This fall marks the ending of the Healthy Kids Community Challenge. Here at Windfall Ecology Centre we are all sad to see the program end, but want to let you know that you haven't heard the last from us! We are continuing our Nature Play and Geocache activities and will keep you updated on progress via the Windfall Centre Newsletter and our Facebook page. We want to thank all of our community partners who have helped kids and families in Aurora become healthier and more active. A special mention goes to Mayor Dawe, our Steering Committee and staff at the Town of Aurora that we have worked so closely with throughout the course of the Challenge.

On August 19, the Healthy Kids Community Challenge held the Power Off and Play! Festival. Kids and adults alike found their rhythm with Zumba, Dance and more in the event tent. Karate and Grappling were a hit and Coach Steve got the kids active and laughing. Children scaled the 25ft rock wall got mucky in our Nature Play Pop Up. A big thanks to all our vendors, session runners, volunteers and staff.

On July 4th at the Aurora Cultural Centre the Healthy Kids Community Challenge with Windfall Ecology Centre ran a workshop for ECEs and students. Speakers came from accross the province to educate about screen time limits and the value of risky play. ECEs commented that they would try and implement more risky play in their schedules and were more aware of the harm of screens, even background screens. Over 60 people showed up and it was deemed a huge success.

Attend a FREE hands-on workshop and dinner for local child care operators and staff sponsored by Healthy Kids Community Challenge Aurora. Navigate the screentime recommendations, and learn how to create an engaging and supportive environment for children to explore the world of play. Learn about the benefits of risky play, the new movement that is taking Canada by storm. Register to hold your spot!

Register Here

Hi Parents and Caregivers, did you know the time immediately following school is perfect for children to burn off excess energy generated by a day of sitting in class? So often, parents and caregivers are hesitant to let their kids go and play. Let's change this together! Healthy Kids Community Challenge in Aurora is holding an informal meet up in Thomas Coates Park (formerly Mavrinac Park) over the next few weeks on Wednesdays from 3-4:30pm. Come along with the kids or send them on their own to play. Peanut-free snacks will be available. Need more information? Contact Gemma at healthykids@windfallcentre.ca

On Tuesday 20th March 17 schools from across Aurora attended the Power Off and Play Conference. We were lucky enough to have the Mayor of Aurora launch us off into a day filled with speakers from Yale, Purdue, Niagara Children's Centre, York Regional Police and York Region Public Health. We even had a fun lego building lunch activity. A great day was had by all.

Over 150 people turned up to our nature play pop up on Sunday March 18th. We had so much fun creating rope and pulley systems, mud painting and cooking, making cardboard dens and dressing up. We can't wait for our next pop up later on this spring.

Are you up for the challenge? Join us for a FREE Nature Play Pop up on Sunday March 18th from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Windfall Ecology Centre in Sheppard's Bush, Aurora. There will be a huge canvas with mud painting, loose parts play including cardboard boxes and tires, dressing up and a whole world on nature play fun! Sponsored by Healthy Kids Community Challenge Aurora #PowerOffandPlay #HKCCAurora#HealthyKidsON #AllWeather

Tell us you are coming here: https://www.facebook.com/events/201692660599343/

See the Poster Here

March 6th was a busy day for us here at the Healthy Kids Community Challenge in Aurora. We had so much fun at the Rick Hansen P.S. Wellness Day speaking about getting off your screens and running a craft to help come up with screen free ideas. We followed this up with a jam packed night of fun at Holy Spirit C.E.S with hip hop dance, karate, arts and crafts, sports and more!

We had a great dance class taught by A2Y Dance on Thursday night (March 1) with a massive turnout of close to 200 people. We enjoyed getting off our screens and hip hop dancing the night away.

Thanks to Rick Hansen Public School for putting on the event. Thanks to Public Health, Activate Aurora, Shoshinkan Martial Arts, Zumba by Ximena and all the High School Students who volunteered.

We are sponsoring a completely FREE skate at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex this Saturday so come on down, get off those screens and have fun on the ice!

We are sponsoring a completely FREE swim at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex this Sunday so come on down, get off those screens and have a splashing good time!

