Find out what’s on this school holidays for Christchurch children. Check out the holiday programmes and activities at our libraries and learning centres, and shows and performances for kids.
Library and Learning Centre holiday programmes and activities
Our libraries and learning centres offer a variety of accessible, safe and affordable activities for children during their school holidays. Programmes and activities are aimed at children between the ages of five and 15 years:
- Visit our page on library and learning centre holiday programmes
- Explore all the classes and activities at libraries and learning centres
Activities include Maker Space, Minecraft, LEGO mindstorms robotics, disguises, treasure hunts, invisible ink messages, code breaking, and sewing. Some sessions require booking.
Christchurch holiday programmes and workshops
The following organisations are running holiday programmes or workshops for kids or teens in the April 2017 holidays:
- Christchurch Art Gallery Pop! Art
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Creative Junk workshops
- Court Theatre
- Imagination Station
- Air Force Museum
- International Antarctic Centre
- Neighbourhood Trust holiday programmes
- M*A*S*H
- My rights workshops at Eastgate Shopping Centre
- Yoobee film production, digital graphic design, etc.
Search CINCH, our Community Information Christchurch database, for more Canterbury holiday programmes.
Find an OSCAR programme (Out of School Care and Recreation) and view this map of OSCAR programmes in Christchurch.
Shows, movies, and performances
- The Wrong Trousers Christchurch Art Gallery
- Cinderella in Space and The Curious Incident of the dog in the night-time Court Theatre
- Lost in Oz at the Canterbury Children’s Theatre
- Southern Ballet
- Pet and Animal Expo
- The Next Step – Live on Stage
Kid friendly movies on in the holidays include Beauty and the beast, Smurfs: The Lost Village, The LEGO Batman movie and The Boss Baby.
Things to do, and places to go in Christchurch
Most of these venues are free but some have a entry fee. There is more information on their websites.
- Air Force Museum
- Arion Farm Park
- Canterbury Astronomical Society Open nights
- Canterbury Museum
- Christchurch Art Gallery see Family and kids events
- Christchurch Botanic Gardens
- Christchurch Gondola
- Christchurch Tram
- Climbing boulders at the Up, Up, Up! playground by the Bus Interchange in Tuam Street, and at the Botanic Gardens.
- Ferrymead Heritage Park
- Imagination Station
- Inflatable World
- International Antarctic Centre
- Mega Air Trampoline Arena
- Orana Park
- Playgrounds as listed in Find:Chch. The Margaret Mahy Family Playground – Tākaro ā poi is a popular destination.
- Pools
- Rutherford’s Den at The Arts Centre. Interactive, science-themed family fun.
- Toy Collector
- Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
- YMCA Clip ‘n Climb

For more events and activities, search Be There and Eventfinda.