For families looking to fill a weekend without breaking the budget, Christchurch is well served. The Botanic Gardens, Margaret Mahy Family Playground and the Christchurch Adventure Park are reliable starting points across all ages.

Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, Orana Wildlife Park and the International Antarctic Centre all offer full-day options. Annual passes at several of these venues quickly pay for themselves for families that visit more than twice a year.

Free options worth knowing include the regular school holiday programmes at Tūranga and the South Library, the He Puna Taimoana hot pools' family sessions in New Brighton, and weekend ranger programmes in the Port Hills.

For a quieter day, the loop walks at Riccarton Bush, Travis Wetland and the Bottle Lake forest are all stroller-friendly and well signed.