Christchurch is one of those cities that turns out to be brilliant for families once you actually get here. The city centre is flat and easy to walk around, the parks are massive, the beaches are 20 minutes from town, and there’s enough variety in the things to do that kids of different ages can all find something they like. You don’t need to plan every minute either, which is a relief when half the family is under ten.
This guide pulls together what we’ve seen work for families staying with us at Terra Vive. The best free things to do with kids in Christchurch, the attractions that are worth paying for, where to eat without anyone melting down, and how to set yourselves up so the trip is actually relaxing rather than another version of weekday logistics. If you’re still working out where to base yourself, our guide to staying in Christchurch CBD covers that side of things in detail.
Why Christchurch Works for Families
A few reasons families tend to have an easier time here than they expect.
The CBD is flat. Pushing a pram through Christchurch is genuinely easy. Footpaths are wide, kerbs are properly dropped, and you can cover the inner city without anyone needing a piggyback.
Everything’s close together. Most of the big family attractions sit within 20 minutes of the city centre, and a fair few are walkable from a central base. You don’t lose half the day in transit.
There’s plenty for different ages. Margaret Mahy Family Playground for the under tens, the Tram and punting for grandparents, the Gondola and the Adventure Park for teens. It’s not a city where you have to compromise on one thing the whole trip.
Indoor options exist. Christchurch weather can turn, but the city has enough good museums and indoor attractions that a wet day isn’t a write off.
Where to Stay With Kids in Christchurch
Hotel rooms with kids are hard work. Everyone in the same space, dinner depends on room service or going out, and bedtime means whispering for two hours.
A self-contained apartment fixes most of that. A two-bedroom apartment gives you separate sleeping space, a proper kitchen for breakfasts and snacks, a washing machine for the inevitable spilled juice, and room for kids to spread out without anyone tripping over toys. Free on-site parking matters too if you’ve brought the car for day trips.
For families with one young child or a baby, a one-bedroom apartment usually does the job and gives you the same kitchen and laundry setup.
We’ve got daily servicing, fast wifi, in-room kitchens with proper ovens and stovetops, and central serviced apartments in central Christchurch close to the playground, the gardens and the tram. It’s a setup that works the way families actually travel rather than the way booking sites pretend they do.
Free Things to Do in Christchurch With Kids
You can fill multiple days without spending much.
Margaret Mahy Family Playground. Genuinely one of the biggest playgrounds in the Southern Hemisphere. Climbing nets, slides, a flying fox, water play in summer. Plan a full afternoon. Bring snacks and a change of clothes for the water area.
Christchurch Botanic Gardens. 21 hectares of gardens inside Hagley Park, with the Peacock Fountain, the conservatory, the rock garden, and acres of grass for running around. The playground inside the gardens is great for younger kids. Free.
Hagley Park. Bring scooters or bikes. The flat paths around the park work well for kids learning to ride, and there’s plenty of grass for a picnic.
Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū. Free entry, family activities most weekends and during school holidays, and a kids’ studio that runs hands-on art sessions. Better with kids than you’d expect from an art gallery.
The Avon River walk. A slow but easy outing with kids. Ducks, the occasional eel, public art, and plenty of bridges to stop and throw imaginary things off.
New Brighton Beach and Pier. The pier is free to walk on and a proper kid magnet. The library at the end of the pier is also free and has the best ocean view of any library in New Zealand.
Family Attractions Worth Paying For
When the budget allows, a few Christchurch attractions are genuinely good value with kids.
International Antarctic Centre. Near the airport. Storm room (proper minus eight degrees with wind chill), Hägglund all-terrain rides, husky pups, penguins, and a 4D theatre. A full half day. Older kids especially love it.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. Best place in the city to see a kiwi up close in a proper nocturnal house. Also has farm animals you can feed, a Māori cultural performance, and plenty of native birds. Two to three hours, and not far from town.
Orana Wildlife Park. New Zealand’s only open range zoo. Lions, giraffes, white rhinos and the African savannah enclosure where you drive through. A full day, plan for the round trip out near the airport.
Christchurch Gondola. Cable car to the summit of Mt Cavendish for a 360 degree view across the city, Lyttelton Harbour and the Canterbury Plains. Kids love the ride up. There’s a small cafe and a play space at the top.
Punting on the Avon. Half an hour on the river with a punter in Edwardian gear. Slower than walking. Surprisingly enjoyable for kids if you frame it as a boat trip.
