ROCHESTER — At Rochester Memorial School on May 15, smiling children were busy running around, participating in games designed to keep their blood pumping.

Outside, younger children played jump rope, hula hoops and limbo, while other children participated in Drums Alive, dancing and hitting makeshift drums with drumsticks.

Other students did the Fun Run, where kids ran laps around a ring while teachers, parents, and staff cheered them on.

Kids also enjoyed playing basketball, yoga, kickball, parachute games, backyard games and Just Dance.

This year marks the school’s tenth annual Fitness Fun Day, organized by Physical Education teacher, Kevin Woodward with the goal of making exercise fun for kids.

Woodward said many kids today don’t do the recommended amount of physical activity and he wants to change that with the Fitness Fun Day.

“I hope that our students leave here knowing that physical activity doesn’t always have to be done in traditional ways,” said Woodward. “You can get your 60 minutes of physical activity while having fun.”

The event had 35 volunteers from Old Rochester Regional High School’s AmbassadOR Club helping kids with each activity. Abilities, Inc. sponsored the Drums Alive activity at the school event. Woodward and the school also partnered up with Boosterthon to put the event together this year

Bay State Gymnastics and Whaling City Fitness also helped with activities by providing instructors and supplies for each game.

ORRHS student Carly Drew said doing this kind of event is beneficial for kids physically and socially.

“I think it’s important for the kids to stay active, and they are meeting other people too because it’s not just with their classrooms,” Drew said.