Toddler Travel Made Easy: Best Car Seats for 2-Year-Olds

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Best Car Seat for 2 Year Olds 

The terrible twos don’t have to be so terrible when you have the right baby gear!  One thing that you should make sure that you have for your budding school aged child is a great car seat.  By now they have obviously outgrown their rear facing car seat and are growing out of leg room on the front facing position.  So, what’s next?  They are too big for the clam shell seat but still too small for a booster.  By the age of two they are ready for an upright front facing seat.  There a few different styles of these toddler seats you can find and each has its own set of special features to offer.  Here are some things to keep in mind when looking for the best car seat for 2 year olds.

  • Convertible car seat:

If you didn’t buy a convertible car seat for your newborn, don’t worry!  There are still plenty of great convertible car seat options for your two year.  These types of car seats will transform from the front facing upright seat you need for your child into a booster seat for your school aged child.  This way you can save money because you will get two products in one!

  • Upright car seat:

More than likely, the type of seat you will get is a traditional upright front facing car seat.  The most important thing to remember when getting a car seat is the amount of leg room your child will get.  This is because by the age of 2 your child will have gone through a pretty decent growth spurt, so keep their height and size in mind when buying an upright car seat.

Here are a few great options for the best car seat for 2 year olds.  Each one comes with a seal of approval by parents who have used and loved them!

Graco Nautilus 65 3-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat

When it comes to the safety of your two year old, not other car seats beat the Graco Nautilus Booster Car Seat.  This is because this seat is fitted with a special 3 in 1 harness booster.  This will help to keep your growing toddler safely in their seat because it was designed to grow with your child.  When the seat is in the front seated position, it can support your child for up to 65 lbs.  Once your child is ready for a little more freedom, the seat transforms into a backless booster which will support your big kid for up to 100lbs.  This means that this will be the last car seat you will ever need to purchase for your child.  Plus, you will love that this seat is fitted with the Simply Safe Harness System which is meant to adjust and move to your child’s exact height and size for a customized fit.

Why should you buy it?  Here are some reasons why the Graco Nautilus Harness Booster Seat is the best car seat for 2 year olds:

  • Simply Safe Harness System
  • Doubles as booster seat
  • Supports up to 100lbs
  • 3 in one harness booster
  • Adjusts to height of child
  • 3 position recline

Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat 

The Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat is a best seller because of the high safety ratings that it has received.  Most importantly, the high markings it received for side impact testing.  Not only does this car seat meet safety standards, it exceeds them.  This car seat was specifically designed to withstand the impact of two times the normal energy levels of a typical car accident.  The secret to a safe ride is in the way that the buckles were designed.  The over the shoulder straps are completely adjustable to hold onto your toddler tight.  Best of all, the cushion that is there to protect your child will also keep them comfortable. Toddlers are fussy little people, and it doesn’t take much to set them off.  So give yourself the best shot of a successful ride and find a car seat that has plenty of padding.  As a side note, the color options are also a great plus!  From the light blue, to the pink you are sure to find a color that suits your stylish toddler.

Here are some reasons why you should check out the Evenflo Tribute LX Convertible Car Seat:

  • Highly rated safety testing
  • Side impact tested
  • Specially designed to protect your child
  • Adjustable harness
  • Extra body cushioned 
  • Color options
  • Budget friendly

Graco Atlas 65 2-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat 

The Graco Atlas is very similar to the Graco Nautilus but with a more luxurious spin.  This high quality option comes with a remarkably low price range.  The best part about this car seat is that it was designed with your child’s comfort and safety in mind while not sacrificing style and extra features.  It has what you would expect a Graco car seat to have when it comes to safety.  From the convertible harness buckle to the Simply Safe Adjust Harness System, your child is covered!  Your toddler will also love the headrest because of the extra layer of foam that it is made out of.  There is even a special amount of middle foam that will support your child’s back which is very important to fussy little toddlers.

The biggest selling point of the Graco Atlas Booster Car Seat is how easy it is to move and install.  Unlike other clunky car seats for toddlers, this one is lightweight enough to travel with.  Also, the leveling base helps to ensure that the car seat is properly installed in your car each and every time.  For extra measure, there are even some fun little extras that will help make your child’s try go smoother.  The padded headrest is adjustable and moved up and down depending on your child’s size.   There is even two cup holders located at either side of the seat so that your child can enjoy a snack and a drink while they ride along.

Here are some reasons to consider the Graco Atlas Harness Booster Car Seat:

  • Two seats in one
  • Five point harness system
  • Supports up to 100lbs
  • Two cup holders
  • Padded headrest
  • Adjustable headrest
  • Leveling base

Britax Pioneer Combination Harness Booster Car Seat 

When it comes to the best car seat for 2 year olds that are equally safe and high quality, none other beats the Britax Pioneer Combination Harness Booster Car Seat.  The reason why so many parents love this car seat is because of the safe cell impact protection.  This works in combination with the impact absorbing base.  This base is meant to absorb energy during impact and pushing it away from your child to help to keep them safe.  Most importantly, the seat was designed to not only keep your child safe from flying debris but it was specifically designed to protect their head and neck.  The instant adjust 8 point harness system beats adjusts at different points to customize completely to your child.

The looks for this seat is nothing to sneer at either!  The sharp looking black is perfectly complimented by the red details.  The high back not only offers an amazing amount of support, but also looks very sleek in the back of any car.  The best part about this car seat is that it has safe and easy installation.  This car seat works with your cars LATCH system in order to offer a proper and quick installation every time you use it.  

What makes the Britax Pioneer Combination Harness Booster Car Seat the best car seat for 2 year olds?  Here are some reasons why other parents love it:

  • Adjustable 8 point harness system
  • Safe and easy installation
  • Certified safe
  • Energy absorbing base
  • Class color and styling
  • Ultra comfort padding
  • Side impact protection
  • High back
  • Adjustable height

Wrapping it up!

Finding the best car seat for 2 year olds is a lot easier than trying to wrangle in a 2 year old after a long day.  Toddlers can be difficult and fussy, but they are also amazing.  By the age of 2 they are on the way to learning and growing and you can even start to have conversations with your little big kid.  So keep them safe and keep them healthy by investing in a great car seat that not only keeps them comfortable but also offers amazing head and neck support.  The biggest mistake that parents make when finding a car seat is switching their child too quickly out of their front facing clam seat.  To ensure that you are doing your best to keep your child safe and secure, always check to make sure that their height and weight are within range for a move to an upright seat.  Good luck!

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