Can adventure racing with kids be enjoyable or is it a disaster waiting to happen? Explorer Ben shares what he’s learned along the way. Spoiler alert: it’s easier than you think.


Adventure racing can be fun, daunting, challenging, rewarding, gruelling, and tough. However, completing the race with your kids opens a whole new layer of adventure.

My first experience of adventure racing with kids came about when my adventurous (and nosy!) seven-year-old overheard me talking with my wife about my plans to complete an upcoming race. The first thing he said was, ‘Can I do it too?’. When I explained what was involved, he was adamant that he was equipped with the skills required to finish the race.

Read more: Family and Adventure Aren’t Mutually Exclusive

I was equal parts sceptical and nervous, but there was a part of me that was very excited to share an experience like adventure racing with him. However, like any parent, my mind went straight to questioning everything. What happens if we cannot make the distance? How hard is it going to be to paddle a tandem kayak with a seven-year-old?

Paddling.

Riding.

Oh we’ve stopped.

The one thing I kept coming back to before I committed us to racing together, was the fact that it was only me that was concerned. My son was gleaming with positivity and a can-do attitude. Essentially, I was outsmarted by a seven-year-old and I said yes despite the doubt.

Here are the lessons I learned along the way.

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Training and Preparation are Important So Make it Fun

Obviously, you can’t just turn up to an adventure and get on with it. Like any physical activity or challenge, it’s best to do some training to ensure both you and your kids are physically (and mentally) ready and capable of taking on the challenges of an adventure race.

The key to successful training with kids (and most adults for that matter) is to make it fun and interesting. Turn your training sessions into mini adventures that your kids will enjoy. If you head to the same park each week to practice running, you’ll find that kids lose interest very quickly. However, if you take your kids to nearby trails and set different checkpoints each time you’re there, the kids will get a thrill out of looking for and reaching a checkpoint.

Read more: Training Kids Up For Multi-Day Hikes

If you’re training for mountain biking, don’t be afraid to incorporate trails that are more advanced for your kids. There’s nothing wrong with teaching them to hop off the bike and walk a section of the track. This is actually a great way to simulate race conditions, as there’s a high likelihood that you’ll be pushing your bikes for periods of time on the big day.

Remember, during the race you and your kids will be filled with adrenaline, so even if you’ve never completed the full distance in training, if you’re in the ballpark, the excitement and adrenaline of the day will help you finish.

Our spirits were just as high before the race

…as they were after!

Know Your Motivation

What’s more important? The adventure or the race?

Yes, it’s an adventure race and many teams on the day are likely looking to finish on top of the podium. This is awesome and what makes adventure racing a great sport, however, is that the goal of your team? Remember, you’re racing with your kids and the aim of the day is to finish the event with smiles and hugs, not tears.

During an adventure race, you’re working hard physically, but also on a playing field controlled by Mother Nature.

If you find you’re spending more time pushing your bike through mud, running in torrential rain, or paddling against gusting winds, there’s a good chance your kids aren’t enjoying themselves either.

Yes we can practice jumping for five minutes

We lost the bikes but not our good moods

One of the great elements of adventure racing is that you can kind of create your own adventure. If you’re out on the course and notice that one discipline is starting to shift from challenging to unbearable, then consider skipping a checkpoint or two and take the time penalty.

Read more: The Adventure Dad Diaries

Finishing the race and crossing the line together smiling is a far greater achievement than grinding out the full distance and hating the experience. If you finish the race happy and enjoy the experience, you’ll have plenty more races to improve on your time and move up that leaderboard later on.

 

Who Said Adventure Races Aren't a Family Affair?, Photos by Ben Dawson, son, child, kid, event, excited, happy, father, dad, selfie

This is what it’s all about

Fuelling Young Bodies for Success is Critical

No, I’m not talking about carb loading the night before or electrolytes and gels on race day. I’m talking about morale-boosting snacks that can provide you and your kids with not only energy, but also a shot of dopamine to help get you all through the tough times.

Scheduling your snacks to coincide with checkpoints is obvious and a great way to plan out your race-day nutrition. However, never underestimate the power of a subtle bribe or as I put it ‘clever motivation’.

If you’re approaching a challenging section, something like a giant hill or a tough component of navigation, having the ability to offer up a reward (yes, I’m talking Red Frogs or Killer Pythons) when you both complete this section is great.

 

Who Said Adventure Races Aren't a Family Affair?, Photos by Ben Dawson, son, child, kid, event, excited, happy, bike, dad

Fuel in the tank means overcoming challenges like lost bikes doesn’t result in a sour mood or non-finish

 

Before you judge me and my morally corrupt values as a parent, hear me out. As adults, we often do this to ourselves. Have you ever been on a long hike and told yourself you’ll get your chocolate bar when you finish a big climb? Have you ever rewarded yourself with a holiday after a particularly tough period at work?

There’s no difference! I speak from experience when I say that this is a very effective tool that helps keep morale at an all-time high with my kids. 

Navigation, Kids, and Maps Aren’t Scary Once You Get Started

Navigation, maps, and kids – are you kidding me?

Most adventure races require your team to undertake a certain element of navigation to complete the race. This can be daunting for adults, let alone kids.

However, in my experience, the navigation component in a novice/beginner race is designed to be fun and achievable if you slow down, breathe, and follow the course instructions.

There’s usually a pre-race briefing session that’s great for adults as it explains things, settles the nerves, and gives people the ability to ask questions. This briefing can be very daunting for kids as there may be a lot of discussion or terminology that they don’t understand.

Yep, pre-race jitters were alive and well

…but they were long forgotten by the time we saw the first checkpoint.

If they accompany you to the meeting, it’s a great time to reassure them and explain that we have a map, compass, and dozens of other teams all heading (hopefully) in the same direction. Remind them that the race is safe, and the aim is to have fun.

While out on the course, take your time to get your bearings and then explain to the kids which direction you’re heading and which checkpoint you’re looking for. Once you’ve reached a few checkpoints correctly, the nerves should start to settle down, and the fun and adventure will take over.

So, would I do it again?

Having now completed the event, I can honestly say that adventure racing with my son has been one of the best adventures we’ve ever shared together. We’ve created everlasting memories and have matching finisher medals to prove it!

FAQs Adventure Racing With Kids

How old does my child have to be before I should take them on adventures outdoors?

There’s no age limit! In fact, many parents take their infants on outdoor adventures. From child carriers to adventure prams and accessible trails, there are plenty of ways to keep exploring with tiny humans in tow.

What is adventure racing?

Adventure races involve navigating an unmarked course using a variety of sports. You might be hiking, biking, or kayaking on your race, because oh yes, it’s timed! If you’re looking for a new challenge, this might be right up your alley!

What are the main difficulties of adventure racing?

Adventure racing is tough! You’ve got to be across multiple disciplines, navigate, and deal with the pressure of competition while keeping your body properly hydrated and fuelled. Common difficulties include disorientation (getting lost!), fatigue, injury, and over-confidence.

How long do adventure races go for?

Every adventure race is different. They start at a few hours long for more family-friendly races, and continue increasing in length, peaking at expedition-level races that last more than a week! You don’t need to wait for an official adventure race event like this one to enter either – grab some mates and organise your own!

Where can I find out about adventure races near me?

Keep your ear to the ground at your local gym or running club, or keep it simple and check out the We Are Explorers event calendar. We’ve got local adventure races, hikes, movie nights… you name it. Check it out to plan your next weekend jaunt!

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