Walk to School encourages children to walk, ride or scoot to school and build healthy habits for life.
Council said it would remind families to be active by placing animal footprints and distance markers around 13 primary schools in Shepparton and surrounding towns.
The program is designed to encourage students and their family and friends to walk to school and discover what animals have been hanging around their neighbourhood.
The animal feet distance markers also highlight the safest way to walk to school.
Safe walking maps and activity sheets have been developed for students to follow and mark off the animal footprints they see along the way, and record their daily walks in the Walk to School log book.
Council community director Kaye Thomson said the program was a free, easy and fun way for children to get active.
“National guidelines recommend that kids need at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day,” Ms Thomson said.
“Our kids are healthier and happier when they’re active every day, and walking to school is a great way to get their activity in. If you can’t walk all the way, try parking the car a few blocks from school at the 500m distance marker and walk, ride or scoot the rest.
“We want to make walking, riding or scooting to school easy and attractive for families and hope to see many more local kids and families participating in the Walk to School program.”
Greater Shepparton schools can contact council’s active living department's healthy communities team on 5832 9431 or visit getmoovingshepparton.com.au/walk-to-school.html