Best Things To Do for Families in Christchurch, New Zealand

Christchurch holds a special place for our family. Colin and I lived there for several years, met there, and our older daughter spent her first three years of life in the city. We know it well, and we genuinely love it. Whether you’re planning a first visit or coming back with kids in tow, here’s everything you need to know about the best things to do in Christchurch.

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Iconic Christchurch Experiences Worth Doing First

Christchurch is a city with real layers. There’s the garden city character, the waterways threading through the center, the Port Hills rising to the south, and the earthquake story that reshaped everything from the ground up. Colin and I lived through the Canterbury earthquakes and the years of rebuilding that followed. It touched every part of daily life and every part of the city we loved. Ayla was born nearly three years after the major quake, so she spent her early years in a city in the midst of transformation.

These first four experiences get to the heart of what Christchurch is, and they’re worth doing before anything else.

Ride the Historic Christchurch Tram

The Christchurch Tram runs a loop through the central city and is one of the most relaxed ways to get your bearings on arrival. The trams themselves are heritage vehicles, and the route passes many of the city’s key landmarks. Kids tend to enjoy the novelty of it, and the commentary along the way gives good context for what you’re seeing. You can hop on and off throughout the day, which makes it practical as well as enjoyable.

Punting on the Avon River

The Avon River winds through the heart of Christchurch, and punting along it is one of those experiences that feels genuinely unhurried. Punters pole the flat-bottomed boats through tree-lined stretches of the river while you sit back and take it in. It suits all ages, including young children, because there’s nothing to do except enjoy the ride.

The departure point is in the central city, and trips run regularly. It’s a calm contrast to busier attractions and one of the things that makes Christchurch feel different from other New Zealand cities.

Book your Avon River punting trip here.

Christchurch Gondola and Port Hills Views

The Christchurch Gondola carries you up to the rim of an ancient volcanic crater on the Port Hills, and the view from the top takes in the city, the Canterbury Plains, Lyttelton Harbour, and on a clear day, the Southern Alps. Kids respond well to the gondola ride itself, and the summit has a café and a time tunnel exhibit that walks through the region’s history. It’s a good half-day outing and one that gives the whole family a sense of the geography around Christchurch.

Book your gondola ride here.

Quake City and the Earthquake Story

Quake City is a permanent exhibition in the central city that tells the story of the Canterbury earthquakes through personal accounts, recovered objects, and documentary footage. It’s honest, moving, and well put together. For anyone wanting to understand why Christchurch looks the way it does today, this is where to start.

Older children should be able to engage easily with the material, and younger kids will love the hands-on liquefaction sandpit. (Liquefaction is something many of us Cantabrians had never heard of before the earthquake, but we know only too well now).

Attractions and Activities in Christchurch the Whole Family Will Love

Beyond the iconic experiences, there are several kids activities in Christchurch that suit mixed-age groups well and deserve a place on any family itinerary. These three are distinct enough from each other that they won’t feel repetitive, and each one offers something the others don’t.

He Puna Taimoana Hot Pools, New Brighton

He Puna Taimoana is an outdoor hot pools complex right on New Brighton Beach, which means you get the combination of warm water and a coastal setting in one visit. The pools are designed for relaxation rather than swimming laps, and the beach backdrop makes it feel more like a resort experience than a community facility. It suits families with children of most ages, though the experience is more about soaking than splashing.

Ferry to Diamond Harbor

The ferry crossing from Lyttelton to Diamond Harbour is a short trip and a genuinely low-effort half-day outing for families. Diamond Harbour is a small, quiet settlement with a beach, open green space, and a relaxed pace that feels a world away from the city. Kids enjoy the ferry ride itself, and the arrival gives you a place to walk, picnic, and explore without any particular agenda. Ferries run regularly from the Lyttelton waterfront, and the whole outing is easy to manage with young children.

International Antarctic Centre

The International Antarctic Centre sits near Christchurch Airport and covers New Zealand’s connection to Antarctic research and exploration. The exhibits are hands-on and well-suited for children, with a storm-simulation room, a penguin enclosure housing little blue penguins, and a Hagglund all-terrain vehicle ride. It’s the kind of place where kids are actively doing things rather than just looking at displays. Allow a good half-day here.

Book your ticket for the Antarctic Centre here.

