YMCA's Healthy Kids Day aims to get families moving

Saturday, April 16, 2011

On Saturday the Owen County Family YMCA is encouraging all kids and parents in Owen County 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. The free event will take place at Owen County Family YMCA from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and feature activities such as obstacle courses, a bounce house, face painting, Zumba, making your own snack, and open swimming.

As a leading nonprofit that strengthens the 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 Owen County Family YMCA, we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their kids' daily routine," says Scott Monnett, YMCA CEO. "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!"

As part of Healthy Kids Day, the Y encourages families to make play dates everyday as a simple way to become healthier, more active and connected. The YMCA 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.

Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Owen Valley Health Campus, Spencer Hardware, and United Way of Monroe County. In addition, the YMCA is proud to host representatives from Purdue Extension, Volunteers in Medicine, Headstart, Middleway House, Owen County Public Library, Lifeline, Owen County EMS, Patricksburg Fire Department, Indiana State Police, Spencer Police, Owen County Humane Society, Hamilton Center, Centerstone, Owen Community Bank, Exchange Club, Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation, Retreat House, Olcott Center, and other local organizations who will be presenting educational materials and leading activities for the children.

Nationally, Healthy Kids Day is supported by the Dodge brand, PepsiCo and Sam's Club.

For more information, contact Owen County Family YMCA at (812)828-9622 or visit www.owencountyymca.org.

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