Recipe For a Healthy Kid Can Be Found at Healthy Kids Day: Apr 30 - May 2

Following a year of social distancing, virtual school, mask wearing and endless hours of screen time, the Door County YMCA is hosting their annual Healthy Kids Day®  April 30 – May 2 encouraging families to take a moment to help kids be kids. While the event will feature a scavenger hunt type activity and be in accordance with CDC and state/local recommendations, the Y aims to provide a carefree day for children, celebrating what makes a kid, a healthy kid. The weekend-long event will have you go on a trip around Door County to variety of business partners to get a clue work to be entered into win a big prizes.

“As adults, we know that 2020 was difficult on so many levels—it’s important to remind ourselves that as much as we try to protect our kids from worry, they faced many of those same difficulties. As communities continue to reopen, the Y is here for families, helping kids recover both physically and mentally from a stress-filled year,” says the Door County YMCA, Lee McConkey, Northern Door Youth & Aquatics Director. “We believe in the potential of all children, and we strive to help kids find that potential within themselves. When a child is healthy, happy and supported, they can make great things happen.”

Healthy Kids Day, now in its 29th year, is the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families. The Y hopes to use the day to get more kids moving and learning, creating healthy habits they can continue while they’re away from the classroom. When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles that prevent them from reaching their full potential. Research shows that without access to out-of-school learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year. Following a year filled with numerous changes and uncertainty, Healthy Kids Day is a reminder to families that we can help ensure all children have access to the key ingredients to reach their full potential, even during out-of-school time. 

Recipe for a Healthy Kid 

In celebration of the YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y is focusing on five “ingredients” that make a healthy child: 

• Healthy Food – Children need at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies each day for healthy development. Kids who help make their own meals and snacks are more likely to try the food, so enlist children in meal prep to encourage tasty explorations. 
• Physical Activity – From increased screen time to virtual school, studies show that children moved less in 2020 than usual. Help kids get back into physical activity routines by setting at least 60 minutes for fun games and play every day. 
• Curiosity – Children who are read to by a family member at least three times per week are almost twice as likely to score in the top 25 percent in reading compared to their peers. Encourage children to access new wonders with their own library card. Many libraries now offer curbside pick up too!  
• Laughter and Fun – It’s important to let kids be kids! Parents should make sure they are joining in the fun with their kids. Close the laptop, turn off the phone and have uninterrupted play time.  These opportunities allow adults to model a love for activity while providing invaluable family bonding time..     

The Door County YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place April 30- May 2 and features a fun family scavenger hunt, educational information from community partners, and the opportunity to win exciting prizes!

Locally, Healthy Kids Day is sponsored by Door County Medical Center.

For more information, contact Lee McConkey (lmcconkey@doorcountyymca.org) at 920.868.3660 or Paul Briney (pbriney@doorcountyymca.org) at 920.743.4949.