Christchurch Playgrounds

There are a ton of playgrounds in Christchurch. In fact, I’d say every suburb has at least one playground, even if its just a small one. If we covered every Christchurch playground in every suburb, we would be here all day.

So we have chosen a few of the larger playgrounds, or ones that have something a little different that your kids would just love.

Christchurch Parks and Playgrounds

Destination Playgrounds

I class destination playgrounds as those you would travel across town for. A destination playground is one that you could spend a couple of hours at and is an attraction in itself. Christchurch has a few destination playgrounds that will keep your kids entertained for ages and the others on our list are really good playgrounds in themselves if you are in the area.

If you’re visiting from out of town, one of these is a must do. And if you’re staying a while, you might want to check out our favourite Christchurch Family Accommodation

Destination Playgrounds

Margaret Mahy Playground, Christchurch CBD
New Brighton Pirate Playground

Foster Park Playground, Rolleston

South New Brighton Playground, South New Brighton
Thomsons Park, New Brighton
Broad Park, North New Brighton

Craighead Reserve, Papanui
The Groynes, Christchurch

The Best Playgrounds in Christchurch: Backyard Travel Family Rankings

Margaret Mahy Playground

The Margaret Mahy Family Playground is the biggest playground in Christchurch and is one of the best things to do in Christchurch with kids. This playground is centrally located and has only 2 downsides.

It can get extremely busy

While there is free parking, it’s usually full on weekends.

That being said, it is one of my children’s favourite playgrounds in Christchurch and is suitable for all ages from babies to teenagers.

Water Play/Sprinkler Fun

During the summer time, make sure you bring a change of clothes or togs as there is a large water play area. Kids can jump around in the sprinkler/fountain type area, or play at the awesome metal dam system. I love how there is no actual swimming area so that the toddlers and preschoolers can explore without us parents having to helicopter so closely.

It’s a great way to cool off and enjoy the hot summer sun. Note there is usually an ice cream vendor here during the summer time.

Huge Sandpit

If you don’t mind the kids getting sandy feet, then there is a large beachy setup with beautiful yellow sand. Kids can not only build an awesome sandcastle, but they can haul their sand on a pulley system to the “lifeguard” tower as well as do some water play here too.

Main Playground

This central city playground is huge and has different types of play equipment. When it’s busy it can be difficult to keep an eye on your kids, so dress them in bright colours or fluoro if you need to keep tabs on them easily.

Our favourite part of the main playground is the wide metal slide. It runs fast and is wide enough that kids never really have to wait to go down it. They also love twirly slide which is a dark slide so you can’t see much on the way down.

Other parts we love: the mini trampolines, the climbing wall up to the wide metal slide and the kids love all the things that spin.

Things I don’t like about the Margaret Mahy Playground

Parking can be an issue, but they have tried their best, prime land

The netting cargo net to get up to the twirly dark slide has a section that makes it hard for large people to get through. I have to flip on my back to go up with the kids when they were smaller. It makes me worry about larger people. So I think that’s a bad call
It gets super busy on weekends and holidays – but that’s because it’s one of the best playgrounds in Christchurch.

Great for

Toddlers
Primary School Kids
Teenagers (as far as cool playgrounds in Christchurch, this one is fun no matter what your age)

More Cool Playgrounds in Christchurch

New Brighton Pirate Playground

If you visited the New Brighton Playground at the Pier years ago, you would have remembered the big whale and shallow splash pool for the kids. Well this playground has totally been redone and there is a replacement whale. Goodbye old friend, but I appreciate bringing a new updated version for nostalgia.

The New Brighton Playground is located right next to the New Brighton Pier and New Brighton Library. It has a large playground as well as a great splash pad and shallow swimming pool. It’s a great place to visit right next to the beach and if it’s ever too rough to swim at the beach, then you can take the kids here instead.

Nearby is also the New Brighton Saltwater Pools if you need a nice warm pool to play in

It’s one of the best playgrounds Christchurch has to offer!

