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Healthy Kids Day

April 29, 2023

Awaken
Summer Imagination

Healthy Kids Day® is the Y’s annual, nationwide initiative designed to inspire all youth, parents, and caregivers—regardless of membership status—to get active and make healthy choices over the summer and beyond.

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City is hosting the Y’s annual Healthy Kids Day® on Saturday, April 29, 2023, encouraging families to take a moment to help kids be kids and set them up for a summer of success. The day-long event will feature activities such as games, demonstrations, arts and crafts and more to motivate and teach families how to develop and maintain healthy routines.

Celebrating its 31st anniversary in 2023, Healthy Kids Day is the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The Y hopes to use the day to get more kids moving and learning, creating healthy habits they can continue while they’re away from the classroom. 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 during the school year. With all that’s going on in the world right now, Healthy Kids Day is a reminder to families that we can help ensure all children have access to what they need to reach their full potential, even during out-of-school time.

Find an Event

Boy with glasses is eating a healthy snack outside and smiling at the camera.

The YMCA of Greater Kansas City's Healthy Kids Day takes place at Y centers across the metro. Find an activity near you! 

  • Cleaver Family YMCA
    • 7000 Troost Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64131
    • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
    • Activities include modified group exercise classes for bootcamp, yoga and Born to Move; pickleball 101; and healthy snacks
  • Kirk Family YMCA
    • 222 W. 11th Street, Kansas City, MO 64105
    • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • Activities include Healthy Living dance demonstrations, cooking demonstrations with Chef Crystal, an obstacle course, kids corner in our Kids Zone area, races, physical activities and a mock combine on the Kirk Y soccer field. Community partners include Kansas City Fire Department and Kansas City Public Library.
  • Linwood Family YMCA
    • 3800 E. Linwood Boulevard, Kansas City, MO 64128
    • Noon to 3 p.m.
    • Activities include a carnival theme in the gymnasium with seven to nine stations for youth to win prizes and gift cards as well as a bounce house. Community Partner Dipasquale and Moore providing tailgate activities such as Spin the Wheel, giveaways and a DJ. 
  • Platte County Community Center South
    • 8875 Clark Avenue, Parkville, MO 64152
    • 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. 
    • Planned activities include martial arts demonstrations, family and kids group exercises, Safety Around Water, face painting and healthy foods. Vendors include Kansas City Chiefs Cheerleaders, Parkville Fire Department with fire safety; City of Parkville Parks and Recreation with nature trails and arts; Sprouts Farmers Market with a nutritionist and healthy snack; Raising Gardens handing out seeds; Be Smart for Kids with gun safety education; dental hygiene; Girl Scouts; Jessica Leite, a dietician for the Y with healthy snacks and more! 

KEEPING KIDS HEALTHY ALL SUMMER LONG

In celebration of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits this summer that can have a lifetime effect:

  • High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings of fruits and veggies each day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend for 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.
  • Read Together – The summer is a great time to enjoy books with summer program participants—and 30 minutes a day goes a long way! Take trips to the local library or create a family reading challenge to see who can log the most minutes of reading. Encourage youth to create their own stories as well.
  • Get Moving! – Activities that require movement also help kids flex their mental muscle. Use materials in unique ways: ask youth to build models, manipulate tools or develop their own theatrical scenes.
  • Play Together – Play may be the best way to prevent childhood obesity. By putting more play into your family’s day, you will soon find yourself getting the activity that will have your family feeling energized and strong.
  • Make sleep a priority – Doctors recommend 10-12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and 7-8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining our healthy immune system, metabolism, mood, memory, and learning.

For more information from Y-USA, visit ymca.org/hkd.