52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #6 Winter Olympics Coloring Book What do the Olympics mean to you?  Even though it’s Valentine’s Day, we are also in the height of the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics.  What better way than running with your child(ren) to discuss sports and the importance of sportsmanship, work ethic and dreams? Being that the Stroller Runner Games focuses on activities that a child can do in the stroller while you run or walk; we thought combining the Olympics and coloring to create the FREE Winter Olympics Coloring Book.  Plus, my kids love to color, whether it is with crayons, washable markers or colored pencils. I think sometimes they like coloring their bodies more than the paper, but its washable right? We found a great list from Classymommy.com of 15 Great Winter Olympic activities that led us to Activity Villages Olympic Coloring pages.  NONE of these Printables are Run Stroller Run’s designs; we combined the Free Olympic Printables from Activity Villages Olympic Coloring and Classroom Jr.com pages into one file and reduced each picture to a 5×7 or smaller to create the FREE Winter Olympics Coloring Book. Note:  You can find the actual size coloring pages from Activity Villages and Classroom Jr.com websites. Furthermore, we pinned their coloring pages to our Olympic Pinterest board. Target Age Group: 3-5 years old How to Play: In order for your child to color comfortably while in the jog stroller, you will need the following: 1 old, small metal cookie sheet or 1 small medal lunch box that can lie flat on their laps while in the stroller, or 1 small clipboard. 1 small package of crayons that can fit in the lunch box or in the stroller side pouches. I prefer the metal lunch...

52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #5 Puzzle Love With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, this week’s game is a puzzle that focuses on love and kindness. I appreciate that my children are very patient and endure long runs in the stroller, so I wanted to do a game that was personalized for both my children. My soon-to-be 4 year old and my now 1 year old loves puzzles, so after research and spending some time on Pinterest – probably too much time – I decided to make my own puzzle with Popsicle sticks and a picture of my kids and me. If your kids are anything like mine, they love personalized things. This is not an original idea; however, in order to ensure this is a game can be played while a child is bouncing around in a stroller, I did some modifications. Target Age Group: 3-5 years old How to Play Puzzle Love: In order to play the game, your child will need the following: 1 old, small, metal cookie sheet or 1, small metal lunch box that can lie flat on their laps while in the stroller. Bag(s) with the Popsicle Puzzle(s) in it. I prefer the metal lunch box. You can keep the puzzle(s) in the deep part of the lunch box and put the Popsicle Puzzle together on the metal lid.  We always have to bring other toys with us on our adventures, and the lunch box is a great way to store those items as well.  Have them put the puzzle together while you run in the stroller. Depending on your child’s age and concentration level, you might have to bring more than one puzzle to keep them occupied while running. Preparation Time: (1 -2 hours) To...

52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #4 Scavenger Hunt FREE Printable Below Disney Cars has made another appearance this week. Doc Hudson’s Scavenger Hunt Printable is tailored more to objects you would find while running on a sidewalk or in neighborhood.   The African Safari Scavenger Hunt Printable is geared more towards the runners who jog on park paths. This game is more advanced; it requires that your child can read basic words.  However, my son is not yet four and is unable to read, so I read the items and we look for the objects together. Target Age Group: 3-5 years old How to Play:   Print the Free Printable Scavenger Hunt pages. Laminate it for future use and provide a washable marker.  However, if you do not trust your child with a washable marker, print out the Scavenger Hunt game when necessaryand provide your child with a crayon. Provide your child with the printable and explain to them when they find the item, put a check in the box.  In my house, that generally means drawing a picture on top of the check box, but it works and keeps my child occupied longer. Preparation Time (More Advanced Game): 0-5 minutes time required (depends if you choose to laminate your sheets or not). Materials: Printable Scissors Washable Marker or Crayon Con-Tact Self Adhesive Lamination paper (optional) Cost: FREE w/printable no Laminate Paper With Laminate Paper: $3.59 Con-Tact $3.59 Disclaimer:  Before incorporating any of these Stroller Runner Games, please ensure you warm up properly and stretch to avoid any injuries. For more Stroller Runner Games, please see the posts below. Introduction to 52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games Week 1: Red Light Green Light Week 2: I Spy Week 3: Find the Cars For more Run...

