It’s a Play Date: YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day™ Aims to Get Families Moving Through Play

On Saturday, April 16, the Portage Township YMCA is encouraging all kids and parents in 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. The free event will take place at the Portage Township YMCA, 3100 Willowcreek, Portage, IN from 10am-noon and feature activities such as Kids ID’s, Kid’s Fitness, Games, Activities, Nutritious Food Presentations and much 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 Portage Township YMCA, we know that parents struggle to find the time to incorporate more active play and healthier habits into their kids’ daily routine,” says Amber Morris, Program Director, Portage Township YMCA. “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 Y recommends five simple activities families can do to play together:

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.
   
3. Go Riding: Portage has beautiful bike paths to enjoy 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 parks 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.

Healthy Kids Day is supported by St. Mary Medical Center. In addition, the Y is proud to host representatives from the Portage Exchange Club, who will be creating Kid’s ID’s, Chef Ryan from St. Mary Medical Center giving nutritious food presentations, summer day camp registration, program information and demos from all YMCA departments, crafts, tattoos including the Portage Fire Department. Join us for a fun filled morning.

Nationally, Healthy Kids Day is supported by the Dodge brand, PepsiCo and Sam’s Club.

As a leading nonprofit, the Portage Township YMCA strengthens communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Y is available to all, regardless of age, income or background. For more details regarding Healthy Kids Day, contact Amber Morris, Program Director, at 219-762-9622 or at amber@ymcaofportage.org.