12 Stroller Accessories You Actually Need

Strollers are big and bulky, but the right accessories can make them quite convenient. Choosing the right extras might be overwhelming, but some are more important than others. We’ll help you choose the accessories you need to make the most of your stroller.

Before You Buy

Strollers are often quite expensive, and the accessories add up pretty quickly, too. Whether you’re trying to make a baby registry or considering buying one yourself, here are a few thoughts to keep in mind to help you make the best decision possible:

• Choose a stroller that comes with some accessories. Some strollers come with nothing but, well, the stroller. Others come with a few of the accessories we cover below. For example, the UppaBaby Vista comes with a bug net and rain cover, so that’s two extras you won’t have to buy.
• Read online reviews and the fine print to make sure an accessory will work with your specific stroller. The accessories we’ve chosen are pretty universal, so they should fit just about any stroller on the market. However, before you buy anything, it’s always worth it to double-check and make sure it will work with your specific model.
• A universal option might be cheaper than the one made by your stroller brand. When you purchase your stroller, you might find that brand also makes a bunch of accessories. However, a universal version could be less expensive and work just as well. For example, UppaBaby makes a cozy footmuff for their strollers that costs upwards of $130, but there are others as cheap as $50.
• Consider how often you’ll use your stroller. Realistically, if you don’t plan to take your baby on regular walks and will rarely be toting them around, you probably don’t need many of the items below. On the other hand, if you live in an urban area and will be walking with your baby pretty much everywhere, then you might need more of the items on our list.

For Your Beverage: Accmor Universal Cup Holder

You can push a stroller and hold a coffee cup at the same time, right? Actually, this simple task is much harder than you might think—especially when baby demands your attention, and you need to use both hands. A cup holder firmly clipped to your stroller is a nice feature to have.

The Accmor Universal Cup Holder is great because of how flexible it is. You can adjust it to hold anything, whether it’s a large water bottle or a small cup of coffee. You can also clip it on basically anything, whether that’s your stroller or something else.

To Keep Baby Warm: JJ Cole Original Bundleme Bunting Bag

If you and your child will be out and about a lot in the fall and winter, a cozy accessory like this is worth the money. Sure, you can wrap a blanket around your baby, but anyone who has ever done this knows how easily they kick those off onto the dirty ground. The JJ Cole Original Bundleme Bunting Bag is a lot more convenient and much warmer.

This cozy bunting bag fits pretty much any stroller, and it couldn’t be easier to take in and out of the seat. It’s super-warm, you can zip it all the way down or up to cover your child completely, and it’s machine-washable. You can also remove the back panel if you want baby to rest against the stroller seat.

You could also use it without the back panel in a car seat. It would be ideal as, due to safety reasons, babies shouldn’t wear warm, puffy jackets in car seats.

For Bad Weather: Bemece Stroller Universal Rain Cover

Even if you check the weather beforehand, you’ll likely get caught in the rain at some point, so a rain cover for your stroller is definitely a good idea. The Bemece Stroller Rain Cover should fit over any stroller. It covers the entire seat and protects baby from rain, snow, and dust, even in the worst conditions.

The large window on the front lifts up, so you can easily take your child in and out of the stroller. Velcro straps keep the cover in place, no matter how windy it is.

Air holes ensure there’s plenty of fresh air, and even the zipper is waterproof!

For Newborns: Boppy Noggin Nest Insert

Very small newborns might seem too tiny for a stroller seat. An infant insert can make things much safer during those first few weeks or months. The Boppy Noggin Nest Head Support keeps a baby’s head secure, even in a seat that’s too big for her. It’s easy to insert in a stroller, and, unlike the infant inserts that might be available from your stroller brand, you can also use the Boppy Noggin in swings or bouncers.

The cutout design keeps pressure off your little one’s head, while still keeping him comfortable. It’s machine-washable, and you can use it until your child is 4 months old, which is longer than other inserts.