52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #3 Find the Cars FREE Printable Below Find the Cars was inspired by my 3 year old and his love for Disney Cars. He loves anything pertaining to transportation; he is all boy; planes, trains and automobiles. This game is an easy game to incorporate and extremely fun for any child who loves cars. Find the Cars will only work if you are running on a sidewalk where cars pass by or on a trail that is parallel with the road. If you are running through a park, this probably will not be the Stroller Game you will choose. For this workout, if your child is two years old or older, let your child participate in the squats and lunges portion of the workout. Most 2-4 years old like to get out and exercise and do what mommy and daddy do. Stroller Runner Workout From Jared at Tone and Tighten Warm up- 10 minutes 5 minutes of moderate walk, increase to a faster speed for the five remaining minutes. Cardio- 5 minutes Speed walking- Focus on taking as long of steps as you can- extend each leg as forward as possible. (Jog or run if you can- push yourself to go as hard as you can!) 20 Squat and Rolls Holding onto stroller handle, squat low and push stroller out as you move down. Pull stroller back towards you as you stand up. Cardio- 10 minutes Speed walking- Focus on taking as long of steps as you can- extend each leg as forward as possible. (Jog or run if you can- push yourself to go as hard as you can!) 20 Lunges Holding onto handle of stroller, pushing baby forward. 10 lunges on each side for 20 total. Cardio- 10 minutes Speed...

52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #2 I Spy “I Spy” is a family and stroller friendly game that is mostly played by children and can be enjoyed by anyone. Not only is a great game for the stroller, but for traveling long distances.  Also, this game aids young children in becoming familiar with the alphabet, and also with observation. Prior to starting your run or while you are doing your warm-up, explain to your toddler the game you are planning to play and identify who will be player number one. Target Age Group: 2-4 years old How to Play:   Identify whether you or your child is player 1. Player 1 looks for something in sight or is visible around them. This can be any object, whether it’s a certain building, toy, or article of clothing. Begin the game with saying, “I spy with my little eye, something that _____”. The blank can be any clue about the object, such as “starts with the letter H”, “is yellow”, or “is round”.  With my little one, we try to use road signs, objects we see in nature, cars, etc. Then other player asks questions about the object. If there are more than two players (e.g. you have twins or stroller two toddlers around), have each person ask one question per turn. Some questions can be asked about the color, placement (where it is), size, etc. Make sure that the Player 1 answers with only a “yes” or “no”. Keep guessing until the correct object is picked. Preparation Time: 0 time required Disclaimer:  Before incorporating any of these Stroller Runner Games, please ensure you warm up properly and stretch to avoid any injuries. For more Stroller Runner Games, please see the posts below. Introduction to 52...

 52 Weeks of Stroller Runner Games: #1 Red Light, Green Light FREE Printable Below   Stroller Runner Workout:  20 Minute Tempo workouts by using 10 x 20 seconds -1 (20 seconds – 1 minute on/20 seconds – 1 minute off). Of course, this may vary depending on how excited your child gets; it might be more like 20 seconds on/20 seconds off. 20 Seconds – 1 Minute on = Tempo run (Zone 4), a continuous runs at lactate threshold, near your one-hour race pace, which is a hard run. You most likely will be out of breath when you finish your 20 seconds to a minute on. 20 seconds -1 Minute off = Easy jog (Zone 2) Here is how to calculate your Lactate Threshold Heart Rate Training. The workout came from Greg McMillian, RunningTimes.com. When you run a this tempo workout, it’s important to remember that the “off” minute isn’t a slow jog but is run at your normal easy run pace. If you run too slowly on the “off” minute, you’ll end up running too fast on the “on” minute and change the session from a stamina workout to a speed workout. Over time, you’ll notice the pace stays pretty fast throughout with less variation between “on” and “off” minutes. That’s when you know you have it dialed in. Game Target Age Group: 2-4 years old How to Play (Basic):   After a proper warm up, have your little one shout out “green light” to go.  Run 1 minute on Tempo run with the stroller when he/she says “green light”.  Teach your child early about “yellow light” – slow down.  When you child yells, “yellow light”, do your 1 minute off (slow down the jog). This will make it easier on your body...

