On Saturday, April 27, the Huntington Ave YMCA of Greater Boston is hosting a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active at the YMCA’s annual Healthy Kids Day®, a national Y initiative to improve the health and well-being of kids and families. The event, which is free and aims to awaken summer imagination, will feature; zumba, smoothie bike, bounce house, face painting, music, food, refreshments, photo station and more!
Healthy Kids Day, which is celebrated at more than 1,600 Ys across the country by over 1.2 million participants, works to get more kids moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school learning activities, kids fall behind academically – this summer learning loss is more pronounced among students from low-income families. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. As spring turns to summer, Healthy Kids Day is a powerful reminder not to let children idle away their summer days. Instead, the Y wants families to focus on “charging” kids up with enthusiasm for themselves and their potential.
“In the summer, we fill an enormous need for families,” said James Morton, the YMCA of Greater Boston’s President and CEO. “We are here for them on many levels with summer camps, child care, and programs that keep kids engaged, physically active, supported, and safe. Young people find strong mentors, intellectually stimulating activities, and a fun place to spend their summer days. It’s a winning and healthy combination for families and the community as a whole.”
In celebration of Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help develop healthy habits:
• 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 to12 hours of sleep a day for children, ages 5 to12, and seven to eight hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, learning, and other vital functions.
The Huntington Ave YMCA of Greater Boston Healthy Kids Day takes place at 316 Huntington Ave, from noon to 2 p.m., and features fun, active play and educational activities. All kids deserve the best summer ever, and Delta Airlines is proud to be the national sponsor of Healthy Kids Day, which kicks off a healthy, active and engaged summer for kids throughout the country. For more information, visit http://ymcaboston.org/healthykidsday.
The YMCA of Greater Boston is the state’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening families. Every day the Y works with thousands of families to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, income or background, has the opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. As the nation’s fifth largest charity, the Y is creating meaningful memberships. Going beyond gym and swim, the Y provides members with access to quality health and fitness experts and equipment while giving back and providing support to thousands of families every day.