Students, parents, and staff had a ton of fun in a packed out energy filled night, with kid-friendly Zumba and Hip Hop Street Dance, as well as energetic and strengthening Karate. Grade 7 and 8 Students, along with local high schools students and parent volunteers helped run well-being arts and crafts activities such as mindfulness jars, screen time alternative paper origami and whats on your mind drawing. There was also a Coping Skills Bingo session and talks on Online Safety by Officer Ron. Activate Aurora brought us a fun obstacle course and the Town of Aurora gave out information about local well being events that the school community could participate in. There was delicious flavoured water and apples for those that got thirsty or hungry.

Healthy Kids Community Challenge is launching the Power Off and Play! initiative to encourage kids and families to build a balanced day by replacing screen time with more physical activity. With all the new technology options and devices, limiting the time that kids spend looking at screens has never been harder. Encouraging active and fun alternatives is critical for their physical health and well-being.

Find Out More

Choose to boost veggies and fruit to win a Ninja blender and food processor set. From now until midnight Dec 27th 2017, post a photo of your favourite meal or snack made by you that includes at least two different coloured veggies and/or fruit. Post your photo onto FB, Twitter or Instagram with the name of your tasty creation and include #ChooseToBoostVeggiesAndFruit and tag us @fitkidsaurora. One entry per person and the winner will be chosen randomly. Prize will be picked up from our Aurora location.

Cook, snap and enjoy!

Contest poster

Parents joined the Healthy Kids team for holiday meal and learned about how they can create a healthy food environment for their little ones at home. York Region Public Health and Rainbow Plate provided great presentations on ways of encouraging healthy eating habits and inspiring their kids to become happy and adventurous food lovers.

It was a packed house yesterday (Dec 6, 2017) at Aurora Height's Family Wellness Night! A big thank you to the Healthy School's Committee who did a fabulous job and all the students who let their skills and talents shine. Families got to move to fun and kid-friendly yoga as well as energetic and strengthening Karate moves. Students helped prepare and serve delicious flavoured water, yogurt parfaits, and a rainbow of veggies and fruit.

Attend a FREE talk and dinner for parents of pre-school- and toddler-aged kids sponsored by Healthy Kids Community Challenge Aurora. Learn about their nutritional needs and tips to explore the colourful world of healthy eating together. Register online to secure your free ticket.

For details and registration

Hartman P.S. made a big impact last night (Nov 30) hosting their first ever Family Wellness Night! Families got moving together, tried different healthy recipes, learned about stress and mental wellness and brought out lots of smiles and excitement. Thanks to their Healthy Schools Committee, guest instructors, Activate Aurora and all the families who came out

Our new local Healthy Kids Ambassador is Bonnie. She is a registered nurse who provides health living assessments, tips and support to local at-risk youth at The Shop in Newmarket. She and her husband along with two kids and two guinea pigs have been Aurora residents for 16 years. They keep busy with piano lessons, the library and Town of Aurora programs and their church.

Read our interview with Bonnie

Kids flooded into the kitchen at York Region Food Network and whipped up personal pizzas and gingerbread cookies. Thank you to Chef Maxine! Stay on the lookout for more classes in the new year.

Healthy Kids and St.Joseph led another successful Family Fitness Night. Families came together, put on their sneakers and got moving! They rocked out to Zumba moves and then stretched and flowed with a yoga session. Of course, physical activity needs some healthy fuel in the form of lots of veggies, fruit and healthy snacks.

Meet Lauren who is only 12 years old and already setting a great example to younger kids, her peers and her community at large. She has been dancing competitively for six years (that's half her life!), has been playing recreational soccer for five years and enjoys school sports and activities.

Read our interview with Lauren

We know how much kids love to roll up their sleeves and get cooking, so we're helping to bring more FREE classes with Chef Maxine and York Region Food Network. Register today and choose your preferred time slot.

Event poster

Join York Region Food Network for another FREE kids cooking class.

Chef Maxine Knight returns to the kitchen to help kids aged 7-12 experiment with healthy after-school snacks. Hurry to register as space is limited and you won't want to miss out!

Event poster

Kasie is a mom of 3 active boys and loves to keep her family moving by introducing a little healthy competition. Catch her at the gym or playing hockey, curling, baseball, or golf.

