By AARON MUELLER
Niles Daily Star

For the first time since opening its new building, the Niles-Buchanan YMCA will hold a Healthy Kids Day event.

The activity-filled day for children and their families will take place Saturday, April 17 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the YMCA, 905 North Front St.

There will be games for kids in the gym and open swim in the pool, along with dance, gymnastics and fitness classes taught by YMCA staff members.

A big highlight for the children will be the inflatable obstacle course and bounce house. Healthy snacks will also be available, and the first 150 children through the doors get a free T-shirt.

Local organizations like Big Brothers, Big Sisters and the United Way will be on hand with literature and other information for parents.

There will be child car seat inspection available as well as bicycle registration from the city. The St. Joseph Valley Masonic Lodge will provide a free child identification program as well.

The event is free and open to the public. No membership to the gym is required.

According to Membership and Marketing Director Greg Schuman, the Niles-Buchanan “Y” is just one of hundreds across the country that will be hosting activities for the national YMCA Health Kids Day – the nation’s largest health day for children and families.

“Keeping kids healthy is really at the core of what the YMCA stands for,” Schuman said. “That’s really the most important thing we do. We just want parents and kids to know that exercise can be fun.”

Schuman hopes that this will become an annual tradition for the Niles-Buchanan YMCA.