FAMILY FUN

Fun zones FAMILY FUN

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Got the kids in tow during your stay? No problem – Christchurch offers plenty of family-friendly venues and activities to permanently banish boredom.

Those with littlies will definitely want to check out the central-city Margaret Mahy Family Playground. This expansive post-quake playground paradise is the best in the country (and totally free); a temple of kid-joy that offers a myriad of amazing activities and equipment that even the most sensible of adults find hard to resist.

Kids of the bigger variety (or bold wee ones) may like to tackle the challenge of Clip ’n Climb, where — 02 — — 03 — theme park meets climbing wall, or to put their brains together with mum and dad to solve the puzzles at Escape Artists or Codebreakers, the city’s own entries in the worldwide escape room craze.

Put your gaming skills to the test and have a crack on the various pinball machines and retro-tastic arcade games on offer at Arcadia Retro Arcade & Pinball Emporia.

Those looking for a walk on the wild side should check out an animal encounter: at Orana Wildlife Park’s open-range zoo, you’ll find lions, cheetah, and gorillas, a truly special sight to behold – and many other Asian, African and Australian animals, and native New Zealand

wildlife too.

At Willowbank Wildlife Reserve you have the chance to get up close and personal with the locals; hand-feed truly giant native eels; peer through the dark in the kiwi house to spot our national icon; and try to make sure the cheeky keas don’t make off with your hat.

If the weather’s wet and the family’s feeling creative, head to Imagination Station, now open in the city’s newest library, Tūranga, to get building (for free!) with the gigantic pile of Lego, or scope out the innovative displays at Canterbury Museum, which has its own special interactive Discovery centre for kids that’s chock-full of weird and wonderful things.

Get great views over the city on the Christchurch Gondola and soak up spectacular panoramas of Banks Peninsula, Christchurch city and the Canterbury Plains from Mount Cavendish at the top.

Hit the (mini) golf links at CaddyShack City in Woolston, at Riccarton Park Golf Complex’s Scottish-themed course, or at the indoor (Monsters & Zombies) and outdoor (Volcano Park) courses at Ferrymead Golf.

Take a trip back in time at Ferrymead Heritage Park’s replica Edwardian township and wander around the historic vehicle displays. Check ahead of time to make sure — 04 — — 05 — you visit on a train day and take the family on an old-skool steam train ride.

The central city tram is also worth a ride – jump on to tour in style around the rebuilding CBD and jump out at hotspots like funky New Regent Street, the Arts Centre and Rutherford’s Den for hands-on fun.

The museum and the city’s world-famous Botanic Gardens are well worth exploring on any even-slightly-sunny day. You can also meander through the gardens via the Avon with boat hire from the historic Antigua Boat Sheds – take one of their pre-packed picnic hampers and make a proper family outing of it.

Arcadia Retro Arcade & Pinball Emporia arcadia.net.nz Clip ’n Climb clipnclimb.com Escape Artists escapeartists.nz Codebreakers codebreakers.nz Orana Wildlife Park oranawildlifepark.co.nz Willowbank Wildlife Reserve willowbank.co.nz Imagination Station imagination-station.org.nz Canterbury Museum canterburymuseum.com Christchurch Gondola and Tram christchurchattractions.nz Ferrymead Heritage Park ferrymead.org.nz The Arts Centre artscentre.org.nz Christchurch Botanic Gardens ccc.govt.nz Antigua Boat Sheds boatsheds.co.nz Christchurch Art Gallery christchurchartgallery.org.nz Christchurch Adventure Park

christchurchadventurepark.com

01 Scale new levels of fun with Clip ‘n Climb. 02 Full steam ahead at Ferrymead Heritage Park. 03 Orana Wildlife Park’s openrange zoo is sure to delight. 04 Go kiwi spotting at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. 05 Hands-on fun at Canterbury Museum’s Discovery centre.