Happy New Year! In 2014, Run Stroller Run is rolling out 52 weeks of Stroller Runner Games. Fun games that will keep your kids occupied while in the stroller. Some of the games might require your participation, but nothing that you won’t be able to handle while running.  These Stroller Runner Games will be fun, educational but also will help the time pass quicker for both you and your kids. The games will be for children 0-5 years old, with a focus on 2- 4 year olds. In my opinion, 2- 4 year olds are the hardest to keep occupied while in a stroller. They are busy creatures and in my personal experience rarely nap in the stroller anymore. If you found Run Stroller Run and are not a stroller runner, these Stroller Runner Games can also be used for road trips or long airport waits. Every Friday I will put up a 52 weeks of Stroller Runner Games post where we can talk in the comments anything stroller running related. If you have suggestions for Stroller Runner Games, please comment below or send an email to lara@runstrollerrun.com. For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag...

Racing in the winter is always more challenging, more clothes, more items, etc. But, racing with a stroller in the winter is even more challenging. Check out our Race Day checklist to make life easier for you. Packing for a race is always challenging.  You never want to leave home without your favorite socks, or your watch or your lucky shorts.  As a parent, I have found it increasing difficult to pack for a race, especially when I am running with my jog stroller and kids.  I find that I am more concerned about their needs and then inevitably I forget the essential race gear I need to race.  In order to avoid forgetting crucial race gear and my kid’s necessary items, I created a Racing with a Stroller – Race Day Checklist. Now, you can pack for a stroller friendly race and feel confident you have all the essential race and children gear needed with the Racing with a Stroller – Race Day Checklist.     For more Run Stroller Run family and stroller friendly races updates, training woes, pictures and more, check out: Twitter: Run Stroller Run Twitter: Lara Coffee Facebook: Run Stroller Run Pinterest: Run Stroller Run Google+: Run Stroller Run Hashtag #strollerrunner...

Since the holidays just ended, it is time to thank those who generously gave to us. Another year end review is this popular post, Thank you Cards. Thank you! These two little words mean so much. I was taught early on when you receive a gift, you send a hand written thank you card. As a kid, I thought this was a major pain in the rear, especially when you rather play with your toys instead of writing hand written thank you notes. But, we did it because it was required. As an adult, I have tried to maintain this practice and instill the importance behind writing thank you cards in my kids. Yes, sometimes life gets in the way and I do not always get hand written thank you cards out, but I try. Even though my kids are 3 years old and  now 15 mos. old (originally 12 months old when the post was written), they have been required to participate in creating their own thank you cards. My son has colored on each card that goes out since he has been 15 months old – putting his own touches on it.  For my daughter, she painted her own thank you cards for her first birthday.  Here is how we did it and how you can recreate them for your own family. Supplies Needed 1 Roll of Painter’s tape 1 Box of plain cards and/or paper (card stock) 1 paint brush or the kids can use their fingers 1 washable paint (colors of your choice) 1 paper plate for the paints Directions Get out your blank cards out. If you are using card stock paper, cut the paper down the middle; leaving two pieces of paper. Then fold each paper in half...

Because I am spending some well needed quality time with my family during the last two weeks of December, I am running some of the most popular posts of the year.  Another post that many people tended to gravitate towards was the Top 10 Apps for Au Pairs. Like any young woman between the ages of 18-26 years old, Au Pairs are attached to technology.  Most Au Pairs have smart phones or devices, whether the host family provides it or they purchased their own.  To make their transition go more smoothly and help them feel more acclimated, here are top 10 Apps for Au Pairs. Alarm Clock Free Alarm Clock Free turns your mobile device into a beautiful digital clock and alarm clock for free! It even displays live, local weather conditions and temperature that makes you know about the weather immediately when you wake up. Cost: Free Platform: iPhone and Android   Gas Buddies Find the cheapest gas (petrol) around you. GasBuddy uses gas price information provided by our users to bring drivers together to support the common goal of saving money on gas.  Gas prices only for USA and Canada. Cost: Free Platform: iPhone, Android, and Blackberry   Circle of 6 Circle of 6 lets you choose six trusted friends to add to your circle. If you get into an uncomfortable or risky situation, use Circle of 6 to automatically send your circle a pre-programmed SMS alert message, with your exact location. It’s quick. It’s discreet. Two taps on your phone is all it takes. Cost: Free Platform: iPhone and Android   Wi-Fi Finder  Over 650,000 locations in 144 countries worldwide! Quickly and easily find FREE or paid Wi-Fi when you travel with the JiWire Wi-Fi Finder. Cost: Free Platform: iPhone and...