For anyone who's ever driven down Limestone Avenue during morning peak hour, it's hard not to notice the children converging on Ainslie Primary School.
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Whether on foot or on their bicycles, families take advantage of the school's inner north location, walking to work themselves and dropping the kids off on the way.
Marking the end of Winter Walk to School week, principal Catherine Dillion says the school has a well-supported approach to ensuring the children lead active healthy lives.
"We take part in the Active Kids Challenge, we have drink refill stations around the school and an award-winning healthy canteen," Ms Dillion says.
Ainslie Primary School is one of the 52 Canberra schools that participates in the Ride or Walk to School program, delivered by the Physical Activity Foundation, with funding from ACT Health.
The program reaches 20,000 students that addresses barriers such as basic cycling skills and road safety education.
"The program delivers a comprehensive suite of teacher, student and family resources to help in all of these areas," says Lucille Bailie, chief executive officer of the Physical Activity Foundation.
"And importantly, it doesn't lose sight of the fact that at the end of the day, the activities should be fun and enjoyable for kids."
Only 19 per cent of children in the ACT meet the National Physical Activity Guidelines target of 60 minutes a day.
Education Minister Shane Rattenbury joined the children from Ainslie for their morning walk to school, acknowledging that the benefits of physical activity extend far beyond addressing obesity.
"Physical activity helps children build confidence in trying new things, promotes social inclusion and helps to develop an understanding of movement and space," Mr Rattenbury said.
"Physical activity doesn't have to be playing sport or participating in structured activity – this could be as simple as walking or riding to school."
He said a report from the University of Canberra's National Institute of Sports Studies showed that physical activity in childhood improved educational attainment in the short-term and enhanced life-skills and health outcomes in the long-term.
"In short, active lifestyles help children become fitter, smarter, happier and healthier - for life."