Top Kid Picks for Outdoor Places to Visit in Christchurch

Christchurch has a strong collection of outdoor spaces that children respond to well. These five range from free public playgrounds to wildlife parks and adventure facilities, and between them they cover a wide spread of ages and interests.

Margaret Mahy Family Playground

Margaret Mahy Family Playground is a large playground in the central city, and it’s genuinely impressive in scale and design. There are water play areas, climbing structures, slides, and spaces that suit toddlers through to older children. It’s named after New Zealand’s beloved children’s author Margaret Mahy, and the design reflects that storytelling spirit. Because it’s free and centrally located, it’s an easy addition to any day in the city center. Younger kids in particular tend to want to stay longer than you plan for.

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve focuses on native New Zealand wildlife, which makes it a different experience from a standard zoo visit. You’re likely to see kiwi, tuatara, kea, and a range of other native species in settings designed to reflect their natural habitats. There’s also a strong cultural component, with a Māori village experience on site that gives families context for New Zealand’s indigenous heritage. It suits children of all ages and works well as a half-day outing.

Grab your entry ticket here.

Christchurch Adventure Park

Christchurch Adventure Park is on the Port Hills and is geared toward older children, teens, and adults who want something more physically demanding. The park has mountain bike trails across a range of difficulty levels, a chairlift, and a zipline. It’s not suited to young children or families looking for a gentle outing, but for families with kids aged around ten and up who are comfortable on bikes or keen on outdoor adventure, it’s a strong option. The Port Hills setting adds to the appeal, with good views across the city.

Orana Wildlife Park

Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open-range zoo, which means animals are in large, open enclosures rather than small cages. The park covers African wildlife as well as New Zealand native species, and the giraffe feeding experience is a particular highlight for children. The open-range format means visits take time, and the park is large enough that you’ll want to allow most of a day. It suits families with children of all ages.

Jurassic Adventure

Jurassic Adventure is an outdoor, dinosaur-themed attraction that works well for kids in a dinosaur phase. Life-sized dinosaur models are set throughout a mini golf course, and their scale tends to elicit a strong reaction from kids. Other features of this theme park include a raptor maze, a ride-on T-Rex, Jurassic jeeps, and a dino dig, so there’s plenty to entertain. Older kids can enjoy dinosaur laser tag, a battle between poachers and gamekeepers.

Top Kid Picks for Indoor Activities in Christchurch

When the weather closes in, or you need a change of pace from outdoor exploring, Christchurch has a solid range of indoor venues that keep kids genuinely occupied. These seven cover everything from aquatic facilities to obstacle courses, climbing walls, and arcade-style entertainment.

Hydroslides and Pools at Parakiore

Parakiore is a major aquatic and recreation facility in Christchurch, and the hydroslides and pool complex are the main draw for families. The facility is large and well-equipped, with options that suit younger children in shallower areas as well as older kids who want the slides and lap pools. It’s the kind of place where a half-day disappears quickly.

Ninja Valley

Ninja Valley is an indoor obstacle-course venue modeled after the physical challenges you’d see in televised ninja competitions. Think climbing features, trampolines, high ropes, and a massive zipline. It suits children who are physically confident and enjoy testing themselves, and it works well for a mixed-age group where older kids and adults can take on harder courses while younger ones work through the beginner sections. It’s an active, high-energy visit that will tire kids out in the best possible way.

Taiora: QEII Recreation and Sport Centre

Taiora: QEII Recreation and Sport Centre is a large community recreation facility with pools, a hydroslide, a gym, and a range of fitness and activity spaces. For families, the aquatic areas are the main attraction, and the facility is well set up for children of different ages and swimming abilities. It’s a practical option for a longer visit, particularly if you’re staying nearby in the eastern suburbs.

Launch Pad Trampoline Park

Launch Pad Trampoline Park is a trampoline and freestyle activity venue with interconnected trampoline areas, foam pits, and dodgeball courts, offering kids plenty of ways to burn energy. Session times are structured, so check the schedule ahead of your visit.

Clip ‘n Climb Christchurch

Clip ‘n Climb Christchurch is a climbing wall venue with a range of themed climbing challenges designed to be accessible to children who have never climbed before. The auto-belay system means kids can climb independently without needing an experienced adult belayer, which makes it genuinely family-friendly. It suits children from around four years old upward, and the variety of walls keeps it interesting for a full session.

