9 Fun Christchurch Family Activities that Kids will Love

Hey, parents! Looking for places to spend the holidays or have quality bonding time with your kids? We suggest you head to the Garden City: Christchurch! There are loads of things to do in Christchurch for families that surely kids and adults alike will enjoy. The city stacks fun-fuelled family activities within its borders—from interactive exhibits to breathtaking outdoor adventures that will leave the whole family squealing in glee. 

To help you plan for a fun family day out, here are 9 of our favourite Christchurch family activities that you should check:

A great way to tour around Christchurch is via the Christchurch Tram! Experience a hassle-free day with the whole family to see all of Christchurch’s city highlights, including the Canterbury Museum and Botanic Gardens, with just one convenient pass. Plus, you can hop on and off at your will, so feel free to explore at your own pace.

Kids always get excited when you take them on fun rides. We suggest you ride the Christchurch Gondola, a wholesome Christchurch family activity! Marvel at the stunning skyline and cityscape as you ascend over Christchurch aboard a spacious gondola. You might even catch sight of the Pacific Ocean in the north on a clear day!

Guests of all ages are welcome to have the time of their lives at the International Antarctic Centre! You and the little ones can experience the wonders of Antarctica right at the heart of the city. See if you can endure everyday life in the South Pole with the Antarctic Storm simulation. For some adorable moments, you can book a Backstage Penguin pass to meet some of the Little Blue Penguins!

Want to enjoy all the fun Christchurch family activities in one pass? Book The Christchurch Pass and enjoy unlimited rides on the ram, a round-trip ride on the Christchurch Gondola, AND a 30-minute breathtaking punt ride along Avon River. Plus, it’s much cheaper than buying individual tickets! Score bigger savings on some of the best things to do in Christchurch for families with this discount pass! 

Keen to go on wildlife and nature excursions? Pin Akaroa to your itinerary—all it takes is an hour and a half drive south of Christchurch! To explore all the best things Akaroa has to offer, check this scenic nature tour that includes a thrilling 4WD safari for you and the kids. Apart from visiting the cute penguins at Pohatu Bay, you’ll also have the chance to meet gentle lambs and sheep along the way.

Learn about various local flora and fauna with your kids aboard this nature cruise around Akaroa Harbour, which used to be an active volcano! Now, it’s the number one destination for the best New Zealand wildlife experience. On this tour, you’ll join a two-hour cruise on a sleek catamaran that will lead you to volcanic cliffs and sea caves. You’ll also get to spot some fur seals, white-flippered penguins, and the incredibly rare Hector’s dolphins. One thing to watch out for is the Scenery Nook, a purplish-pink natural volcanic amphitheatre!

The wildlife fun continues with this penguin watching tour on Pohatu Bay! It’s one of the most exciting things to do near Christchurch for families who love marvelling at and discovering local creatures. In Pohatu, you can watch the largest colony of Australasian Little Penguins from a safe distance. Don’t worry—you’ll have trusty binoculars to spot these creatures!

Another marine creature you can see in Akaroa is the incredibly rare Hector’s Dolphins, which we can only find right here in New Zealand. Check out this Akaroa Swimming experience and enjoy two hours swimming with these dolphins. If you’d prefer to stay dry, you may opt for the Dolphin Watching experience, where you can watch these unique creatures from the viewing platform.

Finally, another Christchurch family activity that will thrill you and the kids is this scenic hot air balloon ride over the majestic Canterbury Plains. Kick start your family day with an early morning balloon ride and enjoy the sunrise views of Mt Hutt and the Southern Alps. After the one-hour flight, the adults can have a celebratory drink as soon as you land!

Discover more things to do in Christchurch for families and breathtaking New Zealand attractions: