. And if anyone out there has done this before and has a good pattern, it would be much appreciated.
We want the waggon to look as period as possible while being safe for a child passenger. We also want it to be light enough that our daughter would be able to pull it if she wants when she's a bit older.
So far, the idea looks like this: we take a rectangle of strong plywood, about 1.5' by 3'. To the underside is attached a modern wheel / axle arrangement (I don't trust our wood-working skill to make this safely), and to the sides are attached pieces of wood (possibly ply) high enough to reach up a foot from the floor and possibly dropping low enough to hide some of the wheel arrangement. These pieces are screwed together at the corners, with dowel pieces glued in to hide the counter-sunk screw-heads. In the middle of each long side, the walls dip down to be no more than half a foot above the floor, so she can get in and out more easily.
I'm considering using a pole on each side like the wheelbarrow pattern in the latest TI, but think that a modern pull would be easier to use and no less safe. This pattern would carry two easily and a third in the middle if necessary. I like the fact that a friend or future sibling could catch a ride as well, but am worried that it may be too heavy if it's that big.
I'm considering making a cushion to go inside and a canopy later, but don't believe I'll need any help with
those.
Arianne
Date: Sat, 7 Feb 1998 00:36:48 EST
From: <LadyPDC at aol.com>
To: sca-arts at raven.cc.ukans.edu
Subject: Re: child's waggon
You might want to try looking on this site
<A HREF="http://www.caninecarts.com/Page3.html";>Items and Accessories For The
Do-It-Yourselfe...</A>
It contains a place where you can order complete plans and instructions for
building a cart This cart was originally designed to be a dog cart (to be
pulled by a dog) but can be eqully well pulled by a human of any age/size.
We built one to be pulled about by our dog when I was incapacitated and it
works very well even with an adult sitting in it. We replaced the side rails
with solid wood and placed cushions inside. Was very comfortable and
convenient. Hubby pulled me in it at times when dog couldn't and now that I
can walk about again the neighborhood kids love to pull each other in it.
(Have learned that with a small crib type matress in it is very comfortable
for small children and the side walls keep them safe)
Looks very period as we built it to look like a small baggage wain.
Constance De LaRose
From: Chris Zakes <moondrgn at earthlink.net>
Date: April 27, 2006 8:15:17 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] RE: ... and a subject change...
> Otherwise, we use a giant wooden wagon most heavily. Early on we invested in
> the Radio Flyer ATW wagon, wood sides and a weight limit of 250lbs. When
> it's not hauling our stuff, it's hauling kids, or serving as a bed for the
> youngest for naptime or at night. I even change diapers on it. It's padded
> with a quilted sleep mat that rolls up for storage. The oldest has finally
> outgrown it (just in time for the youngest to switch to it, which we're
> working on...) It was expensive, but probably the best baby-gear
> purchase we've ever made. Plus, it's a toy!
I'll second that. Particularly for big events like Pennsic or Gulf
War, a wagon is *very* useful. We used ours to haul kids, ice,
fighting gear, ice chests, etc. Done carefully, you can perch a kid
on top of (for example) an ice chest with other gear packed around
it--they get a fun ride, you get everything there in one trip.
(more snippage)
> The HARDEST thing I've ever had to deal with was bottle-feeding.
> (Breast-feeding is sooooo much more portable!) I always brought my own
> bottled water, liners, and powdered formula, and just reused the same bottle
> and nipple over and over (being sure to rinse it out good). Ugh. Luckily
> both my kids took room-temp water, so I never had to figure out how
> to warm a bottle or keep one cold or anything like that.
About a month after our oldest was born, I made a leather bottle
carrier with a snap-hook--one of the best ideas I've ever had. That
way the bottle can be mounted on a belt or clipped to the diaper bag;
it's right there when you need it, but out of the way when you don't.
-Tivar Moondragon
From: Deborah Zallen <deborahzallen at zallen.com>
Date: April 27, 2006 4:06:43 PM CDT
To: moiranliam at earthlink.net, "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA,Inc." <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>, "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: travelling with small kids, was Re: [Ansteorra] Principality, Gas, and a subject change...
The best wagons/carts I have seen are one of those garden carts. You can get them at Home Depot, Lowes, Ace Hardware and sometimes Costco or Sam's have them. They are large, have big wheels that have air in the tires and the sides come off. They go over and through just about anything. And they are a lot cheaper than a Radio Flyer.
Most people I have talked to about them have not had any trouble loading them up into their cars. Our Faire babysitter bought one and has put three 4 year olds in one.
Deborah
From: RIsaac9056 at aol.com
Date: April 29, 2006 11:03:25 PM CDT
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: [Ansteorra] wagons at events
We use a nice large wodden wagon that has big fat soft rubber tires. The
wide tired help with soft muddy ground and wide cracks on dry ground and the
softness helps to absord impacts over rough ground. We fashioned a top for when
our kid was a baby and repainted the red parts of the wagon to a nice brown
color and decorated it to kind of look period.
<< Date: Sat, 29 Apr 2006 09:35:19 -0700 (PDT)
From: gail young <gwynethb63 at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Ansteorra] wagons at events
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
Now with baby number three on the way, I am considering a wagon. Something
big enough to carry our stuff, and that the toddler can nap in. Has anyone
else tried this? Any tips on what to look for in a wagon? >>
<<< Genevria, formerly known as Dagmar
Plastic
big
The real problem is keeping daddy from stealing it for his armor<G>
Gwyneth >>>
From: Brian du Val <cobalt60 at consolidated.net>
Date: April 30, 2006 9:57:01 AM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] wagons at events
The Red Flyer with wooden sides seems the best over all and proven dependable with time. The other option would be a more period version made by a craftsman who knows what is needed for baby comforts. Home Depo sells a green mesh side fold down garden cart that would work if padded and a mundanity cover made for it. I have tried the Little Tikes red wagon and it has 360 degree spinning front wheels and does not stand up well to rough roads and muddy areas with soft ground. Big air tires with high sides with a mundanity cover works for me. Basket, blankets and a pillow are all Amelia needed. Baby carriers fit but the tossing and jerking may wake babies up or make them grouchy.
Baron Brian du Val
Raven's Fort
Daddy with a 2 1/2 year old.
From: Kaitlyn Mckenna <mistresskaitlyn at gmail.com>
Date: April 30, 2006 9:45:33 PM CDT
To: "Kingdom of Ansteorra - SCA, Inc." <ansteorra at ansteorra.org>
Subject: Re: [Ansteorra] wagons at events
We got out wagon from durable toys . com. It is far better than any of
the radio flyer wagons and better looking than the hardware/garden
wagons. It comes in different lengths and colors. Ours can hold up to
900 lbs and pulls like a dream. We also got a sun shade for it.
Alex is too big for the sun shade nowadays, so I could probably sell
that off if anyone is interested. The wagon is still great though. It
hauls a tired 5 yr old, armor, chairs, ice, trash, A&S set ups..just
about anything. That site had lots of different types of wagons in a
lot of price ranges as well.
--kaitlyn
From: William & Robin Willett <moiranliam at earthlink.net>
Date: April 30, 2006 10:19:37 PM CDT
To: ansteorra at ansteorra.org
Subject: [Ansteorra] re:Wagons at events
I have this wagon: http://www.radioflyer.com/atw/atw_32.html
I've used it at an event, and at the beach this past weekend. My son is
still a bit small, so I made a little bumper pad for him to help him sit
up. My daughter LOVES it as long as we're going somewhere. Not too
expensive and has the nubby tires.
Moira
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