The Christchurch Tram. Heritage trams looping the inner city, hop on hop off all day. Good for grandparents bringing kids around town without anyone getting too tired.
Rainy Day Options for Families
Christchurch weather can turn, and a rainy day with kids in a hotel room is a long day.
Most of the city’s museums and indoor attractions stay open in any weather. Canterbury Museum (in its temporary CBD home), Quake City, the Art Gallery, the Air Force Museum of New Zealand at Wigram with its restored aircraft, and the International Antarctic Centre all work as wet day options. Riverside Market is undercover too if you just want a slow lunch.
A self-contained apartment helps on rainy days as well. Kids can eat properly, have a quiet hour, then head back out when it clears. A hotel room doesn’t give you that.
Beach Days With Kids
Christchurch’s beaches are an easy 20 minute drive from town.
Sumner has Cave Rock, a cafe strip on the esplanade, and a protected swimming spot at the beach. Good for younger kids.
New Brighton has the pier, the saltwater playground, and He Puna Taimoana saltwater hot pools right next to the beach. The hot pools are particularly good with kids after a swim or on a colder day.
Taylor’s Mistake further round the headland is quieter, with rock pools and a dramatic walk in along the cliff path. Older kids and teens love it.
Eating Out With Kids in Christchurch
Family friendly food is sorted. Most of the obvious spots welcome kids without making a fuss.
Riverside Market is the easy call for casual lunches. Lots of vendors, plenty of choice, and seating that works for groups. Pizza, dumplings, burgers, bao, ice cream, all under one roof.
The Tannery in Woolston works well for an afternoon out with food, a brewery for the parents, and a few shops to wander.
New Regent Street is good for ice cream and a quieter meal in the late afternoon before the dinner rush kicks in.
For dinners at home, you’ve got a full kitchen if you’ve taken an apartment. Pasta nights, takeaways from Victoria Street eaten on the couch, fresh produce from Riverside Market. It’s a sane way to feed kids on holiday.
Day Trips for Families
If you’ve got more than a couple of days, the day trips out from Christchurch are some of the best in New Zealand for families.
Hanmer Springs. 90 minutes north. Thermal pools, water slides, family friendly accommodation if you stay a night, and forest walks for the adults. A standard family trip from Christchurch.
Akaroa. 75 minutes east. Dolphin swimming, harbour cruises, fish and chips on the waterfront. Long but doable as a day trip with older kids.
Castle Hill. 90 minutes towards Arthur’s Pass. Limestone rock formations that look like an alien planet. Kids climb and scramble for hours.
A two-bedroom apartment means you can stack a few day trips back to back without anyone running out of clean clothes or patience. Day one beach, day two mountain, day three museum and a quiet afternoon at the playground.
Practical Tips for a Family Holiday in Christchurch
A few things that help.
Bring layers. Christchurch can do four seasons in a day, especially in spring and autumn. A warm jacket and a sun hat in the same bag is normal.
Plan the rest days. Three big days in a row with kids usually backfires. A morning at the playground and an afternoon in the apartment is a real holiday day.
Use the laundry. An in-room washing machine means you can travel light and still have clean clothes by day three.
Book the popular attractions ahead. The Antarctic Centre and Orana fill up in school holidays. Hanmer pools too.
Build in walking time. The CBD is flat and walking is easy, but kids walk slower than you remember. Add 15 minutes to anywhere with a child under six.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Christchurch good for a family holiday?
Yes, genuinely. Flat walkable centre, big parks, easy beaches, plenty of family attractions, and a mix of free and paid options that suits most budgets.
What can families do in Christchurch?
Margaret Mahy Family Playground, the Botanic Gardens, the tram, the gondola, the Antarctic Centre, Willowbank, Orana, punting on the Avon, the museums, and beach days at Sumner or New Brighton.
Where should families stay in Christchurch?
A central self-contained apartment works best for families. You get a kitchen, laundry, separate bedrooms, and easy walking access to the city’s family attractions. Terra Vive’s two-bedroom apartments at 175 Bealey Avenue are set up for exactly this.
Is Christchurch CBD safe for families?
Yes. The inner city is well lit, walkable, and has plenty of foot traffic during the day and evening. Standard city precautions apply.
How many days do you need in Christchurch with kids?
Three or four days covers the main family attractions in the city. A week lets you add Hanmer Springs and Akaroa without rushing.