Set a good example.  Offer to take him running with you, but don't push, nag, or cajole.  The best way to get him interested is to make it look cool without having to explain why.

For my 4-year-old, so far so good. He saw me running, asked about it, and I offered to take him with me one day. Since then, he'll occassionally go out with me and runs/walks/trots/giggles up to a mile.

Good luck!

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quote:

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Originally posted by newenglandfan08:

just don't force it down his throat.

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yep

and he is only 7.


Mabye your first run should be an ice cream place or something. (not back though)

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They didn’t know my shoulder was broken so I just kept riding

People don't Understand how hard it is to win a bike race...That my problem...I make it look easy

It's Easy to lie with stats, but it's easier to lie without them.

I agree with the "don't push it down his throat" 100%, but I also think encouraging kids to exercise is terrific, and I don't think 7 is too young.  No, you shouldn't try to get him to jog 3 times a week, but you can encourage him when he does run (even if in playing or whatever).  I think most important is being a role model.  Since I run all the time, my 3 and 5 year old boys constantly want to go with me.  We run the cul de sac together (about .2 miles) once every couple of weeks.  These days my 5 year old likes to ride his bike alongside DH when he runs (3-3.5 miles).

After my first marathon, I went to cheer my cousin on in hers and I asked my 5 yo son if he wanted to do the kid's race (.6 miles). He did it, he loved it and he is so proud of his medal (they all got one), t-shirt and bib number. He also learned that you do your best by running your best - i.e. you don't have to win the race. Both boys did a kid's dash a couple weeks ago when I did my 1 mile race and they loved it.

So, my advice is give DS the opportunity and be a good role model and he may just turn into a runner (or anything other than a couch potato!).

Lurking parent here ... I'm glad someone else bought this up, my nearly four year old has run a couple of times at the beginning of my run and I was absolutely astounded she can do a kilometer no problems, but I did wonder if this is ok for her age? Absolutely agree ...dont push them, and keep it fun. She loves running but mostly rides her bike with me or goes in the buggy for long runs.

Hi, my daughters are 7 and 6 and all I did to encourage them was telling them I was going to run around the neighborhood, and they wanted to come with me. Then when I signed up for my first 5K that was this past weekend, I asked if they wanted to do the kids' fun run (I think it was 1/4 mile), and they were excited about it. Getting matching outfits for us was also fun. We got pink, but perhaps blue would be better for you and your son! Or even a matching hat. Having a special thing to wear when we do an activity seems to make it more fun for my girls. Many runs have kids' runs, so they can do their own run then cheer you on while you do your own (with another adult to watch them of course). Going to the race together was a fun event for my family and we got some great pictures, and better yet, great memories. I can't wait to do it again!