Pony rides, pedal cars and crafts are just some of the events that families will be able to participate in this Saturday as part of Healthy Kids Day from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA, 905 N. Front St. Activities will also be available from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA.

The 25th annual Healthy Kids Day is a national YMCA initiative, which seeks to show youth the various ways to be active and healthy in their community. The event is free to attend and will include activities from 11 vendors, as well as a host of YMCA lead events.

YMCA Marketing Coordinator Alexa Tupper said showing rather than telling helps to make the event a success.

“I think the biggest way to reach kids is to make it relatable to them,” Tupper said. “They want to be able to play. It is harder to absorb information when you are just talking to them. This presents it in a fun exciting way.”

Many community partners have also signed up to help show local youth how to care for themselves and stay active in the community.

For example children can learn how to care for their teeth from D.D.S. Richard Beckermeyer of A Pathway to Healthy Smiles.

The event is not just for children. Tupper encouraged families to come out as well. There will be family friendly dance parties to encourage the whole family to get up and move. A bounce house for children will also be available in the YMCA’s gym.

As America seeks to tackle childhood obesity, encouraging children to see the fun in exercising and being active was part of the organization’s goal. Especially in an age where many young people spend their time glued to a phone or computer screen.

“It is important to get them outdoors and active and to see what options there are [to exercise],” Tupper said.

In the Niles community, many organizations offer a chance to learn about being healthy and exercising and seeing the community come together to demonstrate these was another benefit.

Businesses that will be participating volunteered free of cost to participate in the event.

“[This event] shows how we all work together in the community,” Tupper said.

Vendors will include:

• Niles District Library (crafts)

• Miss Niles (meet & greet)

• Niles Fire Department (Fire Truck demo)

• SMCAS Ambulance Service

• Riverwood Center (Mental Health Services)

• Andrews University Speech and Language (language, speech, and hearing screenings)

• YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program (speak about diabetes prevention)

• Dr. Beckermeyer (how to properly brush your teeth)

• Mason Fingerprinting (Child I.D. programming)

• Crystal Springs Camp (race track and pedal cars)

• Niles Pony Party (bringing a pony to pet)