South Australian initiative aims to reconnect children with nature and healthy food

The aim of the Healthy and Strong Children policy initiative is for South Australia’s children to spend more time playing outdoors and learning how to grow and prepare fresh fruit and vegetables to build healthy habits for life. The initiative includes doubling the number of schools participating in the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Gardens program, and the launch of Nature Play SA which will increase the time that South Australian children spend playing outdoors in nature. In 2014-15 Nature Play SA includes:

• 50,000 ‘passports to an amazing childhood’ to encourage South Australian children and their families to get outdoors and get active in nature
• A free family pass to one of 13 South Australian parks including Belair National Park, Flinders National Park and Deep Creek Conservation Park
• A one-stop Nature Play website where children, parents and teachers can get information about what to do and where to go
• A Nature Play SA Week and Nature Play SA Park of the Month to promote the program to children and families
• Nature Play-related themes and activities at the Adelaide and Monarto Zoos