National Children's Museum to Provide Health-Focused Activities at 2010 White House Easter Egg Roll

WASHINGTON, April 2 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Children's Museum has been selected for the second consecutive year to participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll, a 132-year-old event designed to encourage children and families to come outdoors and celebrate the start of the spring season. The Museum will present an array of activities and programming related to this year's theme of "Ready, Set, Go!" promoting health and wellness at the White House on Monday, April 5.

"We are honored to be a part of the White House Easter Egg Roll once again," said Kathy Dwyer Southern, CEO, National Children's Museum. "Health and well being is one of the National Children's Museum's core areas of focus, and this event provides an excellent opportunity to get kids involved in a variety of engaging health- and fitness-minded activities that encourage them to get moving and be healthy."

The White House will open its South Lawn for children 12 and younger and their families for a day of live music, sports courts, cooking stations, storytelling, and, of course, Easter egg rolling. All activities will encourage children to lead healthy and active lives and follow First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative, a national campaign to combat childhood obesity. The National Children's Museum will present the following activities:

• Ready, Set, Go! Pledge Mural: Families will contribute to an impressive large-scale fabric mural by sharing their pledges to live a healthier lifestyle.
• Healthy Food on my Mind: Children will make a crown to help them to remember how to plan well-balanced meals and make improved food choices.
• Frisbee Decoration: Kids will decorate plastic Frisbees with various materials to make a fun, unique piece of sports equipment.
• Eggcellence Medals: Children will make their very own medals to celebrate their participation in the White House Easter Egg Roll.

The National Children's Museum's commitment to health and well being supports children's experience growing up – physically and emotionally – through programs and experiences that promote interaction and choice. The Museum's health and well being-related content allows children and families to explore the connections between what they eat, what they do, and how they feel. This perspective reflects the concept that health and well being is dependent on nutrition, physical activity, safety, emotional well being, and a supportive, healthy environment.

Please note that the National Children's Museum is not responsible for White House Easter Egg Roll ticketing, and this year's ticket lottery has closed. Please visit www.whitehouse.gov/easterEggRoll for additional information.

About the National Children's Museum

Scheduled to open in 2013, the National Children's Museum (NCM) will be a world-class cultural and educational center dedicated to engaging children and empowering them to make a difference. The mission of NCM is to inspire children to care about and improve the world. Through its interactive exhibits, online community (www.ncm.museum), and unique national programs and partnerships, NCM is transforming the concept of a traditional museum by becoming a catalyst and forum for a national movement to inspire and empower kids to speak up, take action, and get engaged in their communities. Through 2013, NCM is operating as a Museum Without Walls, participating in a variety of community events and working with other arts and cultural organizations to develop creative partnerships that benefit kids and families. In 2009, NCM opened the Launch Zone, a 2,700 square-foot space at National Harbor where kids and families can prototype and test exhibit and program concepts. For more information, visit www.ncm.museum.

SOURCE National Children's Museum