Zone Bowling Garden City

Zone Bowling Garden City combines tenpin bowling with arcade games and laser tag, which makes it a flexible venue for families with a range of ages. Bowling suits children from around five years old, and the bumper lane option keeps younger kids engaged. It works well as an afternoon activity when you want something structured and covered.

Timezone Riccarton and Christchurch Central

Timezone has two locations in Christchurch, at Riccarton and in the central city, and both offer arcade-style gaming across a wide range of machines. It suits older children and teens more than toddlers, and the card-based credit system makes it easy to manage spending. It works well as part of a longer outing or as a way to fill an hour or two.

Outdoor Adventures and Active Pursuits in and Near Christchurch

For families who want to move rather than just sightsee, Christchurch and its surroundings offer a good range of active outdoor options. These go beyond the standard visitor experience and suit families who are comfortable with a bit of physical effort.

Kayaking the Avon River

We already mentioned punting above as a relaxing way to enjoy the Avon River. Kayaking is another option, and a good one if you prefer a self-paced trip down the river and a bit of exercise. The river’s flat water and tree-lined banks make it a pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. You can rent single or double kayaks from the Antigua Boat Sheds in the central city.

Port Hills Walks, Godley Head Trail, and Summit Road

The Port Hills offer some of the best walking close to Christchurch, and Colin and I have done several of the tracks multiple times.

The Rapaki Track is a solid climb with good views over the city and Lyttelton Harbour, and it suits families with children who are comfortable on uneven terrain. The Bridle Path is a historic route connecting Christchurch to Lyttelton and another one that will get the heart pumping.

The Godley Head Trail boasts spectacular coastal views and old military fortifications to explore along the way. Another option here is to do a shorter return walk from Taylors Mistake to Boulder Bay. We’ve done this hike several times, and it’s a good option if you have young kids.

If you’re spending time on the Summit Road, the Sign of the Kiwi Café is a well-known stop worth building into your route.

Adrenalin Forest and Ziplining Adventures

Adrenalin Forest is a treetop obstacle course with multiple levels of difficulty set through a forest canopy. It’s worth being clear about who this suits: height restrictions apply (minimum 1.4m), so the experience is designed for older children and teens. For the right age group, it’s a genuinely engaging outdoor challenge that goes well beyond a standard family activity.

Family-Friendly Cycling Adventures in Christchurch

Christchurch is a flat city with a well-developed cycling network, which makes it one of the more bike-friendly places in New Zealand for families. Beyond the city’s urban paths, there are three routes worth knowing about for a dedicated cycling outing.

McLeans Island Cycling

McLeans Island is a fun place to cycle through the forest, a world away from city traffic. It suits older children who are comfortable riding on trails. We used to take Ayla on one of our bikes with a kids bike seat. You can hire bikes at McLeans Island if you need to.

Cycling Bottle Lake Forest

Bottle Lake Forest is a large plantation forest on the eastern edge of Christchurch with a network of trails. You’ll need to bring your own bike here or rent one from the city. This is another one we used to ride with Ayla in a bike seat. The trails aren’t overly difficult, though I do remember a few short sandy sections or small hills where I had to walk the bike! It’s a popular spot with local families and easy to reach from the city.

Little River Rail Trail

The Little River Rail Trail follows a former railway line from Hornby on the outskirts of Christchurch out toward Little River on Banks Peninsula. It’s potentially a longer outing than the other two options and suits families with older children who are comfortable riding for a few hours. The full trail length is around 60km, but you can start it from several points and ride as far as is right for your family.

The most popular option is to ride from Motukārara to Little River, which is about 20km one way. I remember doing this section, and my sit bones were mega sore all the way home! So if you’re not used to riding long distances, just try a short section of this trail, or arrange pickup at your endpoint so you don’t need to ride back! The trail is flat, but it’s still a long distance to sit on a bike (well, for me, anyway!)

Beaches, Parks, and Nature Reserves

Christchurch has a generous spread of outdoor natural spaces, from urban parks to coastal beaches and wetland reserves. These six are worth knowing about whether you’re after a full day out or just a couple of hours in the fresh air.

New Brighton Pier and Beach

New Brighton Pier extends out over the ocean from a beach suburb east of the city center. The pier itself is a landmark, and the beach is wide and open with good surf conditions. It’s not a sheltered swimming beach, so it’s better suited to walking, playing in the sand, and watching the waves than to calm-water swimming with young children. That said, if you stay between the flags, it’s considered a safe beach for swimming. The surrounding area has a relaxed, local feel, and the hot pools at He Puna Taimoana are right nearby if you want to combine both in one visit.

