How do I stop dogs chasing my children?

Are there leash laws in your area? If so and you contact animal control then maybe they would agree to be out there during that time for a week or so which should discourage the dog owners from letting the dogs off leash. Continue to work with the children as well since they might sometime confront a dog when you are not around and they need to know the rule of not running (I know this is a hard instinct to fight even for adults). You might also start teaching the children that the dogs just want some affection and love and this will help their image of the dog's intent. There is no excuse for irresponsible owners allowing their dogs to run free and I would continue calling until the local authorities get this under control. I would never advise the use of a weapon but it wouldn't hurt to just carry a walking stick in case it is ever needed (I am an extreme dog lover but if a dog really attacked my child I wouldn't hesitate) and it might motivate the dog owners to work harder at controlling their own animals. BOL!