Live Well Alabama partnered with the Crenshaw Extension (ACES) recently to organize a pop-up event with activities promoting healthy movement. 

The Move Alabama Park Pop Up Party, held April 4 at Turner Park, provided free games and activities for children and adults.

“For our SNAP-Ed (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program – Education) initiative through March and April we have what’s called Move Alabama,” said Crenshaw and Pike County SNAP-Ed extension agent Kristen Sanders. “It’s a community activity challenge where we try to get more people in the community up and moving and we offer pop up challenges as a part of that. This year we decided to try a park pop up party, where we had different activities at the park during spring break when kids are out and about.”

Some of the games for the children included a skeleton showdown exercise and dance game where children selected a colorful bone from a skeleton and performed a dance or exercise that corresponds to that bone. Another game included activity dice, where children rolled to see what activity they would do and how many repetitions it included.

“[The event] is going great; we’ve had a few children come through,” said SNAP-Ed Educator Kayla Sanders. “I like the food group fitness game. It’s really good for younger kids learning your food groups.” 

Adults attending Move Alabama were given physical activity challenge flyers sheets to take home. The handouts were filled with different ways to promote movement and health. After completing three activities in each of the four categories, participants can take the completed sheet to the Crenshaw County Extension SNAP-Ed office to receive a prize. 

Additionally, participants at the event could enjoy the Story Walk trail surrounding Turner Park. 

“Obesity and hypertension are a growing thing especially in rural counties, so we’re trying to encourage more movement, more physical activity and less screen time, less couch time so we can get up and move our bodies,” Kristen Sanders said. 

For more information on future ACES programs and events, please visit their Facebook page at Crenshaw County – Extension Office, or learn more about the Live Well Alabama program at ACES.edu.