Christchurch Botanic Gardens

The Christchurch Botanic Gardens sit within Hagley Park in the center of the city. The gardens cover a large area, with themed sections, glasshouses, and open lawns where children can run around. The Avon River borders part of the gardens, and there are paths throughout that are suitable for prams and young walkers. It’s a genuinely pleasant place to spend a few hours, and the central location makes it easy to combine with other nearby attractions.

The Groynes

The Groynes is a freshwater recreation area north of the city with a series of lakes, walking paths, and picnic areas set among mature trees. It’s a popular spot with local families, particularly in warmer months. There are also mountain bike trails in the area for older children. It has a relaxed, unhurried feel that makes it a good option for a half-day away from the busier parts of the city.

Sumner Beach

Sumner is a seaside suburb about twenty minutes from the city center with a beach, a village main street, and a community feel that makes it worth the drive. The beach is more sheltered (less windy!) than New Brighton, which makes it better suited to families with younger children who want to swim. The surrounding cliffs and coastal walkways give older kids and adults something to explore beyond the sand. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend a full afternoon.

Taylors Mistake

Taylors Mistake is a small cove beyond Sumner, reached by a short drive along a narrow coastal road. It’s more sheltered than the open beaches and has a quiet, tucked-away character that feels removed from the city. The cove is popular with local surfers, but the calmer sections suit families looking for a less crowded beach experience. The walk between Sumner and Taylors Mistake along the clifftop is a good option for families with older children.

Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park

Travis Wetland Nature Heritage Park is a significant urban wetland reserve in the eastern suburbs of Christchurch. It’s home to a wide range of native birds, and the walking tracks through the wetland are flat and accessible for families with prams or young children. It’s a genuinely good spot for birdwatching, and the contrast between the wetland environment and the surrounding suburbs makes it feel like a proper nature experience without leaving the city.

Museums, Art, and Culture

Christchurch has a strong cultural offering for a city of its size, and several of the major institutions are free to enter. These seven entries cover the main options for families interested in art, history, and the city’s rebuilt identity.

Christchurch Art Gallery

Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū is a free public gallery in the central city with a collection that spans New Zealand and international work. The building itself is a striking piece of modern architecture, and the gallery runs family-friendly programming alongside its permanent and temporary exhibitions. It’s a good option for a couple of hours, particularly if you have children who respond well to visual art or if the weather has turned.

Ferrymead Heritage Park

Ferrymead Heritage Park is an open-air living history museum on the eastern edge of the city that recreates early New Zealand township life. It suits children who engage with hands-on history, and the working transport elements tend to be a particular draw for younger kids.

Trams, trains, and historic vehicles operate on site, and the buildings are furnished and staffed to give a sense of what daily life looked like in an earlier era. However, for these features, it’s best to visit on weekends, as you may find several buildings closed and unstaffed during the week. Check tram and steam train operating times before you visit if those are important features for your family.

Air Force Museum of New Zealand

The Air Force Museum of New Zealand is in Wigram, in the southwestern suburbs of Christchurch. The collection covers the history of New Zealand’s air force through aircraft, uniforms, personal stories, and interactive displays. The aircraft on display range from early biplanes through to jet-era machines, and the scale of some of them makes an impression on children. It’s a well-presented museum that works for a wide age range and is worth a half-day visit.

Christchurch Arts Centre

The Christchurch Arts Centre is a vibrant community hub, housed in a block of stunning Gothic Revival heritage buildings. It’s the place to go for artisan foods and crafts, boutique stores, art galleries, and more.

Rutherford’s Den is a must-see feature of the centre. Here, you can discover the actual rooms where Ernest Rutherford, one of the world’s greatest scientists (and a New Zealander!), studied at Canterbury College. Kids will love the hands-on exhibits and multi-sensory displays.

Cashel Mall, New Regent Street and the Riverside Market

The rebuilt city center around Cashel Mall, New Regent Street, and the Riverside Market gives a good sense of how Christchurch has reimagined itself since the earthquakes. New Regent Street is a pedestrianized lane of pastel-colored Spanish Mission buildings that predates the earthquakes and survived largely intact. The Riverside Market is a multi-level food and retail market on the Avon River that reflects the city’s current energy. It’s a good area to spend a few hours eating, browsing, and watching the city go about its day.

