Carpooling Options for Big Kids

BubbleBum

Pros: Possibly the most portable booster ever, the BubbleBum rolls up into a tidy little bag that can be tucked into a child’s backpack.

Cons: The BubbleBum inflates, so the child would have to inflate the seat before use.  The other tricky piece of using the BubbleBum is the belt guides — the seat belt threads through belt guides on both sides of the seat.  Not every child can inflate the seat properly or thread the belt properly through these guides so it’s a good idea to practice inflating and using the BubbleBum before sending your big kid off with one.

Read more in our review.

Graco RightGuide

This ingenious little seat belt trainer is very lightweight, fits inside a backpack, and is pretty simple for carpooling kiddos to set up.  It offers a consistent vehicle seat belt fit and can be tucked into the vehicle seat pocket for emergencies.

Pros: Tiny, lightweight, easy to set up and use.  The Right Guide offers a consistent belt fit and fits well in tiny spaces.

Cons: It’s backless only so we find it best suited for older kiddos who know how to sit properly.

Read more about the RightGuide.

Harmony Youth Booster

My carpooling booster rider has an embarrassingly large number of boosters to choose from, but her current favorite is the Harmony Youth Booster.

Pros: It’s lightweight, easy to carry, narrow enough to work in a lot of three-across situations, and provides a nice belt fit.

Cons: Some of the cover options aren’t as subtle/non-booster looking as some of the other options in this list.

Take a deeper look in our review.

Graco Turbo Go fits in a backpack

The Turbo GO folds into a tidy little package and fits into most backpacks.

Pros: it’s fairly lightweight and easy to carry if it’s in a backpack.  It’s also narrow enough to be a solid option for many tight spaces!

Cons: it can be a bit tricky to unfold and doesn’t have a handle or anything to hold onto if you’re carrying it around.  We found that it travels best inside a backpack or bag.

Check it out in our review.

Graco TurboBooster TakeAlong

Pros: The TurboBooster TakeAlong folds up into a bag that can fit in many backpacks, unfolds easily, offers the consistent belt fit we’ve come to expect from the TurboBooster name and is narrow. In other words, it’s full of Pros!

Cons: The narrowness that makes it a great carpool option may make it less comfortable for larger kids. It’s more expensive than its cousin, the original TurboBooster.

Read more about the TakeAlong in our review.

Graco TurboBooster

The workhorse of the booster world!

Pros: The TurboBooster offers a great belt fit for children in all size ranges.  From small kiddos to big kids, the Turbo is light enough that the carpooler can carry it and fits well.

Cons: Some cover styles are less subtle than others.  Many TurboBoosters are shipped without the required screws, make sure that the screws are installed before sending your carpool rider off with a TurboBooster!

Take a closer look in our review.

Chicco GoFit

The Chicco GoFit backless booster is fairly narrow and features a handle at the back of the seat that makes carrying the GoFit a breeze! My family has travelled extensively with our GoFit and in most cases, my kiddo was able to carry it herself!
Pros: It’s lightweight, has two cupholders that can fold inward to make more space, offers a consistent belt fit, and is easy to carry around.

Cons: At $39.99 retail, it’s not the least expensive option on the market.

Diono Solana

The Solana is another name for the Diono Cambria in backless mode.

Pros: It’s lightweight, has not one but TWO cupholders, and can be installed using LATCH.

Cons: My daughter finds it quite comfortable but it’s not the first pick for carpooling because it’s a little wider than some of the other options.  When she’s riding with a number of friends, the Solana’s width could make three children across a bit of a challenge.

See the Solana and the high backed Cambria in our review.

Lil Fan Club Seat backless

The Lil Fan Club Seat is a high back booster that converts to a backless booster that’s VERY carpool-friendly!

Pros: The backless Club Seat is not only lightweight and comfortable, it has a bar across the back that doubles as a convenient handle.

Cons: There’s nothing subtle about the styling of the covers.  These seats are great options for sports enthusiasts but not the first choice for my oldest kiddo.

Note: Lil Fan also sells a dedicated backless booster that does not have the handy handle that the backless Club Seat does.

Check out our Lil Fan Club Seat review.

Ride Safer Travel Vest

The Ride Safer Travel Vest is a booster alternative that folds nicely and can fit inside a backpack.  It can even fit inside the BoostApak!

Pros: Lightweight, portable.  The Ride Safer Travel Vest can fit inside most backpacks. Newer models come in subtle colors.

Cons: The rider has to thread the seat belt through three metal belt guides.  This can be a challenge for younger riders.  The optional top tether could also be a challenge for younger riders to connect.  Older models were more brightly colored and not as subtle as the newer model.

Note: We recommend the Ride Safer Travel Vest for children who are at least 5 years old.

Take a peek at our Ride Safer Travel Vest review.

Clek Olli on the go!

In some ways, the Clek Olli is made for carpooling.

Pros: The Olli includes a handy carry strap (Strap-thingy) that makes it easy for booster riders to sling the seat over their shoulders when going between cars.  It offers a solid belt fit for most children and has a LOT of padding.

Cons: The Strap-thingy attaches to the rigid LATCH anchors on the seat, it takes a bit of practice to remove the strap and click the LATCH connectors into the vehicle’s lower anchors.  We’d suggest taking a little time to teach your booster rider how to remove the Strap-thingy and install the seat before sending them off to a playdate.

Let us tell you more about the Clek Olli!