On Saturday, April 26, the Gleason Family YMCA is celebrating YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day® with a free community event that encourages kids and families in the Wareham and Tri-town area to get moving and learning to live healthier.

Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, takes place at 1,900 YMCAs and kick-starts healthier behaviors now and throughout the summer, a critical out-of-school time for children’s health.

Many U.S. children do not get the daily recommended hours of physical activity and reading, nor do they get daily amounts of healthy foods.

According to the latest findings of the YMCA’s Family Health Snapshot – a survey of parents that gauges their children’s activity levels during the school year – only 19 percent of children get 60 minutes of physical activity, only 17 percent read books for fun, and only 12 percent eat at least eight fruits and vegetables daily.

“At the Gleason Family YMCA, we know parents struggle to keep their kids physically and intellectually active every day--we want to help ensure fewer kids are at risk of childhood obesity and more kids excel in school,” said Laura Prisco, Executive Director, Gleason YMCA. “YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will get kids moving and learning while also helping families get a jump on creating a healthier summer, and ultimately a healthier future.”

Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast during summer than the school year.

On April 26, YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day will help parents begin thinking early about what their kids need to grow and achieve all summer long.

The Gleason Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day takes place at 33 Charge Pond Road from 1-4 p.m. and features fun, active play and educational activities, such as Finger Printing from the Sheriff’s Department, a bounce house, kids yoga & Zumba demonstrations, and representatives from many other local organizations will provide information on services.

YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day is supported by national media partners Sprout and Lazy Town, who are committed to encouraging kids to lead a healthy lifestyle.

For more information, contact the Gleason Family YMCA at 508-295-9622 or visit ymcasouthcoast.org.