CONTRIBUTED IMAGE Healthy Kids Day has been a YMCA-YWCA event for 30 years, and it is dedicated to keeping kids healthy in the summer months. The Marshalltown YMCA-YWCA is holding the 2022 Healthy Kids Day on Friday from 5-7 p.m.

Healthy Kids Day is happening at the YMCA-YWCA on Friday from 5-7 p.m., and each child will surely find an activity that interests them at this free event.

Angie Paxson, the health and wellness director at the Y, said the gym will be jam-packed with activities, ranging from wiffle ball to nerf gun wars, and the Wibit — an inflatable obstacle course — will also be ready for action.

Free popcorn and concessions for purchase will keep the kids energized to participate in the full range of activities, and arts and crafts for younger children will make Healthy Kids Day inclusive to all ages.

“It’s actually kind of a celebration to kick off summer and to kick off keeping kids healthy and active throughout the summer months,” Paxson said. “It usually is very successful.”

Healthy Kids Day is a national event that has been taking place for 30 years at YMCA-YWCA locations across the country. The Marshalltown location has been holding the event at some capacity for all three decades, though the COVID-19 pandemic did prevent them from organizing it for about two years.

Even though the activities have changed a little over the years, keeping kids active is still the main goal.

“I feel like people are going to be excited for the Wibit, but also for the Nerf gun battle in the gym. We’ve been a part of similar events with the Nerf gun battle, and the kids love it,” Paxson said.

Families can head to the Horne-Henry Center Gym on Friday from 5-7 p.m. for two hours of fun for the little ones.

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Contact Susanna Meyer at 641-753-6611 or smeyer@timesrepublican.com.