About 300 West Babylon kids from elementary through high school hit the field Saturday to raise awareness of the importance of making healthy choices while growing up.

West Babylon Assistant Superintendent Dominick Palma kicked off the third annual Healthy Choices Fun Run. Palma says the message of the run has expanded to promote healthy choices all around, such as being drug and alcohol free and eating appropriately. West Babylon is one of only three schools in the U.S. partnering with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The school district is participating in a pilot program to battle childhood obesity. But running wasn't the only activity on the agenda. Arts and crafts were a favorite, along with soccer.

The event coincides with Nickelodeon?s World Wide Day of Play which calls on kids to participate in outdoor activities for the day.