The Best Family Obstacle Races to Run With Your Kids in 2019 (2024)

Do you wish your kid was more active? Participating in an obstacle course race or mud run could be a way to get out of your routine and bond as a family.

Obstacle race is an opportunity for your kids to rediscover the joy of playing outdoors. During this challenging adventure, children have to utilize all their ninja skills to conquer the course.

If you want to know what to wear at an obstacle race and expecting to find a real review from a real runner. Check out my clothing checklist.

Children love obstacle course because it's fun and they are finally allowed to jump in the mud. Parents also enjoy obstacle races because it's the perfect day to connect with their kid, have fun and build cool memories.

If you are looking for an activity that you can truly enjoy as a family, I recommend you try one the following obstacle races and mud runs.

For my family, it was a getaway from the routine, and we surely build a stronger bond because of it. We are now thrilled by the upcoming race, and it motivates us to be more active, together, as a family. Besides the benefits of exercising, my kids are now more perseverant and courageous when facing obstacles in everyday life.

I sincerely hope every family could give it a try and this is why created this list of the best obstacle races and mud runs for kids.

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Spartan Kids

For kids ages 4 to 13 | In more than 35 countries, such as United-States, Canada, Australia, United-Kingdom and more

It's not a coincidence that Spartan Race is the most popular obstacle race in the world. It's also the best for many reasons besides the actual competition.

Spartan Race is the most inclusive event you can find. Everyone can take part in a Spartan race; it doesn't matter your age, your fitness level, your physical or mental limitation, Spartan has an option for you.

Spartan Race mission is to inspire children to get off the couch and be more active. During a Spartan Race, your kids will run, climb, jump and crawl through the obstacles.

Depending on your kids' age, the course can vary between 0.5 to 2 mile (0.8-3.2 km) and will have approximately 10 obstacles. The level of difficulty is adjusted to the kid's age group. Each obstacle is scaled-down to be more kid-friendly and is really similar to the one you'll found on the main event (ex: wall, cargo net, spear throw, etc.).

At Spartan Race, the medals are earned and not given. This means your kid will have to commit to the race and finish the course to get the medal and the t-shirt.

Your kid will be so proud to wear the t-shirt and show his Spartan medal to his friends.

There's some much to say about Spartan Race, that I decided to create a new article to cover the whole subject. In here you can find everything there is to know about Spartan Kids.

For all the race details, visit spartankids.com

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Mini Tough Mudder

For kids ages 5 to 13 | In more than 5 countries and 23 cities over the United-States (ex: Boston, Dallas, Florida, Los Angeles, Seattle, Virginia, Chicago)

Tough Mudder is one of the most popular obstacle races in the world. In my opinion, it's the best obstacles race regarding obstacles quality and mud quantity. To run in the main event, runners have to be at least 14 years old. But there's also a separate course, call Mini Mudder, for the children ages 5 to 13.

Mini Mudder is all about having fun and playing in the mud with your friends. The children can experience a scaled-down version of the cool obstacles from Tough Mudder.

During the 0.25 mile course, the children must put their effort together and work as a team to conquer the 10 obstacles. Depending on your kid's ages, they can run up to 4 laps, for a total of 1 mile (3 km). The obstacles are as crazy as their name; Tunnel of Terror, Goeey Shoes, Secret Agent Squeeze, Mount Mud, etc.

All kids who finish the race, receive a finisher headband and a t-shirt. Moreover, they have a fantastic story to tell their friends on Monday morning at school.

Mini Mudder is one of my favorite obstacle race for kids and there so much more to learn about it. If you want to know more, I recommend you read this article I wrote about Tough Mudder for kids.

For all the race details, visit toughmudder.com

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Savage Race Jr

For kids ages 12 and under | All over the United-States: Florida, Dallas, Chicago, Boston, and more

Savage Race is my favorite event for the creativity of the obstacles. The obstacles are challenging and different from the other races. Every runner must be at least 13 years old to participate in the competition. However, for the kids under 12 years old, there's the Savage Race Jr.

Savage Race Jr, is an excellent way to introduce your kids to obstacle racing. Children will have to conquer more than 10 obstacles on a 0.5-mile course. Your kids will have fun running in the sandpit, climbing over the walls, crawling in the tunnels, walking on a wood lug and jump in the mud puddle.

Since there is no age minimum for Jr race, it's at the parent's discretion whether or not his kid can participate. You still have to guide, and help your children on the course. If an obstacle is too challenging for your kid, you can by-pass the obstacle.

After the race, your child will be awarded a finisher medal, plus a Savage Race T-shirt. I always remember the first time my kids receive this medal, that moment was priceless. Wait until you see the smile on your kid's face when he gets that prize.

For all the race details, visit savagerace.com

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BoneFrog Challenge

For kids ages 4 to 13 | United-States: Washington, Long Island, Boston, Dallas, and more

BoneFrog Challenge is a Navy SEAL-style obstacle race. The whole event is an immersion in the Navy SEAL world. To participate in the main event at BoneFrog, runners must be at least 14 years old.

For the children, they also have a kid's course with kids-friendly obstacles. The race is about 0.25 miles with +8 obstacles. The youngest children, ages 3 to 6, will run one lap, and the others, ages 7 to 13, will do two laps.

The kids will have a chance to test their ability on similar obstacles like in the main competition. You'll be able to follow your kid while is climbing the obstacles and jumping in the mud pit. After the race, your kid will get his BoneFrog Challenge medal from a Navy SEAL.

