Its a Play Date: YMCAs Healthy Kids Day Aims to Get Families Moving Through Play
Its a Play Date: YMCAs Healthy Kids Day Aims to Get Families Moving Through Play
[Dayton, OH 04/04/11] In the month of April, the YMCA of Greater Dayton is encouraging all kids and parents in Greater Dayton area to come to the Y for a play date and commit to being active every day. Its all part of the YMCAs Healthy Kids Day the nations largest health day for families. The FREE event will take place at all our Y branches and offer fun games, snacks, giveaways and much more for kids and their families.
Our Ys will offer their Healthy Kids Days on:
April 9th 5:30pm 7:30pm Huber Heights Y
April 16th 9am - noon South Y (Kettering)
10am 1pm Coffman Y (Springboro)
Noon 2pm West Carrollton Y
10am noon YMCA Trotwood NDC
6:30pm 8:30pm Xenia Y
9:30am 12:30pm Kleptz Y (Englewood)
9am noon Beavercreek Y
Noon 2pm Fairborn Y
April 19th 6pm 8pm Downtown Y (Dayton)
April 23rd 10am 2pm Preble County Y
Go online to www.ymcaonline.org for each branchs contact information.
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 Dayton, we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their kids daily routine, says Dale Brunner, VP of Operations. Doing so doesnt have to require extra money or resources. Its 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 of Greater Dayton 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.
###
About the Y
The Y is one of the nations leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children regardless of age, income or background to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nations health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support neighbors. Anchored in more than 10,000 communities, the Y has the long-standing relationships and physical presence not just to promise, but to deliver, lasting personal and social change. The YMCA of Greater Dayton was established in 1870 and now offers twelve locations throughout the Miami Valley. www.ymcaonline.org