5 ideas for whānau fun
Parents, it happens again – school holidays return from 3 to 19 April. If you need an easy guide to decode every activity Christchurch has to offer and how it caters to your kids’ personality, choose from our top playtime picks.
ARTS & CALM
Stroll through the city’s world-renowned street art and discover the latest murals from FLARE’s recent festival, Sea Signals, at streetartcities.com, or head to New Brighton to see its budding street art scene. Visit The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora; the venue comes alive during the school holidays with curated events, from an ultimate arts and cinema-themed afternoon out thanks to Lumière and Paint & Sip, to book clubs, Easter workshops, and Ōtautahi’s next top rocket competition.
Take those eager culture vultures to Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and wander the exhibitions. Use the Christchurch Tram to deliver you from place to place – travel with a twist.
EASY PLAY
Christchurch is a playground in itself, but it’s also home to some epic ones. The Margaret Mahy Family Playground is a central city energy burner, while New Brighton Playground welcomes ocean air and a non-negotiable ice cream run after. If seaside fun takes your fancy, try Sumner’s Scarborough Park with waterplay and innovative obstacles galore.
SPORTS-MAD
Book a court at Parakiore and pack a basketball or netball – let the crew take their game to the next level. Practise putting at Christchurch-themed mini golf course Fillin’ Holes, or test driving skills at a golf simulator, centrally located on Tuam Street. Mountain bike, go-kart, run the Port Hills, the adventure awaits.
CHASE THE THRILL
Drop down Parakiore’s trapdoor hydroslide, ride Christchurch Adventure Park’s thrilling zipline, swim with dolphins on a Black Cat cruise, tackle an indoor climb at a bouldering gym – if your teen is up for the challenge, Christchurch has the adventure.
GET WILD
From Willowbank and The Royal Albatross Centre to Orana Park and Antarctic Centre, Christchurch has a healthy dose of fluffy, funny, fascinating wildlife encounters. Book in advance – these places get busy come school holidays.
To find out everything that’s on for the children this school holidays, visit ccc.govt.nz/news-and-events/whats-on/programme/147.
