One of my favorite things to do in the Summer here in Minnesota comes at the end of Summer right before it’s back to school season. Can you guess what it is? The Minnesota State Fair! I absolutely love attending and so do my children. We go every year and we just love so many things about the state fair. Having four kids age 6 and under can present it’s challenges when attending the State Fair (or any crowded place) so I’m sharing my secrets on surviving the state fair with four kids in tow AND I’m showing you the must see attractions at the fair if you have children.
This was Brady’s first trip to the Minnesota State Fair at just six months old. We brought along our new Contours Options Elite tandem stroller along with our Contours Options so that all four kids could ride in a stroller. With a record braking 250,000+ people in attendance on the day we went to the fair I knew we would need to keep them confined to a stroller where we knew they weren’t going to get lost in the sea of people. Brady was more than comfy in his new ride and I love the plush head rests that helped hold his head comfortably in place. The seats feature an easy recline too so I was able to adjust it to where he would be comfortable and not sitting up to far where he would tip to the side.
Carson is 3 years old and he occupied the front seat of the stroller. The five point harness was a must for keeping him in his seat and not letting him sneak out of the stroller when we weren’t looking. He was comfortable and more than happy to nab a spot in the new stroller.
Surviving any crowded place with four young children means that two double strollers is essential. If you have two adults then I highly recommend having two doubles for crowded occasions. It’s much too easy for a child to wander away for a moment and in a sea of 250,000 people that can quickly turn into an emergency.
See what I mean? LOOK at all those people! It’s much too easy to become separated. While this sea of people looks overwhelming, and it was, having two strollers was key!
Our first stop was at the corn roast to get hot, buttered corn on the cob! It’s a MUST HAVE food at the state fair. The kids love it and so do we!
After walking around for awhile the two youngest kiddos were sleepy so we tipped both of their seats back and let them recline and snooze for awhile. The Contours Options Elite allows you to configure the seats in seven different seating positions which is my absolute most favorite feature. Not only can you turn the seats whichever way you desire, you can also recline them or sit them up. With multiple positions it lends to the amount of seating options at your fingertips.
Once Carson woke up our next stop was the kids’ favorite place to visit at the state fair, Little Farm Hands. They absolutely love this activity at the fair and if you have a little one with you then you HAVE to do this! Kids start their adventure with a bucket in hand an they get to wear an apron. Their job is to help out on the farm that day. They go through a series of activities which teach them about farming and helping on the farm. They get to ride little pedal tractors and deliver feed to the cows, feed pretend sheep and milk a pretend cow. They get to plant seeds in the garden and harvest the vegetables. Then it’s off to the farmer’s market where they sell their goods in exchange for a dollar to spend at the farm store where they get to pick out a treat! My kids got yogurt pouches and apples. They love this and so do I! There are lots of great opportunities for photos during the farm day too!
Once we had walked around and stuffed ourselves full of Aussie potatoes, Deep fried twinkies, Chocolate covered bacon and footlong brats, the kids were getting sleepy again so we turned both of their seats facing inwards to reduce the amount of stimulation. By facing them both in they could look at each other instead of all of the things going on around them. It worked and after a bit they were both sleeping again.
I created a video to show you all of my favorite features in person. Watch this video to see all of the features that made our day at the fair a breeze.
The seats also feature a mesh pocket where your child can store their snack or toys.
The zip open canopy was perfect for letting a breeze blow through their seats and it also serves to extend the canopy and shield the sun even further from the kids.
With four kids we had a lot of stuff to bring with us in order to survive an entire day at the fair. The oversized storage basket easily handled it all and we ended up with extra room so my husband who was suffering from sinus issues that day even through in an entire box of Kleenex. That’s a huge storage basket!
The folks at Contours really nailed this one by adding a zip open feature on the storage basket so you can easily reach in and grab whatever you need without having to move your child’s legs.
I loved that when the zip open canopy and peek-a-boo window were open I could easily see what Carson was doing in the front seat while I was in the back pushing. One thing I dislike about many tandem strollers is that you can’t see what the child in front is doing while you are pushing and their canopy is up. This was I always could see him and know what was going on in the front of the stroller which is key in large crowds.
