Christchurch is packed with amazing kids activities for every type of family. Whether you’re after outdoor adventures, rainy day entertainment, or educational experiences, this guide has 50+ ideas to keep your little ones happy and entertained.
Looking for kids activities Christchurch families actually enjoy? You’re in the right place. Whether it’s sunny or pouring down, there’s no shortage of fun for little ones (and not-so-little ones) across the city. From wild playground adventures to rainy-day play spaces, here’s your ultimate guide to keeping the kids happy all year long.
Read more: Cheap Things To Do in Christchurch With Kids This Weekend
Outdoor Adventures
Make the most of Christchurch’s parks, beaches and green spaces. They’re some of the best in New Zealand, and most are completely free.
Margaret Mahy Playground is the city’s biggest and boldest playground. Bring snacks, a change of clothes, and let the kids go wild on the zip lines, trampolines, water play area and climbing equipment. It’s right in the central city along the Avon River.
Bottle Lake Forest has easy walking and biking tracks through the pines. Great for balance bikes, scooters and exploring without worrying about traffic. Don’t skip out on the fairy forest!
Halswell Quarry Park offers picnic spots, open lawns and a mini adventure walk that’s perfect for little explorers who need to burn off some energy.
North Brighton Beach and Playground is the classic family combo. Playground, skate park, beach access and ice cream nearby. What more do you need?
The Groynes has BBQ areas, walking tracks, duck ponds and pedal boats. It’s a full day out if you want it to be, or just a quick duck-feeding mission.
Adventure Avenue in Dallington is a nature play space dreamed up by local kids. It has climbing logs and natural play elements that encourage creative outdoor play.
Riccarton Bush and Deans Cottage lets you wander through native bush right in the middle of the city. It’s a quick dose of nature when you don’t have time to head to the hills.
Victoria Park Playground and Walks has big slides, forest walks and unbeatable city views. The playground is brilliant for all ages.
Richmond Community Gardens and Fungi Farm offers nature play, foraging walks and learning through play. It’s a bit different from your standard playground.
South Brighton Domain opened at the end of 2015 and features loads of adventurous equipment. The central feature is a seven-metre high climbing tower with a net that children can climb to a viewing area for great views of the park, estuary and Port Hills.
Summer Fun and Water Play
When the temperature rises, Christchurch delivers on water-based kids activities. Here’s where to cool off.
Read more: Top Outdoor Paddling Pools & Summer Splash Zones in Christchurch
Scarborough Paddling Pool is a local favourite. Free, shaded and right by the beach. Perfect for toddlers and young kids on a hot day.
Selwyn Aquatic Centre Splash Pad is great for all ages, with both indoor and outdoor water play options. Located in Rolleston, it’s worth the short drive.
Taiora QEII Pool and Hydroslides offers indoor fun that works year-round. The hydroslides are a huge hit with kids who like a bit of speed.
Rolleston Aquatic Centre has a warm pool, toddler area and hydroslide. Another solid option if you’re in the Selwyn area.
Lyttelton Harbour Beaches like Corsair Bay and Cass Bay are calm and family-friendly. The water is usually calmer than the main Christchurch beaches, which is great for nervous swimmers.
Spencer Park combines playground, picnic areas, beach walks and a small animal park. You can easily spend half a day here.
Bottle Lake Dunes is a great spot for sandboarding or a walk to the beach. Bring a boogie board or sled and let the kids slide down the dunes.
Rainy Day Kids Activities Christchurch
When the weather turns, there’s still plenty to do indoors. Here are the best rainy-day kids activities Christchurch has on offer.
Imagination Station is LEGO heaven inside Tūranga Library. Free to use and a lifesaver on a wet day.
Chipmunks Playland and Café has big indoor play zones for toddlers to tweens. There are a few locations around Christchurch.
Messy Mates at The Hub Hornby is New Zealand’s first in-mall play studio. Trampoline, role play areas, messy play, sandpit room and painting room. It’s designed for hands-on fun.
Inflatable World is where kids can burn off some serious energy. Bouncing, sliding, climbing. They’ll sleep well after this.
Tūranga Central Library hosts storytimes, craft sessions, and has the Discovery Wall for interactive digital play. It’s free and centrally located.
CodeBreakers Escape Rooms works well for older kids and families who like a challenge. You’ll need to work together to solve the puzzles.
Timezone and Arcadia are classic arcade fun for all ages. Stock up on tokens and let them play.
Hoyts EntX sorts out family movie day when nothing else will do. They also have “Pram at the Pix” sessions for parents with babies. Check for family-friendly session times.
Christchurch Art Gallery Kids Area has art that encourages hands-on play and creativity. The gallery is free to enter.
Canterbury Museum at CoCA (temporarily relocated while the museum building is under repair) offers interactive exhibits and family-friendly displays focused on local history.
