Children’s Hospital and the Saint Louis Zoo have joined forces on September 11 to bring you a fun, family-friendly event called Just Like You at the Zoo. Because obesity and inactivity in children are growing problems, Just Like You at the Zoo will focus on the importance of nutrition and exercise for children.
Families will visit six stations, and each child will be given a game card at the first station he or she visits. Children will follow the map and visit each station to gather clues, guess the animals, learn healthy tips and collect stickers. Those who collect all six stickers will win
a prize.
At each station, one category of the food pyramid will be highlighted and foods that a child might eat will be exhibited from that group. There also will be clues about animals for children to use when making their guesses. For example, the description for a penguin might read, “I am black and white with wings for flying through the water! I eat 100 percent fish.” Children will learn positive nutrition and exercise habits, and they will discover similarities between themselves and the animals.
“Childhood obesity and inactivity are huge problems with kids today,” says Carolyn Schainker, RD, community education and events manager at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. “We want to reach out to our community to promote change for healthier lifestyles.”
Just Like You at the Zoo will take place on Saturday, September 11, 2010. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Saint Louis Zoo. The event is free, and no registration is required. Look for the bright St. Louis Children’s Hospital tents throughout the Zoo.
If you can’t attend Just Like You at the Zoo but want to receive nutrition information from the event, call the St. Louis Children’s Hospital Answer Line at 314.454.KIDS (5437) or 800.678.KIDS and press 3.