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The event, scheduled from noon-3 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, is free and open to the community. It aims to inspire children to maintain an active lifestyle for the benefit of their minds and bodies.
Healthy Kids Day in Wilton is part of a larger organizational initiative taking place at more than 1,300 YMCAs across the country, according to event planners. More than 1.2 million people have participated in past events.
The YMCA has scheduled a number of activities for Healthy Kids Day, including swimming, family yoga, games, arts and crafts, face painting, a fishing derby, pottery, animal demonstrations, a moon bounce and more.
The day's main mission is to teach families how to develop healthy routines at home while giving children opportunities to learn and create healthy habits that will continue at least through the summer.
According to the YMCA, research shows that children fall behind academically without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities. Children also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year.
“The Y believes in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find the Wow! factor inside themselves,” said Bob McDowell, CEO over the Riverbrook Regional YMCA. “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.”
To celebrate the day, the YMCA is offering a number of tips to families in need of healthy habits. They include:
- 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 Up for Athletic Events – Set a family goal of great health by teaming up for community or charity events like races, walks, fun runs and bike rides.
- 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 about eight 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, visit the YMCA's website or email kmurphy@riverbrookymca.org. The Wilton Family YMCA branch is located at 404 Danbury Road, Wilton.
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