A family fun run in the spring sun not only warms us up physically, but warms us up to the idea of getting outside again to exercise. Involving your kids in setting and achieving a fitness goal can be a very rewarding experience.
There are countless health and wellness benefits to exercising together. It also offers a chance to bond and be a positive role model for your child, helping you establish healthy habits that will hopefully last beyond the day’s workout.
The mantra for working out with your kids shouldn’t be “no pain, no gain.” There are plenty of local runs in the spring that offer a terrific opportunity to have some fun, too. Many events have kids’ dashes or family walks. Start small, be encouraging, and do a little more activity each outing; you’ll be ready for one of these events in no time.
April
- Date/Time: Saturday, April 12. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- Location: Redmond Senior & Community Center
- Cost: $35+ | Register here
Join the annual Beat the Bunny 5K race, a fun and family friendly event! This race welcomes hopping, walking, strolling, running or anything you want, and everyone wins a prize. The race includes a FREE kids dash at 9:30 a.m. prior to the start of the 5K race at 10 a.m. Ages 6+ for 5K required.
Kids lining up to race the bunny. (Image courtesy Redmond Parks and Recreation).
- Date/Time: Saturday, April 19. 7:30 to 11 a.m.
- Location: Lincoln Park, Seattle
- Cost: $30+, varies by race | Register here
Hop into spring with this fun family friendly Easter running event with Easter eggs for the kiddos! They offer a family offer a 5K, 10K and half marathon option at this event, and even a 1 mile family fun run option.
Magnuson Series: Earth Day Run
- Date/Time: Saturday, April 19. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Location: Magnuson Park, Seattle
- Cost: $32+ for 5K, 10K, 15K, $6 for Kids Dash | Register here
This series of events has participants running around the scenic Magnuson Park. Celebrate Earth Day and do a fun run with the whole family! They have a 5K, 10K or 15K option, or a Kids Dash 400 meter run at 9:45 a.m. Your little ones can do the 400 meter kid’s run, or do the 5K with you.
Family friendly Earth Day Run at Magnuson Park (Image courtesy: Magnuson Series)
- Date/Time: Saturday, April 26. Starts at 9 a.m.
- Location: Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington (4 miles north of the tulip fields)
- Cost: $30-$40 | Register here
Join this fast scenic course at the Skagit Regional Airport in Burlington and choose from a 5K, 2 mile or 10K option. They offer special discounts for kids ages 10 and younger, 70 and older, and active duty Military, Veterans & First Responders.
May
Kirkland Half Marathon Kids Dash
- Date/Time: Sunday, May 4. 7:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Location: Juanita Beach Park, Kirkland
- Cost: $52+ for 5K, $95+ for Half marathon, $12 for Kids Race | Register here
As part of the Kirkland Half Marathon, there will be a 5K course, and children can run in a kids’ dash (ages 12 and under) at 10:30 a.m. that is approximately a 1/2 mile long. It includes a finishers medal. You can purchase a shirt in addition. Note: Dogs are not welcomed, but strollers are!
- Date/Time: Sunday, May 4. 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Location: Gasworks Park, Seattle
- Cost: $30+ for 5K, free kids race | Register here
Get ready for this Star Wars themed fun run this spring as a celebration of all things Star Wars. Grab your favorite lightsaber and throw on your favorite Star Wars outfit or costume! There will be a FREE kids race (untimed) including a bib. However the race doesn’t include a medal or shirt.
- Date/Time: Saturday, May 10. 7:45 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.
- Location: Husky Stadium, Seattle
- Cost: $45 for 8K and free for walk/fun run | Register here
It’s a great cause – juvenile diabetes – and a great event. Older kids might want to try and beat the University Bridge before it raises in the 8K race. Or, choose the 3-mile family walk, the 1-mile fun run, or the diaper derpy for toddlers.
- Date/Time: Saturday, May 17. 9:30 to 11 a.m.
- Location: Game Farm Park, Auburn
- Cost: $35+ | Register here
This family oriented fun run event takes place prior to the Auburn Petpalooza festival. Participants will follow a 3K or 5K route. The course is flat and easy for all ages and ability levels to enjoy. Water will be available at the course for dogs and human participants.
- Date/Time: Sunday, May 18 from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
- Location: Alki Beach, Seattle
- Cost: $20-$30 for students/youth, $40-$45 for adults | Register here
Join this 5K distance run and is a fundraiser for West Seattle High School to help educational programing. This run is held on the beautiful Alki Beach, and is a fast and flat course great for runners, joggers, and families with children in strollers. Afterwards, take advantage of Alkis famous eateries, or enjoy a day at the beach. There will be sponsor booths that you can visit during and after the race.
Soaring Eagle Race in Sammamish
- Date/Time: Saturday, May 31. 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
- Location: Soaring Eagle Regional Park, 26015 E Main Dr, Sammamish, WA 98075
- Cost: $42+ | Register here
The Soaring Eagle race will take you from traffic in the city to trails in the woods with three distances including 5k, 10k and half-marathon. They will be offering free kids’ races at all of the events (register your child during the registration process for your own race or sign them up later). This is a fun singletrack and doubletrack, very flat and 0.5 miles long.
- Date/Time: Saturday, May 31. 1 to 4 p.m.
- Location: Seattle Center International Fountain
- Cost: $15 per person, free for children 5 and under | Register here
A fundraiser for Water 1st International, families will carry water in support of communities in need of clean water. The event takes place at Seattle Center, where participants will fill their containers with water from the International Fountain and try to carry it for five kilometers (the average walk made by people in poor countries who lack access to water). Parking tip: You can park for free at some Amazon garages on Saturdays and take the monorail to Seattle Center.
Meet me at Water Front Park 5K
- Date/Time: Saturday, May 31. 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Location: Pier 62
- Cost: $35+ ($20 for ages 0-18), free for kids 12 and under. Register here.
Be part of history and celebrate Seattle’s new waterfront with an fun 5K run for all ages and abilities! Presented by Brooks Running, they invite you to run, walk or roll through the reimagined waterfront filled with stunning views. Only strollers, wheels chairs and other mobility aids are allowed (no bikes or scooters). Kids run free! Free registration is open for children 12 and under for the free kids dash.
June
- Date/Time: Sunday, June 8. 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Location: Marymoor Park, Redmond
- Cost: $15-$45 | Register here
This annual fun run and family walk celebrating the numerous King County Parks through the neighborhoods, cities and county. They have a 1K kids run for the little ones to join!
