If you haven't seen LazyTown, then your first exercise is clear. Program the VCR, set the TiVo®, or get the kids off to school, pour yourself a cup of joe, and tune in real-time to Nick Jr.'s powerhouse program. Imported from Iceland, LazyTown raised the bar on making "healthy living" exciting to kids. Taking on topics like "playing outside versus video games", "getting enough sleep", and "not eating junk food", while geared toward the late pre-school crowd, this Scandinavian success has kids of all ages tracking along.

So, what can a new show about health teach us in children's ministry? Sit up and take notice.

Energize Me!

One viewing of LazyTown will reveal it: this is an incredibly energetic show. For a warm-up, the main character, Sportacus, doesn't just walk—he flips, flies, tears, and tumbles everywhere he goes. "Great," you say, "I already have to tap-dance to keep my kids attention during the Bible lesson. Now I have to stand on my head?"

Not unless you want to; because ...