Street Art and the City Rebuild

The post-earthquake rebuild brought a wave of street art to Christchurch that has become part of the city’s identity. Large-scale murals appear on buildings throughout the central city and inner suburbs, and several self-guided walking routes have been developed to help visitors find them. For families, it’s a free and low-effort way to explore the city on foot while engaging with the creative response to the earthquake years. Watch This Space offers street art walking tours, which are a good way to learn a bit about the inspiration behind each artwork.

Canterbury Museum

Canterbury Museum is currently closed for a major redevelopment and is not expected to reopen until 2029. A temporary pop-up exhibition space has been operating in the meantime, so families are not entirely without access to the collection.

Day Trips or Longer Excursions from Christchurch

Christchurch sits in a part of New Zealand that rewards getting out of the city. These six excursions range from a short ferry crossing to a multi-day train journey, and all of them work well with children.

Quail Island

Quail Island sits in Lyttelton Harbour and is accessible by ferry from the Lyttelton waterfront. The island has a history as a quarantine station and animal acclimatization site, and the walking tracks take you past the remnants of that past. It’s a good half-day outing for families with children who are comfortable on uneven terrain. There are no facilities on the island, so bring food and water.

TranzAlpine Train to Arthur’s Pass

The TranzAlpine is a scenic train journey that runs between Christchurch and Greymouth, crossing the Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass. The journey takes several hours each way and passes through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in New Zealand. If you want to do it as a day trip, you can get off at Arthur’s Pass and explore the alpine village and surrounding walks before heading back. Or, continue all the way to Greymouth and stay overnight. Children tend to enjoy the train itself as much as the scenery. Book ahead, particularly in peak season.

Banks Peninsula and Akaroa

Banks Peninsula is a volcanic peninsula southeast of Christchurch, and Akaroa is its main town, a small French-influenced settlement on a deep harbour. The drive out is scenic, and Akaroa itself is a good base for dolphin spotting, harbour cruises, and exploring the surrounding bays.

For families up for something more adventurous, the Banks Peninsula Track is a multi-day walking trail that circles part of the peninsula. We completed it with Ayla when she was eleven months old, which gives you a sense of what’s possible. The hut accommodation along the track includes bedding and cookware, which significantly reduces what you need to carry. Tinned and packaged food was available to purchase at points along the route. It’s a genuinely manageable family adventure if you’re prepared for it.

Coastal Pacific Train Journey

The Coastal Pacific train runs between Christchurch and Picton along the east coast of the South Island. The route follows the coastline closely for much of the journey, with views over the Pacific Ocean and through the Kaikōura ranges. It’s a longer journey than the TranzAlpine and works best as part of a wider South Island itinerary rather than a pure day trip. For families traveling between the South Island and the North Island via the Interislander ferry, it’s a scenic way to cover the ground between Christchurch and Picton.

Book your coastal Pacific train trip from Christchurch to Picton here.

Whale Watching and Dolphin Experiences

Kaikōura is about two hours north of Christchurch by road and is one of the most reliable places in the world to see sperm whales year-round. Whale watching tours operate by boat and by air, and dolphin swimming experiences are also available. The marine life in the Kaikōura Canyon is genuinely impressive, and the combination of mountains and ocean makes the town itself worth the drive. Age and weight restrictions apply to some activities, so check with operators before booking if you’re traveling with young children.

Book your Kaikoura whale watching day trip from Christchurch here.

Hanmer Springs

Hanmer Springs is an inland thermal resort town about ninety minutes or so north of Christchurch. The Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools and Spa is the main draw, with a range of outdoor thermal pools suited to families. Kids will love the lazy river and waterslides.

The town also has a forest park with walking and mountain-biking trails, and a small adventure activity hub featuring a bungy and a swing. It works well as an overnight trip or a long day out, and the thermal pools are a reliable option regardless of the weather.

Book your Hanmer Hot Pools tickets here.

Frequently Asked Questions About Christchurch With Kids

Final Thoughts

Christchurch is a city that rewards time spent in it. The combination of gorgeous outdoor spaces, strong cultural institutions, and genuinely good kids activities in Christchurch means there’s rarely a shortage of things to do, whatever the weather or the age of your children. Start with the tram, the Botanic Gardens, and Quake City to get a feel for the city, then build outward from there. If you’re planning a trip, bookmark this guide and use it as your starting point for things to do in Christchurch NZ with the whole family.

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