BEST things to do in Christchurch with Kids – Family Guide 2025
- Author: Auckland for Kids
- Last Updated:
Planning a Family Trip to Christchurch
If you are planning a South Island family holiday, you will find plenty of fun things to do in Christchurch with kids of all ages. From giant playgrounds and beaches to museums, wildlife parks and family-friendly cafes, Christchurch | Ōtautahi is a city that combines vibrant urban life with outdoor adventure.
This family guide covers more than 30 of the best Christchurch attractions for kids in 2025, including FREE activities, indoor rainy-day ideas, and day trips around Canterbury.
👉 Use the contents list below to jump straight to the activities that suit your family.
Table of Contents
1. Margaret Mahy Playground
The Margaret Mahy Playground is one of the most famous playgrounds in New Zealand and a must-do when visiting Christchurch with kids. Opened after the 2011 earthquake, it is named after beloved children’s author Margaret Mahy and has become the city’s landmark family play space.
Highlights for Families:
Giant towers, tunnel slides and flying foxes
Mini trampolines and splash pad water play in summer
Toddler play zone with safe equipment for little ones
Pump track and giant swings right next door
Toilets, changing rooms and covered picnic areas with FREE electric BBQs
Café across the road (Child Sister) for coffee and meals
📍 Manchester Street, Christchurch City Centre
2. Christchurch Botanic Gardens with Kids
The Christchurch Botanic Garden are a family favourite and a great way to spend a day outdoors. Alongside the rose gardens, glasshouses and walking trails, there’s plenty for children to enjoy.
Highlights for Families:
Tūpuna Te Kura Children’s Playground – inclusive, sensory-rich play with treehouse, swings, sculptures and water play
Summer paddling pool (open November to March)
FREE Peace Train rides on Sundays (September to April) following the Avon River loop
Visitor Centre with café and exhibitions
Easy parking at nearby Hagley Park and footbridge access
📍 Rolleston Avenue, Christchurch
3. International Antarctic Centre - Penguins, Huskies and Snow Fun
Both the kids and the adults in our family enjoyed our visit to the International Antarctic Centre to learn about the world’s iciest and most remote continent. Although it is expensive we think a visit is good value as it includes seeing the little blue penguins. Husky dog zone, rides on the Hagglund, 4D cinema shows and lots of hands on exhibits for the kids to play with and enjoy.
Watching the little blue penguins at feeding time was a higlight. We especially liked that the penguins had all been rescued and were not just there to entertain the public but needed to be looked after as they could no longer survive in the wild by themselves. We were lucky to have seen the beautiful husky dogs, which was the highlight of our South Island holiday for one of our children.
The indoor Antarctic Storm Experience was a hit with our family, but remember to wear or bring some warm clothes if you want to do this. The snow room is at -8 degrees and then it goes down to -18 degrees to become a storm room when they turn on the wind. If you find the room get’s too cold don’t worry, you can leave at any time. The kids liked playing in the igloo, sitting on the jet skis and playing with the snow. The 4D cinema is also included in your entries and there were two films on the day we visited that you could watch that are set in the Antarctic.
The Hagglund ride in the all-terrain amphibious vehicle that scientists use in Antarctica was fun and covered a bigger area than I though it was going to when it left from the area at the front of the building. There is a course that goes around behind the building to show you all the different types of surfaces it can traverse. Just remember to hang on tight during the ride.
The International Antartic Centre is located at the Christchurch International Airport, and is the main departure point for science expeditions to Antartica.
4. Christchurch Tramway - Hop On, Hop Off Fun
Hop aboard the Christchurch Tramway for a delightful tour of the city. Kids will love the vintage tramcars, and you can hop on and off at various stops to explore key attractions. Your ticket last for the day and you can hop on and hop off as many times as you like which is perfect for little tired legs. We stayed on the tram for the full loop to hear the history about the buildings on the ride form the experienced tram driver and guide. The trams have been running in Christchurch since the twentieth century and the kids loves being help to move the cable when the tram changed directions.
5. Quake City Earthquake Museum
Explore the earthquake history of Christchurch at Quake City. This museum provides insight into the seismic events that have shaped the city, making it an educational yet engaging experience for your children. There are plenty of interactive exhibits and informative displays to help kids understand the science behind earthquakes whilst having fun. Our family really enjoyed visiting this museum and it suited the adults and the kids equally which is not easily done.
