Grow, Taste, Learn & Play at the Healthy Kids Festival

Healthy living is always more fun when you can grow it, taste it, learn about it and play!

Our education partners at the University of Nevada, Reno Extension have partnered with UNLV’s Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy to host this year’s combined Healthy Kids Festival & Step Up For Kids event, and we’re excited to join in the fun! This FREE, family-friendly event takes place Saturday, September 26, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Pearson Community Center.

The festival is designed to help kids discover the fun side of healthy living through interactive activities, hands-on learning, food exploration and physical activity. And, of course, Chefs for Kids will be there with a special recipe to taste in the Grow, Try, Buy station!

🌱 Grow: See Where Food Comes From

At the Grow Station, kids can get hands-on with the process of growing food and discover how colorful rainbow carrots are grown and harvested. It’s a fun way to connect the food on their plate to where it comes from and maybe inspire a little curiosity about growing food at home!

👩‍🍳 Try: Taste Something Delicious

Next up: Try!

Our friends at ACF Chefs Las Vegas are helping us cook up two special recipes for the event, giving kids (and their grown-ups!) the chance to taste healthy ingredients in a whole new way.

You’ll be able to sample UNR, Extension’s original recipes for Sunburst Garden Bowl featuring fresh, colorful produce and Bee Happy Citrus Dressing, a bright and flavorful dressing that brings it all together. But if you’re a little antsy and want to try the recipes ahead of time, here they are!

☀️ SUNBURST GARDEN BOWL ☀️

Ingredients:

• 1 medium head of lettuce (washed, crisped and chopped)
• 1/4 cup of pineapple bits
• 1/4 cup of strawberries (sliced)
• 1/4 cup of jicama (peeled shredded or chopped)
• 1/4 cup of blueberries
• 1/4 cup of carrots (shredded or finely chopped)

Directions: In a bowl, combine all ingredients and serve with Bee Happy Citrus dressing. Makes 6.

🐝 BEE HAPPY CITRUS DRESSING 🐝

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup of orange juice
• 2 teaspoons of grated orange zest
• 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon of finely minced green onion
• 1/2 teaspoon parsley
• 1/8 teaspoon each of salt & pepper, to taste

Directions: Combine ingredients, add all ingredients directly into a jar. Secure the lid tightly and shake vigorously until completely smooth and mixed.

We love partnering with chefs to show kids that nutritious food can also be delicious, colorful and fun to eat!

🧺 Buy: Take the Farmers Market Home

Finally, stop by the Buy Station, where kids can experience a mini farmers market! They’ll learn from local farmers about where fruits and vegetables come from and get to “shop” for fresh produce to take home.

It’s a fun way for children to practice making healthy choices while learning more about the people and places behind the food we eat.

Learn, Move & Play!

There’s even more fun throughout the festival, including interactive nutrition and physical activity games and Physical Literacy Dances. Kids can head to the stage, dance along to the music and get moving!

Whether your child loves to dance, taste new foods, get their hands dirty or simply have fun with friends and family, there’s something for everyone.

Come Grow, Try & Buy With Us!

We hope you’ll join our partners at UNR Extension, UNLV’s Nevada Institute for Children’s Research and Policy, and ACF Chefs Las Vegas for this fun-filled celebration of healthy kids!

📅 Saturday, September 26
⏰ 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
📍 Pearson Community Center
🎟️ FREE and family-friendly!

Registration is encouraged but not required. Come anytime between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and be ready to Grow, Taste, Learn & Play!

We can’t wait to see you there!