Busy schedules and life’s daily demands can make it difficult for parents to ensure that their children are practicing healthy habits on a regular basis. According to the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year – less than 20 percent of the nation’s children get 60 minutes of physical activity, read books for fun, and eat at least eight fruits and vegetables every day. According to the Los Angeles County Public Health Department, 22.9% of kids are overweight or obese and the YMCA is a committed partner to help change that to build a healthier community.

On Saturday, April 27 from 11am to 2pm, the Santa Clarita Valley Family YMCA will be hosting Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event to get kids and families moving and active. Healthy Kids Day, a national initiative of the Y, takes place at 1,900 Ys and features fun, physical activities such as sack races, relay races, rock wall climbing, and obstacle course, prizes and much much more!. Our goal on April 27th is to give families and specifically kids a place to get active while having fun.

“At YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, we are focusing on health and education to ensure fewer children are at an increased risk for childhood obesity and more children succeed in school,” said Gwen Bagley, Executive Director the Santa Clarita Valley Family YMCA. “But it’s not just a single day of fun, active play and learning – it’s a kick off to helping parents get a jump on creating a healthier summer.”

During summer, many children lose exposure to out-of-school activities that keep their minds and bodies active, leaving them at risk of falling behind academically and gaining weight twice as fast as they would during the school year. Following are five ideas for activities families can begin doing now and throughout summer to stay healthy.

• Begin planning now for summer activities. Check with the Y or the local parks and recreation for opportunities with day or resident camp, swimming, arts and crafts, or sports.

• Start a book series and read together each night as a family. Reading at night keeps the brain buzzing and young minds active!

• Drink water. Have fun with flavor, give it some pizzazz with a slice of lemon, lime, orange, or even cucumber.

• Take a walking staycation. Map out a new neighborhood or hiking trail in your area and get your family to explore on foot. It’s a great way to make Saturday a healthy, active start to the weekend.

• Next time you get “I’m bored!” give your kids a jump rope! It’s an awesome way to have fun and keep moving. They can go solo, or get others in on the fun.

• Start a “Words I Want to Know” notebook for the entire family. When there is an unfamiliar word, write it down, look it up, and add it to the family’s vocabulary. You can even keep track of these on the refrigerator.

The Santa Clarita Valley Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day event takes place at 26147 McBean Parkway, Valencia CA 91355 from 11am to 2pm. For more information, contact Sharlene Duzick at 661-253-3593 or visit www.ymcala.org/scv .