Your guide to the best school holiday activities in Christchurch and Canterbury this Easter 2026, running 3–19 April. From indoor play to wildlife cruises in Akaroa, there’s something for every age and budget.
The Easter school holidays run from 3 to 19 April 2026, and if you’re anything like us, you’re already thinking about how to fill the days without losing your mind entirely. Whether you’re after school holiday activities in Christchurch that get the kids out of the house, or just something low-key to anchor a slow morning, the good news is you don’t need a packed itinerary or a big budget to have a genuinely great two weeks.
These are our favourite ongoing activities running throughout the Easter school holidays 2026, each one worth building a day around. From indoor options for the inevitable rainy days to outdoor adventures when the sun shows up, there’s plenty to keep Christchurch families busy across the full break. Looking for one-off events and special holiday programmes? Check out our full Easter events guide.
nook picks: our favourite ongoing activities:
Chipmunks Playland Papanui
For a no-fuss, no-clock, no-drama kind of day, Chipmunks Playland Papanui is hard to beat. There are no time limits, which means you can actually stay as long as your kids need to (and we all know that leaving on your own terms is everything). Adults get in free, and babies under one are free too, which makes the entry cost genuinely reasonable for families.
All holiday activities are included with entry, so what you pay at the door is what you pay. Full stop.
Over Easter weekend, the Mega Easter Hunt runs from Thursday 3 to Monday 6 April, giving little ones a focus without requiring much from you. From Tuesday 7 April, the school holiday programme kicks off with something different every day, from face painting and ice cream decorating to mini games with prizes and mask decorating. Week two keeps the momentum going with free ice blocks on Monday, more creative activities across the week, and an Activity Challenge to finish things off on Friday.
No bookings required. Just show up.
nook families get 20% off entry. Show this post at the Papanui store on arrival.
Visit Chipmunks Playland Papanui
Black Cat Cruises, Akaroa and Lyttelton
If you can set aside a day for a proper outing, Black Cat Cruises has two brilliant options running across the full school holiday period, and both are worth it.
Kids Cruise Free, Akaroa Nature Cruise
The drive to Akaroa alone is worth it, but add a harbour cruise where kids get on for free and you’ve got a pretty exceptional day out. Up to two kids cruise free per full paying adult on the Akaroa Nature Cruise, running 3 to 19 April. Please note the Kids Cruise Free offer applies to the Akaroa Nature Cruise only and is not available on the Quail Island Easter Egg Hunt. On the water you’re in genuine Hector’s dolphin territory, the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin, alongside fur seals, seabirds and the occasional little blue penguin. The kind of thing kids talk about for weeks.
Book online and use promo code FREEKIDS at checkout. New bookings only, not valid with other offers.
Quail Island Easter Egg Hunt
If Easter weekend is starting to fill up, don’t worry, the Quail Island Easter Egg Hunt runs all the way through to 19 April so there’s no rush. Ferry across from B Jetty in Lyttelton to Quail Island, where letters are hidden around the island for kids to find, unscramble into a secret word, and hand in for chocolate eggs on the return trip. The Black Cat Crew will be there to collect your forms and hand out the treats. There’s also a QR code entry to win an Akaroa Nature Cruise.
Adults and children are both $20 return across the full holiday period, with under 5s free and family passes available. Over Easter weekend, the Easter Bunny joins you on the boat back to Lyttelton.
Tickets are limited, so it pays to book ahead. You’ll need to book both a departure and return time.
Book the Quail Island Easter Egg Hunt
Ferrymead Heritage Park | Season of Change
If you’ve never taken the kids to Ferrymead Heritage Park, the school holidays are the perfect excuse. And if you have, the Season of Change programme gives you a very good reason to go back.
Spread across both weeks of the holidays, the activities are the kind that actually hold kids’ attention. Think brass and leaf rubbing, finger painting, seed planting with a lucky dip variety to take home, storytelling sessions, creative crafts, and interactive worksheets that turn the whole park into something to explore rather than just walk through. It’s hands-on, unhurried, and all included with admission.
Pack snacks. You’ll be there longer than you planned.
