You can get your move on with Zumba and step to a salsa beat, take on the jump rope challenge and give hula hoops a spin.

These and many other free family events are being offered Saturday during kick off events for Get Movin‘. The program, now in its eighth summer, provides prizes for kids who are active for 30 minutes five days a week.

Those who meet the goal get free passes to participate in activities such as bowling, skating and swimming, as well as lessons in dance, gymnastics, wrestling, martial arts and cheerleading.

Families can register for the free program at the kickoff events, scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Everett, Lynnwood, Marysville and Monroe. Activities will take place rain or shine.

The Get Movin’ program encourages families to participate in outings together. Last year, nearly 3,300 kids and adults signed up.

Lia Blanchard of Marysville and her three sons, Kona, 13, Zach, 11, and Braeden, 6, have participated in the program for the past six years.

“We’re a close family; we like to be active and do something together rather than sit around all the time,” she said.

Initially, she and her two older boys would hit the Centennial Trail, walking, biking or skating. “I had the stroller and off we’d go,” Blanchard said.

As Braeden got older, “he could join us,” she said.

Blanchard said she’s become more active herself, at one point losing 65 pounds. Some of those shed pounds have crept back on, she said. “I’m looking forward to this year’s Get Movin’ program to help me take that back off.

“It’s not only getting outside, which is always fun, but the fact that we’re doing these things together really means something to them,” she said.

Get Movin’ was launched in 2004 by grass-roots community, health and recreation groups in Snohomish County to help battle childhood obesity.

Generally, obesity trends have not slowed among eighth-, 10th- and 12th-graders since 2002, according to the Snohomish Health District. Last year, eighth-graders had the highest obesity levels — 12 percent. That’s up from 8.4 percent in 2002. Twelfth-graders weren’t far behind, with nearly 11 percent considered obese, up from 8.5 percent in 2002.

The program has grown over the years to include healthy eating tips and encourage families to be active together, said Caroline Brown, chairwoman of the Get Movin’ program.

“Being active as a family is important, whether it’s riding bikes or family hikes,” she said.

Get Movin’ volunteers have been talking with area school districts in the hope that the program can be expanded to a year-around program, Brown said.

This year’s program includes an end-of-summer children’s writing contest asking participants how Get Movin’ changed their activity and health habits. The winner gets a free one-night stay for four at Great Wolf Lodge in Centralia.

Childhood obesity can lead to health problems as children grow into early adulthood. For example, nearly 20 percent of young adults between ages 24 and 32 had problems with high blood pressure, according to University of North Carolina researchers.

High blood pressure is just one of the effects of being overweight and inactive, said Dr. Gary Goldbaum, health officer for the Snohomish Health District. Being overweight can also cause heart problems, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Even if a child or adult doesn’t lose weight, just getting physically active will have major effects on reducing high blood pressure and cholesterol levels,” he said.

“Get Movin’ is a great way for members of our community to just get out and get active,” Goldbaum said. “That, by itself, will have long-term health advantages.”

The program is sponsored by a number of local organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA of Snohomish County, the cities of Everett, Mill Creek, Monroe, Mountlake Terrace, Lynnwood and Marysville, The Herald, Swedish/Edmonds, The Everett Clinic and Everett Transit.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486 or salyer@heraldnet.com