Check out Shannon's site,  Rocks In My Dryer, for lots of great tips!

It all began one evening early on in the summer.  Dad and the big kids were mixing the concrete for the patio posts.  Mom had the task of keeping the toddlers out of the way.  With wet concrete, temptation lurked, especially with my very hands on little guy.  He migrates to tools and Daddy type projects.  You should see how he eyes the lawn mower when he's out in the tool area.

I sat down on the bench in front of the large grassy area out back, and suggested they get ready to race.  Offering a quarter to the winner, I had them line up, 5 of them ranging from ages 1 to 8.  They raced. 

"Can we do another one, Mom?" 

"Sure."

After a few normal races, where the older ones were winning, I changed things up.  The last one to cross the finish line and high five Mom won.  Then it got wacky.  Let's do a skipping race.  Sure!  A jumping race.  A slow race.  A bunny race.  A lizard race.  A partner race.  A puppy race.  A "Your choice" race.  They raced in various ways for probably an hour.  As the concrete mixing finished for the evening, the older kids joined the fray.  Soon, all 8 were racing.  A great way to occupy them, as well as wear them out a bit for bed time.

These days, our afternoons are usually a little windy, often very windy.  Hot Southern winds make afternoons indoors a must.  I have the kids outside swimming in the mornings before the wind kicks up.  After an afternoon cooped up, they are a little cranky, so it's back outside for an hour or two after dinner.  And inevitably, those little guys want to race.  Now, they approach me. 

"Mom, can we do a lizard race?"

"Sure.  On your marks, get set, go!"  Works for me!