Read our interview with Kasie

We're excited to introduce the Healthy Kids Power Boost Menu in partnership with the Town of Aurora. Families and kids will now be able to grab a fresh and healthy snack or beverage before and after their activities at the local recreation centres. This is a pilot project and we want to hear what the community thinks about the new options and what's available at their snack concession stands. Please try it out and let us know what you think! After you've had a taste, fill out our online survey, and enter to win a $100 grocery gift card. Don't forget, choose to boost veggies and fruit every day!

*Smoothies are only available at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex

Power Boost menu

Take the survey here

Come by from 12pm - 4pm for your kids to engage in creative outdoor play in our adventure playground. Help us whirl up smoothies on our bike-powered blender for a healthy and fresh snack.

Event poster

To enter, take a photo with Carrot, post it on Facebook or Twitter with #spotthecarrot and tag us @fitkidsaurora! Healthy Kids and Carrot will be giving out fruits and veggies at events around Aurora all summer and will be ready for a close-up. You can win monthly prizes of fresh and 100% locally sourced Good Food Boxes from York Region Food Network. Follow us to find out where Carrot will appear next. Happy snacking and snapping!

Contest poster and details

Activate Aurora's Open Streets Aurora closed off downtown roads to make way for walking, dancing, basketball, badminton, and a whole lot of fun. Healthy Kids unveiled their mobile Veggie & Fruit Pop-Up alongside Carrot the mascot to give away healthy snacks and remind kids to eat veggies and fruit every day!

Upcoming Healthy Kids events

On June 1st, Healthy Kids helped Rick Hansen P.S. kick-off their school garden and celebrate Canada's 150th with some tree planting. Over 200 people came out ready to get their hands dirty and nourish the school garden. 2 new garden beds were dug and planting, 3 raised bed were planting, and 4 trees were planting.

Our Healthy Kids FREE family cooking class is back for Spring. It's open to kids 8-13 years old and their parents held for 3 weeks starting June 14th, 2017. Families who have not previously enrolled in the class can register to learn healthy and simple snacks and meals they can cook and enjoy together. Hurry to register as spots will fill up quickly!

Program flyer

On Saturday, April 29th, families came out to the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complext to learn about different sustainability and environmental intiatives. There were electric vehicles to test drive, kids activities, lots of community groups sharing their work, speakers, and of course great giveaways! The Healthy Kids team gave away 300 pieces of fruit to encourage and inspire kids to eat more veggies and fruit!

Healthy Kids Aurora and Georgina helped Food for Learning spread thanks and gratitude to the many hard working parents, staff, and students who tirelessly volunteer their time and energy to their school breakfast and snack programs. It was a great event filled with delicious food, mingling, food samples, fundraising ideas, and inspiration for attendees to bring back to their schools. Check us out having a little fun while we pay tribute to the volunteers.

Thank you video

From April to December 2017, all the Healthy Kids communities across Ontario will be focusing on helping kids eat more veggies and fruit. In Aurora, we will be taking on lots of exciting new projects and initiatives to encourage healthy eating with the help of community partners and families! Check out our new web page with lots of information and helpful tips.

Choose to boost veggies and fruit

On Wednesday, March 29th, Lester B. Pearson's Healthy Schools Committee and Healthy Kids hosted the school's first Family Fitness Night. It was a huge success, bringing in 126 people moving together with taekwondo, Zumba, and yoga classes. Students prepared delicious flavoured water and community partners helped give families resources and inspiration to get fit and be healthy together.

On Saturday, March 18th, we welcomed families to Sheppard's Bush to join us for a day of outdoor play to cap off the March Break. Over 180 people came through our event bundled up and ready to have a good time outside. Kids used their own instincts to guide them through the adventure playground, and some also explored the great wooded walking trails. Families lined up eagerly to get their hands on maple syrup taffy treats. What a great way to celebrate active play, the great outdoors, maple syrup season, and community.

See photos from snapd Aurora

The pilot class was such a success that we've brought back this hands-on and engaging class. FREE and open to kids 8-13 years old and their parents held at the Aurora Family Leisure Complex for 3 weeks starting March 8th, 2017. Hurry to register as spots are filling up quickly!

Cooking Class Flyer