On Saturday, April 21, many YMCA of Greater Kansas City locations will hold free community events to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active at the annual YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day®, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. Healthy Kids Day is an opportunity to ignite children’s imaginations so that they can imagine what they’ll accomplish this summer.  The day-long event features activities such as games, health fairs, games, dancing, face painting, swimming and snacks to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines at home throughout the summer months. 

Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at over 1,500 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. 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 helping children imagine what they can accomplish over the summer. 

When a child is healthy, happy, and supported they can make great things happen. The Y believes in the potential of all children, and strives to help kids find that potential within themselves. 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.

For more information about Healthy Kids Day Events, visit the Welcome Center or call your local Y.