Take your pick of these wallet-friendly activities in our ultimate list of free things to do with kids in Christchurch.
If you’re finding yourself endlessly forking out for annual passes and spending on children’s activities, there are plenty of free ways to entertain the kids across Christchurch, if you know where to look! We’ve listed out 50 free things to do with kids in Christchurch, make sure you bookmark this page and come back as you work down the list.
Read more: Under 5’s Are Free at These Christchurch Attractions
Free things to do with kids in Christchurch:
1. Spend the morning wandering around the Air Force Museum. With plenty to see, make your way around the planes, climb inside the Vampire or Macchi jet cockpits and pretend to be a pilot, test out the World War Two bomber’s gun turret and take mug shots in the ‘Captured’ exhibition. Little ones will also love the ‘Fly Zone’, an interactive mission-based game where moving your arms flies the planes. Grab a coffee and fluffy from the Contact Café and let the kids do some colouring in.
2. Spark creativity at Tūranga’s Imagination Station. Build to your heart’s content using the Lego and Duplo pits, or grab a couple of books and get cosy in one of the seating areas. The slide is currently unavailable, but we’re waiting for it to be back in action, as this is a firm favourite, too!
3. While at Tūranga (or any library across the city!), stay for one of their free preschool classes that include music, movement, rhymes and stories. Under twos will love Wā Pēpi: Babytimes, while older ones can engage in Wā Kōrero: Storytimes. Click here for available locations and schedules.
Read more: Drop-in Music & Movement Classes for Preschoolers in Christchurch
4. Art-loving parents, head to Christchurch Art Gallery on the first Thursday of the month for a free, guided art tour. Oh, Baby, It’s Art starts at 10.15am and welcomes you to bring the pram and enjoy a thirty-minute whip around new exhibitions. Best suited to those with young babies who are likely to sleep, as the tour content caters for adults.
5. Forgo the tour and head to Christchurch Art Gallery any day of the week to explore its revolving exhibits and child-friendly elements such as interactive walls and learning-based games.
6. Go for a dip! All pre-schoolers can swim for free during school hours at any Christchurch Recreation and Sports pool. A great activity for tiring out toddlers, during the school term up to two pre-schoolers and one caregiver can take advantage of free entry from 9-3pm, Monday to Friday.
7. Head indoors to shopping malls across the city and enjoy free entertainment for under-fives throughout the week. From storytimes to guest character appearances, click here for all the details.
8. Keep it easy with a trip to Mitre 10 MEGA or Bunnings Warehouse and take advantage of their indoor play areas for kids. Twists, tunnels and slides will keep them busy while you grab a coffee and take a minute for yourself. Bunnings Warehouse Cafe also dishes out a free fluffy with any purchase.
9. Stroll through Christchurch Botanic Gardens and explore its sprawling lawns and greenhouses. Every autumn, winter and spring school holidays, collect a booklet and map from the Botanic Gardens’ Visitor Centre or Kiosk and participate in a free, interactive self-guided ‘Discovery Trail’. Download a ‘seasonal treasure hunt’ map and look for different items out in nature. If you can afford a Koha, Bot Tots runs 10-11.30am every Monday during the school term, getting kids involved in simple craft or plant-based activities with the Canterbury Horticultural Society. No bookings are required.
10. All aboard! Ride the Peace Train at Christchurch Botanic Gardens every Sunday from September to April, between 10am and 1pm. The train is wheelchair accessible and takes approximately eight minutes. The final ride of the day departs around 12.45pm.
11. Check out one of Christchurch’s bustling weekend Farmer’s Markets. Running every Saturday from 10-4pm, The Seekers Mākete is held at The Arts Centre and has plenty on for little ones. Live music, delicious food stalls and local, homegrown vendors are just a few of the draws. Crowtastic Events is usually on hand to bring the magic with character meet and greets, performances and face painting.
12. Grab the bikes and head along a section (or all!) of Te Ara Ihutai Christchurch Coastal Pathway that stretches from Ferrymead to Scarborough. Spot wildlife along the way, and drop into nook favourites, The Lil Brew, to refuel and play in their indoor and outdoor play areas.
13. Riccarton House and Bush is a New Zealand heritage site with two historic buildings, flanked by open parkland and ornate gardens. The perfect place for a stroll with toddlers in tow, there are nearly 900 metres of tracks to enjoy with it all being flat for little legs. Head there on a Friday and stay for Story Time at Riccarton House from 10.30-11am, with bubbles, books, songs and free fluffies!
