Instead of straight run/walking everyday, why not choose one day and play a family game.

RUN TO WRITE

Here's a game you can play in your own yard. Get ready. Make lists of questions on a piece of paper. Make sure to leave room for the answers. Put the papers on clipboards. One list and clipboard for each runner. Lace up your running shoes, take along some magic markers or pencils and head outside.

Put the clipboards 50 - 100m away from where you will start. Ready? Set. Go!

Run to the clipboard. Answer the question. Walk back. Then repeat until all of your questions are answered.

Questions can be any type, from things you need to learn at school, to silly things that will make you laugh.

Important rule: No running with the magic markers. They stay with the clipboards.

Eat healthy everyday. Cross train (ride a bike, take a hike, play basketball etc.) on alternate days. Take one day of rest a week if you wish or cross train easy on that 7th day and don't forget to stretch!

Note from the kid's editor:

Our 'Run, Spot, Run' Fun Run is designed so that families will run together. It's an event where everyone leaves with a smile. No matter what your running ability is, the mile is a great distance.

I'm always too busy to run this day, so I run the course before and after the fun run. I'm at the start reminding kids to pace themselves and that this is not a race.

I also stay at the finish to make sure every child who crosses that finish line gets their medal right away, along with a hand of applause.

Do you have any questions about a child's running program? Please email the kid's editor at rwedit@rodale.com.