On Saturday, April 16, the YMCA of San Diego County is encouraging all kids and parents to come to their local Y for a play date and commit to being active every day. It's all part of the YMCA's Healthy Kids Day¢Û_å¢ the nation's largest health day for families. The free event will take place at most Y branches from 10 a.m. 1 p.m. and feature activities such as basketball, soccer, family play time, relay courses, health fairs, healthy tips, health screenings, camp highlights and membership specials.
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.
¢âÂÒAt the Y we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their kids' daily routine,¢âÂå says Baron Herdelin-Doherty President and CEO, YMCA of San Diego County. ¢âÂÒDoing 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!¢âÂå
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 of San Diego County recommends five simple activities families can do to play together:
1. Schedule a Game Night: Play games with the kids that incorporate physical activity, such as Charades.
2. Dance, Dance: Turn on your favorite party music and dance! Make this activity more fun with a dance contest.
3. Go Riding: Find a new bike path or park for a fun afternoon outdoors; grab your helmets and go rollerblading or bike riding.
4. 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.
5. 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 supported by the Sempra Energy Foundation, Kaiser Permanente and the San Diego Union Tribune. In addition, the South Bay Family YMCA is proud to host a free Family Fun/Walk at the Otay Ranch Town Center, 2015 Birch Road, Chula Vista starting at 9:30 a.m. The South Bay Family YMCA will host all Healthy Kids Day activities at the Otay Ranch Town Center including a bounce house for kids, youth fitness demonstrations, dancing, family music, healthy food, more than 75 information booths, free give-a-ways, opportunity drawings and a SDG&E Light Bulb Exchange. The South Bay Family YMCA event is in partnership with the City of Chula Vista, Conservation and Environmental Services and Cycle East Lake.
Nationally, Healthy Kids Day is supported by the Dodge brand, PepsiCo and Sam's Club.
For more information, contact the YMCA of San Diego County at 858-292-9622 or visit www.ymcasd.org/hkd or ymca.net.
Photos from past YMCA Healthy Kids Day events: