YMCA encourages health, family fun

Published 10:31 am Thursday, April 11, 2019

NILES — The YMCA of Southwest Michigan will host its annual Healthy Kids Day event sponsored by Honor Credit Union from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 27.

This free event will take place at both the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph and Niles-Buchanan branches.

The two-hour event features activities such as family fitness classes, open swim, crafts, face painting, a bounce house and more. There will also be booths run by local vendors and organizations, giveaways from local businesses and healthy snacks.

Healthy Kids Day is the YMCA’s national initiative that seeks to improve health and well-being for children and families by inspiring youth to keep their minds and bodies active. It is celebrated at more than 1,500 Ys across the country by more than 1.2 million participants.

The goal of Healthy Kids Day is to get more children moving and learning, creating habits that they continue all summer long, said officials. When children are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential, Y officials said. Instead, the YMCA said it wants families to focus on helping children imagine what they can accomplish over the summer.

For more information on Healthy Kids Day, visit ymcaswm.com/HKD or call the local Y.