It’s a Play Date: YMCA Healthy Kids Day Aims to Get Families Moving Through Play
April 8, 2011
St. Charles County, MO
On Saturday, April 16, the YMCA is encouraging all kids and parents in the Greater Saint Charles area to come to the Y for a play date and commit to being active every day. It’s all part of the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day™ – the nation’s largest health day for families. Times and locations may vary by community, but here in St. Charles County the event will take place between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m at Mid Rivers Mall. The event is open to the community and free to everyone.
As a leading nonprofit strengthening community through healthy living, the Y holds Healthy Kids Day to teach healthy habits to kids and inspire a lifetime love of physical activity. At a time when one in three children in the United States are overweight or obese (according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), developing healthier habits that include increased physical activity is more important than ever.
“At the YMCA of Greater St. Louis, we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their kids’ daily routine,” says Eric Vahey, Association Director of Health & Wellness. “Doing so doesn’t have to require extra money or resources. It’s as simple as making a play date with your kids, with two key requirements – be active and have fun!”
Y Stresses Importance of Water Safety
With the upcoming summer season, the YMCA of Greater St. Louis is incorporating a water safety component into Healthy Kids Day. Entitled “Swimmer Sam Speaks Out on Water Safety,” the program covers swimming rules and guidelines; personal and sun safety; backyard pool, beach, waterfront safety and boating safety.
As part of Healthy Kids Day, April 16, the Y encourages families to make play dates everyday as a simple way to become healthier, more active and connected. The YMCA of Greater St. Louis recommends five simple activities families can do to play together:
- Schedule a Game Night: Play games with the kids that incorporate physical activity, such as Charades.
- Dance, Dance: Turn on your favorite party music and dance! Make this activity more fun with a dance contest.
- Go Riding: Find a new bike path or park for a fun afternoon outdoors; grab your helmets and go rollerblading or bike riding.
- Channel Your Inner Youth: Remember playing hopscotch, jump rope, Simon Says or freeze tag as a kid? Teach your favorite childhood game to your kid(s) and play them together.
- Play Outside: Visit your neighborhood park or camp out in your backyard for some outdoor fun. Get everyone moving with fun sports like soccer, basketball or baseball.
Healthy Kids Day will be celebrated at nearly 1,600 Ys across the country, with more than 700,000 families expected to attend this year. For more information on the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day™ in St. Charles County contact Renee Tillman at 636-928-1928 or visit www.ymcastlouis.org.
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