Member for Mount Isa and Living with Lead Alliance chair, Betty Kiernan said studies have shown that children living in areas with bare soil were more exposed to lead in their system.

"This program will assist the Mount Isa community to reduce the amount of bare soil areas in backyards accessible to young children," Mrs Kiernan said.

The first stage of the program would offer low income families with children a Backyard Improvement Program Kit, including brochures and books on low maintenance and water wise garden designs, grass seed, a tap timer and gardening gloves.

The kits would be available from March 1 through to October 2012.

Kevin and Raelene McGregor of the Rose Garden Nursery would also be holding monthly workshops on how to make improvements to gardens, from mulching to planting grass, with tips on creating a lead safe and water wise garden.

There is also the chance to win a family holiday in Cairns for the family that makes the most improvements to their garden and children's play area, Mrs Kiernan said.

The prize includes return flights with Skytrans and accommodation at the The Lakes Resort, Cairns for a family of four.

This competition is open to all families in Mount Isa.

"The improvements to the garden have to be the most relevant, not necessarily the biggest and they'll need to submit before and after photos to qualify for the competition," she said.

Other prizes for garden improvements ranged from a lawnmower to raised vegetable gardens.

Mrs Kiernan said the Living with Lead Alliance had worked to ensure all sporting fields, parks, kindergartens and primary schools had good ground cover to minimise soil exposure to children.

"Now we'd like to encourage families to take that step to ensure their own back yards are safe for their children."