14. If you’re yet to check out Christchurch’s many Community Gardens, you’re missing a trick! Run by green-fingered, dedicated volunteers, the gardens are free to visit and explore during opening hours. Spend time looking around the different fruits and vegetables, trees and plants, or drop by for one of their free events that teach children and adults about horticulture. Our favourites include New Brighton Community Gardens for its child-friendly play equipment, mud kitchen and an invitation to paint stones, and Richmond Community Garden which offers ‘foraging walks,’ a tennis table, a nature play area and lots of space for running around. You can also download one of their Kids Garden Activity Sheets to engage children further.
15. Visit one of two Sensory Gardens and Spaces in Christchurch. SmileDial Sensory Garden in New Brighton provides an accessible space for families to explore, featuring interactive installations that challenge all five senses. Once you tick this one off, drive out to Rolleston Library to engage with their unique space which is adjacent to a huge pump track and playground
16. Start your day off on a magical note and take the kids for an enchanting walk through a fairy forest. There are several to visit in Christchurch and more that are not too far away if you fancy driving further afield for the day.
17. Spend the day at The Groynes, hopping between multiple playgrounds, including a natural-inspired play space featuring a rope swing made from coconut fibres. Enjoy one of three dedicated walking tracks, with the option to spend on renting a paddle boat if you fancy doing so.
18. Make your way to Mona Vale Garden Park, stroll around the Rose Gardens, set up with a picnic and watch the ducks as they swim along the stream.
19. Load the scooter into the car and drive to Westlake Reserve, the perfect loop track for perfecting the balance bike and spotting (lots of!) ducks. Kiddos will enjoy walking out onto the small pier and spotting eels; the playground is also great for younger toddlers.
20. Burn off some serious energy and take your pick of weekly playgroups from our list here. Drop-in, no commitment required, many are free for preschoolers or ask for small Koha to help cover costs.
21. Get out and into the fresh air while connecting with other like-minded parents and join one of several walking groups for mums.
22. A cup of caffeine more your speed? Open to all parents and caregivers with little ones welcome too, coffee groups are a great way to meet people and indulge in some adult conversation.
23. With several free activities available for families at Christchurch Adventure Park, it’s the perfect place to spend the day. If you have a bike-obsessed child, check out the free-to-use, introductory biking
loop trail or pump track (the best time is during the week between the hours of 11am – 3pm to avoid much older kids). There are also walking trails with spectacular views, including their uphill track which offers a free chairlift ride back down the mountain. Stop by the cafe, have a bounce on their trampoline then go fairy door hunting around the village.
24. Coastal and forest walks, mountain bike tracks and horse-riding trails are all part of Bottle Lake Forest. With so much to explore, take your time in nature, trialling the pump track near the car park, jumping off big tyres at the unique play area and knocking on hundreds of fairy doors. You could even make a fairy door to add to the ever-growing village.
25. Go for a stroll along New Brighton Pier spotting large seagulls, then have a play at the beachside playground that features wet and dry play areas, a large rope climbing frame, water cannons, musical toys and a large waka that children can climb and play inside.
26. Pack a picnic and head to Halswell Quarry. Enjoy your lunch, play with a ball in the expansive fields, walk the Quarry loop and have a nose around the old Singlemens Quarters. The on-site cafe even has a basket of toys to keep little hands busy.
27. Take a trip to The Arts Centre – one of the coolest spots to visit in the city. Browse the Tiny Toy Shop for simple, sustainable toys and wander through Rutherford’s Den, a scientific and historic place of discovery brought to life by its multi-sensory displays and hands-on experiences. The exhibition is free to the public, and open daily between 10.30am-2.30pm.
28. Drive to the designated parking zone at the end of the Christchurch Airport runway on Aviation Drive and watch as plans take off and land above your car.
29. Join Plunket every Wednesday for a ‘Playground Adventure.’ Seeking out new playgrounds each week, check their Facebook page for where to meet weekly and discover somewhere different to take the little ones.
30. Cool off at one of the many free paddling and splash pools around the city. Open during summer through to April, there are eight to choose from.
