Healthy living starts with a reason to get kids outside

Nursery hosts fifth annual Rainbow Days children's event

Put down your iPhone and go outside.

It’s part of the message behind Rainbow Days, now in its fifth year, an event that promotes healthy, outdoor activity via an afternoon on playground equipment.

The free event is being held at the Blue Grass Garden Centre on Aug. 11 and 12 and includes an outdoor barbecue.

Stephen Newbauer, Rainbow product specialist for Rainbow Play Systems Inc., a popular brand name of playground equipment, said the event stimulates imagination and promotes year-round healthy play.

Newbauer said playground equipment offers year-round fitness.

“I have (a playground) for my kids, they tend to gravitate more towards it in the fall and winter months when they don’t have the bikes or summer stuff to do,” Newbauer said.

“They use the playground in the snow.”

He said, because of the quality of the Rainbow product line, teens and adults can also get outside and enjoy the tire swing or monkeying around.

The promotional event offers about $500 in savings for select Rainbow play systems.

“We offer both custom line and do-it-yourself,” he said.

“We have several models on display.”

Newbauer said he looks forward to seeing residents come out for the day to try out a playground set.

“We have a carnival setting, decorated with flags, we have popsicles, hot dogs, juice, and ice cream novelties,” he said.

“We have the event to promote the Rainbow products mid-summer after Stampede to create a little excitement.”

Newbauer said last year’s event attracted about 500 people to the garden centre.

“It’s been extremely successful,” he said.

Playgrounds can be setup for customers at their homes within days of purchasing them.

“All the electronic stuff right now, the iPods, computers, laptops, definitely one of the main advantages (to a playground) is it promotes active play outside for healthier kids.”