AUBURN — The YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston will hold a free community event to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve health and well-being for kids and families, features activities such as open family swim, dance and obstacle courses to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home.

Healthy Kids Day takes place from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 25, 62 Turner St. The event is free and open to the public.

The first 100 children to register will receive a free YMCA cinch bag.

Michelle Cyr, the Y’s director of Early Childhood Education and Development, said “When kids are out of school, they can face hurdles — or gaps — that prevent them from reaching their full potential. These gaps are often related to hunger, water safety, learning, safe spaces to play and health.”

Each year, the Y helps over 9 million youth nationwide “hop the gap” and achieve more, providing a safe to place to learn, stay healthy and build friendships.

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“We know that it can sometimes feel like a challenge. So at Healthy Kids Day, we’ll encourage kids to stay physically and intellectually active all summer long, and give families tips they can easily replicate at home.”

As part of YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips:

Try, try, repeat: Grab a new fruit or vegetable and encourage everyone in the family to try at least a bite.

Play around town: Play on a different playground every week.

Families at play for an hour a day: From walking to gardening, or swimming to shooting hoops, make playful movement a part of the day.

Foster a passion for reading: Read to and with your kids.

Make sleep a priority: Doctors recommend 10 to 12 hours of sleep a day for children ages 5-12 and,  7 to 8 hours per night for adults. Sleep plays a critical role in maintaining healthy immune systems, metabolism, mood, memory, learning and other vital functions.

For more information, contact the YMCA of Auburn-Lewiston at 795-4095 or visit www.alymca.org.


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