Best Spots for Nature Play in Christchurch

By Jasmine

@kiwi_kids_outdoors

Christchurch is a paradise for families who love the outdoors, offering endless opportunities for unstructured, free play in nature. From climbing and risky play to water exploration and messy play, these spots provide the perfect environment for kids to connect with the natural world. Here are some of the best places to let kids explore, create, and adventure freely in Christchurch.

Orton Bradley Park

A hidden gem in Lyttelton Harbour, Orton Bradley Park is perfect for adventurous play. Kids can scramble over rocks, climb trees, and play in the small streams flowing through the park. There’s a fantastic natural playground, but the real fun is in the creeks and forest, where children can build dams, throw rocks and discover critters in the water. There is a pump track and a variety of hiking trails and a cafe on site (limited hours).

Hot tip: this is one of the best spots to play in the autumn leaf-litter once the leaves begin to fall!

The Groynes

The Groynes is a wonderful destination for water play and exploration. The calm waterways make it safe for little ones to paddle and explore under supervision, while older kids can float down in tubes or venture out in kayaks. The nature trails encourage exploration on foot or bikes and provide plenty of opportunities for climbing and balancing on logs. There are junior fishing lakes for those with a license, otherwise, settle in beside the stream and use nets to catch and release cockabullies.

McCormacks Bay Reserve

This estuarine area is a dream for kids who love messy play. The tidal mudflats allow for endless muddy adventures, and looking for small crabs. There are patches of trees for ‘forest adventures.’ A fantastic spot for kids to get truly immersed in nature!

South New Brighton Domain

With its mix of forest, estuary and green space, this reserve provides endless play options. Kids can run out along the jetty and even go fishing off the end. The estuary is great for wading, discovering tiny creatures and splatting rocks into the mud. Take some sports equipment for the green spaces and your walking shoes and pram or balance bikes for the walkway to make it into a whole day out.

Southshore Spit

A wild and windswept area perfect for free play. The combination of dunes, beach, and estuary means kids can run, jump, roll, and explore freely. Collecting shells, climbing dunes, and playing in the shallows of the estuary are just a few of the fun activities kids might choose to do here. The beach is not a safe swimming spot. These play opportunities are all connected with a short loop walk around the spit.

Bottle Lake Forest

A natural playground with towering pine trees, walking and biking trails, and plenty of fallen logs to balance on. Kids can explore the forest, build huts, and climb trees. Check out the fairy village, dirt pump track and jumps, and tyre play area at the main car park. It’s a great spot for adventure and imaginative play.

Spencer Park

This park has it all—forests, a patrolled (during Summer) beach, a lagoon, and a playground. The forest areas provide great spots for fort-building, and the lagoon offers opportunities to spot birds from the viewing towers. The nearby sand dunes add another level of fun, perfect for rolling and climbing. Turn left instead of right into the playground and park (although the playground is awesome too), and you will find the forest and viewing towers plus a walking trail to a bird hide.

The Bays (Lyttelton Harbour Bays)

From Corsair Bay to Cass Bay and beyond, these sheltered bays provide fantastic spots for rock pooling and water play. There is a gently undulating (non pram-friendly) walking track around the coastline - just beware of some steep drop-offs and keep kids close. Kids can explore the rocky shores, jump into the water (check LAWA first!), or muck around on a stand up paddleboard.

Birdlings Flat

A rocky beach that’s famous for its gemstones! Kids can spend hours searching for agates and other colourful stones. While swimming isn’t safe here, the beach itself is a treasure trove for young explorers.

Quail Island

A short ferry ride from Lyttelton, this island is packed with adventure. Kids can see shipwrecks, clamber over rocky shores, and splash in the shallows. There is a stunning walkway around the island. It’s a true island adventure that encourages curiosity and exploration.

Halswell Quarry

A fantastic mix of open spaces, forest, and picnic areas for free play. There are walkways winding through the large park and a Japanese garden to explore. An old historical house will spark curious minds and the Quarry Rim Walkway is a must-do loop walk in our books, so go prepared with your walking gear and tasty snacks!

Richmond Community Gardens

A community space designed for hands-on nature play. Kids can scoop bark or whip up muddy treats in the mud kitchen, help with gardening (on community days), and feed safe kitchen scraps to the chickens. There is a playhouse and fungi walk with mushroom sculptures across the road from the gardens and the Avon river runs nearby. A great spot for sensory play and getting hands-on with nature.

Travis Wetlands

A wonderful wetland reserve with a pram-friendly loop track around the perimeter. Kids can watch for birds along the track and at the bird hide. They might spot eels and other fish too! They can investigate the information centre with buttons and sounds, and there is a network of tunnels to crawl through and jump off into bouncy scrub close to the carpark.

Sumner Cave and Rock Pools

This is an incredible spot for kids who love exploring! At low tide, they can venture into the caves, climb over the rocks, and discover some sea life in the rock pools. The beach is patrolled during the Summer for swimming. A perfect mix of adventure and discovery.

Ashley Gorge Reserve

A fantastic spot for water play! The Ashley River offers shallow areas for splashing, as well as deeper pools for swimming. Kids can explore the rocky riverbed, build stone towers, and search for freshwater creatures. The surrounding forest has a range of nature walks including the Ashley Gorge Loop Track and The Giant’s Walk, the latter being a new pram friendly gem. Pick up a map at the camp office where you can also buy ice creams from the freezer on a hot day!

Christchurch is full of incredible spots where kids can engage in unstructured, free play. Whether it’s climbing trees, splashing in the water, or exploring caves and rock pools, these locations provide a natural playground that sparks curiosity and creativity. So, grab some spare clothes (for the inevitable mess) and let the adventures begin!