NORMAL - Some Illinois State University students plan to give a new twist to some old childhood games to help get kids moving this Saturday during the second annual World Wide Day of Play in the Twin Cities.

"We want to show them they can be physically active playing their favorite games," said Lindsay Dinkelman, a senior from Centralia.

For "Simon Says," for instance, kids will do jumping jacks or push-ups instead of touching their nose or their ears, she said.

"Our goal is getting kids physically active in a fun manner," said Megan Belanger, an ISU senior from Chicago.

About two dozen students in Dale Brown's exercise in health and disease class at ISU have planned four activities that will take place at the Children's Discovery Museum, one of three Twin City sites offering free events from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Other ISU students are volunteering with activities at Anderson Park in Normal and Tipton Park in Bloomington.

"It works out great," said Randy Ralston, special events supervisor for Bloomington Parks and Recreation Department. "They're (ISU students) enthusiastic, energetic and work well with families."

ISU athletes will help with a waffle ball home-run derby at Tipton Park, one of 10 activity stations planned at the park. Other stations will include the electronic fitness game NEOS, a soccer shoot-out, Chinese yo-yo and a fun walk.

"The goal is to get people thinking about taking time with family and getting outside and active," Ralston said.

About 800 kids and adults participated last year, he said.

ISU students also will volunteer at the activities planned at Anderson Park. There will be a kickball home-run competition, a mini golf obstacle challenge, basketball and tennis activities with ISU athletes and the Upper Limits rock climbing wall.

Crystal Williams, a senior from Hazelcrest, is among a team of Brown's students planning an "obstacle challenge" for the Children's Discovery Museum. Kids can expect to crawl through a large tube, jump on carpet pads and walk a balance beam.

Luke Hendrichs, a senior from Pontiac, and Meaghan Koshman, a senior from Canada, are among those planning an "animal relay." Instead of routine relay races, the group is adding a twist: Kids will portray their favorite animal while participating in the relays.

Not only do Brown's students get a chance to work with a variety of ages during World Wide Day of Play, but he said they get to pass on what they've learned in class: Staying active helps people stay healthier.

That's one of the reasons the World Wide Day of Play was started about five years ago by children's cable television network Nickelodeon, the American Heart Association, the Bill Clinton Foundation and the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The idea was to get kids away from the television and computers and outside to play.

The American Heart Association is not a partner in the effort this year, but it is sponsoring its annual Heart Walk from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday beginning at Shoppes at College Hills.

---

GO!

What: World Wide Day of Play

When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: The Children's Discovery Museum, 101 E. Beaufort St., Normal; Anderson Park, East College Avenue, Normal; and Tipton Park, 2410 GE Road, Bloomington.

Cost: Free. The Children's Discovery Museum will have free admission from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

On the Net: www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.net