Taking kids to a ParkRun

I took my 6 year old on a 3k fun run event once. Constantly run/walk thing the whole way. Pretty sure we did it in a time of around 25 minutes or so ...... and I'd like to think he was an 'average' 6 year old, so Im guessing you could probably do it in around 45 minutes or so. Personally I think 5k is a tad too far for a 5 year old, but for all I know you might have a Mo Farrah on your hands.

I saw a dad taking his two children round our parkrun: he told the older one to wait 10 seconds, then run ahead to a point in the course 50 yards ahead or so (ie. go to the big tree) where he waited for his dad and brother to catch up. The older one did a series of sprints - the dad and the young one took it more sedately. They both seemed to be having fun, and keeping to their own level.

I think it's a great idea!  Quite a lot of parents bring their kids to my local parkrun, the youngest regular is 6 and he usually dashes off at the start and slows down by 1km. The approach that Dan describes sounds like a good way to keep both kids interested for the whole 5k

with the two children it would be easier if there were two adults as young children need to be accompanied........which can be difficult if they are different levels........

Love that description Shona! That's exactly what it's like taking my little cousins out

That put a smile on my face

In terms of simply should a 5 and 8 year old do parkrun: a resounding DEFINITELY!!! Won't be out of place at all, and there is no time that is too slow for parkrun. Make sure everyone is signed up and has their barcode! 10 runs, and they get a T-shirt (the juniors only - 50 runs minimum for adults

i'm sure the kids would love it. and from my experience they ususally get a good welcome from most of the runners, except maybe the front of the pack runners who don't really seem to be in to mingle (IMHO)

I've been taking my (now 10 year old) to parkrun since last year.  He has run 5k and has done 10 to get his t-shirt but as there's a 2.5k one lap option, he usually does that and then waits for my husband and I to do the second lap.  It's great exercise and is quick, unlike the interminable (well, 30 mins warm-up and 40 mins for the match) football matches we used to have to stand in the cold through.

I have taken my 5 & 8 year old to a 3k event at xmas which they coped with fine and could have kept going.  My 8 year old will come to Parkruns with me and is very motivated by the idea of getting a special t-shirt after 10 runs. I wouldn't give up on the idea yet, but don't expect to run your normal pace. They could have just been having an off day.  If you really want to get them to do it, buy a couple of cheap medals from your local shoe repair type place, ebay (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gold-Silver-Bronze-medals-45mm-with-neck-ribbon-Free-1-insert-centre-/140904412762?pt=UK_SportingGoods_OtherSports&hash=item20ce8eb65a) or a bag of ten plastic ones from Asda and when they finish present them with one each - works with mine everytime.

loads of little ones at MK parkrun, they all seem to love it, and may can beat me too, i'm sure the crowd will be more fun and they will enjoy the morning. if still not convinced the  youngest one will manage, why not one parent volunteer with the 5 year old and cheer mum/dad & sibling on and everyone else too, am sure they would love marshalls , then everyone enjoys the morning without feeling guilty they got bored 

Lots of Primary kids seem to race our local PR every week but surely that`s not good?! Some do no running apart from a maximal effort in the local park. Also I suspect that 5k is too far for primary kids.

I am thinking about taking my 6 year old to my local one soon. There is always a fair few kids so should be ok. I think having his own barcode and the whole results thing will motivate him to do it.

He keeps wanting to come on runs with me so I tell him the time to get ready. I then pick him up after my run and we go for a cool down jog 1-2 km. He loves it, you also get some great looks when he is there looking good and I am a sweaty knackered mess next to him.

My 6 year old comes along with me sometimes to parkrun - he loves it. The atmosphere helps motivate him, and knowing he can beat some of the grown-ups (don't know where he gets his competitiveness from ).  He loves the idea that he can get a t-shirt if he does enough of them.  I only let him do it occasionally though as I appreciate that his bones aren't fully developed yet - 5k every week would be too much.  It helps that our local parkrun is mainly on trails, so a bit softer on his joints than road would be.  We got him a lanyard so he can carry his own barcode, and sometimes he will choose to take some water round too.  We just go at his pace, and he chooses whether he runs or walks.  He had done shorter fun runs before though and regularly watches us at races or helps marshall, so that maybe helped him know what he was in for.  And he loves waiting for the result to come in to see if he has a PB or not!  It might be worth going to the parkrun anyway, then letting them decide once they are there?