Is there a gentler way to do school research with a 4 year old in tow

We did our third school visit this month today. At the gate my son announced to the security uncle that this is his school now, and in the car he asked when he gets his new bag. He said the same thing at the first two. He's asleep now and I'm feeling a bit bad about it. To him each visit is a promise. My wife and I both want him to see the places, but maybe not like this. Did anyone do the first round of visits without the child and take them only for the final one or two? Or tell them something that made it less confusing?