#MIKidsCan

The brain is a highly active organ that requires a healthy supply of energy and micronutrients to function at its best.

Malnutrition doesn’t just mean undernutrition, when you’re not eating enough nutrient-rich food. It can also mean overnutrition.

Different food groups provide vital nutrients to fuel a child’s day. Here’s how to get at least three of the five groups into your child’s lunch.

Want to sharpen your child’s cooking skills early? These easy, creative tips can make for a fun family experience in the kitchen.

Is reaching for a granola bar a healthier choice than a couple cookies? Here’s how reading a label can help.

Enhance your Shark Week viewing routine with these nutritious themed snacks.

Summertime can be a busy season for kids and sports. Here’s a few tips to keep active kids healthy.

Need inspiration for balanced school lunches? These easy options have all the nutrients kids need and some take just a few minutes to make.

Keeping your preschooler healthy can be difficult. Check out these simple reminders to help strengthen their immune system and teach healthy habits.

Knowing how to talk to a child about their health is key to empowering them to make smart choices. Here are tips on how to start a dialogue.

The typical American diet favors convenience foods over health. The “go, glow and grow foods” concept can help kids make healthier choices.

Want to take some of your kids’ focus off of candy? Try these fun Halloween-themed snacks, all built around fruit.

Mascots for the Detroit Lions and Detroit Pistons are featured in these short segments aimed at helping kids learn about mindfulness and meditation.

A new school can be a hard transition for children, tweens and teens to navigate. Read up on ways to help your child build confidence this school year.

Here are 7 healthy lunch options to incorporate more nutrition into the school day for busy families.

Fresh Michigan strawberries are a wonderful summer treat, especially when you pick them yourself!

How can you help kids make healthy choices when they buy lunch? It’s important to educate children on nutrition and how to make healthy decisions on their own.

As kids bring more and more home in their backpacks, make sure their backs stay healthy and strong by following these guidelines.

There are plenty of ways to make kids look forward to brushing their teeth and even start to see it as fun! Here are a few techniques to get you there.

Let your kids help with prepping this yummy butter chicken recipe. When they have some control over the veggies you use, they might be more willing to try them.

Children make the holidays brighter. Make sure you set aside some special activities just for them.

Holidays will be different for many families this year. Helping children understand why and picking new ways to make them festive will make the difference.

Hear from Dr. Amy McKenzie on how to recognize and cope with students who are struggling with a learning disability.

You can encourage your children to do STEM/STEAM projects with things already in your kitchen, pantry and bathroom cupboards.

A sweet or savory treat can be healthy with the right recipe. Check out a few of our favorite lighter-but-still-delicious treats.

Health officials recommend we don’t trick-or-treat in the traditional way, but there are some safer alternatives.

Teach your child proper portion sizes with these fun tips and recipes!

Get children in the kitchen with this easy recipe. Young kids ages four to six can make this on their own for a quick bite to eat.

Childhood Obesity Awareness Month falls within back-to-school season. Here’s how Michigan parents can keep their kids healthy and active all year long.

Back-to-school is very different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you're struggling with the uncertainty, these coping tips might help.

As the National Parks System celebrates it’s centennial, it’s important for visitors to know a few rules when visiting them.

Follow these tips to keep kids active in the age of technology.

August is Kids Eat Right Month, founded by The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to emphasize ways to help kids eat right and be more active.

Make summer schooling fun with these tips to help your child continue their education on vacation.

A guide to help identify poisonous plants around Michigan and what to do if you or a family member has been affected.

A salute to all the dads and father figures raising strong, confident girls.

Follow these four simple tips to keep your little ones safe this bike riding season.

A blast from the past that includes old school games that we all use to play outside during the summer and at recess.

Earth Day, which happens April 22, is the perfect time to educate your little ones about respecting nature and keeping our environment healthy.

Trying to navigate working from home and teaching your kids at the same time? These veteran Michigan teachers have tips and resources.

Jumping rope is a staple of the Kids Heart Challenge, a nationwide effort by the American Heart Association.

Children ages 10-18 are eligible to win a Thanksgiving Day Detroit Lions prize package. Learn more about how you can enter your child this year.

In this guest post from Ty Schmidt, executive director of Traverse City-based non-profit organization Norte, learn why walkable communities are good for health.

With support from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and other organizations, Norte is expanding its youth-focused programming to Kalkaska in northern Michigan.

DeAndre “Dre” Elliott has been performing with the Detroit Youth Choir since the 4th grade. Read about his experience performing on America’s Got Talent.

Medals4Mettle collects old earned medals from long-distance runs such as half-marathons, marathons and triathlons and gives them to kids in the hospital.

Find out how young people in Detroit are learning culinary and life skills, all while running a successful business based on healthy snacks.

Easter can be a fun and indulgent holiday. Here are some healthy ideas perfect for the whole family.

While vacation is a time for fun and relaxation, it’s important to remember to pack healthy habits with you this spring break.

St. Patrick’s Day is coming up and what better way to spend this holiday then with some fun snacks. Here are four creative snack recipes to try out.

There are tons of family-friendly happenings going on in Michigan in March that are fun and cost effective. Here are a few events worth checking out this month.

