The Margaret Mahy Family Playground

If you have kids and are looking for a way to burn some energy in Christchurch’s city centre, look no further than the beloved Margaret Mahy Family Playground. Found on Manchester Street, alongside Ōtākaro / the Avon River, this impressive playground has many different structures and activities to entertain your young ones, and the young at heart too. 

Named after acclaimed New Zealand children’s writer Margaret Mahy, it is touted by some sources as the largest playground in the Southern Hemisphere. With plenty to do, it is easy to visit multiple times and still discover something new to play with or a different way to interact with something. 

Different ages and abilities are accounted for at the playground, from a small water playpark and digging activities, right through to large slides, climbing and a flying fox. As well as catering to sensory needs, with a range of bright colours used throughout the design, as well as using different materials in the build. Parents too have been considered with communal BBQs dotted around the vicinity and food trucks providing all the necessary sustenance you need for the hours spent supervising, spectating and perhaps even participating. 

The central city location is also incredibly handy to the riches and spoils of New Regent Street, so after a play session it could be time for a well-earned coffee, drink or ice cream depending on age and preference.