Northwest YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day® on April 27 Aims to Help Kids Exercise Minds and Bodies

On Saturday, April 27, the Northwest YMCA is celebrating YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day^® with a free community event that encourages kids in Cupertino and Sunnyvale to get moving and learning, and families living healthier. Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 Ys and kick-starts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children’s health.

Many U.S. children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, and daily amounts of healthy foods. According to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year – only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity, only 17 percent read books for fun, and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.

“At the Northwest YMCA we know parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day. We want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school,” said Sue Ball, Executive Director, Northwest YMCA. “YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future.”

Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. On April 27, YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.

The Northwest YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at two locations this year; Northwest YMCA, 20803 Alves Dr. Cupertino, CA and Lakewood Elementary, 750 Lakechime Dr. Sunnyvale, CA 94089 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as various performances, games, and vendors.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by Whole Foods Market, Full Circle Farm, San Jose Sharks, Mix 106.5, and Yamagami’s Nursery! The Northwest Y is proud to host representatives from various health care professionals who will be doing screenings, consultations, and activities promoting health.

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

For more information, contact the Northwest YMCA (408) 257-7160 or northwest@ymcasv.org  

Activities at Northwest YMCA: Kids fun run, healthy gardening, art collages, fun games, fire and police departments, nutrition tips and opportunities to make your own healthy snacks, international dance, hula hoop fun, dentists, music, arts and crafts, bounce house, face painting, martial arts, summer camp registration

Activities at Lakewood Elementary School: Kids fun run, community vendors, arts and crafts, health exhibits, music and dance, kids performances, healthy snacks and nutrition tips