Parkville Y Family Center to Celebrate Healthy Kids Day 2013

In an effort to get kids excited about healthy living, the Parkville Family Center Y will host an event this weekend focused on physical activity and proper nutrition.

Parkville's Y, 8910 Waltham Woods Road, will celebrate Healthy Kids Day 2013 from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. April 27 alongside other Y centers across the country, according to the Y Maryland website.

"Basically it's fun, good activities for kids and community resources; information and literature, demonstrations and things like that," said Leslie Dohler, the Parkville center's director of membership development.

The focus of the event will be on keeping kids active. In keeping with that goal, Dohler explained that there will be a martial arts demonstration, a speed and agility training demonstration, a moon bounce, and the movement-focused dancing video game Dance Dance Revolution.

Representatives from Y Camps will also be on hand to answer questions about the summer camp program, Dohler said.

But it's not just about keeping kids active. It's about keeping them healthy in other ways, too, Dohler explained.

A librarian will be on hand for a preschool story time, representatives from local hospitals will provide health information and physical evaluations, and representatives from the police and fire departments, including McGruff the Crime Dog, will be around to share healthy tips with kids and families.

The scope of activities, Dohler said, is appropriate for kids between 2 and 12 years old.