Bowling Green Parks and Recreation is introducing a new program called Kid’s Fitness Fun for children ages 4 to 8. The class will meet from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. Saturdays from Oct. 22 to Nov. 19, with a goal to help kids on their way to wellness.

Fitness and Wellness Supervisor Frank LaManna said that years ago at BGPR’s old location on High Street, there was a program called Kiddie Kapers and he thought it would be a good idea to try to offer it again. He said this will be the first time BGPR tries to do something at the current facility, 225 E. Third Ave, specifically targeting children.

“Just helping them at an early age is going to make them more coordinated down the road, but the biggest thing is keeping them active,” LaManna said. “If we start at a younger age instilling physical fitness (it can) help them to develop different motor skills.”

The program is $10 per child for five classes. LaManna said the first Saturday will be a meet and greet, followed by warm up exercises to promote flexibility and stretching. The classes will also include obstacle courses, activities that work on hand-eye coordination and wallyball, which is like volleyball, but it’s played indoors on a racquetball court. 

LaManna mentioned the Bean Bag Dance that requires the kids to place a bean bag at different parts of the body, such as on the back of the hand or foot, and move around to the music. Another activity is called Animal Actions – the kids act out a particular animal said in a song.

“It’s going to be a variety of different fitness activities to promote movement, cognitive abilities, balance and agility,” LaManna said. 

Fitness Coordinator Derick Fair said the program is offering opportunities for kids to get physically active and involved in doing things, instead of just sitting and watching television. 

“Obesity isn’t getting any better. Start them young and work on starting an active lifestyle so they can develop the habit early,” Fair said. 

LaManna hopes they will be able to add more sessions to the five-week program and keep the classes going in the future. 

— For more information or to sign up for Kid’s Fitness Fun, call 270-393-3232.

— Follow faith/general assignments reporter Simone C. Payne on Twitter @_SimonePayne or visit bgdailynews.com.