Hey kids, go out and play
Kids just don't know the joys of play anymore.
At least, that's the concern of anxious parents and health experts who fear today's technology is raising a generation of couch potatoes.
To remind kids that TV, computers and game controllers are not the only ways to have fun, area park districts have a candy shop assortment of activities to actually get kids moving this weekend in the Worldwide Day of Play.
Endorsed by Nickelodeon TV network, Worldwide Day of Play is a 4-year-old initiative of the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. AHG was created by the American Heart Association and the William J. Clinton Foundation to take on childhood obesity.
"We've got to stop it," said Tracy Putkonen, recreation supervisor for the Grayslake Park District. "We've got to get kids off the couch and into the parks. If a kid has never played kickball, this is an opportunity to find out what kickball's all about. Maybe they'll find out they like it."
Nickelodeon is so committed to pushing kids away from the TV once in a while that it plans to pull the plug on its own programming. The child-friendly channel will go dark Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT before reclaiming the airwaves with a SpongeBob SquarePants marathon.
Shutting down for the world's play day has become an annual event for Nick, "with the message of 'get up, get out and go play,' " said senior publicist Thamar Romero. "It's grown by leaps and bounds over the past four years."
Childhood obesity is one issue that's been able to pull together activists from all over the world. More than 1,000 organizations -- including park districts, schools, professional sports teams, roller rinks, YMCAs, Boys and Girls Clubs and others -- from all 50 states and 14 different countries have jumped in with activities to get kids' motors running.
Last year, according to the AHG Web site, there were 900 events in nine countries. Only two Illinois park districts --Hoffman Estates and Springfield -- participated just a year ago, but three dozen have signed up to host festivities this weekend.
Clearly, this thing is gaining speed.
"I think (Worldwide Day of Play) sends the message that it's very important to maintain a healthy lifestyle," said Jason Hickman, superintendent of recreation at Hoffman Estates. "Exercise is obviously key, and healthy (food) choices. We're here to provide the activities."
Hickman himself was out playing dodgeball with kids at last year's event, which drew 60 to 70 people, he said. "I was happily surprised, because a lot of times when you have free activities that are more of an informal thing, you really don't know what to expect," he said. "We were hoping for 30 kids, and we easily doubled that."
This year Hickman plans to just keep it simple again, with a bicycle obstacle course and "retro" games like capture the flag, four square, dodgeball and hopscotch. He also takes requests; last year's participants convinced him to bring out the hula hoops and jump ropes.
Hickman will also pull out the district's portable climbing wall, but some other districts, in contrast, seem to be pulling out all the stops. Two are hiring DJs to keep the music moving, and one has invited its high school cheerleaders to perform and teach kids cheers. Streamwood is bringing in one or two players from Chicago Rush to toss a football with kids and sign autographs.
"They really like the concept behind Worldwide Day of Play and really want to support it," said Nancy Thiemann, fitness supervisor for Streamwood Park District.
"Skates," the Chicago Wolves mascot, will greet kids in Prospect Heights, where guests from Old Orchard Country Club also will try to "Hook a Kid on Golf."
Most parks are gearing their events for 5- to 12-year-olds, more or less, but all ages are welcome. Large jump-in inflatables and old-fashioned games like freeze tag, tug of war and sack races will show up in different districts, and some will offer demonstrations and participation in Zumba, Junior Jazzercise, hip-hop and other calorie-crunching workouts.
Several parks will be set up with fitness stations, where kids can participate in activities, make healthy snacks or get information on making healthy choices. Some parks will have free throw, jump rope, hula hoop, medicine ball toss, wall squat, sit-up or push-up contests for kids who like a little friendly competition. Many will offer prizes, refreshments and freebies.
Carol Stream's new Power Play facility, an interactive fitness arcade inside Simkus Recreation Center, normally costs $3 per hour to play but will be open for free during day of play hours on Saturday. With games like Dance Dance Revolution, Game Bikes and Sportwall, Power Play offers kids the chance to get moving without unplugging themselves from the world of electronics.
Brian Romes, superintendent of recreation at Carol Stream, said the park district opened Power Play for the same reason Worldwide Day of Play exists -- "to just encourage play, since kids spend four hours a day watching TV," he said. "We use technology to our advantage. They're having fun and still getting a workout."
In St. Charles, Worldwide Day of Play will be observed on Sunday since picnic groups had already booked Pottawatomie Park for Saturday. Even though it's a day later, the new family cross-country race sponsored by the park district is considered an official world play day event.
With five runs -- two for all ages, three just for kids -- this is the only event that's not free. Five dollars will get you in the race, and $15 will also get you a T-shirt.
"It's a challenging course, but it's all kept within the park," said Holly Cabel, superintendent of recreation. "We're excited to be able to do this."
Day of Play organizers from all the park districts share her enthusiasm, and for good reason.
"The whole idea of a healthy lifestyle begins at a young age," said Anita Escalante, director of marketing and communications in Bloomingdale. "We believe that if we provide opportunities for children to participate in simple and fun activities, it will be something that will be ingrained in them throughout their lifetime."