YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day Aims to Fight the Summer Slump
April 14, 2019 | by web editor
Healthy Kids Day @ Billings Family YMCA | Saturday, April 27 @ 10am-12pm
The end of the school year is now weeks away and parents are often looking for ways to avoid the summer slump – in more ways than one. On Saturday, April 27, the Billings Family YMCA is holding their annual free community event Healthy Kids Day, an event to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active. This national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families, sponsored by Howard Johnsons® by Wyndham hotel brand, Healthy Kids Day is an opportunity for kids to get a taste of their summertime options, igniting their imaginations.
This special event is free for members and non-members and offers the chance to get a coupon for $10 off camp costs for up to 5 weeks. (There is also no joiners fee on the 27th for new members)!
From 10am-12pm on April 27 kids can…
- enjoy the Bounce House
- take part in a Scavenger Hunt
- get a taste of their summer options at the Camp Activity stations
- learn about water safety, test out a canoe, or enjoy pool activities. (Obviously you’ll want to bring a swimsuit for these activities!)
- register for camps of their choice
- try out Pickleball
- give Mini Golf a shot
and at 10:30-11am they can
- give Oula Jr. a test run
or at 11:30am-12pm
- see what Generation Pound is all about
When 1,500 Ys across the country are celebrating Healthy Kids Day with over a million participants, it’s because they know that when kids are out of school “they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential.” Research shows that without access to out-of-school learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during the summer than the school year. Healthy Kids Day is meant to be “a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days.”
“When a child is healthy, happy, and supported they can make great things happen,” says Kim Kaiser, Billings Family YMCA CEO. “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.”
Tips from the Y to help families develop healthy habits this summer:
- 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. 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.
- Read Together – The summer is a great time to enjoy books with summer program participants - 30 minutes a day goes a long way! Take trips to the local library or create a family reading challenge to see who can log the most minutes of reading. Encourage youth to create their own stories as well.
- 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.
- Make sleep a priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, and learning.
Source: Billings Family YMCA Wants to Awaken Summer Imagination at Annual Healthy Kids Day ®
