Calling all superheroes, ghosts, ballerinas and pirates — you are invited to the 14th annual Children’s Health Day at Baptist Children’s Hospital, Sunday, Oct. 23, from noon to 3 p.m.
It’s the weekend before Halloween, so kids are being asked to come to the interactive health fair in costume and be prepared for plenty of fun. The event is free and takes place outside Baptist Medical Arts Building, 8950 N. Kendall Dr. (on the Baptist Hospital campus).
“Our annual fair is a lot of fun for the kids, and they don’t even realize that they are learning about their own health,” said Randy Lee, chief operating officer of Baptist Children’s Hospital. “They will have fun participating in exciting learning activities, displays and health screenings that will teach them about health and safety.”
Research has shown that children who are already familiar with hospital settings are less frightened and more comfortable if they become patients.
Some of the activities at Children’s Health Day will include free dental and asthma screenings provided by Main Street Children’s Dentistry and Orthodontics and the Florida Center for Allergy and Asthma. One of the most popular events of the day will be the Doll Clinic, where children can bring their “sick” stuffed animals and dolls for a check-up and treatment.
Other participants include Miami Children’s Museum, Miami-Dade Police Department, The Melissa Institute for Violence Prevention and Treatment, Informed Families, Girl Scouts Council of Tropical Florida, SimpCity Dance Studio, Supersonics Jump Rope Performers and Ocaquatics Swim School.
Because of the increase in Type II diabetes in children, another display will have information on eating right and exercising to prevent diabetes.
“Today, so many more children are obese with Type II diabetes, which used to be considered an adult disease, and is now prevalent in children,” said Lois Exelbert, administrator of the Diabetes Care Center.
The health fair also will have a wide range of delicious food trucks, where parents and children can enjoy lunch together. Plus entertainment, including face painting, a petting zoo, Madafo the Storyteller, stilt walkers, and a Halloween trick or treat station.
For information, call 786-596-3812. Free parking is available in the Baptist Medical Arts Building parking garage.
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