Event offers musical instruments, fun for kids, resources for parents

VALPARAISO ACTIVE KIDS DAY

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Volunteers and vendors helped out with the giant parachute at Central Park Plaza for Active Kids Day Sunday, in downtown Valparaiso, sponsored by the Valparaiso Parks Department.

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Karly Repay, 3 of Valparaiso, tries out the drums. Deena Butterfield/photos for Post-Tribune

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Cole Newton, 2, of Chesterton, plays with sensory toys at the Pediatric Therapy Center booth.

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By Deena Butterfield Post-Tribune

Downtown Valparaiso’s Central Park Plaza was full of families with young children enjoying Active Kids Day Sunday, sponsored by the Valparaiso Parks Department.

Vendors lined the plaza with hands-on activities, musical instruments, and information for parents on different programs. The event was planned to encourage kids to get involved and be active. All day long there were demonstrations of kid-centric activities and on-site registrations for camps, clinics, sports, and lessons.

“We really lucked out with the weather,” said Tyler Ingram, the new special events coordinator for Valparaiso Parks. “It’s a beautiful day and we have great attendance.”

“Our free events are not possible without our sponsors, and we have great vendors that are staples at a lot of our events,” said Ingram. “We are hoping that those here today take a look at all the parks has to offer with our different programs, day camps, and pathways and trails.

Danielle Reed, of Chesterton, attended the event with her daughter Savannah and a friend.

“So far, the kids are liking the bouncy house and all the hands-on activities and the gymnastics,” said Reed. “They got to touch different types of fur at the Gabis Arboretum booth and they really liked that.”

“I’m here taking in everything,” said Reed. “There are amazing businesses here that I never even knew existed.”

“I think this is great because it gives everyone a chance to see what some of the vendors have to offer,” said Tiffany Hoefler, of Valparaiso, who attended Active Kids Day with her two children. “There are a lot of camps and different activities that I may be able to get my kids involved in.”

Adrienne Weaver, of Westville, is an instructor at Innovative Music & Arts Studio in Valparaiso.

She and the studio’s owner, Kim Dale, were giving demonstrations with a DJ for kids to get involved and try rhythm instruments.

“We have drums and other instruments that kids can try today, and we want them to get their interest started at a young age,” said Weaver, who teaches strings and piano.

Dana Gibson is the practice manager for Associated Pediatricians, who has been a vendor at this event for several years. Their practice had over 20 people working shifts throughout the day at their booth.

“At the practice, we pride ourselves on encouraging kids to be active and healthy,” said Gibson.“This community event supports exactly what we want our patients to do.”

Only 20-28% of children ages 6-17 meet the daily physical activity recommendation of 60 minutes and that number has decreased since 2016, and that physical activity declines with age, according to the Physical Activity Alliance, which is the nation’s largest coalition dedicated to advancing regular participation in physical activity.

Valpo Parks offers summer programs for kids at Discovery Cottage and Discovery Day Camp at Rogers Lakewood, including youth programs and special events throughout the summer. For more information, visit valpoparks.org.

Deena Butterfield is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.