Sand is expected to fly as children ditch the buckets and spades to dig for buried treasure at Mount Maunganui's annual beach dig in 2015.

Karise, 2, and Tasman, 4, McHutchison and Peyton Duffy, 6, digging in the sand. Photo by: Tracy Hardy.

The 93.4 More FM Mount McDonald's Beach Dig invites children to hunt through the sand at Mount Main Beach for buried ping-pong balls in exchange for treasure on January 6.

More FM operations manager Jolene James says the beach dig has been a summer tradition for about 15 years.

'We had about 500 people there last year and we're expecting about the same again. It seems to get bigger every year. It's lots of fun.”

Children aged two-11 are invited to enter, with a separate digging area for children aged two-five.

Entry is a gold coin donation, with all funds going towards the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service's Junior Surf Programme.

'More FM are official sponsors of the lifeguard service,” says Jolene. 'It's the way we support them every year and obviously what they do on the beach every year is very valuable and a great chance for beachgoers to support them too.”

Major prizes include $75 worth of Mount Maunganui McDonalds vouchers and more.

The More FM Mount McDonalds Beach Dig is on January 6 on the sand directly opposite Mount Surf Club.

Jolene is encouraging people to register before 10.30am on the day. 'Don't forget to slip, slop, slap and wrap too.”

The 93.4 More FM Mount McDonalds Sand Sculpture is also on January 14.

From 10.30am, families are encouraged to create giant sand sculptures in front of the Mount Surf Club at Mount Main Beach.

Entry is free for all ages and the first 50 people receive a free small cheeseburger combo voucher from McDonalds.