31. How about a trip to a pet store? With lots of fish to watch and some stores hosting larger animals like cats and rabbits up for adoption, kids will enjoy the free entertainment. Redwood Aquatics – Aquarium and Water Garden Centre is great for this. There are freshwater and tropical fish as well as reptiles to admire.
32. Have you heard of Christchurch Rocks? Join their Facebook page and spend the morning painting your stones to hide in your neighbourhood, or wherever you are exploring that day. You might even come across one yourself!
33. If you think you can get away without spending a fortune on game credits, kill an hour in Timezone. Probably best suited for younger toddlers who will happily bash away at buttons and be star-struck by flashing lights and others playing ‘for real’.
34. Encourage your child to practice their reading skills and develop a love of reading by reading to dogs. This unique programme run by Christchurch City Libraries is a free, 15-minute session reading to a friendly dog, helping a child to overcome their fear of being judged or laughed at ‘over mistakes.’ Check out the schedule here. Bookings are essential and can be made by calling 941 7923.
35. Download the Agents of Discovery app and solve fun challenges while exploring the outdoors. An educational app that uses augmented reality, there are new missions and challenges to solve every year across Christchurch parks.
36. Watch model boat enthusiasts sail boats on Lake Victoria in Hagley Park. The ‘Wednesday Windlers’ sail every Wednesday morning. Spend some time watching then head over to Botanic Gardens for a play in the playground.
37. Walk around Prebbleton Nature Park on Springs Road, an easy loop trail with plenty to discover. There are over 7,000 native plants to spot and plenty of picnic tables to stop for a nibble. The trails are suitable for prams and wheelchairs. Stop by Prebbleton Domain afterwards for a ride on the pump track and to check out the train-themed playground.
38. Bouncy castles and coffee? Yes, please. These cafés and restaurants keep the kids bouncing happily while you enjoy hot coffee.
39. Forage for fruit in the ‘Edible Red Zone.’ With plenty of fruit and nut trees available to the community, from apples, feijoas and pears, go for a stroll and see what you can find. Download the smart cities foraging app for the best foraging locations.
40. Take on the Red Zone Dogs Scavenger Hunt! Created by Redzone Dogs Ōtautahi, this fun scavenger hunt for kids is a fun way to keep the area green and rubbish-free. Download/print it here or pop into the office at Avebury House between 9-1pm and they can help you to print a copy.
41. If you didn’t know that Christchurch has an interactive Fungi Farm – you do now! An extension of Richmond Community Gardens, it is an explorative space for all ages and features “multiple species of edible native and exotic mushrooms for foragers, over 33 hand-carved mushroom sculptures, and other art installations by local artists.” Its unique nature play area includes communication tunnels that mimic the underground communication of fungi and organisms. The farm is also the starting point for foraging excursions across the Red Zone.
42. Host a fairy picnic at Rāwhiti Domain! The Woodland Playground is a magical space that not only invites room for plenty of nature play but has many fun elements to explore such as toad stall seats and a little fairy village. This is also one of few playgrounds that features “You and Me” swing seats.
43. Make your way through Kaiapoi Food Forest. Not only are you welcome to try the fruit and vegetables growing in the gardens, but there are plenty of child-friendly elements such as a pirate ship, cubby house, and wooden aeroplanes.
44. Grab some frozen veggies out of the freezer and go feed the ducks. Some good spots in Westlake Reserve, Botanical Gardens, Mona Vale, Cashmere Road (opposite the playground), and Beckenham Park.
45. Visit Woodham Park Gardens and spot Java sparrow, ring-necked dove, native and exotic parakeet, quail and various finches in the aviary.
46. Plan a street art tour around the city. There are hundreds of incredible murals and Instagram spots dotted around the centre.
47. Listen to buskers play in the city on weekends, then go watch the ducks and eels on the river at Oxford Terrace.
48. Take the kids’ window shopping at the historic Tannery. This old tanning factory is now brimming with beautiful shops, restaurants and a cinema.
49. The Colombo’s newly revamped play area for kids is free to use and filled with seaside theming, climbing frames and a slide. Tables are perfectly positioned in eye line so that you can enjoy a coffee while tots play.
50. Okay, this one isn’t technically ‘free’ as you’ll need to grab a meal for yourself to redeem the offer, but if you fancy an affordable meal out and a night off cooking, kids eat free at these Christchurch restaurants.
