NYACK — Despite the rainy weather, children had a blast early Saturday afternoon, playing games and munching on healthy snacks.

More than 100 children joined the annual Healthy Kids Day event hosted by the Rockland YMCA on South Broadway.

The national event is to promote a healthy lifestyle by introducing a variety of activities and resources.

“Childhood obesity is becoming more of a problem in this country because children spend more time turning on televisions and computers,” said Chuck Maze, chief executive officer of the organization. “We want to help promote health and fitness in the community.”

Children enjoyed such activities as karate, kickball and parachute games at the event.

“The goal is to give people ideas of what they can do together and become healthier as a family,” said Maria Giannattasio, fitness director. “We have all sorts of activities.”

Marichu Daos, 42, of Spring Valley said she came to the event with her children — Allyson, 7, and Matthew, 5 — along with her friends.

“This is great. They are having fun,” Daos said of her children. “They played games, and they swam in the pool.”

Elida Cacevic, 39, of Nyack said her children — Mary, 9, and Joseph, 6 — were also having a good time.

“They are having a lot of fun,” Cacevic said, as she watched a group of children, including Mary and Joseph, playing a parachute game in the gymnasium. “They learn something new about games. They learn from each other.”

Cacevic said her children for the first time tried fruit salad with yogurt at the snack counter, and they liked it.

The event was originally planned to include outdoor activities, but because of the weather, the outdoor portion was canceled.

Giannattasio said the event might have given a good opportunity for families to learn what they can do at the YMCA on a rainy day.

Along with YMCA staff, about 30 volunteers helped run the event, and local businesses donated food, said Stephanie Salter, the Y’s member services director.

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