"The ‘Food of the Week’ programme will have children cheering for broccoli, requesting a healthy lunch and telling you who grew your carrot."
- What's for Lunch? founder
Eating for Healthy Children aged 2 to 12/Ngā Kai Tōtika mō te Hunga Kōhungahunga
Sleep tips for young children
Why is sleep important? How much sleep does my child need? How can I improve my child's sleep? These questions are answered in 'Sleep tips for young children' from the Ministry of Health.
Green Prescription Active Families
Is your child overweight or obese and inactive? Do you worry about their health? Consider joining Green Prescription (GRx) Active Families. It's free!
Activities for under 5s
Movement is important from birth. Help your infant or toddler to be active, and they will learn and develop quickly. Sensory exploration, play and movement are how your child makes sense of the world. Help them out by giving them lots of opportunities to play and move. This Ministry of Health publication gives us information on activities for under 5s.
Fun ideas to keep your family active
The Health Promotion Agency brings us lots of fun ideas to keep your family active. From playgrounds and parks, games, walks and the location of swimming pools.
Tips to help 2-5 year olds be more active
Being active will help your child achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Being active has many other health benefits and can be fun for the whole family. This Ministry of Health information gives us tips to help 2-5 year olds be more active.
Healthy eating tips for 2-5 year olds
Weight is a sensitive issue, even for small children. It is important your child does not feel they are being punished. The best way to do this is for the whole family/whānau to eat the same meals. It’s easier to eat healthy meals and snacks if healthier foods are in your house. The Ministry of Health gives us some healthy eating tips for 2-5 year olds.
Takeaway alternatives from the supermarket
Whether you've been rushing about all day, heading to your child's school picnic or simply feel like a night off cooking - there are occasions that call for an instant 'no fuss' family dinner. Instead of swinging by your local fish and chip shop, consider your local supermarket - you'll have an easy, nourishing family meal in your hot little hands faster than your local chippie can say 'order up'! This Community Public Health flyer gives you lots of ideas for speedy 'takeaway' meals from your local supermarket.
Bargain Box weeknight dinners with Nadia Lim
In order to bring quick, easy and tasty dinners to even more New Zealanders, the My Food Bag family have created Bargain Box so that even more Kiwi’s can enjoy the goodness. For more details on how Bargain Box works, click here.
Healthy food in schools
Teaching and encouraging healthy eating is a compulsory part of the school curriculum. Schools can undermine these classroom messages by having unhealthy food in canteens or tuck shops, by giving children sweets as classroom rewards, or selling them as fundraisers. Parents Voice shows you what you can do if you are unhappy with the food available at your child’s school.
Healthy school lunchbox ideas
Since having my children, I have learnt that it is necessary to have plenty of wholesome, nutritious snacks on hand and ready to go, not only for school lunches, but for weekend picnics and after-school snacks too.
Healthy Food Guide contributor Eleanor Ozich shares some of her kids' favourite recipes.
Classroom rewards
Some parents and teachers use food to reward for ‘good’ behaviour. Unfortunately these rewards are often lollies or chocolate. Sweet foods are inexpensive, readily accessible - and children like them, but they are not good nutrition. Parents Voice lists some options for low or no cost alternative rewards for children.
Sponsorship in schools
Sponsorship of school activities, such as sporting events, curriculum activities or extra-curricula activities, may conflict with your school’s healthy eating messages.
Parents Voice advices on what sponsorship contracts schools could consider and what you can do if you have concerns about sponsorship at your school.
School trips
If the foods and drinks available to children during school trips are healthy options, it reinforces school messages about the importance of good nutrition.
Parents Voice shares what you can do to ensure your school provides nutritious food on school trips.
School canteens and tuckshops
Parents Voice explains why you should care about what your school canteen or tuckshop provides, and what you can do if you'd like to see improvements.
Rewarding healthy habits
Why not try a healthy non-food alternative next time you want to reward your children? Here are some ideas.
Treats and rewards for preschoolers and school aged children
When we give children treats or rewards, they are often food related, such as lollies, chocolate, ice cream or their favourite takeaway. If you want to control your child’s weight gain then it is better to provide non-food-related rewards. Encourage family and whānau to do the same as well. Canterbury District Health Board gives us some treats and reward ideas.
Top tips for managing your child’s weight
You've been told your child is overweight. What now? Health Info provides guidelines to help you to support and manage your child's weight.
Weight: A parent’s guide
How do I know if my child is overweight? How does weight affect health? How can I help my child achieve a more healthy weight? Kids Health answers your questions.