After an exhausting day at the MN State Fair we retired to our hotel in Lakeville. The Holiday Inn Lakeville has an amazing kids water play area that was just perfect for our kiddos! It’s filled with different water play spouts, a slide and it’s only 8 inches deep. There is also a hot tub for the adults so it was ideal for our last night in the cities. We had an amazing mini vacation!
I can’t say enough about the Contours Options Elite Tandem Stroller. We have the Contours Opitons Tandem Stroller as well and it has really held up to all that we have put it through. These are quality made and they hold up over time. I am in LOVE with the Laguna Blue fabric and the modern feel that it gives to the Elite.
You can find more info on the Contours Options Elite on the Contours Baby site. Watch their official Contours Opitons Elite video review on their YouTube channel.
Win! Contours wants YOU to fall in love with the Options Elite as much as I have so they are giving one lucky reader a $100 Babies R Us gift card so you can purchase one at Babies R Us!
I LOVE the zip open feature on the under-basket! Why don’t all strollers have that?!
I LIKE THE TAKEAWAY INFANT CARRIER
I love the 7 seat configurations and great color options!
I like the Large Storage Basket with Zipper Side Access and the Parent Cupholder.
I love the gender neutral coloring options and the peek a boo windows. Very thoughtful!
love the takeaway infant carrier. thankyou, ken
I like the bottom storage basket.
I really like that it has 7 seat configurations
I like tht you can change which way the seats sit.
I really love the Seven Seating options!
i LIKE THE Large Storage Basket with Zipper Side Access
I love that you don’t have to remove the seats to fold it!! I also love how huge the basket is!
What I love about this stroller is the standing fold!
I like the zipper access to the basket.
Visited and I really like the universal adapter that works with 20 different car seats.
I love the seating options, sometimes kids just need to sit in opposite directions!
I likeep that the Options Elite includes one Universal Car Seat Adapter that fits over 20 different car seats
I love how adaptable the products are. I’d love that bassinet which can also be a moses basket and a changing table.
My favorite feature is all the ways you can face the seats, but my favorite is the eyes on you configuration. I also LOVE the laguna blue pattern.
I like that it has 7 seat configurations
I like that it fits over 20 different carseats.
I love the adjustable footrests and expandable Mesh Canopy.
I love how it glides so effortlessly in the video…A stroller that is comfortable and easy to push is a must!
I love the Zip open canopy!
I like the 7 seat configurations it has.
I love the adjustable footrests and large storage basket
I like the Large Storage Basket with Zipper Side Access.
I love that it offers 7 seating configurations.
I love the multiple configurations!
I love the bassinets!
I Like The Large Storage Basket with Zipper Side Access!
I like the Standing Fold.
I love the storage and the way you can switch the seats around to different ways,,that is so cool
I love the storage availability.
What I love most about the Contours Options Elite is that it has the versatility of 7 seating configurations. Awesome!
I like the Large Storage Basket .
I like the standing fold
I like all the different ways to have the kids face!
I like the 7 possible seating configurations.
i like that it can easily be folded and locked with both seats attached
I like the storage basket on the bottom.
easily folds and auto locks with both seats attached.
I like that the seat can face forward or backwards and how easy it is to fold up and down.
I love all the different seat configurations ,
I love the the versatility of 7 seating configurations
I like the large storage basket and 7 seat configurations
I love all the different options of how the little ones sit! Awesome!
I really love the Seven Seating options.
I love that it has seven different seating configurations.
Love that it has a universal car seat adapter, dont have to pay extra for that!
I like the 7 seating options.
the standing fold
I love that it is fully loaded with all the features of the Options LT AND Options!
I love all the different seating options! My twins would love that
I love the color options. The modern colors make it look like a high end stroller, but doesn’t have the high end price tag.
I love all the different seat facing options!
I like that it has the 7 configurations and nice color options.
I love that it has so many options!
I like that it has 7 seating configurations. I also like how large the storage space is under….that is a must for me! This would be great for our newborn when he arrives and his older sister.
I like the 7 seat configurations.
I like that it fits over 20 different car seats
I love the huge storage basket! And the cute colors and prints!
