News Active In-Betweens Term 1 2026: Wrapped Up! Active In-Betweens Term 1 2026 was another fantastic term full of meaningful conversations and a strong focus on nutrition and building children’s knowledge, confidence, and decision-making around food. Across the term, children participated in hands-on, practical activities that encouraged them to explore nutrition in a fun, supportive, and inclusive environment. We remain strongly committed to child safety, ensuring all activities are delivered in a safe, respectful, and supportive space where children feel heard, valued, and protected at all times. This term centred on helping children understand what goes into their food, how it affects their bodies, and how to make healthier choices in everyday life. Through a mix of cooking, physical activity, and real-world experiences, children were supported to try new foods, ask questions, and build positive habits that can carry into the future. Eat a Rainbow We kicked off the term with the “Eat a Rainbow” challenge, encouraging children to explore a variety of colourful fruits and vegetables and learn about the different nutrients they provide and what they do for our bodies. “I never would’ve tried it if I didn’t come to program today.” We engaged with children through fun physical activities, running both participants and facilitators through a fitness course where we participated in the color explosion activity! Both facilitators and children took turns covering each other in fun (machine washable!) colored chalk! This activity not only reinforced the importance of variety in a healthy diet but also created a shared experience that built excitement, connection, and engagement from the very beginning of the term. Cooking Sessions – Spaghetti Bolognese Cooking continues to be one of the most popular and meaningful components of the program. This term, spaghetti bolognese was a standout favourite. Rather than using pre-made sauces, children were guided through making their own from scratch, sparking conversations about ingredients, added sugars, and the differences between homemade and store-bought foods. These sessions provided an opportunity for children to build practical life skills while also developing a sense of pride and ownership over what they created. As one child shared, “I really want to take some home, so mum gets to taste how good my cooking is!” Snack Challenge The Snack Challenge is all about combining nutrition education with real-world decision-making and incorporating budgeting components as well. Children were given a $5 budget and tasked with selecting a healthy snack from their local supermarket by reading and comparing nutrition labels. “So a healthy snack is when you have vegetables, fruit, and something like bread right?” This activity encouraged critical thinking and independence, as children evaluated sugar content, ingredients, and value for money. Many rose to the challenge, creating snack combinations that were not only budget-friendly but nutritious and enjoyable. Term 1 Outcomes and Impacts Throughout Term 1, Active In-Betweens supported children to: Develop a stronger understanding of healthy eating and nutrition Build confidence in cooking and preparing simple meals Strengthen decision making skills through real-life experiences Increase willingness to try new and diverse foods Engage in positive social interactions within a safe and supportive environment