Kids and families
Being physically active every day is important for the healthy growth and development of children and can be beneficial for their health and wellbeing as they grow into young adults.
Encouraging children to be active every day can help to prevent a range of chronic diseases and reduce risk factors including heart disease, some cancer, stroke, type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. Being physically active also helps to promote mental wellbeing and maintain healthy development and growth.
Childhood is a period where education about healthy eating and physical activity is key to establishing healthy habits that last a lifetime.
Early childhood is the perfect place to begin healthy behaviours to last throughout life.
The Munch & Move program provides training to early childhood educators to promote and support healthy behaviours of young children. The program encourages educators to embed fundamental movement skills as daily practice and provide opportunities for physical activity throughout their services to support active play.
The PICNIC program is for parents of 0 to 6 year-olds. It aims to provide parents with the knowledge and skills to establish positive feeding practices as their child transitions to solids and beyond. Establishing positive feeding practices can help to keep children healthy as they grow providing them with the best start to life.
Life Life Well @ School is a school-based program that promotes healthy eating and physical activity for children in years K-6. It enhances teachers’ knowledge, skills and confidence in teaching nutrition and physical activity and promotes a whole-of-school approach to encourage physical activity and active play opportunities for students.
Go4fun is a free program to help children become fitter, healthier and happier. It supports healthy lifestyle changes for children and their families, providing interactive and informative sessions for children aged 7 to 13 years. Go4Fun is an effective referral option for health professionals working with children on the Mid North Coast.
Active Kids Vouchers are available for eligible parents and carers of primary aged children to access community sports. The program promotes children’s participation in organised sports and can help to boost their interest in sporting activities outside of school.
You can find loads of tips and resources to get more active every day as a family on the Healthy Eating Active Living NSW website.
Parents, guardians and carers receiving Family Tax Benefit can apply for an Active and Creative Kids voucher for each eligible child.
The $50 voucher is available twice a year to use towards sport, creative and cultural activities.
Voucher 1 – 2024: Available from term 1
- Applications open: 1 February 2024
- Apply for and use the voucher by: 31 December 2024
Voucher 2 – 2024: Available from term 3
- Applications open: 15 July 2024
- Apply for and use the voucher by: 14 July 2025
To find out more or to apply for a voucher go to Service NSW. A list of registered providers is available here.
From 1 July 2023, parents, guardians and carers of children aged 3 to 6 years who are not enrolled in school, can apply for a $50 voucher towards the cost of swimming lessons.
The voucher is valid until 30 June 2024.
You can use the voucher:
- for a program of at least 5 structured and supervised swimming lessons, which are either intensive (daily) or regular weekly lessons
- at any participating business that is an approved First Lap provider
- before the expiry date.
You can apply for a voucher for each eligible child.
Apply here for a First Lap voucher.
Check out the registered providers across the mid north coast: