Birmingham Family YMCA celebrates Healthy Kids Day

BIRMINGHAM — The Birmingham Family YMCA is inviting the entire community to join in on the fun activities they have planned for Healthy Kids Day noon-2 p.m. April 29.

Healthy Kids Day is a national initiative through the YMCA that encourages families to stay active and celebrate kids being kids.

Over 1,000 YMCA locations are hosting a Healthy Kids Day event to inspire local families to play and exercise. Other nearby YMCAs hosting Healthy Kids Day events include the South Oakland Family YMCA in Royal Oak, the Farmington Family YMCA in Farmington Hills and more.

“The way Birmingham is doing it is kind of how we have always done it,” Teri Keller, the membership experience director of the Birmingham Family YMCA, said. “Just to kind of show off what we have to offer the community to help our kids be healthy and learn good habits.”

Healthy Kids Day is an opportunity for families to check out what the YMCA has to offer if they have not yet explored its facilities.

“The great thing about it is (it’s) almost a kickoff for summer in a way, and it is free and open for everybody, whether you’re a member or not,” Kelly Stubbe, the executive director of the Birmingham Family YMCA, said.

Activities planned on Healthy Kids Day are geared towards families, but everyone is welcome.

The YMCA will be doing several things to entertain guests and keep them moving all day. Some of the highlights of the day include pop-up classes such as family Zumba and storytime yoga. Family Zumba will be at 9 a.m., earlier than the rest of the activities for the day, and storytime yoga will be at noon. The pool will be open 1-2 p.m. for swim time as well.

Local vendors will be present at the event to share how they partner with the YMCA and how they serve the community. There will also be bounce houses, healthy snacks, crafts and more opportunities for sports and physical activity.

“This is just an event to get kids moving and have them have some fun while at the Y,” Stubbe said. “Sometimes that means being outdoors or indoors or whatever we need to do to get kids able to be kids.”

The hub of the event will be inside, but there will be some activities for families outside, such as gaga ball, weather permitting.

The event is free and open to the public; however, they are asking people to register so they know how many people plan on participating. The link to register is rb.gy/4xtv.

Find more information on the Birmingham Family YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day at ymcadetroit.org/birmingham.