When: 3 to 19 April 2026
Where: Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch
How much: Adults $20, children $15, family (2 adults, 3 children) $60.
Booking: No booking required for general admission.
Also worth your time:
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Free, beautiful, and genuinely worth more than one visit across the two weeks. This autumn, the gardens are running a free self-guided discovery trail — grab a booklet from the Visitor Centre or Kiosk and let the kids lead the way. Past trails have covered everything from super-powered plants to wicked wildlife, so expect something along those lines.
Best suited to kids aged 4–10, though all ages are welcome. No booking, no cost, and easy to stretch into a proper morning or afternoon out. A parent or caregiver needs to be along for the trail.
The details When: Daily throughout the school holidays Where: Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Rolleston Avenue Cost: Free
Christchurch City Libraries
Free drop-in craft activities running across the holidays at branches city-wide. No booking required, which makes it the perfect plan B when the morning needs rescuing. Check the library website for what’s on at your nearest branch.
The details When: Various dates throughout the holidays Where: Christchurch City Libraries, multiple branches Cost: Free
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
One of those places that earns its entry fee every single time. Get up close with native NZ wildlife, hand-feed the animals, and give the kids something to talk about for days. Annual passes are worth it if you’re planning more than one visit this year.
The details When: Open daily Where: 60 Hussey Road, Harewood Cost: Entry fees apply, check willowbank.co.nz for current pricing
Orana Park
Christchurch’s open-range wildlife park and a solid half-day out for families of all ages. The giraffe feeding alone is worth the trip. Like Willowbank, an annual pass pays for itself quickly if you’re a regular.
The details When: Open daily Where: McLeans Island Road, Harewood Cost: Entry fees apply, check oranapark.co.nz for current pricing
Air Force Museum of Wigram
Free general entry makes this an easy yes on a quieter day. The museum is open throughout the holidays and genuinely impressive for kids who are into planes, history, or just very large things. Pick up a museum hunt on the way in and give the kids a mission to work through while you wander.
The details When: Open daily throughout the holidays Where: 45 Harvard Avenue, Wigram Cost: Free
Easter I Spy at Mrs Bumbleberry’s Lolly Shop The Arts Centre
A sweet little activity to slot in if you’re already heading into the city. Mrs Bumbleberry’s Lolly Shop has hidden Easter items around the store — find them all and you’re in the draw to win a chocolate bunny. Low effort, no booking, genuinely delightful for the little ones.
Runs the full length of the school holidays, so no need to plan around it. Just turn up when you’re passing through.
The details When: 4–19 April, 11am–4pm Where: Mrs Bumbleberry’s Lolly Shop, The Arts Centre Cost: Free
Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre
If you’re only getting to one place in the city these holidays, make it The Arts Centre. The heritage precinct is packed with things to do across the full two weeks – from circus skills and puppet-making to rocket launches, drum workshops, free movies, and a colouring-in competition with genuinely good prizes.
A few highlights worth planning around: the African Drum Workshop on 13 April, Circo Arts circus sessions for kids aged 6–9, the Cyclops Code-Breakers trail running the full holidays, and free screenings of James and the Giant Peach and The Great Mouse Detective. Older kids will get a kick out of Book (Fight) Club on 18 April, hosted by a former WWF wrestler – yes, really.
Most activities are drop-in or low cost, and the precinct itself is free to wander. Pair it with the Easter I Spy at Mrs Bumbleberry’s, grab something from the market, and you’ve got a solid few hours sorted.
The details When: 4–19 April 2026 (activities vary by date, check the full programme at artscentre.org.nz) Where: Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Worcester Boulevard, Christchurch Cost: Free entry to precinct; individual activities vary
You might also like:
School holiday activities in Christchurch
Things to do in Christchurch with kids
Things to do with toddlers in Christchurch
Free activities for toddlers in Christchurch
Best arcades in Christchurch
This article includes a mix of advertorial and editorial selections. Advertorial inclusions are paid partnerships with local businesses. All editorial recommendations are chosen independently by the nook team.
Want to be included in this guide? Get in touch at [email protected]
