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The free community event, scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon at the Y’s downtown facility, will include a variety of physical and educational activities, including an “Adventure Gym” for toddlers, a fitness “Boot Camp” for families and a water safety class.
“At the Family Y, we know parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day,” said Meaghan George, Camp and Youth director. “We want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school.”
The YMCA reports that nationwide, many children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, or the daily recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables
Results of a recent YMCA Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year – showed 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity; 17 percent read books for fun, and 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.
Research has further shown that, during the summer, many children not only fall behind academically, but gain weight twice as fast as they would during the school year, according to the Y
“YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future,” George said.
The Westport Y will be among approximately 1,900 Ys across the celebrating Healthy Kids Day on Saturday. Other highlights of the day include face painting, games, seed planting with Earthplace representatives, and a Touch-a-Truck event on Church Lane featuring many Westport first responders.
Additionally, Whole Foods will be providing free healthy snacks and NY Life will offer its free Child Identification service.
For more information about Healthy Kids Day, contact Meaghan George at 203-226-898 or visit the Y’s website.
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