CHICAGO, April 25, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Y announced today that the celebration of the 25th annual YMCA's Healthy Kids Day^® will be held this Saturday, April 30. Healthy Kids Day is the Y's national initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families. All YMCAs are holding free community events aimed to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. The day-long events will feature activities that range from laser tag, zip lines, Zumba classes, cooking demonstrations and arts and crafts. Each location will select activities for their communities that are designed to motivate and teach families how to develop healthy routines at home.  

YMCA's Healthy Kids Day is celebrated at over 1,300 Ys across the country by over 1.2 million participants in an effort to bring the community together and keep kids active. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically during the summer months and gain weight twice as fast¹ during the summer than the school year. Healthy Kids Day is an effort to get more kids moving and creating habits that they will continue all summer long. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day is a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days. Instead, the Y hopes to focus on unlocking their full potential to make this their best summer ever by staying active and learning.

"The Y believes in the potential of all children, and we strive to bring communities together and help kids find the inspiration to be the best they can be. 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," said Kevin Washington, President and CEO of Y-USA.

In celebration of YMCA's Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop and foster healthy habits in the home:

• High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings a day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend to maintain 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.
• Foster an Early and Ongoing Passion for Books – Read to and with your kids. Help children read at every age and every stage of their development.
• Team Up for Athletic Events – Set a family goal of great health by teaming up for community or charity events like races, walks, fun runs, bike rides, etc.
• Volunteer Together – Find a cause that matters to the kids. Open their eyes to a world beyond themselves and the rich rewards that come from making a difference.
• 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, learning and other vital functions.

For more information on your local Healthy Kids Day, please visit ymca.net.

Source=¹ von Hippel, P.T., Powell, B., Downey, D.B., & Rowland, N., American Journal of Public Health, "The effect of school on overweight in childhood: Gains in children's body mass index during the school year and during summer vacation", April 2007

About the Y

The Y is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,700 Ys engage 22 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation's 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. ymca.net

Contacts:
Heather Fox
WME|IMG
212-774-6866
Heather.Fox@img.com

Ryu Mizuno
YMCA of the USA
312-419-8337
media@ymca.net

SOURCE YMCA of the USA

Related Links

http://www.ymca.net