Kids are like adults. They need variety to keep them from getting bored. This is true for running too. So if you want kids to be interested in running so they will want to keep it up you have to make running fun for kids. And that means adding plenty of variety to their running program.
Get them warmed up with some stretching exercises and some simple games like Red Rover, Red Rover, Red Light, Green Light, and Simon Says. Start out slowly with short distances and move up to longer ones.
Create an obstacle course for them by putting items like cones at strategic distances. Turn it into a fun game for them.
Make it a cross training course by alternating running with climbing, hanging and balancing.
Run with your kids. They like to imitate adults and will do what you do. But pay attention to make sure you don’t overwork them. Little kids can usually only run for a few minutes at a time.
Work in some relay runs in there with continuous and three person relay runs. Some kids running programs also have scavenger hunts. This is another way to break up the running and make it fun for the kids.
Help them to create a goal like running a kids fun run and help them stick to it. Train with them. Gradually build up to better timing.
Whenever your kids achieve a goal, reward them with a healthy snack.
Encourage kids to do their best, but let them progress in their own time. If they enjoy it they’ll stick with it. And if not, don’t force it. Let them find another activity they are really interested in.
Simply running around a track might be enough for adults, but for kids try to mix things up a little.
