Activity Category: Outside

St Anne’s Lagoon, North Canterbury

This is a great place to break a journey or to visit in its own right on a warm day. A large lagoon is set in 40 hectares of parkland and attracts all kinds of water birds including ducks, geese, swans and pukeko. Take binoculars for the kids and get…

Esplanade Playground and Skatepark, Kaikoura

There’s a small playground, skatepark and, if you have your own equipment, a tennis court just opposite the skatepark. Between the 3, there’s something for everyone to let off steam outside, whether you’re staying locally or just passing through. The playground has toilets just next to it and a small grassy…

Ohau Point Seal Colony, SH1 Marlborough

***Sadly this particular seal colony isn’t accessible for humans or seals, after the earthquake in the area November 2016. There are still seals along the coast to the north and south of Ohau Point** The best place to see seals is just south of Kaikoura from Point Kean car park. There are…

The Store, Kekerengu, Marlborough

The Store is recommended as a good cafe with lots to keep kids of all ages occupied. The cafe serves breakfast and lunch from a menu (until about 3pm) in addition to cabinet food (available till closing time). Child-sized portions are available for some of the menu items (e.g. nachos…

Soldiers Memorial Park, Greytown

This is a great playground in its own right, with lots of equipment and within the bush setting of the local camping ground. But if there’s an adult in your party who wants to look at the Greytown shops, this playground is close by for another adult to take the bored…

Carrington Park, Carterton

This park offers the best playground in the Wairarapa, south of Masterton. There’s a good range of playground equipment for different ages as well as a skatepark, a concrete basketball court and grass field with football posts for ball games, picnics and general running around. Around the outside of the field…

Blue Penguin Colony, Oamaru

Blue Penguins come ashore to their nests every evening at dusk (check what time the sun is setting here). Dress warmly and head down to the viewing stands to watch this spectacle, which can last from 60 – 90 minutes. There is commentary during the viewing. Cameras aren’t allowed. It’s…

Moeraki Boulders, near Oamaru

Around 60 million years ago, these huge stones were part of the sea floor. They are made up of fine silt, mud and clay. People can now marvel at the size and shape of these roughly 50 boulders and kids enjoy jumping between them. Good photo opportunities so don’t forget your…

Christchurch City Tram

The tram is a great way for little legs to see the central areas without getting too tired. Good for everyone if it’s raining as the 17 stops take in many of the central tourist sites along the route. The driver gives a running commentary and actively involves the kids onboard during…

Margaret Mahy Family Playground, Christchurch

This is the largest playground in the Southern Hemisphere so there has to be something for everyone! There’s lots of different equipment for all age groups – sliding, swinging, balancing, climbing, jumping – your kids will only be limited by their imaginations. There’s a separate toddler area as well as…