Running with a Stroller: 7 Ways to Keep You + Your Kid Happy

Running with a stroller might seem like a logistical nightmare. 

You know...

• ✅Finding a comfortable stroller that works for you + your kid
• ✅Getting yourself + your kiddo ready
• ✅Managing your mile pace + snack time
• ✅Keeping your kiddo happy while you tick off miles

😭It's not as bad as you might think...

🏃‍♂️‍➡️Running with a stroller can also be one of the most rewarding ways to train.
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Why? You’ll build strength, improve your running form, and log quality time with your kiddo.

• I’ve been stroller-running with my daughter since she was 8 months old. 
• She’s now a little over 3, and we’ve covered thousands of miles together—on paved trails, quiet roads, and even a few stroller-friendly trails in the Seattle area. 
• Proof it can be done.

👶Thinking about running with a stroller? 
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These 7 tips will help you train smarter, keep your kid happy, and go the distance from mile 1 to race day. 

Sure, stroller running can feel like a workout—and it is. 
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💪Pushing a 50-pound load up Seattle hills? 

• It builds strength in your core, shoulders, triceps, and back. 

Bonus: If you tend to overstride, the stroller naturally shortens your stride and helps improve your form.
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And when race day comes and you’re running solo? You’ll feel like you're flying.

Most stroller manufacturers recommend waiting until your baby is at least 6 months old—8 months is even better. 

• ✅Check with your pediatrician before running with kids under age 1.

Stick to smooth surfaces at first.

• 👟Roads, sidewalks, and paved trails are ideal when you're getting started. 
• 👟Save the gravel and bumpy trails for later when your little one can better handle the ride.

I researched for weeks before picking my first jogging stroller. My must-haves?

• ✅Built-in shocks
• ✅Inflatable tires
• ✅A locking (or fixed) front wheel

Two running strollers rose to the top of the list, so I decided to try them both...

My first workhorse. It has... 

• A locking front wheel
• Stiff shocks for trails
• Inflatable tires, and a...
• Big canopy for sun/rain

I’ve logged 2,000+ miles with this beast. Only upgrade? I swapped the stock tires for Michelin ones with better trail tread.

This is my go-to for road runs and race day. 

• ✅Fixed front wheel
• ✅Lightweight frame
• ✅Road-ready tires
• ✅It’s built for speed

I even ran a sub-20-minute 5K pushing my daughter in it at a holiday fun run.

In the early days of running with a stroller, comfort is everything. Warm/cool and dry > toys and games.
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When it's cold, layer up with:

•  🧤 Fleece onesies
•  🛌 Insulated buntings
•  ☔ A good rain cover (I use both a Thule cover and a universal Amazon option)

Tip: Skip rain covers with a zippered entry—too drafty.
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As your kid gets older, entertainment matters more. Some go-to tricks:

•  🎒 Favorite snacks
•  🎲 Counting games (dogs, bikes, ducks)
•  🌳 Talking about what we see on the run

Now that she’s older, we also build in pit stops: 

• 🛝Playground breaks
• 🦆Duck sightings, or...
• ✅A simple “check-in” halfway through a longer run

Smart snacks = longer runs. My daughter’s current favorites:

•  🍊 Mandarin oranges (easy to peel, takes time to eat)
•  🧃 Yogurt or fruit pouches
•  🍓 Strawberries, Cheez-Its, Honey Stinger waffles

The stroller has plenty of storage, so I always pack a small kit:

• ✅Diapers
• ✅Snacks
• ✅Tire pump
• ✅Patch kit

You can still log trail miles—as long as the terrain isn’t too technical. 
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I’ve mapped out miles of stroller-friendly trails around Seattle using:

• ✅Hiking apps
• ✅Google Maps, and...
• ✅Trail photos 

Converted rail trails and gravel roads can be great options.
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Fun fact. I even started a website to share stroller-friendly trails: strollertrails.com

Fun runs and 5Ks are fair game with my daughter in the stroller. 
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Half marathons? Those are solo days.
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Holiday races are a family tradition now. 

• We talk beforehand about not stopping during the race—and what we’ll do after. 
• She loves it. Sometimes she even yells, “Go faster!” mid-race. 

= Motivation, unlocked.😀
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Bonus: I’ve placed in my age group and cracked the top 10 at smaller races while pushing the stroller. 
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Not bad, right?

Adjust your expectations.
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Running with a kid is unpredictable.

• Some days, you’ll bail before mile 1. 
• Other days, you’ll cruise through 10 miles. 

The key? Consistency. The more you run with your kid, the more they get used to it—and might even look forward to it.
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Just remember: Pace doesn’t matter. Smiles do.