The Young and Healthy virtual adventure took place in November last year in several schools nationwide.
During the virtual adventure, pupils designed avatars to explore an online world, and were rewarded when they logged healthy habits such as eating more fruit, getting enough sleep and practising mindfulness.
Founder Kim Harvey was "delighted" at the results of the programme which were released last month.
Analysis of the digital initiative showed 80% of pupils ate more fruit and vegetables, and 65% of pupils improved their sleep quality.
Ironically, it was through the use of technology Ms Harvey was able to encourage kids to reduce leisure screentime by 62%.
"[For] our children ... technology plays an integral part in everything that they do," Ms Harvey said.
"So as an engagement strategy, it's really important to include a little bit of technology and use it for a good purpose and a good outcome."
Ms Harvey is keen to see more community-based organisations funded to improve children’s health.
"I think that if you're on the ground, in your community, you know what the issues are and you can talk to the people very directly.
"It's just really looking at how do we best prevent poor health from happening ... we just need to be really clever in and engage people."
For parents wanting kids to keep good habits this summer, Ms Harvey’s advice is simple.
"Doing it together is a key part of making it stick as a family, but also getting your children to embed those habits.
"Whether it's going out and spending a minute lying on the grass, looking at the clouds together and having a moment of mindfulness, or whether it's jumping on a bike as a family and going exploring, particularly [in Queenstown], there's some beautiful places to go."
This year’s virtual adventure is open for applications at www.youngandhealthy.org.nz.