📍 299 Durham Street North, Christchurch
6. Punting on the Avon River
Enjoy being guided along the Avon River on an Edwardian style punting tour. The handcrafted flat-bottomed boats are poled along by the Punter and give you a different perspective of the Christchurch and it’s beautiful Botanic Gardens. The tours provide informative guides who can share interesting facts about the area. You can get punting tours from the Antigua Boat sheds in Cambridge Terrace.
📍 Antigua Boat Sheds, Cambridge Terrace
7. Hagley Park - Christchurch's Green Heart
Hadley Park is a large green open space with duck ponds, a playground and woodlands in the heart of Christchurch. Hadley Park is 165 hectares, and is the largest urban open space in Christchurch. The wide flat footpaths make Hagley Park a perfect spot to the take the kids for a scooter ride or bike ride and teens can hire an electric scooter to ride in the park too (just don’t take it into the nearby Botanic Gardens which is out of the rideable zone).
If you are lucky enough to be visiting in Spring, around mid-September you can enjoy seeing the beautiful cherry blossoms blooming in Hagley Park North and the yellow daffodil lawns at the Hadley Park Woodland.
📍 Central Christchurch
8. Canterbury Museum (Pop-Up)
Take a step back in time at the Canterbury Museum, where your little historians can explore artifacts and exhibits that showcase the rich history of Christchurch and New Zealand. The engaging displays and interactive activities will make learning fun for your kids.
Canterbury Museum’s Rolleston Avenue site is undergoing a major redevelopment. They have opened a pop-up Museum for visitors while they are out of the main building at 66 Gloucester Street.
📍 Christchurch City Centre
9. Christchurch Street Art
Christchurch has lots of fantastic street art on walls that weren’t seen before the earthquake. We suggest keeping an eye out for the art while you walk around the city centre with the kids, or if you prefer there are more formal tours you can join if you don’t want to miss any.
Some of our favourites include the giant penguin Antarctic scene in Cathedral Square, the Birds and Bunnies mural by Flox, the Ballerina . You can find all of these and more on this Christchurch street art map.
📍 Christchurch City Centre
10. Imagination Station - LEGO Play at Tūranga Library
The giant LEGO and Duplo Imagination Station on the Level 1 of the Tūranga Christchurch City Library is perfect for a rainy day to entertain younger children.
📍 Level 1, Tūranga Christchurch City Library
11. Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū
The Christchurch Art Gallery has a large public art collection and put on some superb local and international art exhibitions. There are free art activities for kids at selected times and their is a table set up with games and art books for families to enjoy under the giant staircase. And if you aren’t an art fan, then we think it is still worth visiting the Art Gallery just to admire the building.
📍 Harewood, Christchurch City Centre
12. Orana Wildlife Park - Safari-Style Zoo
For a safari-like adventure, visit the Orana Wildlife Park in Harewood, where your family can encounter exotic animals from all over the world in an open-range zoo. Feed the giraffes, watch cheetahs sprint, admire the large gorillas and observe New Zealand’s native creatures in their natural habitats. There is a playground for the kids with a fun flying fox and trampoline too.
📍 Harewood, Christchurch
13. Historic New Regent Street
Enjoy seeing the pastel-coloured buildings and getting an ice cream at the historic New Regent Spanish styled pedestrian shopping street.
New Regent Street, Christchurch City Centre
14. Cardboard Cathedral
The Christchurch Cathedral was damaged during the earthquake and the Cardboard Transitional Cathedral was built in it’s place. The cathedral is open every day until 4pm and if you don’t want to pray or reflect you are still welcome to pop in to see the building.
📍 234 Hereford Street, Christchurch
15. Jellie Park Recreation and Sport Centre
Jellie Park has a heated outdoor leisure pool with a beach-style entry, water play equipment, diving boards and a splash pad. Indoors, you’ll find a lap pool, hydroslides, and a dedicated toddler pool with interactive play features. The park surrounding the center is also a lovely place for picnics and relaxation.
📍 Ilam Road, Burnside, Christchurch
16. Christchurch Gondolas - Port Hill Views
Go on a Christchurch Gondola ride with your family and enjoy the stunning panoramic views over the city, Southern Alps, Lyttelton Harbour and over the Canterbury Plains from the summit station at the top Mount Cavendish in the Port Hills of Christchurch.