Blue Cross and the Detroit Pistons are Offering Children Ages 8-12 A Chance to “Go to Work” on Gameday at Little Caesars Arena…

Although getting the kids outside is important and still an option in the winter, the temperature and wind-chill requires caution.

Visit Midland during the Dow Tennis Classic, which hosts high-caliber professionals and offers plenty of opportunities for kids and adults to get in the game.

Make your pizza extra-festive this holiday season by making it in the shape of a Christmas tree.

Still looking to make time for family photos with Santa? Avoid the last minute hustle and bustle at the malls by visiting him at these Michigan destinations.

Make merry and bright memories by checking out these fun Michigan parades and festivals.

Catch up with Matt Puempel, a second-season Grand Rapids Griffin on hockey, life and why he loves giving back to the communities he plays in.

Noah Kimbrough won the #MIKidsCan Turkey Day VIP sweepstakes, earning a ride on a parade float and greeting Detroit Lion Matthew Stafford on game day.

Before you take your kids to the haunted house or watch a scary movie together, make sure they're emotionally equipped to handle it.

This spooky and savory meal will definitely be an "eye"- ful at any Halloween party.

Halloween can be a spooky time for your children's health. Use these tips to ensure a fun and healthy experience!

The Jack-o-Lantern may be one of the most iconic representations of Halloween, but pumpkin carving has evolved into a form of artistic expression.

Here are a few helpful tips to make this Halloween a bit healthier for your trick-or-treaters.

Candy might be the most traditional treat to give out on Halloween, but it’s not the only option. Here are some non-sweet hand-outs that all kids will love.

Research shows sitting down and sharing a meal can help kids and teens resist the temptations of drugs and alcohol.

Learn about finding the extracurricular that works best for your child.

Just uttering the words “head lice” causes parents of young children to shudder. If you’re faced with an infestation, here’s how to deal.

Heat exhaustion hits children faster than adults. Here’s how to protect your family all summer long.

Rollerblading is not just for kids’ birthday parties anymore! Here’s why you should break out the blades this summer to help you stay fit.

At Grand Rapids Public Schools, everyone can participate in athletics, regardless of their ability to pay. Find out how they’re empowering kids through sports.

Hearing-related issues can be avoided with proper protection methods.

12-year-old Sarah Myziuk will join the Detroit Red Wings on Saturday, April 7 as the #MIKidsCan Youth Skater of the Game.

Allergies now affect 18 percent of children in the U.S. Use these recipes to avoid the most common foods prompting allergic reactions.

Not all Easter baskets need to be stuffed with sugary treats. Instead, fill baskets with age-appropriate, creative gifts to excite kids.

Before allergy season kicks into high-gear, consider these questions if your little one exhibits signs of a food or seasonal allergy.

It’s completely possible to get your kids to the dentist without screaming or crying. You just need to go about it the right way.

Blue Cross' #MIKidsCan Champion of the Month is Caebre Baty. He's playing a young Martin Luther King Jr. in Opera Grand Rapids' production of I DREAM.

Meet our December #MIKidsCan Champions of the Month, two student leaders from a Lansing #BuildingHealthyCommunities school!

Bring home dishes from your favorite Michigan restaurants with the #MKC menu. These healthy, kid-friendly meals are sure to be a hit!

Looking for new ways to keep your kids active indoors? Take them indoor rock climbing!

Meet our November #MIKidsCan Champion of the Month and Turkey Day VIP winner, Hailey Reighard!

Get your child interested in cooking at any age! Check out this guide to teaching your little ones the basics.

Bring the kids to the kitchen and make this delicious (and healthy) meal together.

Bring your favorite local Michigan restaurants to your dinner table with these fall recipes.

Our kids are our future, and they can help your family stay focused on healthy eating and cooking!

Nov. 6-10, 2017 and Feb. 5-9, 2018 are weeks designated for CPR/AED drills in Michigan schools. Make sure your local schools are participating.

Lansing community members proudly painted a new mural, #Penn4People, in partnership with Lansing Economic Area Partnership.

Grab a notepad and watch this #MIKidsCan exclusive, where a classic fall comfort food gets upgraded with the help of local young chefs.

Cozy up to a low calorie, easy-to-make fall soup that even your kids will love to make.

Whether it’s an after school snack or a morning refresher, these healthful concoctions can be made in minutes.

If your kids need an afterschool pick-me-up or a bit of an immunity system boost, watch #MIKidsCan put together these easy, 3-step juice recipes.

Meet our #MIKidsCan Champion of the Month who spent opening night at Little Caesars Arena on the ice with the Detroit Red Wings!

According to registered dietitians, meal prepping is key for being healthy. Learn how to do it the kid-friendly way this week

Jumping rope as competitive sport? Jumpin’ All-Stars, based in Livingston County, is offering a workshop to teach kids how it’s done.

Meet our September Champion and Iceman Cometh Contest Winner, Reed Vanderlugt!

Walk to School Day takes place on Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017. Get tips from the organizer of Traverse City’s successful program, which has grown every year.

This life-saving technique can teach young children what to do if they fall in water

Meet Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan's August #MIKidsCan Champion of the Month, Max!