I'm sure your kid will remember this day for a long time.

For all the race details, visit bonefrogchallenge.com

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Warrior Dash

For kids ages 3 to 9 | All over the United-States: Ca, Wa, Tx, Fl, Nc, Mn, Co

Warrior Dash is one of the most famous obstacle race in the United-States. The event is all about having fun while competing over crazy obstacles.

This race could classify as a family obstacle race because kids age 10 or more can take part in the action during the main 5K Warrior Dash course.

That doesn't mean the younger children shouldn't have fun too. Since 2018, a Warrior Dash training grounds is available at each location. It's not an actual race where kids receive a medal at the finish line, but more like a playground where kids can try mini obstacles and play in the mud. However, every kid at the training ground, receive a warrior helmet to wear and take home.

Personally, I can't wait for the next Warrior Dash event!

For all the race details, visit warriordash.com

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The 5k Foam Fest

For kids ages 13 and under | All over Canada and Australia

The 5k Foam Fest is the family event you don't want to miss. Everyone is welcome to complete the course. During this race, kids over 7 years old can take part in the main event, with the parents.

During a 5k (3.1 miles) race, you and your kid's are guaranteed to have a blast. Be prepared to get wet and muddy while crossing the 22 obstacles.

The coolest part of this event is the variety of obstacles. Many obstacles are inflatable such as the slides and the bouncy house. Also, you'll need to cross water by running on floating pads and tubes.

However, my favorite obstacles are the foamy obstacles; like the log roll, the body washer and the chamber of foam. On the website, they claim to pump out 2.5 million cubic feet of foam during the race. That's crazy!

Children under 13 years old are required to run with the supervision of an adult. The parent must use proper judgment to decide which obstacles are suitable or not.

After the completion of the race, every runner gets a finisher medal and are welcome the participants in the festivities.

The kids of ages 7 and under, can access the Kids Zone for free. In this kid-friendly area, children can try the mini inflatable obstacles (ex: Bounce house).

For all the race details, visit the5kfoamfest.com

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Kids Obstacle Challenge

For kids ages 5 to 16 | All over the United-Stats: Los Angles, Dallas, Boston, Portland an more

What is unique about the Kids Obstacle Challenge is they are entirely dedicated to children. Kids from ages 5 to 16 can participate, along with their parents, into the most significant obstacle race for kids in the United-States.

At the Kids Obstacle Challenge, parents are encouraged to put down the camera and to take part in the race. Instead of trying to capture the moment with your iPhone, why not be part of the moment. Imagine running with your kids through the obstacles and the mud pits. The best way to inspire kids to be more active is to become the example to follow.

The little runners will encounter more than 13 obstacles during a 2 miles run. Besides the mud and the water obstacles, you'll have to climb over the cargo net, jump in the ball pit and swing across with a rope. What I love about this race is there no pressure to compete. If an obstacle is too challenging, you directly go around and continue the course.

At the end of this fun adventure, your kid will get a sweet medal and a free snack. That will be the perfect time to take back your phone and snap a picture.

The Kids Obstacle Challenge is an excellent opportunity to bond with your kids and share a unique experience.

For all the race details, visit kidsobstaclechallenge.com

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Mud Hero Kids

For kids ages 8 to 9 | Where: Canada: Ottawa, Montreal, Toronto, and more

Mud Hero is the ideal adventure for your entire family. On the course, you'll notice all type of peoples, from all fitness level. Everyone can participate, as long as you are over 13 years old. If not, don't worry Mud Hero have a separate race for the kids.

Mud Hero Kids is a 0.3 mile (0.5 km) course with kid-friendly obstacles. The obstacles are actually similar to the main obstacles, but scaled-down for children. Exactly like most obstacle races for kids, you'll found; walls, pyramid, cargo net, balance beams, tunnels, etc. Except what makes this race so special is the amount of mud. You are in for a muddy surprise!

Kids age 4 to 5, need to have a parent with them on the track. Parents and volunteers will help the children. However, the 6 to 7 yeard old can run the course alone, and you can watch the race from the finish line. The whole course will be visible in this section.

Following the first lap, your kid can do a second round or go directly to the finish line, where the medals are given. Also, your kid will receive a Mud Hero Kids t-shirt. Mud Hero was the first race my kids had participated in, and they still wear that t-shirt. The medals are proudly displayed in their rooms.

We enjoy the experience so much that we are present every year since them.

For all the race details, visit mudhero.com

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Conclusion

It's hard to do a full list of the kid's obstacle race or mud run, with some many local events happening all over North America and in the rest of the world.

Therefore, with this list, I try to cover all the principal events that are held in more than 1 or 2 locations.

However, I recommend that you also look at the more local obstacle races and mud runs. I always try to encourage the local entrepreneur.

I'm sure you can find a fabulous family event where your kids can have plenty of fun running with other children from their home town or their school. Most of those local events will provide the same quality as the dominant brand, but for a fraction of the price.

On the other hand, you can't be wrong by attending one of the events listed above.

Which race will you choose?

P.S. If you want to know what to wear at an obstacle race and hoping to get genuine advice from a real runner. You should check out this my clothing checklist.

I have hand picked this racing gear because I'd used each item in different obstacle races and mud runs. Plus, I'd confirmed my selection with my fellow OCR runners. With all their insights and my own experience, I've built this list of the most helpful gear to bring at an obstacle race.