Christchurch family activities don’t have to come with a big price tag. Here’s what’s actually worth doing in the city for under $20 a head
Getting out with kids doesn’t have to cost much. Christchurch family activities run the full range: water parks, harbour crossings, museum trails, hot pools by the beach, most of them well under $20 a head. They hold up across ages and seasons. This is the list we keep coming back to
If you’re after ideas that cost nothing at all, we also have a full guide to free things to do with kids in Christchurch.
Are there cheap things to do in Christchurch with toddlers?
These picks are all reliably popular with younger kids and easy on the budget.
Mini Trains: Halswell and McLeans Island
The miniature train rides at Halswell Domain and McLeans Island come in at $2 per ride, which puts them in a category of their own for younger kids. Both locations have more going on beyond the trains. Halswell Domain has a good playground and green space, and McLeans Island is worth a longer visit for the attached playground and steam train scene.
$2 per ride
Boating at The Groynes
The Groynes is a large recreational park in the north of the city, built around Lake Roto Kohatu. Boat hire runs on weekends from 10.30am to 4pm, with pedal boats, aqua bikes, and canoes all available. A single canoe at $7.50 for 30 minutes is the most accessible option for families watching their spend. The park also has free BBQs, walking tracks, a playground, and picnic areas, so there’s enough here to build a full morning around.
Aqua bikes: $15 per 30 min | Pedal boats: $15 per 30 min | Single canoe: $7.50 per 30 min | Double canoe: $15 per 30 min
Clip ’n Climb (preschool entry)
Clip ’n Climb has a dedicated preschool session designed for younger children who need to move. The climbing walls are set up to suit that age group, the sessions run a manageable length, and the $17 per child entry keeps the cost reasonable. During school holidays, sessions fill up quickly, so booking ahead is worth doing.
From $17 per child
Ferry to Diamond Harbour
The Diamond Harbour ferry departs from Lyttelton and crosses the harbour in around 10 minutes. It’s a short trip that feels more like an excursion than a commute, and kids who don’t often get on boats tend to find it genuinely exciting. Diamond Harbour itself is quiet and easy to explore on foot. The drive through the Lyttelton tunnel from central Christchurch is also part of the outing.
A Metrocard brings the fare down considerably. A family of four travelling with Metrocards pays around $15 return in total. Under-5s travel free. Ferries run at least once an hour across the day.
Adults $5 (Metrocard) / $6 cash | Children (5–18) $2.50 (Metrocard) / $4 cash | Under 5 free | SuperGold free after 9am weekdays and all day weekends
What are the best family activities in Christchurch for under $20?
These are the ones that offer the most for the price.
Hydroslides and pools at Parakiore
Parakiore Recreation and Sport Centre covers a lot of ground for families. The hydroslides are the headline act, including a trap door slide that drops riders without warning into a fast, twisting descent. There’s also a tube slide for two, which is a good entry point for kids who want the experience without the full shock of the solo drop.
Worth knowing before you book: the kids’ splash pad is included in standard pool entry and gives younger children a genuinely solid session without needing the slide park at all. Pool entry starts at $4 per child, which makes it one of the more affordable water outings in the city.
The pools span all ages, from a dedicated shallow area for toddlers through to lap lanes for adults. The family of five pool entry at $17.80 is good value for a group that isn’t doing the slides.
Pool entry: Adults $7 | Children (under 16) $4 | Preschool (school hours, with caregiver) free | Preschool (outside school hours) $4 | Family of 5 $17.80 | Family of 2 $9
Slide park pass (includes pool entry): Adults $18 | Children $13 | Family of 5 $50 | Family of 2 $24.50 | Additional child $10.50
Fillin’ Holes Mini Golf
Mini golf holds up well across a wide age range, and Fillin’ Holes has a course that’s engaging without being frustrating for younger kids. It has a defined start and end time, which can be useful when you’re working around the rest of the day. At $15 for adults and $10 for kids, it’s a reasonable school holiday option.
For families who would visit more than a couple of times across the year, the annual family pass at $120 gives unlimited access for 365 days.
Adults $15 | Children $10 | Annual pass: Adult $50/year, Kids $30/year, Family $120/year
Museum Hunt at the Air Force Museum
Entry to the Air Force Museum in Wigram is free, which makes it an easy pick even on a tight day. The museum hunts are an optional extra at $5 each, or three for $10, and give kids a focused way to move through the collection. The aircraft are large and genuinely impressive, and the range of interactive content means most age groups find something to engage with.
Entry: free | Museum hunts: $5 each or 3 for $10
What can families do in Christchurch during school holidays?
These are worth planning ahead for — some fill up fast.
Kayaking the Avon
Antigua Boat Sheds sits on the Avon near the Botanic Gardens and hires out kayaks, Canadian canoes, paddle boats, and row boats. Heading out along the river through the gardens is a calm, unhurried way to spend an hour or two in central Christchurch. It suits families with children who are old enough to paddle, or who are happy to sit in a shared vessel.
Practical tip: if a younger child won’t be paddling, it’s worth asking about hiring a double for the price of a single. A solo kayak starts at $23 per hour. Just over the $20 mark, but worth it!
Single kayak $23/hr | Double kayak $46/hr | Canadian canoe $35 per 30 min / $55/hr | Row boat $35 per 30 min / $55/hr | Paddle boat $35 per 30 min
He Puna Taimoana: New Brighton Hot Pools
He Puna Taimoana is a sea-facing hot pool complex in New Brighton with five pools across a range of temperatures, a plunge pool, steam room, and sauna. Sessions run for 90 minutes. It books out quickly, particularly on weekends and across school holidays, so planning ahead is essential.
The family pass covers two adults and two children (or one adult and three children) from $51 off-peak, which works out well under $20 per person. Under-3s get in free. Once you’re done, New Brighton Pier , playground and the beach are a short walk away.
Adults $20 off-peak / $25 peak | Children $15 off-peak / $20 peak | Under 3 free | Family (2 adults, 2 children or 1 adult, 3 children) $51 off-peak / $56 peak
Arts Centre school holiday programme
The Arts Centre runs creative programmes for kids each school holiday period, with hands-on activities across different disciplines. The location, in the heart of Christchurch’s historic precinct, makes the visit feel like more than just a class. What’s on offer changes each term, so checking the Arts Centre website before the holidays is the best way to see what’s scheduled and how to register. School holidays aside, there is plenty to explore and enjoy, including Rutherford’s Den, Mrs Bumbleberry’s Lolly Shop and the Saturday market.
Prices vary by activity. Check the Arts Centre website for current programmes.
Plan your Christchurch visit
Christchurch NZ.has some useful starting points for families planning time in the city. Worth bookmarking alongside this guide:
Free things to do: christchurchnz.com/free-things-to-do
Budget-friendly activities: christchurchnz.com/budget-friendly-activities
Top family activities: christchurchnz.com/top-family-activities
This article was produced in partnership with Christchurch NZ. nook NZ only partners with businesses and organisations we’d genuinely recommend to our community.
