If your local Y seemed even more busy than usual this weekend, there was a reason for that…all the YMCAs across the Metro Detroit Association celebrated Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 26. The annual event is meant to draw attention to the importance of physical activity for children. Most children do not get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity every day, which puts their future health at risk. To combat this, the Y launched Healthy Kids Day nationwide as a way to show kids how enjoyable a healthy lifestyle can be.
Every Y was open to the community and hosted special events. At the Downriver Y, young children could participate in a “tot trot” run complete with face painting. At South Oakland, there was a make your own trail mix station, and the staff gave up their parking lot for the afternoon to make room for basketball, soccer, games of catch, hula hooping and trike scooter demonstrations. The Royal Oak Optimist Club was there selling high-quality bike helmets for only $5. 
The wide variety of activities was so kids who might not enjoy team sports could find something they would like to try that would get them moving, says Antonio Douthet, sports specialist for the South Oakland YMCA and the organizer of South Oakland’s event.
“It’s always a great thing anytime you can get kids active and moving,” he says. “I felt parents were really active too, so we were showing the kids they should be active and showing parents how they should participate in their kids’ activities.”
The weather cooperated, with a sunny but slightly chilly afternoon. That helped draw a good crowd, with up to 150 coming through South Oakland alone.
Local businesses donate goods to make the event successful. Target provided juice and KMart donated water, while Whole Foods had free snacks.
Healthy Kids Day encourages children (and their parents) to be more active, and shows them that the Y is there to help them achieve that goal in whatever way they wish to, Antonio says.
“My goal for the day was really to put on an event where kids and parents are coming back the next day saying they had a great time and are willing to take steps to be more physically active,” he says. “We also want to show them one of the standards of the YMCA … that we are here for community to help them be better in any way possible.”