Playground Features

Huge pirate ship feature

Swings
Spinning climbing frame (one of my kids favs)
Musical toys

Slides

Splash Pad / New Brighton swimming pool

Shallow pool area that is great for young kids

Big whale feature in the pool area
Rubber floored splash pad area
Water guns

Fountain

Facilities at the New Brighton Playground

Toilets

Some shaded areas and seats
Cafes and food within walking distance
Next to the New Brighton Pier and Library

Beachside location

Great for

Toddlers

Preschoolers
Teenagers (younger teens)

Foster Park Playground

Just 20 minutes south of Christchurch is a great Rolleston playground. Foster Park is in the growing area of Rolleston and we enjoy this playground as an alternative to the Margaret Mahy Playground. While it has no water or sand play here, the playground is modern and has lots of different things to play on, and much better parking.

Playground Features

Large wide metal slide
Enclosed slide

Flying Fox
Spinning climbing frame
Unique rope climbing frame

Spinning roundabout
Tunnels
Swings and basket swing

Small toddler climbing set including mini slides and a train

Facilities at Foster Park Playground

Toilets nearby but not right on site

Great shaded seating and picnic tables. Best shade we have seen
Grassy fields for sport next door

Great for

Toddlers
Primary Aged Kids
Teenagers would enjoy this too I think (personally don’t have any but I’ve seen teens here)

For more photos, Read More: Foster Park Playground

Scarborough Park, Sumner

Scarborough Park is a modern playground in Sumner which is practically on the beach. It was redone in 2018 and is a bright, fun place to play. If you are visiting Sumner: the best beach in Christchurch, then its easy to pair this with a visit to the Scarborough playground.

At this Sumner playground there is a small splash pad and swimming area which is perfect for under 5s who need a safe space to play. This water will be warmer than the sea since its pretty shallow.

In the main playground, the kids love: the slide tower and the spinning rope swing and the climbing frame. There is also a hamster wheel, swings, musical toys etc

Playground Features

Shallow splash pad, swimming area for younger kids
Slides

Swings
Big spinning rope swing
Hamster Wheel

Climbing rope frame
Musical toys

Facilities at the Scarborough Park Playground, Sumner

Toilets
Some seating and shade
Free BBQs

Food and ice cream just next door
Just back from Sumner Beach
Nice to place to scooter/balance bike along the waterfront walkway

Not far from a good half day walk at Taylors Mistake: Godley Head Track

Great for

Toddlers

Primary aged children

My kids give this playground a 10/10. They love the variety, the bright colours and that they can combine this with a trip to the beach

Parent rating: Can get a bit busy in weekends and summertime, which is to be expected. I give it a 9/10.

Victoria Park Playground, Port Hills

Victoria Park is way up in the Port Hills and probably not where you would expect to find a big grassy area and a big kids playground. If you are doing some of the many walking tracks in the Port Hills, then this will be a good playground to visit for a breather.

Who is this playground best for? The playground equipment here has been designed for smaller kids. In fact, my 8 year old couldn’t do the monkey bars as he was tall enough to stand underneath. So for this reason I would say it’s best for kids up to 8 years old.

However bigger kids will love the speed slide, being able to climb in the trees nearby and for the adventurous, they can even practice a bit of rock climbing at the area at the top of the slide (keep the littles away from up there)

Playground Details

Toddler swings and playground equipment

Big speed slide that is fast and fun
Monkey Bars
Climbing frames

Small slides
Huge trees to climb
Rocks to climb on the path behind the slide

Facilities at Victoria Park Playground

Toilets
Sheltered Picnic Tables

Trees for shade, but no shade over the playground
Great views over Christchurch
Lots of walking and biking tracks from here

Best bits: the Speed Slide

Kids rating: 7/10 Kids loved the slide and exploring

Mum rating: 6/10 – I didn’t think the playground equipment was quite as engaging, but it would be a good spot for a picnic and a play. I think the 6 and 8 year old would have more fun exploring the trees and rocks and using the speed slide, but the other playground equipment wasn’t as great for them.

In saying that, if we were taking a Christchurch walk here in the Port Hills, I think it would be worth a stop. I just wouldn’t cross town for it.

South New Brighton Playground

South New Brighton Playground is a modern style playground in the quiet suburb of South New Brighton. Just a couple of blocks back from the beach, the South New Brighton playground is in the middle of a large park which is perfect for a family game of touch.

