Not a lot of things to do in Christchurch with kids, but what there are, are worth doing. In a place like this, it’s all about letting them have some open space, fresh air and getting them outdoors.
Margaret Mahy Playground – The Margaret Mahy Playground in Christchurch is one of the better playgrounds we’ve been to, and very similar to Booran Reserve Playground in Brisbane. Perhaps not quite as big, but there’s a good flying fox, climbing rope thing and slide and all the usual other playground stuff. When we went on a Wednesday it was extremely busy, almost like China/Hong Kong busy, which being the school holidays, was probably to be expected. If there wasn’t so many people here it’d have been much better, but it’s central (in Christchurch city) and easy to get to. Also next door to this is mini putt, probably one of the best 18 hole mini putt courses we’ve been to, and you can also hire 4 wheeled bikes.
Hagley Park – Hagley Park is a massive public park in Christchurch with Botanical Gardens, Punting, golf course and acres and acres of quite literally, lush green fields. When I lived in Christchurch you take it for granted for what you have available to you on a daily basis, but when you’ve lived over 20 years in Asia, including 7 years in Hong Kong, and come back to this, you certainly have a new appreciation for it. We stayed just down the road at my Mum and Dad’s place, 5 minutes walk, and Grobbler loved going there and just running around, getting muddy on the rugby fields and kicking a soccer ball around and just running riot.
Even though it was the middle of winter, temperatures 0 degrees when you wake up, by the afternoon hits it’s around 15-16 degrees and with the sun out, you can easily wear a t-shirt and shorts if you’re running around. If you’re staying in the city, you won’t be far from Hagley Park so check out the Botanical Gardens and just have a walk around and let the kids have a ball. Hagley Park – acres upon acres of space to let the kids let off some steam. There’s even a little golf course in the middle of it and it’s filled with sports grounds where you’ll see cricket and rugby being played in the weekends. It’s walkable from the city centre and had the Avon River running through it. For all you pigs out there who throw rubbish anywhere – this is not the place to do it, nor is anywhere in New Zealand. You’re mad if you’re in Christchurch with kids and don’t take them here for a run around.
Orana Park – New Zealand’s only open range zoo. You won’t see animals pacing back and forwards or side to side in this zoo. All the animals have plenty of space, look healthy and happy. This can sometimes mean you can’t see them close up so try and go close to feeding times. It most likely won’t be crowded so go whenever you want. It’s not the best zoo I’ve been to but it’s a nice crowd-free day out (like many things in New Zealand are) and really nice to walk around if you get a good day. A must do if you’re in Christchurch with kids who like animals. Opening hour and ticketing here.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve – Another animal adventure for the kids, Willowbank Wildlife Reserve is unassuming but has almost 500 individual animals including (of course) kiwi’s, tuatara’s, kea’s, kaka’s (all of which are native to New Zealand), and other more familiar animals like deer, sheep, monkey’s, parrots, lemurs, goats and more. It’s not the most fantastic animal experience you’ll have, but like Orana Park, the animals are very well cared for and it leaves almost any Asian zoo in it’s dust. If you feel sad for some of the animals at some zoo’s who don’t give a shit about their well-being, you’ll appreciate Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Opening hours and other info here.
Willowbank is a wildlife reserve and park on the outskirts of Christchurch and probably one of the better things to do in Christchurch with kids. It’s not your ordinary wildlife park and not really like your typical zoo. Animals you’ll see here include ducks, geese, pigs, horses, goats, alpacas, kea’s and other native birds including the kiwi. You can feed a lot of the animals including some rather fat looking eels. Kiwi’s are in a nocturnal house and you’ll need to get lucky and have extremely good eye sight to see them. It’s very well done with nice environments for the animals who all look very healthy. Walking around is nice, bit muddy so no need to dress up or wear your best white shoes. There’s a small cafeteria and gift shop at the end. Overall it’s a great experience, not too touristy and very well done. If you’re looking for things to do in Christchurch with kids, make Willowbank at or near the top of your list.
International Antarctic Centre – I went here with my niece when she was about 2. Put me off kids for 20 years! Just joking Grace, you were a little angel, right up until the end when you refused to walk through the dark cave to get out, then spent 15 minutes yelling and screaming because you refused to get into the car seat! But I digress, this is alright, don’t know it’s worth going out to from the city (even though it’s less than 20 minutes) and because it’s by the airport, it’s probably best to head out a few hours earlier and have a look. The Snow and Ice experience is pretty good with icy slides, a polar plunge ice water challenge, a cave and even a simulated Antarctic storm. For more the more adventurous, ride on the all-terrain, amphibious Hagglund and check out the simulated Antarctic Cruise in the 4D Extreme Theatre.
For something indoors, try Mega Air, one of a few indoor trampoline parks in Christchurch and definitely a must visit if it’s rainy day and you’re in Christchurch with kids. Mega Air is not surprisingly way bigger than the Ryze in Hong Kong. Other than the size, what’s different is Mega Air has a couple of dodge ball pits, two run ways and instead of the foam pits, they have some kind of air pit that you can do flips and jumps into. Overall it’s way better but expected because of the space. Kids will love it and there wasn’t that many people there when we went during school holidays. Book online before you go at their website here.
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