Event to get kids moving
Published 10:30 pm Monday, April 22, 2013
These days, children seem more likely to spend their time playing computer games than running, climbing and generally being physically active.
That’s a problem, according to Anna Guibas, health and wellness director at Suffolk Family YMCA.
“That’s what we’ve found is the trend,” Guibas said of children simply not being active enough.
But to help get kids moving again, the Y holds an annual Healthy Kids Day. This year’s event is planned for 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday.
“Healthy Kids Day is the day for kids to get a jump on a summer full of activities, from sports to crafts to learning, that will keep them growing and achieving,” Guibas said.
The free event is open to everyone in the community. Activities will include a bounce house, an obstacle course, jump rope and indoor pool, Frisbee and soccer games.
With a DJ and dancing, kids can also get active while getting down, Guibas said, and Subway and Chick-fil-A are also participating.
The Y has two extra-special features for children, she said. I-Zone, for ages 7 to 12, is an interactive fitness room involving “sports, play and active recreation,” and GEKO (group exercise for kids) caters to ages 3 to 7.
“While parents are working out, the kids are also working out,” Guibas said.
“The whole thing about the Y is we embrace everybody as a family. We want them to know (that) when they join the YMCA, there are programs for children to stay healthy.”
The Y also has after-school programs such as Zumbatomic, a high-energy kids’ group exercise class based on Zumba for adults.
“We use children’s music like what you would hear on TV,” Guibas said. “It infuses music with dance.”
The Y expects between 250 and 300 children at Saturday’s event, she added. Registration is not required.