📍 Port Hills, Christchurch
17. Air Force Museum of New Zealand
Does your child have a fascination with airplanes and military history? The Air Force Museum of New Zealand offers a captivating experience for aviation enthusiasts of all ages. Explore a wide range of aircraft, interactive exhibits, and even sit in the cockpit of a real fighter jet! Located in Wigram, just outside of Christchurch, this museum is a fantastic place to learn about the history of aviation in New Zealand.
📍 Wigram, Christchurch
18. Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
The Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is dedicated to preserving New Zealand’s native wildlife. It’s an excellent place to see native birds like kiwi, tuatara, and more. They also offer guided night tours to see nocturnal creatures.
📍 Harewood, Christchurch
19. Giant Street Arcade Game
In Christchurch City Centre opposite the One.NZ building there is a giant free video game. The joy stick is taller than lots of children, but you can hold it down lower. The buttons are giant too, so you need to jump on them to get it to work. The kids love playing on this and would have stayed for hours if we let them.
📍 Opposite One NZ building, Christchurch CBD
20. Riccarton Bush and Deans Cottage
For a dose of nature and history combined, visit Riccarton Bush. This ancient forest, with its towering Kahikatea trees, offers tranquil walking paths, birdwatching opportunities, and a glimpse into New Zealand’s past. Nearby, you can explore Deans Cottage, one of the city’s oldest buildings, which provides insight into early European settlement.
📍 16 Kahu Road, Riccarton, Christchurch
21. Dine out at one of the Christchurch's family friendly eateries
There are lots of kid-friendly restaurants and cafes in Christchurch to discover.
We like Riverside Market (pictured below) and Little High Street Eatery which both have lots of eateries onsite, so your family don’t need to all choose the same food but you can still enjoy your meal together.
Child Sister is just across the road from the Margaret Mahy playground and perfect spot to take a break from your play for lunch or a snack with the kids and a coffee.
Check out Dux Din restaurant in the cute historic villa which was once home to the Station Master of Riccarton Railway on Riccarton Road. There is a large outdoor couryard out the back and a kids brunch, lunch and dinner menu.
Posh Porridge on Montreal Street is the go to for a variety of breakfast porridge bowls, bircher bowls and coffee. There is a small seating area outdoors perfect for the family!
In New Brighton on Carnaby Lane is Switch cafe with lot’s of cabinet food, all day breakfast menu and great coffee. There are lot’s of vegan and vegetarian options too. Plus it has a fun kids corner and lot’s of outdoor seating making it the perfect spot to eat out with the family.
The Burger Joint makes all it’s patties by hand from quality ingredients and is the perfect place to go for a relaxed family meal out. There are highchairs available for your little kids too.
22. Sumner Beach and Scarborough Park
We loved Sumner Beach and the Children’s Playground at Scarborough Park close to the Clock Tower and Paddling pool end of the Sumner Beach . There is a giant rope swing, regular swings, slides, climbing towers and more things to play on at this popular park. If the kids want to go swimming or surfing at the beach we recommend bringing a wetsuit as we found that the sea water was too cold for us even on a hot summers day. The promenade is a fun place for the kids to ride their scooters and there are lots of cafes and restaurants on the main street which is just set back from the promenade.
📍 Sumner, Christchurch
23. Adrenalin Forest - High Ropes Adventure
If your family craves adventure, head to Adrenalin Forest, an outdoor obstacle course set high in the treetops. With various levels of difficulty, it’s suitable for both kids and adults. This thrilling activity combines physical challenges with a scenic forest environment, promising a memorable experience.
📍 Spencer Park, Christchurch
24. Quail Island Day Trip
A short ferry ride from Lyttelton, Quail Island is a great spot for a family day out. You can explore the island’s walking trails, swim at the beach, and learn about its history as a quarantine station.
📍 Lyttelton Harbour
25. Ferrymead Heritage Park
This living museum re-creates a historic town and offers a glimpse into New Zealand’s past. Kids can explore old buildings, ride on a steam train, and even pan for gold at Ferrymead Heritage Park in Christchurch.
