On March 22, the Y is holding a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active. YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, features games, making healthy snacks, arts and crafts and obstacle course for kids to compete against their parents. It’s important to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at nearly 1,600 Y’s across the country, aims to get more kids moving and learning, so they can keep up the habit all summer long – a critical out-of-school time for kids’ health. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year.

“One in 3 U.S. children is obese. This statistic, coupled with the fact that once summer hits, children will be more idle, demonstrates why it’s important to help families develop healthy habits now,” said Fitness Director Kristi Stasi. “As part of the Y’s commitment to healthy living, through YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day our goal is to improve the health and well-being of kids and inspire habits they can continue into adulthood.”

In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families 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.

• Foster an Early and Onging 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.

• Lead By Example – Be a good role model – kids can be influenced by seeing how hard their parents work at home or on the job, and how rewarding that experience is.

The Y’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at the Y from 9:30 to 11a.m. March 22 and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as some of the Austin Bruins.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by Hormel Foods Skippy Peanut Butter and also by national media partners Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle.

For more information, contact YMCA of Austin at 433-1804 or visit our website www.ymca-austin.org.