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Fit Kids Playground to bring fitness, fun to Hyde Park Village

Posted Nov 4, 2010 by Courtney Cairns Pastor

Updated Nov 4, 2010 at 04:35 PM

I have joked that my son ran his first 5K before he was even born. I was about four months pregnant when I ran in Gasparilla, and I saved the medal to hang on his nursery door. He rides along in his jogging stroller now, and I hope that it becomes so commonplace to him that he asks to run or bike along me some day.

I am no fitness freak by any means – I like TV as much as the next person, and I love to curl up on the couch with a book – but I wanted to start instilling healthy habits early in our family. It doesn’t have to feel like another obligation for the weekend, either. It can be something fun that we all do together.

That’s what I love about Fit Kids Playground, which is returning to Hyde Park Village Saturday morning.
 

Think of it as a health and fitness buffet.

From 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, you will have your pick of activities, vendors and food. Early risers actually are rewarded with free yoga class at 8 a.m. from Yogani and breakfast with Sweet Tomatoes.

A DJ starts the “Baby Loves Disco”  music at 9. After that, there will be different fitness sessions on the main stage – it’s a good way to test out yoga, Zumba or other exercises without committing to a full class.

I’ve been dying to try a mommy-and-me yoga class with my toddler but have been unsure he will stay in one place long enough for us to “om” together. If we don’t make it through that, I think he’ll love bouncing to the music.

There’s even something called Exploramania,  developed by a Tampa mom, that I can’t wait to see in person. Founder Carrie Scheiner will demonstrate her program, a merger of exercise and math. I am curious to see for myself how the two work together.

Businesses will have healthy snacks available and offer information about products and services. The last time the event was held, in June 2009, it attracted about 1,000 people.

Marisa Langford, a mother of three, is behind the concept. She’s bubbly and filled with ideas about how to promote healthy living and tackle childhood obesity, including a cool program she’s working on with some preschools that educates kids about good eating habits.

Fit Kids Playground is open to families with children of any age, but many of the activities will appeal to the younger set.

“I truly believe that it’s something the community needs to gather around,” Langford said.

You can read more details on the Fit Kids Facebook page or web site.