As children created healthful “fruit salad” snacks by tossing apple- and banana-labeled bean bags into a stainless steel bowl, Angela Miranda, 6, and Brian Miranda, 7, vigorously brushed a model of gigantic molars with a larger-than-life toothbrush — an oral hygiene lesson courtesy of the Hands-On Health Mobile Van.

They were just a couple of activities that welcomed throngs of local children and their families to Kennedy Park for a day in the sun at Community Resources for Children’s annual picnic day on Friday.

Specializing in child care referrals and training, CRC began sponsoring the annual event more than two decades ago, but this year’s festivities marked a special occasion — the organization’s 30th year of advocating for local children.

Catering to a target audience of children through age five, CRC’s booths featured play areas for infants and toddlers, marked by brightly colored mats and soft building blocks. Children also enjoyed face painting, give-aways of books, pencils, bags, toys and a water play area.

The mood was light at Friday’s event, where representatives from more than 20 local and state agencies and businesses turned out to show their support for Napa County’s youngest residents. Representatives from Napa Lit, ParentsCAN, the Boys & Girls Club, Napa City-County Library, Children’s Health Initiative, the Napa County Office of Education and other organizations manned booths featuring children’s activities.

The day of play was also supplemented with educational materials for parents, available in English and Spanish.

A booth representing the Napa County Office of Education boasted a large bin of artificial snow, drawing youngsters who tottled across the grassy field with parents, friends and older siblings.

“Everybody is having a good time and there has been good participation this year,” said Janice Lucas, a toy librarian at CRC.

Lola Cornish, a CRC resource referral program manager who was stationed at the organization’s water play area, said picnic day provides parents and children a chance to break out of their usual routines. “It’s a wonderful event — a chance to connect with the community. Kids with stay-at-home moms get to mingle with kids in child care programs,” she said.

At the request of First 5 Napa County, the state organization of the same name furnished the Hands-On Health Mobile Van for Friday’s event. Packed with interactive games, the exhibit is intended to boost awareness about diet, exercise and oral hygiene while encouraging other healthy lifestyle choices among children and their parents.

“The van travels up and down California all year long,” said Sally Sheehan-Brown, executive director of First 5 Napa County. “They were (in Napa) for the Bi-National Health Fair in October and we requested them to come today.”

Saira Hernandez, the Miranda siblings’ aunt, said the children enjoyed picnic day.

“They’re running around and going crazy,” said Hernandez, adding that she heard about the event from her sister, who works for CRC. “I think it’s fun to let people know what (services) there are in the community,” Hernandez said.

Flanking the First 5 booth was the crew of Napa County’s Children and Weight Coalition — a local grassroots organization and component of CRC. Promoting healthy nutrition and physical activity for children, coalition representatives busied themselves educating parents about the fat and sugar contents of popular cereals, snacks and drinks. Staff also gave out jump ropes, balls and other toys, said Kathy DeMaggio, a dietitian and facilitator for the Children and Weight Coalition.

“We really want to give things that kids will enjoy and use,” DeMaggio said.

Nearby, Roberta Goodin, executive director of Napa Lit, helped children write and illustrate their own books in a neighboring booth, where Joselyn Cash, a 7-year-old Vichy Elementary School student, created a book about one of her favorite subjects — her mom.

The event wound down at about 1 p.m. Friday, under the watchful eye of California Highway Patrol Officer Jaret Paulson, who volunteered to distribute educational coloring books to children. Paulson said he parted with about 200 of the books, which were packed with tips about everything from car seat and seatbelt safety to protective skateboard attire.