By Cris Greer
WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org
The Kids & Family Expo is now the be nice. Family Fun Fest, a reimagined experience for families—combining high-energy fun with meaningful moments that support mental health and family well-being. This high-energy day is packed with hands-on fun and a focus on the be nice. action plan—supporting mental health and well-being for the whole family.
The FREE Family Fun Fest takes place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, March 28, at DeVos Place.
Activities include bounce houses, inflatable obstacle courses, school fair games like the fan-favorite cake walk sponsored by Nothing Bundt Cakes, wellness activities, community resources, a pirate ship adventure, art stations, and more! See below for the event schedule.
Check out the new EmpowerED Parent Series:
Engaging talks and guided conversations designed just for parents and caregivers. Gain practical tools and real-life strategies to support your child’s mental health and well-being—because empowered parents raise resilient kids. Drop-in learning sessions include:
10:30 a.m. Play & The Brain: A Mental Health Lens
Jacqueline Scherer, LMSW, RPT, THE PLAYGROUNDgr
This hands-on, interactive training explores the powerful connection between play and brain development. Participants will discover how nature play stimulates the brain, learn the differences between hypo and hyper play, and gain practical strategies to bring back to their communities. The session also introduces tools to support brain growth and emotional healing, bibliotherapy using children’s books, and engages participants in midbrain and limbic-based play exercises for overall well-being.
Jacqueline Scherer, LMSW, RPT™ is Founder of THE PLAYGROUNDgr, President of the Michigan Association of Play Therapy and Michigan’s 2025 Play Therapist of the Year. She has worked with thousands of children and families over 21 years, been a Foster Parent for 14 years, and is a trauma, attachment, and grief expert in our community.
11:15 a.m. Play & The Brain – Session 2
Jacqueline Scherer, LMSW, RPT, THE PLAYGROUNDgr
Building on Session 1, this interactive session introduces new and practical play tools to enhance brain development and emotional regulation. Participants will explore advanced strategies for facilitating both hypo and hyper play, engage in creative exercises, and leave with actionable ideas to support children’s learning and resilience at home and in community spaces.
12:30 p.m. Raising Resilient Kids – Building Self-Esteem that Lasts
Eric Hipple, Former Detroit Lions Quarterback
In a world full of comparison, pressure, and uncertainty, one of the greatest gifts we can give our kids is the ability to bounce back and believe in themselves even when things go wrong. This session explores practical, research-based ways parents can foster authentic self-esteem and resilience in children, guiding them through challenges rather than shielding them.
Eric Hipple is a former NFL quarterback for the Detroit Lions, a mental health advocate, and suicide prevention speaker. Since his son’s death, he has worked with youth, veterans, and professionals, sharing resilience, mental fitness strategies, and promoting daily reflection for well-being.
1:30 p.m. Safe Social Media
Leyna Luttrull
This session equips parents with practical tools to keep children safe online. Learn how to set age-appropriate boundaries, use platform safety settings, monitor online activity, and build open communication to encourage responsible digital habits from the start.
Leyna Luttrull is a Human Trafficking Survivor and Educator, Board Member of the Michigan Anti-Trafficking Project, and serves on the Human Trafficking Education in Schools Taskforce. She is a mother of five, a wife, and an advocate for legislative reform, public education, and awareness on sextortion and trafficking.
2:30 p.m. Anxiety Disorders Among Children & Adolescents
Christy Buck, be nice.
Parents will gain a clearer understanding of common causes of anxiety in early childhood, including developmental phases, school transitions, new social situations, and performance pressures. Families will learn to distinguish typical fears from signs that may require additional support.
Christy Buck has over 38 years in mental health and founded be nice. and be nice. extension. She has reached over 300,000 people with programs on mental health, bullying, and suicide prevention, serves as a certified QPR and Mental Health First Aid instructor, and has received multiple honors for her advocacy.
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