Christchurch: School Holiday ideas
If you're on school holiday duty this week, here are some ideas to get the whānau out of the house! Feel free to share any of your own in the comments below.
Sat, 28th Sept: Superhero Circus show @ The Arts Centre
Sat, 28th Sept: Picture Me: free art workshops @ Turanga
Sat, 28th Sept: Movie Screening: Flow @ The Arts Centre
Sun, 29th Sept: Super Quest activity @ The Arts Centre
Sun, 29th Sept: Quail Island Pirate Treasure Hunt @ Quail Island
Mon, 30th Sept: Movie screening: Gremlins @ Lumiere
Mon, 30th Sept: Teddy Bear Ferris Wheel extravaganza @ Islington
Mon, 30th Sept: Princess-themed activities @ Riccarton Mall
Tues, 1st Oct: Juggling Workshops @ Northlands Mall
Tues, 1st Oct: Creative Writing workshop @ The Arts Centre
Tues, 1st Oct: Carnival-Themed Crafts & Games @ Northlands Mall
Wed, 2nd Oct: Badjelly the Witch Glow Show @ Te Pae
Wed, 2nd Oct: Sleeping Beauty movie screening @ Lumiere
Wed, 2nd Oct: Fudge Shape Decorating @ The Arts Centre
Wed, 2nd Oct: Make: Sticker, Bag Tag and Bag @ South Library
Thurs, 3rd Oct: Feed the Big Butterfly @ The Arts Centre
Thurs, 3rd Oct: Stilt Walking workshop @ The Arts Centre
Thurs, 3rd Oct: Ceramic Planter workshop @ The Arts Centre
Thurs, 3rd Oct: Kids Paint & Sip
Fri, 4th Oct: Kids Art Classes - daily crafts @ Roy Stokes Community Hall, New Brighton
Fri, 4th Oct: Storytime @ Riccarton Bush
Fri, 4th Oct: Scouts Aotearoa Variety Show @ Grange Theatre, Riccarton
Sat, 5th Oct: Ballet: Charlie & Chocolate Factory @ Southern Ballet Theatre
Mon, 7th Oct: Sleeping Beauty movie screening @ Lumiere
Mon, 7th Oct: African Drum workshop @ The Arts Centre
Mon, 7th Oct: Cicus Classes @ The Arts Centre
Mon, 7th Oct: Nee Naw with Deano Yipadee @ Tūranga
Mon, 7th Oct: Spring Garden Picnic @ Richmond Community Gardens
Tues, 8 October: Harmoney & Beatboxing workshops @The Arts Centre
Tues, 8 October: |One Day Circus School @ The Arts Centre
Tues, 8 October: Lego Bricks Building @ The Arts Centre
Tues, 8 October: Kids Paint & Sip @ The Arts Centre
Wed, 9 October: Traditional Kite-making workshop @ The Arts Centre
Wed, 9 October: Cicus Classes @ The Arts Centre
Wed, 9 October: Movie screening: Gremlins @ Lumiere
Thurs, 10 October: Carrot & Pickle Clown workshop @ The Arts Centre
Thurs, 10 October: Kids Paint & Sip @ The Arts Centre
Fri, 11 October: Build a Rocket workshop @ The Arts Centre
Fri, 11 October: Storytime @ Riccarton Bush
Sat, 12 Oct: Explore Antartica @ Tūranga
Other ideas:
Air Force Museum
Arion Farm Park
Canterbury Astronomical Society Open nights
Canterbury Museum
The Great Museum Santa Search
Chipmunks
Christchurch Art Gallery
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Christchurch Gondola
Christchurch Tram
CoCA Centre of Contemporary Art
Ferrymead Heritage Park
Flip Out Trampoline Arena
Imagination Station
Inflatable World
International Antarctic Centre
Mega Air Trampoline Arena
Orana Park
Rutherford's Den at The Arts Centre Interactive, science-themed family fun.
Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
YMCA Clip 'n Climb
Xtreme Entertainment - bowling and arcade
Playgrounds: The Margaret Mahy Family Playground - Tākaro ā poi and the New Brighton Beachside Playground are popular destinations.
Pools - QE11, Jellie Park
Warnings about scams
This Fraud Awareness Week, we’re reminding everyone to stay sharp and look out for the warning signs of scams to stop them before they start.
Here’s what to watch out for:
🔍 Unrealistic offers or promises of easy money that are too good to be true
🔍 Pressure tactics: Scammers may rush or threaten you to act immediately.
🔍 Requests for personal info: Be cautious if you’re asked for bank details, passwords, or sensitive information.
🔍 Unusual payment methods like gift cards, cryptocurrency, or wire transfers.
🔍 Unverified contacts: Emails, calls, or messages from unknown or suspicious sources.
How to protect yourself:
✅ Stop and think before sharing personal details or making payments.
✅ Don't click on any links until you know that it is safe.
✅ Verify the source: Contact the organisation directly using official channels.
✅ If something’s not right, it's OK to hang up, walk away, ignore it and move on.
If you wish to report a scam, contact Police on 105 or report it online via 105.police.govt.nz/use-105.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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5% Second half of November
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44.6% 1st December
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16.7% A week before Christmas
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32.4% Whenever you wish
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.