MARYSVILLE — The Marysville YMCA offered a festival of information and activities during their annual Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 28.

David VanBeek, assistant fire marshal of Marysville, was on hand to hand out slightly more than 100 bicycle helmets to families who needed them, for a suggested donation of $10 apiece or less, depending on what they could afford.

“We’ve got sizes to fit toddlers to extra-large,” VanBeek said.

VanBeek also passed on household fire safety tips and advised everyone to wear lifejackets.

“Unfortunately, it seems like the first really hot days of summer are always marked by a drowning,” VanBeek said.

Tawna Crispin offered kids a chance to connect with a more cuddly side of safety, as they petted some of the Puppy Guides of Snohomish County.

“We’re raising seven puppies for local folks right now,” Crispin said. “Their formal training is about four to six months before they’re matched with blind partners, with whom they train for about two weeks.”

Jessica Callagan of the Marysville Cooperative Educational Program at Marshall Elementary practiced quick-thinking activities such as competitive cup-stacking with youngsters like Josiah Frank to help kids exercise their brains in addition to their bodies.

“One is just as important as the other, and you should be giving both of them a workout everyday,” said Callagan, who touted the Co-op’s “seamless melding” into Marshall.

While the Girl Scouts set out a table full of neon pipe-cleaners and strings of plastic stars to let youngsters express themselves through self-made tiaras and jewelry, Snohomish County Dairy Ambassador Erin Peek quizzed passersby on the various health benefits of milk and other dairy products.

“Some kids don’t want to drink milk, but building strong bones and teeth appeals to them,” said Peek, who attends Arlington High School. “For older kids, chocolate milk is a good substitute for sports drinks.”