Kids Days to Be Held August 23, 24 and 25

August 11, 2017 10:25 AM

Kids Days 2016

One of the most eagerly awaited events on the Union’s annual calendar is about to happen.

We’re talking about Kids Days, of course. This educational and fun-filled activity will take place at the Health Centers and the Midtown Dental Center on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 23, 24 and 258, and, as always, no appointments will be necessary for families to take advantage of the great benefits of this health awareness event. Unlike Seniors Days, where each facility plays host to participants on a specific day, all the Health Centers and the Midtown Dental Center host Kids Days for all three days. Members must only remember to bring their children to the Health Center they use regularly.

While children outgrow most of their childhood fears, the truth is that a dread of doctors and dentists can last a lifetime for many. That’s the reason the Union’s Health and Dental Centers came up with Kids Days, a great program to make children feel comfortable with doctors and dentists. It is an impact that can last a lifetime.

As we have reported in the past, Kids Days is always an interesting, entertaining and happy event for children and parents alike. It has a truly appropriate theme this year, “Build it! Build a healthy future!” As part of this theme Kids Days 2017 will concentrate on getting our children to engage in eating healthy foods, exercising for a healthy body, and feeding a healthy mind. Like last year’s event this theme will include some simple but helpful advice:

  • Eat five fruits and/or vegetables a day.
  • Limit of two hours of screen time (computer, TV or video game) a day.
  • Brush teeth twice a day.
  • Get one hour of exercise every day.
  • Keeping sugar out of one’s diet.

Visitors to Kids Days can expect raffles with great prizes and a few other surprises. There will be gift bags distributed and an educational game or two. There will be clowns, magic shows, face painting, puppets and more. There will be lots of fun activities like bean bag toss and fish bowl trawling. Healthy snacks will be handed out, as part of the effort to teach children about good nutrition.

There’s more. Representatives from New York’s Bravest – FDNY – will be present to give children safety tips. At some of the Health Centers there will be representatives from local youth groups to talk about exercise and to tell kids about the after school programs that are available to them.

Staff members at the Health and Dental Centers have worked hard making preparations to make this year’s Kids Days very special. Children who are brought to the Health and Dental Centers on Kids Days will be able to have a brief medical and dental exam that includes a screening and immunization check that is needed before the beginning of the school year. Parents may also use the event to set up future medical or dental appointments, if needed. Any school forms that need to be completed can be left with the Health Centers’ staffs and will be completed and returned in a self-addressed envelope. Again, parents should remember to bring their children to the Health Center where they are registered so that their medical and dental records are on hand.

At Kids Days children will also receive educational material that includes information on nutrition and keeping the body and mouth healthy. That educational material can lead to better health and fewer visits with doctors and dentists in the future.

Kids Days has always been an event where children can have great fun while visiting with doctors and dentists. This year will be no exception. So get ready for a day of fun and health education at the Midtown, Harlem, Brooklyn or Queens Health Centers on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, August 23, 24 and 25, where children will be able to see a dentist and a doctor during the same visit. Kids Days will also take place — for dental visits only — on the same dates at the Midtown Dental Center (at 14 Penn Plaza). Kids Days will take place at all of these facilities between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The locations are as follows:

  • Midtown Health Center (Medical and Dental): 773-775 Ninth Avenue (212-586-1550)
  • Queens Health Center (Medical and Dental): 37-11 Queens Blvd. (718-361-5100)
  • Brooklyn Health Center (Medical and Dental): 68-80 Schermerhorn Street (718-858-7200) Please note, the new Brooklyn Health Center is expected to begin serving members next month..
  • Harlem Health Center (Medical and Dental): 133 Morningside Ave. (212-923-2525).
  • Midtown Dental Center (for dental visits only): 14 Penn Plaza (212-563-0095)

Once again, children may visit these locations on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, August 23, 24 or 25 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. with no appointments necessary. If you have any questions about Kids Days, feel free to call the phone numbers listed above.

Important Notes About Kids Days

Kids Days 2017 will take place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, August 23, 24 and 25 at the Midtown, Harlem, Brooklyn and Queens Health Centers; and also — for dental visits only — at the Midtown Dental Center. Kids Days is an entertaining and educational event for both children and their parents, and it has become one of the most popular activities on the Union’s calendar of annual events.

If you are planning to bring your children to Kids Days 2017, here are some important reminders:

  • Parents must remember to bring their children to the Health Center to which they (the parents) are assigned. This is very important because of the need to have medical and/or dental records on hand.
  • Members (or children of members) using any of the Health Centers for the first time on Kids Days will need to be enrolled.
  • To become enrolled on Kids Days (or at any other time) members need to bring their picture ID and their pay stubs, as well as the birth certificates of any children they are enrolling. Please note: Only actual birth certificates will be accepted for enrollment. Copies of birth certificates will not be accepted.
  • No appointments are necessary for Kids Days!