With some frequency, we scope out ideas to help children and adults make physical activity a daily part of their lives.

Today, a number of us at the American Beverage Association had the opportunity to be physically active ourselves while helping build a playground for school children in Anacostia, a Washington, D.C., neighborhood.  The playground project is part of Let’s Play, a community partnership led by Dr Pepper Snapple Group (one of ABA’s member companies) to help kids and families become active across the nation.  In partnership with KaBoom!, a national non-profit organization dedicated to “saving play,” the initiative will build or fix up 2,000 playgrounds by 2013.

It was an exciting moment as an eager crowd gathered to help build a playground that is sure to be enjoyed by many schoolchildren for years to come.  After all, a KaBoom! representative shared that only 1 out of every 5 children have a playground within walking distance.  This got the team of volunteers ready to go as they did their “warm-up” to prepare for the myriad activities of the day – from laying mulch to building playground components and much more.

Today’s children spend less time playing outside than those who came before them.  Creating more great places for children to play is a key factor in changing that trend.  The Let’s Play and KaBoom! websites provide numerous helpful resources to help with that - including telling families where to find play areas near them, as well as information on playground projects.  They also provide parents with play and activity ideas.

Building and restoring playgrounds so kids will have a great place to play is but one of the many projects our member companies do.  The beverage industry supports numerous physical activity and wellness initiatives across the country to encourage people to be more active and healthy.  Our member companies: provide support for the YMCA and Boys and Girls Clubs; sponsor youth sports teams and leagues across the nation; and sponsor educational websites such as Kidnetic.com, an interactive site designed to teach kids and their families how to live healthier lives through proper diet and physical activity.

We at Sip & Savor had a great time joining our colleagues from Dr Pepper Snapple Group, as well as the KaBoom! team and school and community volunteers.  And we can’t wait to return from time to time to see a playground full of fast-moving, active kids.

In the meantime, we hope moms everywhere have a great play day Sunday as we honor them on Mother’s Day. And starting Sunday on kaboom.org, you’ll find quotes from moms who think play time is really important for their children.