Harrison grinning from inside the red Radio Flyer wagon, wrapped in a maroon and gold blanket outdoors

The Wagon That Carried Us

Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon with Canopy – Parent Tested Review

A thing I have not done well the past few years is document the gear that actually helped. That is on me. I am fixing it by circling back to the stuff that made hard seasons easier.

Top of that list is our Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon with Canopy.

Why a wagon matters

If you are staring down surgeries, spica casts, repeat Shriners trips, or just lots of appointments, here is my one clear piece of advice: get a wagon. This one is a top three purchase since Harrison was born. It made hospital weeks bearable, appointments simpler, and it keeps paying off for normal life like parks, zoos, and even Halloween.

The backstory

We were in Greenville for Harrison’s hip reduction surgery. He was tiny, uncomfortable, and in a spica cast. I ran to Target, saw this wagon, and bought it on a whim. Best impulse buy I have made as a dad.

Harrison asleep in the Radio Flyer wagon lined with pillows after hip surgery in a hotel room
Our makeshift cot during that first hard week.

It has cloth sides with tall walls, seat belts, a zip-down side that turns into a bench, and a canopy that actually helps. That first week we even used it like a little cot in the room. He could rest. We could breathe.

How we use it

  • Hospital and hotel: Portable cot, kid corral, sanity saver
  • Appointments: Pillows in, kid settled, no carrying a heavy cast from building to building
  • Everyday life: Parks, zoos, vacations, neighborhood walks
  • Holidays: Halloween hauler for blankets, candy, and a warm place to ride
  • Season after season: Spring, summer, fall. It never sits in storage
Clinic staff adjusting Harrison’s red leg casts while he rests in the wagon

I cannot compare it to the pricey stroller wagons. We never needed to try anything else. This worked, so we stayed with it.

Features that actually matter

Jenna pulling the wagon down a hospital hallway while Harrison lounges under a blanket
  • Three modes: two-rider seating, flatbed hauling, bench seat
  • One-hand flat fold for the trunk or closet
  • UV canopy that stores on the wagon, with retractable poles
  • Seat belts, high backs, thick padded seats
  • DuraClean fabric wipes down fast
  • Two front cup holders, two soft cup pouches, and a rear storage pouch
  • Adjustable telescoping handle that stays upright
  • Safety tested to ASTM F963 toy safety standard
  • Suitable for kids 1.5+ years

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Legit one-hand fold
  • Tall sides and belts make hospital runs easier
  • Works as a comfy cot with pillows and a blanket
  • Canopy helps in summer sun and light rain
  • Fabric cleans up fast
  • Handle parking position is underrated but great

Cons

  • Plastic wheels are fine on sidewalks, not great on rough gravel or sand
  • Accessories for folding wagons are limited
  • Takes real trunk space once pillows and blankets join the ride.
Dad selfie on a gravel trail with wagon and bundled kid
Harrison relaxing in the wagon at a park with iced drinks in the cup holders

Who it is for

Parents juggling casts, therapy, and frequent appointments. Families who want a flexible hauler for parks, zoos, and holidays. Grandparents who want a simple setup that does not require a stroller learning curve.

Tips from our miles with it

  • Bring two bed pillows and a throw blanket to turn it into a cot
  • Keep a small towel or pad handy for post-op mess insurance
  • Pack a clip fan in summer and a fleece in fall
  • The bench-seat zipper panel is nice for park time, just make sure it is latched before rolling
  • For Halloween, line it with a themed blanket and lights, then let your kid ride in style

The verdict

This wagon has put in the miles with us and keeps rolling. It is simple. It works. It is worth it.

Where to buy

FAQ

Will this fit in a small trunk?

Yes. It folds flat with a one-hand pull. Pillows and blankets take extra space, so plan for that.

How much weight can it handle?

It is rated for kids 1.5+ years with a total load of up to 150 lbs.

Does the canopy help?

It blocks sun and light drizzle. We keep it attached and pop the poles up when needed.

Is it allowed in hospitals?

Policies vary. We have never had an issue at clinics or Shriners.

How does it roll?

Smooth on halls and sidewalks. It is okay on packed paths, less ideal on chunky gravel.


Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon with Canopy

Parent tested review of the Radio Flyer 3-in-1 EZ Fold Wagon with Canopy. How it handled surgery weeks, appointments, parks, and even Halloween.

Product Brand: Radio Flyer

Editor's Rating:
4.8

Pros

  • Legit one-hand fold
  • Tall sides and belts make hospital runs easier
  • Works as a comfy cot with pillows and a blanket
  • Canopy helps in summer sun and light rain
  • Fabric cleans up fast
  • Handle parking position is underrated but great

Cons

  • Plastic wheels are fine on sidewalks, not great on rough gravel
  • Accessories for folding wagons are limited
  • Takes meaningful trunk space once you add pillows and a blanket

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