Outdoor exercises with a toddler?

peanutbutter1205
peanutbutter1205 Posts: 2
edited January 9 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm struggling to come up with things to do outside with my 20-month-old. He's too big to put him in a carrier to go hiking but too little to walk too far by himself.

I don't have a baby bike seat and honestly wouldn't feel comfortable riding around with him on the back.

Does anyone have any suggestions for ways to exercise with a toddler? It's so nice outside that i'm dying to get out of the gym. Thanks!

Replies

  • cleotherio
    cleotherio Posts: 712 Member
    Jogging stroller. I had one when my kids were younger. I didn't actually jog too much with it, but I walked for miles and miles. It was more comfortable than the regular stroller and lasted longer, as far as being able to hold a bigger kid. Half the time the kids would fall asleep and I could just keep on walking. And the wheels were a little bigger, so it was easier to push over bumps.
  • cam_82
    cam_82 Posts: 3
    I suppose walking him in a stroller is an obvious answer. I wasn't comfortable with the bike seat either until I did it. My neighbourhood doesn't have much traffic so you get more comfortable.
    My son is a little older so you may have to wait till he can run but we do shuttle runs. He runs from one end and me the other. We pass by each other really close and then do it all over again. He loves it and shuttle runs are a really good exercise (do a push up each time if you want to step it up).
    I now use my son as the weight (on my shoulder for squats, hold his armpits an swing him in the air like a kettle bell). Its good motivation because he won't let me stop.
  • katrwal
    katrwal Posts: 336 Member
    also - Mobi wrap - i use it to carry the boys - it's good up to 45 pounds (and you burn more calories too!)... i like it because you can use it to either carry the toddler on your hip or, if he likes to ride on your back, it's a support there too... it looks insanely complicated but is actually relatively easy to use. i think they're $30 or so... other option that i use - go to a part that has a fence & play area - let him play in the sand/whatever, and you can do your exercises in the green space...

    or, find a small hill & teach him how to roll/somersault down... then run back up :D
  • akrnrunner
    akrnrunner Posts: 117 Member
    Jogging stroller. You can probably find them fairly cheap on Craigslist. Playgrounds... improvise... you can do all sorts of things such as pullups, pushups, situps, lunges etc while chasing him around on the playground. Buy a jump rope. They're cheap and a great cardi and buy him one too so he can imitate you or drag it around etc. If you live in a hilly area, run up and down hills with him and alternate bear crawls, lunges, running backwards and so on. It'll wear you both out! Enjoy the weather!!!
  • tvanhooser
    tvanhooser Posts: 326 Member
    http://preschooler.thebump.com/outside-games-physical-activities-toddlers-1519.html
    http://preschooler.thebump.com/fun-outdoor-activities-toddlers-3383.html
  • lep_623
    lep_623 Posts: 193 Member
    Definately a stroller! Pushing them in the swing is a good upper body workout, also try one of the bike trolly things that attach onto the back of the bike, to me it seems safer b/c it is seperate than the bike unlike the seat on the back, and it is closer to the ground so if somethign happened it wouldn't be a big fall. rolling and tossing the ball is good, honestly ANY movement is better than nothing!
  • peanutbutter1205
    peanutbutter1205 Posts: 2
    thanks everyone. i've been resisting buying a jogging stroller because they seem so expensive but I guess its worth it. Now if he'll only sit in it...!
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