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YMCA's Healthy Kids Day

 On Saturday, April 16, 2011, the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA is encouraging all kids and parents within the community 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 is open to the public and will take place at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, 1340 Martine Avenue in Scotch Plains from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.  YMCA Healthy Kids Day is filled with fun, engaging and creative activities that foster healthy living and part of the YMCA’s larger efforts to help more kids and families become physically active.
YMCA Healthy Kids Day at the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA will provide resources to help educate grown-ups about making healthy choices for their families every day. There will be activities such as open swim, gymnastics, obstacle course, rock wall climbing, bounce house, face painting, arts and crafts, Camp Open House. healthy snacks exhibits and more! 
As a leading nonprofit 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 Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA, we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their kids’ daily routine,” says Shannon  Frank, Director of Youth and Family Programs. “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!”

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. The Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA recommends five simple activities families can do to play together:

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1.   Schedule a Game Night: Play games with the kids that incorporate physical activity, such as Charades.

2.   Dance, Dance: Turn on your favorite party music and dance! Make this activity more fun with a dance contest.

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3.   Go Riding: Find a new bike path or park for a fun afternoon outdoors; grab your helmets and go rollerblading or bike riding. 

4.   Channel Your Inner Youth: Remember playing hopscotch, jump rope, Simon Says or freeze tag as a kid? Teach your favorite childhood game to your kid(s) and play them together.

 5.  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.

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.

Nationally, Healthy Kids Day is supported by the Dodge brand, PepsiCo and Sam’s Club. YMCA Healthy Kids Day is supported nationally by Northwestern Mutual Foundation and Tropicana.

For more information about YMCA Healthy Kids Day, please call the Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA Member Service Desk at (908) 889-8880 or visit www.fanwoodscotchplainsymca.org.

The Y is the nation’s leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Visit fanwoodscotchplainsymca.org to learn more about Fanwood-Scotch Plains YMCA programs.  Financial assistance is available for those who qualify.

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