How will you keep your walkers entertained, especially if most of them are kids? A few walkathon entertainment ideas:
- Do things ahead of time to get the walkers engaged in what’s to come. For example, if you will have special event T Shirts, get your principal, pastor or another beloved figure to show up wearing the shirt a few weeks before the event, then give a speech about the event.
- Have special awards for milestones reached during the walk. The kids can collect them. For example, we’ve used colored ribbons for each mile walked, and we’ve also used very thin, rubber band-like jelly bracelets. The kids love to compare collections.
- If your route isn’t a loop you could design something similar based on other milestones. The kids love to look at how many holes they have punched in their cards.
- Set up a PA system and have a DJ. Play music and use the system for announcements.
- Have Karaoke.
- Have an orange slice station – a table stocked with orange slices and water.
- Have little fun things to do along the route, like “kick a soccer goal”, etc.
- If it’s hot, have volunteers stationed with misting sprayers (about $1 from Target), who also help keep an eye on things
- Set up a “mist tent” right on the course, with misting hoses attached.
- Have a photographer.
- Have a raffle.
- Have a live band.
- Have a “pocket lady” – a nice mom or grandma figure who wears an apron covered with pockets. Each pocket holds a different trinket. Walkers can pay 25 cents to choose a pocket and get a surprise.
- Have concessions. You can often get food donations in exchange for publicity for the donor. Give away one free item per walker, such as a popsicle or hot dog.
Learn more about The Walkathon Guide book.
Filed under: concessions, counting laps, notes, useful stuff, volunteers, walkathon planning in general | Tagged: advanced preparation, benefits, lap cards, making friends, planning a walkathon, publicity, recognition, t shirts, tracking distance, useful stuff, volunteers, walkathon concessions, walkathon supplies | 1 Comment »
If your walkathon event lasts more than an hour or two, you can make a bundle from concessions! A couple tips:
Roger Carr, author of 
Walkathon Guide 