A giant box of crayons, sorted by color, sat at the end of the table. Each kid browsed the choices and brought a handful back to their seat. They were using the colors to create a paper bag puppet. Colors were not only their tools, they were also the theme of this day’s Healthy Habits lesson.

The kids learned that eating a rainbow of fruits and vegetables is a good way to remember to eat as many different colored produce as possible. The colors can signify the different nutrients available in different fruits and veggies. By eating a variety of colors, the kids can make sure they get all these different nutrients.

Healthy Habits is a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America’s comprehensive health initiative “Triple Play: A Game Plan for the Mind, Body, and Soul.” This dynamic initiative demonstrates how eating right, keeping fit, and forming positive relationships adds up to a healthy lifestyle for Club members.
Offered at all sites over the summer, Healthy Habits teaches young people how to understand nutrition and make better food choices. The program encourages members to participate in physical activities for the health of their growing bodies and the fun of staying fit both at the Club and at home.

A series of 10 lessons, tailored to different age groups covered topics such as food groups, the importance of staying hydrated, dental health, and body movements.
By the end of this lesson, Club kids had a puppet to show off along with their new knowledge about the advantages of eating a colorful diet.

BGCCW’s Healthy Habits is sponsored by Blue Shield of Wyoming’s Caring Foundation.