Fourteen families competed in their first ever Weetbix TRYathlon at Mount Maunganui earlier this year as part of the Active Families health programme.

In February children explored the Waikareao Estuary on their bikes as part of the Play in the Bay Bike Month Scavenger Hunt.

Active Families, a free children's healthcare programme, aims to support, encourage, and motivate families to make healthier lifestyle choices.

The programme is for children aged five to 18 and runs for up to 12 months depending on the needs of the individual and their family.

And Active Families is not just about exercise, it also educates children and families about making healthier food choices.

Bay of Plenty District Council oral health advisor Stephen Cameron facilitated a healthy cooking demonstration with 10 families, teaching them innovative ways to make healthy food taste great.

The families prepared curried chicken, vegetable salad and fruit salad, proving that food can be delicious, affordable and nutritious.

There are more events to come throughout autumn, including the Glow Worm walk at Te Reranga Tunnel at TECT All Terrain Park, Active Families ‘Couch to 7km' walking group and they are now offering a Taekwondo programme with Master Kesi Oneil.

For more information about the Active Families Programme, see www.sportbop.co.nz/activefamilies_westernbop