Amazing weather ✅

Top rated running shoes ✅

Fueled up and ready to go ✅

This all sounds like the perfect conditions for taking an outdoor run with your family. But if you don’t have a plan for your toddler, you plan to fail.

I cannot tell you how many times my husband and I have put our son in the stroller. Just to turn back after less than a quarter of a mile in because my son wasn’t having it.

He’s done it all from screaming to the top of his lungs the entire run to throwing things like his hat at cars in traffic!

Let’s be honest…we are the adults but the kids run everything because if they aren’t content and happy; mama and daddy certainly won’t be.

Thankfully, we’ve done really well at figuring out how to keep him entertained. Here are some that have helped us…

1. Bring snacks! This seems like a no brainer but it is important to consider the type of snacks. It should be something portable and not messy.

2. Let them participate. No matter how small of a task it is. We let our son hit the “run” button when it’s time to start tracking our time.

3. Let them explore with their eyes. Explain things you see that they don’t get to see everyday like a buzzard eating roadkill, a giant grasshopper, or even a flower they have never seen. We once saw a buzzard getting a dead bird from middle of the street. My son asked what it was and I explained he was getting food to take back to his family. Since then, he asks me almost everyday if the buzzard took food to his family today.

4. Let them grab. Tall grass, weeds or whatever they can get their hands on. It’s like their trophy for the day.

5. Bring a portable outdoor toy. Something entertaining like a bubble machine has been a lifesaver! The best $5 I’ve ever spent.

6. Bring the tablet. This one isn’t my favorite but sometimes necessary. I have found that the tablet has only had to be used in extreme circumstances. It sits in his lap, turned off, 95% of the time. He’s usually too busy looking around to see what’s around him. If it’s a must to use, try suggesting that they record stuff they see or maybe listen to songs.

7. Give them a chance to run too. After we finish, we get him out of the stroller to let him run up and down the sidewalk a few times. He even asks about his running time when he’s done!

Running as a family has been something that we look forward to each day. We struggle together, sweat together, bond and it’s a great way to get yourself and the kids out of the house without spending a dime. Our son asks every, single day…”Mama, are we going to go for a run today?” Making memories like this is worth the soreness that we go through.

Hope these tips help you as much as they help us. If you have a tip, drop it in the comments.

Stay Fearless 💋