On Saturday, May 21, the Frank P. Phillips YMCA invites all kids and parents in Lowndes County to come to the Y for a play date and commit to being active every day. It”s all part of the YMCA”s Healthy Kids Day — the nation”s largest health day for families.
This free event, sponsored by the Columbus Kiwanis Club, will take place at the downtown Y from 9 a.m. until noon and will feature activities such as “Hoop It Up” Basketball, inflatable jumping castle and slide, interactive games, obstacle course, Zumba for Kids, Hula Hoop and Jump Rope fun and face painting. Again this year, the Fire Fighter Combat Challenge will return along with fingerprinting, health screenings and much more.
The Dunking Booth will supply a time to “Dunk the Chiefs” — Police Chief Joe St. John and Fire and Rescue Chief Kenneth Moore. This “dunk off” has become a popular part of Healthy Kids Day as it is an opportunity for the chiefs to raise money for kid”s programs at the Y. From 9:45-10:15 a.m., St. John will be in the dunking booth; Moore will take the seat from 10:30-11 a.m. Each will strive to collect the most funds for the Y.
As a leading nonprofit organization 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 Frank Phillips Y, we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their kids” daily routine,” says Andy Boyd, YMCA executive director. “Doing 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!”
“Mississippi continues to lead the nation in childhood obesity. To improve this, families must learn to live a more healthy lifestyle”, says Barbara Bigelow, Y community relations director. “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.”
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.
For more information, contact the downtown Y at 662-328-7696.
PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS
The Frank Phillips YMCA recommends five simple activities families can do to play together:
· Schedule a Game Night: Play games with the kids that incorporate physical activity, such as Charades.
· Dance, Dance: Turn on your favorite party music and dance! Make this activity more fun with a dance contest.
· Go Riding: Find a new bike path or park for a fun afternoon outdoors; grab your helmets and go rollerblading or bike riding.
· Channel Your Inner Youth: Remember playing hopscotch, jump rope, Simon Says or freeze tag as a kid? Teach your favorite childhood game to your kids and play them together.
· 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.
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