WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Barack Obama kicked off the annual White House Easter egg roll Monday and used the occasion to tout the fifth anniversary of first lady Michelle Obama's campaign to get kids to eat healthy and exercise.

The theme of this year's egg roll is (hash)GimmeFive. Event participants are encouraged to identify five ways they plan to be more active and live healthier lives.

Children participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of White House in Washington, Monday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
Children participate in the White House Easter Egg Roll on the South Lawn of White House in Washington, Monday. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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The Easter egg roll draws tens of thousands of people to the White House South Lawn each year. Standing alongside the Easter bunny on a sunny spring day in Washington, Obama said the egg roll was "one of our favorite events."

Monday's events include sports and fitness zones, cooking demonstrations, and of course, the traditional egg roll. Obama also did his annual reading of the book "Where The Wild Things Are."

The egg roll is one of the longest-standing White House traditions. In 1878, President Rutherford B. Hayes opened the White House grounds to local children for egg rolling.

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