Montclair YMCA Spearheads Healthy Kids Day Celebration at Walnut Street Fair

On Saturday, May 2, the YMCA of Montclair will host its annual Healthy Kids Day celebration as part of the “Welcome to Walnut Street Fair” from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

According to a release, Healthy Kids Day is a free community event to inspire kids to keep their minds and bodies active. The event will feature games, information and interactive tables that represent the theme of “Mind, Body and Camp Spirit,” as well as music, face painting and parachute games.

“The Y is so much more than sports, swimming and a place for kids to hang out. We support families in their efforts to instill healthy habits at home,” stated YMCA of Montclair CEO Jo Ann Short. “We know that it can sometimes feel like a challenge. So at Healthy Kids Day, we’ll encourage kids to stay physically and intellectually active all summer long, and give families tips they can easily replicate at home.”

For more information about the event contact Kimberley Griffiths at kgriffiths@montclairymca.org, or 973-415-6102.

TIPS FOR HEALTHY HABITS

The Montclair YMCA offered the following tips to help families develop healthy habits:

• Try, try, repeat – There are many great tasting fruits and vegetables that many kids have never heard of, let alone tried. Grab a new fruit or vegetable and encourage everyone in the family to try at least a bite.
• Play around town – Challenge the family to play on a different playground every week. Identify playgrounds at a variety of parks; expand definitions of playgrounds to include nature trails, a nearby stream and a bike path.
• Families at play for an hour a day – From walking to gardening, or swimming to shooting hoops, make playful movement a part of your family’s day. To get 60 minutes of moderate activity throughout your day just add 10 minutes here and 15 minutes there.
• Foster a passion for reading – Read to and with your kids. Help children read at every age and every stage of their development.
• 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, learning, and other vital functions.

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