Playground Features

Big Flying Fox
Extremely tall climbing frame
Spinning roundabout

2 slides
Baby swings
Inward facing swings set

Basketball court
Large grass field next door

Playground Facilities

Toilets
Drinking water
Free bbq

Easy parking

I really liked this playground. The flying fox was one of the best I had been on (although the rope to pull it back was too short for my 6 year old to pull back) The playground equipment was different and there were lots of pieces we had never seen before. A spinning bouncy see saw??

The climbing frame went up around 7m high, but was enclosed so there were no safety issues. I thought it was quite different and well worth the effort.

Important notes for parents with young children

The one thing that playground designers often get wrong is spreading out a playground too much. There were a few trees in places and I could not see my children at all times here. I find this incredibly annoying when I have to be all hands on deck with my preschooler.

This playground wasn’t great if you have toddlers and very young ones. They only had swings, a wee roundabout and the see saw that they could really play on.

I thought it was pretty good for preschoolers. My three year old had a lot of options and I could even help her on the flying fox. There was also a smaller rope climbing frame which she could explore a bit closer to the ground. It’s not often they have small ones for kids

Best bits: Flying Fox and the Big Climbing Frame

Mum rating: I rated this playground an 8/10

Kids rating: 8/10

Thomsons Park North New Brighton

Thomsons Park is an old school traditional playground. Now I love a new modern playground with its innovative equipment and clean aesthetic looks, but I had forgotten the fun that these playgrounds can be. And this playground is huge.

Very underwhelming to look at, but the one thing that new playgrounds miss, is that old school connected fort style structure. Where you can play a game of tag, or “the ground is lava” and have a million options where to run. You can slide down poles or ladders, or cross bridges. There are a ton of exit points and places to run and hide. Unlike modern equipment which all seems to have one particular use.

These are the playgrounds where the best of the mass games with local kids happen. And to be honest, I’d forgotten the fun. It was a welcome reminder.

Playground Features

Old school traditional wooden playground with bark
All interconnected for fun obstacle course and tag games
Big skate and scooter area
Separate toddler area
Big Flying Fox
Full Basketball court

Playground Facilities

Picnic Tables and Benches
Toilets
Small amount of shade in the trees
Trees to climb
Just across the road from the beach and freedom camping area

Kids Rating: 10/10

Mum rating: 9/10

Broad Park, North New Brighton

Broad Park is just a couple of kilometres down the road from Thomsons Park and the playground has a similar feel but on a smaller scale.

This wooden playground is a little newer and more polished than Thomsons Park, but perhaps that’s because it doesn’t have a skate and scooter park running through the middle of it.

One thing I really liked about this playground is that you could watch the kids while sitting in your car if you wanted to. If you had older kids, this would be a total plus, especially for those days when the kids want to play in the cold and it’s just a bit cold for spectators sitting still.

Mum and Kids Rating: Solid 7/10 playground that will keep the kids entertained for a while, but nothing too out of the ordinary here. A good spot if you want to head to the beach as well as visit a good Christchurch playground.

Playground Features

Wooden framed playground (big fort style) with an assortment of other equipment
Big flying fox
Lots of swings and slides
Climbing equipment such as cargo nets, ladders, monkey bars etc
Beach access
Can play in the Forest and trees

Playground Facilities

Toilets around the corner
Beach Cafe across the road

The Groynes Playground, Christchurch

The Groynes has a number of playgrounds in this Christchurch park, but the best one is the natural playground near the boatshed. The large coconut fibre rope swing is a favourite with the kids as is the huge spinning “swings?” Why I question… well the kids can climb in the cage and be spun around.

One of the great things about the Groynes is there is an orienteering trail that is perfect for kids. You can download the map on the Peninsula and Plains Orienteering website. There are a number of walking trails and picnic spots and it’s a great place for a day out.

The Groynes is located on the Groynes Drive and is only 8km from Christchurch Airport. So if you are looking for a playground near Christchurch Airport, this is a great place to pass the time before you leave on your flight.

Playground Features

Rope Swing
Spinning Rope and Climbing frame
Roundabout
Climbing activities

Playground Facilities

BBQs
Walking Trails
Toilets
Shady trees for shelter
Fishing
Boating
Pedal Boats in the Lake
Dog Park

Kids Rating: 7/10

Parent Rating: 8/10 as there were other activities you could do here too

Spencer Park Playground

The playground at Spencer Park is quite unassuming. Perhaps I was a little underwhelmed the day we visited as it felt a little unkept as the scraggly grass hadn’t been mown and I wasn’t sure what I was expecting. But…

But, once we walked across from parking, it was actually quite good. The playground is mostly wooden and blends in with its surroundings, so don’t expect bright colours as per the likes of Scarborough in Sumner.

