There is no better way than to get children excited about being active than getting them involved in a fun fitness event that includes the whole family taking part too. The buzz of the crowd and excitement of the preparation teaches children resilience, team work, motivational skills and most importantly confidence in their ability to achieve something greater than they can imagine.
This past few years there has been lots of new events appearing that are suitable for children of various ages to get involved in, some of the most popular and well known events are that of Mini Mudder, Big Fun Run, Glow in the Park and Spartan Race. There are also various local fun runs in your local communities and 5k or 10k runs to join in with too.
By signing up to an event as a family it will encourage you to train together and start to embed an active lifestyle within all of you, you’ll motivate each other and will spend that quality time together and work towards completing a task as one unit.
My top Kids Fitness and Family events for 2019 are as follows
1. Big Spartan Race
This course encourages kids to jump, run, get muddy, help each other, and have a good time while conquering obstacles. You’re never too young to set goals and celebrate accomplishing them! Their Spartan Kids courses have lots of obstacles for youngsters to challenge themselves on – they’ll climb, crawl under, and even throw a spear as they head around the course. It’s the perfect family day out and every racer is rewarded with a finishers t-shirt and medal!
https://www.spartanrace.uk/en/race/kids-races/kids-race-overview
2. Big Fun Run
Big Fun Run is a series of 5k untimed runs staged within scenic settings throughout the UK from June to October. There are 20 locations to choose from, all you need to do is find the one closest to you! The runs are suitable for all the family where you can accomplish your personal goals; whether you are raising money for a worthwhile cause close to your heart, remembering a loved one or simply keeping active. It’s all about mums with prams, dads with toddlers, groups running together, fancy dress and a fantastic fun mix and under 5’s can take part for FREE! Even better! A great one to start with if you want to make this a family tradition for generations to come.
https://www.ukfitnessevents.co.uk/event/kids?keyword=kids
3. Active Warrior
The Active Warrior is a 5k obstacle challenge and powered by active nation, a charity on a mission to persuade the nation to be active. This year they are aiming to get 1000 kids involved and for every adult ticket purchased, one child goes FREE. If you just want an adult only ticket, then they will donate your free child’s ticket to a school. It has a 100-meter water slide, over 40 manmade and naturally occurring obstacles, it takes in the best of the varied landscape the Southampton Outdoor Sports Centre has to offer. I am aiming to do this for the first time this year and will have a few Coyote Pups in tow with me. Training is underway.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/active-warrior-5km-obstacle-course-registration-55274899713
4. Mini Mudder
A 1 mile obstacle course mud run designed specifically for adventure-seeking kids. The course gives kids the chance to work as a team, get muddy, and experience the thrill of adventure. Kids must be between the ages of 7 – 12 and over 1.1m (3.5 foot) tall to participate. This activity is put on by the original Tough Mudder events offered around the country.
5. XRunner
A 1.5k or 3k Extreme obstacle race for 4 to 12 yr olds. There are twelve obstacles, a free medal & a wrist band. Junior Warrior will be a separate 1.5k course with twelve obstacles, including; – hay bales, commando crawls, balance beams, hurdles and tunnels. Juniors can choose between one or two laps, i.e. 1.5k or 3k. There are also courses for 12yr old plus. These events have more obstacles and less running in them, so if you’re not so keen on running then this one is for you and the family.
https://xrunner.co.uk/junior-kids-obstacle-races/
All prices vary and change depending on how in advanced you book. Click the links above or copy and paste the relevant website addresses into your google search bar to find out more about each event, see some pictures and films and share them with the family. Let the kids choose the one they’d like to do, fingers crossed they pick the same ones, but if not then why not have a go and do them all, now that’s one hell of a family challenge!
Good luck and most importantly, ENJOY!