I love the under basket š
Thank you so much for the post and specially for taking the time to do the video. I am going to buy the stroller soon and was nice to see it š
I like the Contour Bliss Stroller Valencia(yellow)
I have lived in California for years & loved seeing the pictures of the Minnesota State Fair…brought back wonderful memories–loved their To Thumb Donuts!!!! Thanks for sharing!!!!
I love the universal car seat adapter and that there are so many possible seat configurations.
I love the different configurations.
I love how the rear seat turns around! I also really love that the compartment has a zipper to get to things easier. Its always a hassle trying to pull everything out just to get to things in the front of the basket. Very well designed!!
Love all the options and features this stroller has like the car seat adapter. Great for two children close in age.
I could use this so bad! We love the contours strollers. We had the optima and sold it once we thought we were finished having kids …and what do ya know we have a 4 year old and one on the way! ! Now we need a double again. I have read all the reviews and love all the features so much I would love to have this new elite one! It would be amazing with the new baby!
I like the adapters
I have the Contours Optima and love the multiple positions and huge basket. The zipper into the basket on the elite would be even better.
I love the versatility of seven different seating configurations.
I love the 7 different seating options. The Laguna color is gorgeous too.
I love that there are so many ways that the two carriers can be moved and positioned! I also love the color options.
Entered the rafflecopter form as “Wild Orchid”
Thanks for the chance to win!
wildorchid985 at gmail dot com
I really like the store and go option!
I like that it works for twins, I had a tough time finding a stroller that held 2 car seats for my twins
i love how you can change the direction of the seat! the versatility is great
the seven seating arrangements are nice.
i love the color and the underneath storage and how it has a zipper for easy access.
I like the zip open canopy.
Overall design.
The great colors and design
The bottom storage basket!
I like the safety harness
I like the zip open canopy! Pretty nifty feature
It has 7 seating configurations.
I love that this not only folds easily but also that the seats can be moved to face differently
I like the large amount of hideaway storage!
I love the universal car seat adapter!
I love that this stroller has 7 different seating configurations.
i love the ‘store and go’ option.
I like that it has seven seating configurations. Thanks.
partymix25(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love the 7 seating options, with four young children, this would come in handy for me!!
This is an awesome review! Thank you! I’m so excited for this stroller but I’m going to wait for the Sand color that Amazon will have next week!
I love the Large Storage basket on the bottom!
I love the 7 seat configurations and the take away infant carrier!
The mesh pocket for snacks is pretty neat! I haven’t seen that on any other stroller!
I love that it has all the amazing features while still being lightweight. Thanks for the chance to win!
7 seat configurations and its not heavy
LOVE this stroller! Excited I finally found a review on it!
The seven seating configurations are amazing. I love front or parent facing options too.
While others are starting to do this as well, the standing fold is a wonderful feature
I like the many customizable options and color choices
I like the different reclining seat options
The ability to recline it for your baby’s comfort seems like the best feature to me!
I guess I’d have to say above all of the quality materials and construction, the best thing about it is the colors it comes in! Gone are the days of Pooh Bear and Noah’s Ark themed strollers. Bring on the colors for the new century!
coriwestphal at msn dot com
What I love most is the 7 seating configurations!!! That would be so neat and helpful as they grow!
I love that I it has so many seating options. Sometimes I only need to take one child with me and I hate to bring my double stroller, so it is great that I can remove one seat.
I really like the 7 different seating options.
My fave feature is that the Contours Options Elite easily folds and auto locks with both seats attached.
I love that the Options Elite includes one Universal Car Seat Adapter that fits over 20 different car seats.
I love the new colors, and that it can fit multiple brands of catseats
I LOVE that it can rear face! thats awesome with a little one and a toddler!
Love all the different seating options!
Does anyone know how this handles on grass, mud, mulch, gravel or uneven surfaces?
Which do you prefer: the Optima or the Elite? I’m noticing the Optim is no longer available and that’s the one we wanted.
I’ve used both strollers extensively and I really like both. When given the choice I find myself grabbing the Elite. The options are great. I would suggest adding the parent tray and child cup holder trays as well as I imagine those grab your interest in the Optima. Then it will be the very best of both worlds!