Free Healthy Kids Day events set for Saturday

Seven branches of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine are holding free community events on Saturday.

WEST CHESTER » Seven branches of the YMCA of Greater Brandywine are holding free community events throughout Chester County on Saturday, April 21 (times and locations below) to inspire more kids to keep their minds and bodies active all summer long. All are invited.

Healthy Kids Day, the Y’s national initiative to improve families’ health and well-being, features face painting, theater performances, moon bounces, martial arts demos, family Zumba and yoga classes, soccer games, crafts, pottery, obstacle courses, pickleball and more! In addition, local safety personnel including firefighters and police officers will be on-site with their rescue vehicles.

One in three children in the U.S. is obese, and when summertime hits, kids are often more idle. Research shows that without access to out-of-school physical and learning activities, kids fall behind academically and gain weight twice as fast. YMCAs across the country host Healthy Kids Day events to remind everyone of the importance of staying active.

More than 3,500 people are expected to attend Healthy Kids Day Events in Chester County, which include:

BRANDYWINE YMCA

Caln Park: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Health fair featuring community vendors, face-painting, crafts, games, STEM activities, a moon bounce and more.

JENNERSVILLE YMCA

The Technical College High School, Pennocks Bridge Campus, 280 Pennocks Bridge Road, West Grove: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Martial arts and group exercise class demonstrations, Quidditch, face-painting, crafts and STEM activities, a theatre performance, moon bounce and more.

Broad Street in Kennett Square: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Inflatables, a DJ, facepainting, hula hoops, pottery and Zumba demonstrations and more.

LIONVILLE COMMUNITY YMCA

Kerr Park, Park Lane, Downingtown: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Obstacle course, Quidditch, martial arts demonstrations, family yoga, games and prizes.

OSCAR LASKO YMCA & CHILDCARE CENTER

Marshall Square Park, 405 N Franklin St., West Chester: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Obstacle course, DJ, emergency services vehicles and K-9 officer, face-painting, food trucks, activities from around the world and demonstrations of dance, fencing and Zumba.

UPPER MAIN LINE YMCA

Upper Main Line YMCA, 1416 Berwyn-Paoli Road, Berwyn: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Inflatable slide and obstacle course, vendor tables, a healthy walk event sponsored by the Chester County Health Department and Main Line Health and more.

WEST CHESTER AREA YMCA

East Goshen Township Park, 1661 Paoli Pike, West Chester: 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Crafts, face-painting, glitter tattoos, crafts, sports games and activities including pickleball, a moon bounce, family Zumba and more. Additional information can be found at https://www. ymcagbw.org/blog/healthykids-day-2018.