Help Baby Nap: MarPac Hushh Portable White Noise Machine

Some babies fall asleep in the stroller immediately. Others, however, might need some help, and most will wake up from naps due to outside noises. The MarPac Hushh can make your little one’s environment as comfortable as possible. This portable machine emits soothing white noise that helps babies sleep.

There are three different sound options, and you can easily clip it on the stroller to keep it away from baby’s hands (although it also has a child lock). It’s small enough to throw in a diaper bag so you can take it with you anywhere.

Keep Baby Busy: Tiny Love Musical Nature Stroller Toy

When you put newborns in a stroller, they tend to fall asleep instantly. However, as babies get older, more curious, and more distracted by everything around them, they don’t tend to like being strapped into things, like strollers and car seats. That’s where toys come in—they need something to occupy them!

The Tiny Love Musical Nature Stroller Toy is a great option because you can clip it onto the stroller instead of hanging it on an existing stroller rack (which isn’t always available).

The toys engage your child in play that’s good for his development. It features different textures he can grab, as well as teethers and musical toys. There’s plenty to keep baby busy while you get things done.

Keep Your Important Items Safe: Skip Hop Grab and Go Organizer

Most strollers have a low basket to hold items, but small items can easily get lost in the mix, which is why an over-the-handle organizer, like the Skip Hop Grab and Go, is perfect! You can put your wallet, cell phone, or a pacifier in it, so everything is within reach. This universal option fits on most stroller handles, is separated into three sections, and holds a surprising amount of items.

It also doubles as an insulated cup holder or a wristlet with a headphone port and zippered pocket for valuables. Just remove the small pouch attached to the front and throw it in your bag whenever you’re leaving the stroller behind.

Keep the Bugs Away: Sysmie Baby Mosquito Net

A mosquito net doesn’t seem like an essential until you’re walking your baby in the middle of the summer and getting swarmed by insects. A secure mosquito net on the stroller will protect your baby from bug bites.

The Sysmie Baby Mosquito Net is stretchy, durable, breathable, and fits most strollers, as well as car seats, bassinets, and playpens. This is also a two-pack so you can keep one in the house and one in the car.

Make Shopping Easier: OXO Tot Handy Stroller Hooks

If you have a stroller without a large basket to hold shopping bags, you’ll really benefit from a set of OXO Tot Handy Stroller Hooks. Just clip them on your stroller, and you have an instant place to hang shopping bags or a purse, so you don’t have to juggle everything in your arms.

The open hook makes it simple to slip bags on and off one-handed, and the nonslip pad keeps everything from sliding off.

For Traveling: J.L Childress Gate Check Stroller Bag

If you’re a frequent traveler, you’ll want a gate check bag for your stroller, like this one from J.L. Childress. You can’t trust the gate check to keep your stroller safe, and you don’t want anything breaking off and getting lost during your flight. A gate check bag also protects your stroller from strangers and germs.

The J.L. Childress stroller bag is lightweight, water-resistant, and folds into a smaller bag for easy storage. The bright red color also makes it easy to spot your stroller in a sea of luggage.

Keep Baby Cool: MCGMITT Stroller Fan

When it’s super-hot outside, a walk with baby can feel suffocating to both of you. If you want to make things a bit more comfortable, check out the MCGMITT Stroller Fan. Just clip it on the side of your stroller. It also has an adjustable neck so you can point it at your child or yourself.

It has three fan speeds and a really quiet motor so it won’t disturb your sleeping baby. The rechargeable battery can last for three to 10 hours, depending which speed you use.

For Nighttime Strolls: The Mommy Light Stroller Light Two-Pack

If you like to take your little one with you for nighttime strolls, the Mommy Light would be a good idea. Not only does it make it easier for you to see, but it also makes it easier for others to see you, keeping you both safer.

You can put it wherever you want on your stroller, and there’s also a spot- and flashlight option.