Christchurch will come alive over the Term 3 to Term 4 school holidays, with countless events to bring the young ones along to. Here is a guide of some of the awesome events on offer in Ōtautahi.
School Holiday Fun
These school holidays, Te Matatiki Toi Ora – The Arts Centre has heaps of creative and free fun on offer for pre-schoolers right through to teens.
The list of what is on offer is extensive, including classic films on show, instrument making, fudge decorating, circus arts, ceramics, painting, felt making, dancing, crafting, singing, weaving, and African drumming. Visit https://www.artscentre.org.nz/whats-on/school-holiday-fun/ to discover more.
Time Detectives Spring Holiday Trail
Travel back in time and solve puzzles at five key Christchurch venues for free; the Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Art Gallery, Canterbury Museum – currently located in the CoCA Gallery on Gloucester Street – Teece Museum of Classical Antiquities and Tūranga library.
Dinosaurs, tuatara, ancient Greek heroes and Egyptian hieroglyphics are just some of the amazing things you’ll discover as you journey through time to discover the past.
Grab a free trail booklet from any of the five participating locations and don’t forget to get a stamp at each venue once you’ve finished the activities.
The trails run from 25 to 29 September, 10am to 3pm. Check it out via the link below. https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2023/time-detectives-spring-holiday-trail/christchurch
Imagination Station
During the school holidays Imagination Station offer a wide range of fun and educational STEAM – science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics – focused activities.
From the holiday brick school at Tūranga to events in Upper Riccarton and south Christchurch, there’s something for everyone! Who doesn’t love LEGO?
Head to the Imagination Station website to immerse yourself in the world of creative education. Sessions at Tūranga span the entire day, 9:30am to 3:30pm, and cost $45 per day. https://imagination-station.org.nz/pages/whats-on
Ballantynes Holiday Programme
Make your own slime at Ballantynes Department Store! Their September and October programme is sure to amaze.
Ballantynes have partnered with the local experts at Crowntastic to provide the perfect play over the school holidays.
Aprons recommended. Tickets are $20 per child. https://events.humanitix.com/september-and-october-school-holiday-programme-create-your-own-slime
Cat in the Hat
Bring your Thing 1 and Thing 2 to the Cat in the Hat at Isaac Theatre Royal.
The story has been around for over 50 years and kids love it all the same.
The show goes on 3 October, with two shows; a 10:30am and 1pm performance respectively.
Recommended for children aged between 3-10years. Children under the age of 2 will be entitled to free entry, they will not require a ticket to gain entry to the venue. https://premier.ticketek.co.nz/shows/show.aspx?sh=CATINTHE23&v=CTR&p=ECTR2023891M
