We had a DJ and sound system set up on the grounds. Our kids jog/power walk for 15 or 20 minutes without any other entertainment. They stay motivated because they collect a rubberband on their wrist with each lap they complete. The number of laps is used as the basis for their pledges/donations. We did warm up exercises before the run and provided water bottles and apples after. We have 29 classrooms so we spread the event out over the whole day.

We hired a DJ that played a lot of great songs that were age appropriate. Parents walked with the kids. However, our walk-a-thon only had each grade level out there for 20 minutes max. So with K-5, it lasted 2 hours.

We gave all students small bottles of water after they exited as well as a sticker that read "I walked for my new playground". We had signs posted around the walking path to motivate them. Teachers played follow the leader with the little ones to make it fun as well.

We had the upper grades walk like a duck, walk backwards, etc for a lap. Just to make them want to keep on for those last minutes of them walking. Walking/jogging in a circle for 15-20 minutes isn't always entertaining. Our school nurse advised us 2 years ago that we should have the students walk/jog for 8 minutes then it was mandatory that they walk for 2 minutes then we repeated so their heart rate wouldn't be thru the roof when they went back to class. We walk/jog for a total of 20 minutes.

Our walk a thon lasted four hours-we had a DJ and drew names from our list of walkers for random prizes every 10 minutes. We took a lunch for 30 minutes and gave all walkers popsicles that the cafeteria ordered at hour 3...good luck!

We are planning a walk a thon on the 15th. We have 2 inflatable rented. So, if kids want to play while their parents walk they can do so. Charge $5.00 a kid who's parents are not walking and free for kids who's parents are walking.
Having food and beverage too.
Hope that helps.

We will be havin a walk a thon in a few weeks. Just looking for ideas to keep the kids motivated while they are walking their 15 minutes. I am going to see if I can play music on the sound system. But was wondering if anyone did anything else to keep the kidos going.