The first Monday of each October marks the date of National Child Health Day. Every year since 1928, the President of the United States has proclaimed this date and asked organizations interested in the health and well-being of children to join together in recognition of the importance of child welfare.

According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, in the year 2012 more than one third of children and adolescents in the United States were overweight or obese. Additionally, individuals who are obese or overweight as children are much more likely to be obese as adults. While these facts are sometimes startling to hear, national days of observance like Child Health Day are a great way to raise awareness for these issues.

Here at the NAC, our mission of “Making Lives Better” is a goal that we keep in mind for all of the children who participate in youth programs classes. We believe that encouraging healthy choices and finding ways to make fitness fun from a young age have an enormous impact on every child’s overall well-being. While we celebrate and strive to improve the health and welfare of children every day through our youth programming, this national day of observance offers a chance for parents and children to share how they stay healthy!

Check out some fun ways that we thought up for you and your child to celebrate this year’s National Child Health Day!

  1. Take a walk around your neighborhood
  2. Have a dance party
  3. Try a new healthy snack recipe
  4. Go on a family bike ride
  5. Have a catch
  6. Take a trip to a local playground
  7. Go for a hike
  8. Shoot some hoops
  9. Have a neighborhood scavenger hunt
  10. Enroll children in weekly youth programs classes at the NAC!

How do you and your family stay active and healthy?