📍 Ferrymead, Christchurch
26. Taiora QEII Park Recreation and Sport Centre
The indoor aquatic centre at Taiora QEII Park offers a range of water attractions for kids, including hydroslides, a lazy river, and a wave pool. There’s a dedicated children’s play area with water toys and a shallow pool for toddlers. The outdoor hydroslides add an extra element of excitement.
📍 North New Brighton
27. The Groynes Park
The Gryones park has a large lake with safe swimming areas, picnic spots, fishing spots and lots of walking trails. It’s a tranquil place for a family outing, and you might spot some birdlife around the lake. Children will love the playgrounds scattered throughout Groynes Park, featuring swings, slides, and climbing structures to keep them entertained for hours. There’s also a flying fox for a bit of excitement. But our kids favourite was going out on the lake in the pedal boats and aqua bikes we hired.
📍 North Christchurch
28. Lyttleton - Family Day Out
A short drive from Christchurch, you can find the picturesque port town of Lyttelton. Start your visit with a stroll along the historic Lyttelton Harbour Wharf, where you can take in the scenic views and perhaps spot some local wildlife.
For a dose of maritime history, consider a visit to the Lyttelton Timeball Station, where you can learn about the role this historic building played in assisting ships’ navigation.
Don’t miss the Lyttelton Farmers’ Market if you happen to be in town on a Saturday morning. It’s a great place to pick up fresh produce and artisanal treats. Lyttelton also boasts some delightful cafes and eateries where you can savour local cuisine while enjoying the harbour views. Read our guide to a Family Day Out in Lyttleton with Kids.
📍 Lyttelton
Kids will love the pirate ship, castle and dinosaur slide at the playground perfect for the kids to play games of make-believe. Pitts Park also has a bike track and skate park nearby for older kids.
29. New Brighton Beach, Pier and Playground
The New Brighton Pier stretches 300 meters from New Brighton Beach out to the sea. It is the perfect place to go for a family walk or scooter ride at sunset with the kids.
The New Brighton Beach Playground has wet and dry play areas. There is a fun giant waka for the kids to climb and play inside, pirate ship, water cannons, splash pad and paddling pool with a giant concrete whale. And as the playground is right next to the beach, of course there is the beach to play at and the sea to swim in too!
And if the kids still have energy after playing here you can visit the New Brighton Library/Te Kete Wānanga o Karoro which is right next door.
📍 New Brighton, Christchurch
30. New Brighton Hot Pools - He Puna Taimoana
Soak in the warm He Puna Taimoana | New Brighton Hot Pools which has five heated pools and saunas with stunning views over New Brighton Beach.
📍 New Brighton Beachfront
31. Spencer Park
The kids loved exploring this fun natural children’s playground and tennis courts and there is a paddling pool for little kids in summer. Younger children will enjoy bird spotting on the wetland walk which goes to the Wetland Pond or seeing the animals at the animal park. There are activites for older kids at Spencer Park too, such as the high ropes course at Adrenalin Forest or the mountain biking trails.
📍 Spencer Park, Christchurch
32. Pioneer Recreation and Sports Centre
Pioneer is known for its fantastic aquatic facilities, including a leisure pool with a lazy river, wave pool, water slides, and interactive water features. It’s a great place for kids to have a blast while staying cool. There’s also a dedicated toddler pool for younger children.
📍 Lyttelton Street, Somerfield, Christchurch
33. Hanmer Springs Day Trip
While technically not in Christchurch, Hanmer Springs is a 2-hour drive north but offers a fantastic water park worth a day trip from Christchurch.
This charming alpine village is nestled in a stunning valley and boasts one of the South Island’s most famous attractions: the Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa. Families can unwind in a range of natural thermal pools, waterslides, and a lazy river. After soaking in the soothing mineral waters, explore the village with its cafes, boutique shops, and picturesque scenery.
📍 Hanmer Springs, 2 hrs north of Christchurch
Final Tips for Families Visiting Christchurch
Many attractions are FREE or low-cost, especially playgrounds and public parks.
For rainy days, head to Imagination Station, libraries, or one of the city’s indoor pools.
Don’t miss the chance to explore nearby Lyttelton or Hanmer Springs for day trips.
Christchurch is a city filled with family fun, from outdoor adventures to cultural experiences. Whether your kids are toddlers, school-aged or teens, you’ll find plenty of activities to make your South Island holiday memorable.