On Sat., April 27, the Naperville YMCAs are holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active at the annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day. The Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families Healthy Kids Day is an opportunity to ignite children’s imaginations so that they can imagine what they’ll accomplish this summer. The event features activities such as crafts, bounce house, fitness demonstrations, games, and a variety of community information to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home throughout the summer months.
Healthy Kids Day, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day is a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days. Instead, the Y wants families to focus on helping children imagine what they can accomplish over the summer.
When children are healthy, happy, and supported, they can make great things happen. We believe in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find that potential within themselves. A child’s development is never on vacation and Healthy Kids Day is a great opportunity to educate families and motivate kids to stay active in spirit, mind and body throughout the summer.
In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Naperville YMCA offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits this summer that can have a lifetime effect:
High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings of fruits and veggies each day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend for healthy childhood development.
Read Together – The summer is a great time to enjoy books with summer program participants—Take trips to the local library or create a family reading challenge to see who can log the most minutes of reading.
Get Moving! – Activities that require movement also help kids flex their mental muscle. Use materials in unique ways: ask youth to build models, manipulate tools or develop their own theatrical scenes.
Play Together – Play may be the best way to prevent childhood obesity. By putting more play into your family’s day, you will soon find yourself getting the activity that will have your family feeling energized and strong.
The Naperville YMCAs Healthy Kids Day takes place at the Fry YMCA and the Kroehler YMCA starting at 10AM. For more information, contact us at (630) 904-9595.
