Nature play : Christchurch City Council

Watch a puddle become an ocean, a rock become a mountain and a stick become a magic wand. Nature play is only limited by your child's imagination - let them fuel it in the great outdoors.

COVID-19 update on parks

You can still get out and about and enjoy many of our parks – please practice social distancing if visiting.

Parks and cemeteries are open for pedestrian access only. Please do not use any play equipment and avoid using public toilets as these are closed.

The following are closed:

Playgrounds.
The Botanic Gardens.
Carparks within parks are closed for vehicle access.
Visitor/information centres, i.e. Bottle Lake Forest, Travis Wetland and Botanic Gardens.
The Spencer Park Animal Area.
Fenced Dog Parks, including Horseshoe Lake, The Groynes and Styx Mill Reserve. All other parks are available to exercise dogs in.
Public toilets.
All Council-owned sports facilities e.g clubrooms.

Nature play challenge

Enjoy the great outdoors with your family by completing the nature play challenge activity sheet [PDF, 2 MB].

Check out the nature play parks map for some great locations where you can complete your challenge.

Children learn through play. Childhood experiences with nature are important for determining life attitudes, knowledge and behaviours towards the environment. To understand and value nature, you need to experience it – and getting dirty is part of the fun.

Step beyond the playground and experience our parks at their natural best. Explore below to get ideas on how to encourage your children to explore our parks in different ways, allowing for fun and learning.

Read the Department of Conservation's report on the benefits of connecting children with nature [PDF, 802 KB].