On Saturday, April 26, the Tri-County YMCA is holding 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 families' health and well-being, features games, healthy cooking demonstrations, arts and crafts and more to motivate and teach families how to develop a healthy routine at home.  

YMCA's Healthy Kids Day, celebrated at nearly 1,600 Ys across the country, aims to get more kids moving and learning, so they can keep up the habit all summer long – a critical out-of-school time for kids' health. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically. Kids also gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year.

In celebration of YMCA's Healthy Kids Day, the Y offers the following tips to help families develop healthy habits:

• High Five the Fruits and Veggies – Make sure kids get at least five servings a day, the minimum number nutritionists recommend to maintain healthy childhood development.
• Foster an Early and Onging Passion for Books – Read to and with your kids. Help children read at every age and every stage of their development.
• Team Up for Athletic Events – Set a family goal of great health by teaming up for community or charity events like races, walks, fun runs. Bike rides, etc.
• Volunteer Together – Find a cause that matters to the kids. Open their eyes to a world beyond themselves and the rich rewards that come from making a difference.
• Lead By Example – Be a good role model – kids can be influenced by seeing how hard their parents work at home or on the job, and how rewarding that experience is.

The Tri-County YMCA's Healthy Kids Day takes place at the main location at 200 Carl's Lane in the gymnasium from 11:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities. YMCA's Healthy Kids Day is supported by Old Colony, Med Express and Sheetz.