Read more: What to do in Christchurch When It’s Raining: 90 Indoor Activities for Kids
Creative and Educational Fun
For kids who love learning, building, or getting hands-on with kids activities Christchurch offers some brilliant options.
Creative Junk runs craft workshops using recycled materials during school holidays and throughout the year. Great for creative kids who love making things.
Art Safari at Christchurch Art Gallery is a chance for pre-schoolers to paint, glue, print, stamp and colour without making a mess at home. Designed for budding artists between 2-4 years old. Each month different sensory materials and art activities are set up for little ones to explore. Drop in between 10am and 12pm, stay for as long or as short as you like. Prams, food, babies, siblings and grandparents are all welcome.
Envirokids at the Kiosk in Botanic Gardens runs nature-based activities and workshops for children every Saturday. A great way to learn about the environment while having fun.
Court Theatre produces school holiday kids shows and family-friendly productions throughout the year. New Zealand’s largest theatre company puts on high-quality performances.
Canterbury Children’s Theatre has a 60-year history of producing quality theatre for children. Check their schedule for current shows.
Animal Adventures
Christchurch is full of spots where kids can get up close with animals. These are some of the best kids activities Christchurch has for animal lovers.
Read more: Where to See, Pet and Feed Animals in Christchurch
Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open-range zoo. Lions, giraffes, gorillas (the only ones in NZ), rhinos, meerkats and more. Hand-feed the giraffes for an experience they’ll never forget.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve lets you see kiwi up close in the dark house and feed the eels. It’s a great introduction to native New Zealand wildlife.
Arion Farm Education Park on McLeans Island is a petting zoo with hands-on farm fun. Kids can get close to sheep, goats, chickens and more.
Spencer Park Animal Area is free, small, and perfect for toddlers. Low-key but still a hit with little ones.
Glenlothian Farm in West Melton is a family-run educational farm offering the unique opportunity to see, pet and feed rare breed farm animals. Home to over 20 species, it’s one of the only education parks to host Bennetts Wallabies. Kiddos can take their time interacting with the animals, join a craft class or host a birthday. There’s even a sandpit and giant connect four.
Adventure and Energy Burners
For when they’ve got energy to spare and you need a coffee, here are the best high-energy kids activities Christchurch has going.
Clip ‘n Climb Christchurch has bright, fun climbing challenges for all ages and abilities. It’s suitable even for beginners.
Velocity Karts offers drift trikes and blokarts for thrill-seekers. Located out at McLeans Island, it’s a good one for slightly older kids.
Mega Air Trampoline Park is bounce heaven. Dodgeball, foam pits, basketball hoops. They’ll be exhausted.
Launchpad Trampoline Park is another solid trampoline option. Great for rainy days when they need to burn energy.
Port Hills Adventure Trails include family-friendly biking and hiking tracks with stunning views over the city and harbour.
Christchurch Adventure Park offers gondola rides, mountain biking and ziplining. The gondola alone is worth the trip for the views. Note that the park has seasonal hours, so check before you go.
Weekend and Family Day Ideas
When you’ve got a whole day to fill, these kids activities Christchurch offers are perfect for making memories.
Christchurch Gondola and Bridle Path Walk gives you epic views. Ride up, walk down (or vice versa), or just enjoy the ride both ways and have lunch at the top.
Ferrymead Heritage Park has vintage trams, old-school shops and plenty to explore. It’s like stepping back in time, and kids love the working trams.
Halswell Miniature Trains run on Sundays. Small trains, big fun for train enthusiasts of all ages.
Sumner Village Day Out combines beach, playground, cafes and gelato. Wander along the esplanade, play in the sand, grab fish and chips.
Ōpāwaho River Walk features stroller-friendly paths and picnic stops. It’s a nice gentle walk that follows the river through different neighbourhoods.
Air Force Museum has free entry with museum hunts and hands-on activities. Kids love getting up close to the planes and exploring the displays.
Alice in Putterland Mini Golf is always a winner. A bit of friendly competition never hurt anyone. Check out our full roundup of mini golf spots around Christchurch for more options.
Christchurch Farmers Markets at Riccarton or Ohoka are great for food and family vibes. Let the kids pick out fresh fruit, grab a coffee, soak up the atmosphere.
Christchurch is packed with kids activities that suit every season, mood and budget. Bookmark this page or share it with a friend, and next time the kids say “I’m bored,” you’ll have 50+ ideas ready to go. From indoor play centres to outdoor adventures, animal encounters to creative workshops, there’s always something fun happening in Christchurch for families.
Whether you’re looking for free kids activities Christchurch offers in abundance (like playgrounds, beaches and libraries) or don’t mind paying for an experience (like Orana Wildlife Park or Clip ‘n Climb), this list has you covered. The best part? Most of these spots are suitable for a range of ages, so you can bring the whole family along.
Save this guide, share it with other parents, and get out there and explore. Christchurch is an amazing city for kids, and there’s always something new to discover.
