Top indoor activities in Ōtautahi Christchurch

An indoor adventure hub.

Teens enjoying arcade games at Archie Brothers.

Rainy day fun in the city

Don't let a rainy day get you down. Ōtautahi Christchurch is a vibrant city of fun with an array of playful indoor activities for those days when you don't feel like getting your hair wet.

Build & create at Tūranga

You could easily spend half a day at Tūranga. Grab a coffee from Foundation Café and then start exploring the library wonderland. Let the kids get creative at the production studio on the 3D printers, sewing machines or embroidery machines. Create and edit music in the audio/video studio or head to the creative space for craft and art activities. For those looking for something more relaxing, choose some good books and pull up a bean bag for some quiet time.

Visit website

Children playing with lego at the Imagination Station at Tūranga.

Family enjoying their time in the Antarctic Centre

Visit the icy continent

Take a trip through modern-day Antarctica and experience the wonder of the breathtaking continent at the International Antarctic Centre. You'll have hours of fun soaking up all there is to see and do. Brave an Antarctic storm, go off-road in a hägglund, befriend a husky, mingle with the penguins, and so much more.

Visit website

Tour the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū

The size alone of the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū is enough to keep kids entertained for hours. Not only does it house collections from classics to modern art, but it also regularly showcases work from New Zealand and international artists. The gallery often runs free workshops for budding young artists and free guided tours. The on-site café is a perfect spot to refuel and enjoy a sunny afternoon.

Visit website

Group walking down the stairs at the art gallery.

Explore history at the Canterbury Museum

The Canterbury Museum has been telling stories of Waitaha Canterbury since 1870, now the museum is rewriting its own story by embarking on an exciting new journey of redevelopment. The Rolleston Avenue site is closed but you can visit their pop-up museum on the first floor of the CoCA building at 66 Gloucester Street.

Around half the pop-up museum is dedicated to collection highlights and visitor favourites from the Museum’s permanent galleries. The other half displays temporary exhibitions.

Visit website

Indoor rock climbing in the city

Burn off some energy and test your skills on one of The Adventure Centre's rock-climbing walls. Bring your own gear or hire everything you need including a harness, ropes, and shoes. Or head next door to Clip ‘n’ Climb where the sessions are designed for younger kids or those new to climbing.

For something different, leave the ropes and harness behind on the bouldering wall at Uprising. All you need is a pair of covered shoes, a dusting of hand chalk, and the soft mat below you. This is perfect for those who love to solve problems and challenge assumptions about what you can achieve.

Visit website

Settle in for a movie

Settle in for rainy day entertainment at EntX. Let's be honest, nothing beats a movie and a warm bucket of popcorn on a chilly day. Cosy up in a comfy lazy boy and enjoy state-of-the-art sound systems for the latest cinema offerings. Be sure to shoot some hoops or have a mario kart challenge pre or post at Archie Brothers.

Visit website

Play to win

Got a competitive streak?

Head to Timezone in the central city, Riccarton or Hornby and go hard in their arcade. Check out the other attractions like the glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, bumper cars, laser tag, or bowling.

Or how about a competitive game of Laser Strike? This unique, interactive and fun experience takes place in a darkened room complete with fast-paced music and moody lighting. Who will be the family champion and get the most tags? Only one way to find out ...

Visit website

Fly high at a trampoline park

Take your backyard tramp skills to the next level at one of Christchurch's indoor trampoline parks. Check out Launch Pad, with dodge ball, a scooter track, and basketball hoops alongside their trampolines. Head to MoveX with their ninja obstacle course and trampolines or jump on down to Mega Air with their extensive range of trampolines and challenges ready to be taken on. Ninja Valley is the newest addition to the indoor play scene with active entertainment for ninjas of all ages — we're talking over 35 play installations and thrills.