For the Reporter
The Auburn Valley Y hosts its 25th annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 30.
The free community event is designed to inspire more children to keep their minds and bodies active, part of the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families.
The event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Y, 1620 Perimeter Road SW, offers games, make-and-take crafts, face painting and a scavenger hunt to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home.
There are no joining fees for family memberships throughout weekend, and the first 100 kids receive free T-shirts.
YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day – celebrated at more than 1,300 Ys throughout the country by more than 1.2 million participants – works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue throughout the summer, a critical time for healthy kids’ development.
“The Y believes in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find the wow! factor inside themselves. Healthy Kids Day is a great opportunity to educate families and motivate kids to stay active in spirit, mind and body throughout the summer,” said Jason Berry, executive director of the Auburn Valley Y.
In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits:
• High-five the fruits and veggies. Make sure kids get at least five servings a day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend to maintain healthy childhood development. And to keep kids’ taste buds evolving, have everyone in the family try at least one bite of a new fruit or vegetable at least once a month.
• Foster an early and ongoing passion for books. Read to and with your kids. Help children read at every age and every stage of their development.
• Team op for athletic events. Set a family goal of great health by teaming up for community or charity events like races, walks, fun runs, bike rides, etc.
• Volunteer together. Find a cause that matters to the kids. Open their eyes to a world beyond themselves and the rich rewards that come from making a difference.
• Make sleep a priority. Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, learning and other vital functions.
For more information, contact the Auburn Valley Y at 253-833-2770 or visit auburnvalleyymca.org.