Spencer Park is on the northern side of Christchurch, but it is worth the drive as not only is there a good adventure playground here, there is an animal park, lagoon walks, mountain biking closeby, a campground and the beach right there. So its a great day trip if you combine it with the other local activities.

This playground is actually great for older kids (not something I say as much) as there are lots of things to climb and some taller structures. One thing I did find with younger kids is that it was quite hard to sight them all the time as there were long brushes and spread out playground areas. So that’s something to note if you have multiple toddlers and preschoolers etc.

Something that is unique to Spencer Park is that there is a small animal farm here. Just a few minutes walk from the playground you can enter a gated off area where you can explore the farmlet area. If you aren’t a fan of birds wandering at your feet, you might want to skip this one.

Fun Activities near Spencer Park

There are also wetland walks here at Brooklands Lagoon and its a short walk to the beach. Spencer Park is also connected to Bottle Lake Forest which is a great place to mountain bike with kids.

Playground Features

Slides
Swings
Climbing Frames and Cargo Nets

Playground Facilities

Toilets
Free BBQs to use
Sheltered Picnic Tables

Kids and Parents rating: 7/10

A few smaller playgrounds

Craighead Reserve

This playground is just a small local playground but it was quite pretty. It was lovely to have some shade under the big trees and awesome. You could see the bike pump track as well as the playground.

There isn’t too much variety and only a few activities for each age group, but if this was your local playground that you could walk to from home, then it’s a good little space.

Playground Features:

Small local playground
Good little pump track next door, suitable for balance bikes
Big slide
Monkey Bars for older kids
Fun train for imaginative play. My kids really liked it
Swings and basket swing
Little motorbike rocker

My 6 year old rated it was 8/10, my 8 year old said it was a 5/10 and I rated it a 5/10

Knights Stream Park

Okay, so technically Knights Stream Park is a scooter park (and skate park and bike park) but there is a small playground across the road.

But I thought if your kids are like mine, then they might love this spot in Halswell. It has a great big skate bowl, flat scooter and skate area with jumps and rails as well as a learn to ride area with giveaway and stop signs. The learn to ride area is perfectly flat so great for young ones and a good place to scooter too.

Across the road is Neil Graham Park so you can easily visit both skate park and playground while you are here. The playground has some great climbing frames the kids really enjoyed but its not great for toddlers. There is less for them to do here. Good for primary school kids though.

For more photos and information about the Knights Stream Scooter and Bike Park in Halswell click here

Other playgrounds you might like to check out

Barrington Park: Close to Barrington Mall
Westburn Reserve: Basic playground but does have a really cool bike park

Indoor Playgrounds, Christchurch

There aren’t a lot of good indoor places to play in Christchurch, but if its a rainy day in Christchurch and you are keen for the kids to burn off some steam, here are some of the best place to do that

Chipmunks Playgrounds

This Christchurch indoor playground is best for toddlers, preschoolers and primary school aged kids. There are dedicated areas for under 5s so they don’t get knocked over the big kids, which is great.

Chipmunks is a franchised activity playground and includes big slides, ball pits, huge inflatables etc. Its a great thing to do on a rainy day and is a popular place for kids birthday parties.

Chipmunks can be found in Papanui and Wigram, Christchurch

Other great indoor play areas

YMCA Clip n Climb and Rock climbing walls in Christchurch Central City
Indoor Trampoline Parks such as Mega Air, MoveX and Launch Pad
Inflatable World in Hornby

For more family friendly indoor activities in Christchurch, read here: Best Free Things to do in Christchurch with Kids

Jennifer

Founder of Backyard Travel Family

Jen is a super organiser when it comes to travel. Having travelled extensively in Europe and Africa, has lived in London and the USA and holidayed in many parts of Asia, she is not a newbie to the travel space

Jen has three young children, 8 and under and travels around New Zealand with them.

Christchurch Playgrounds