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Many of us look forward to the summer holidays and it can also be a time when our wellbeing takes a dive!
One way to help manage stress, lift mood, boost energy and support wellbeing is to make regular activity a priority. It may seem counter intuitive when we are busy and have a big list of things to do – but it really can be a game changer. Physical activity boosts chemicals in the brain like depression-busting serotonin and reward signalling dopamine, making us feel more energised and happier.
During the warmer summer months, early in the morning or after dinner can be a great time to plan something active. Doing a 30 minute walk each day is a great way to keep active while also exploring different places. You could go to the bush, around the neighbourhood or to the local playground.
Here are some other free or low-cost family activity ideas you might like to try:
- Head to the beach for a swim and some active games on the sand.
- Jump rope, fly a kite, use chalk to make hopscotch shapes or a handball court.
- Build a fort – inside or outside.
- Go fishing.
- Do some vegetable gardening.
- Go berry or fruit picking.
- Go to the beach for a swim and sand sculpting, frisbee, beach cricket or beach tag.
- Hold a family dance-off with different members picking the music.
- Download the Agents of Discovery app and visit a new park or location near you.
With a bit of equipment or cost:
- Backyard cricket, frisbee, touch rugby or tag, croquet or petanque.
- Run through the water sprinkler or have water gun battles.
- Bike or scooter rides.
- Visit the local ice rink, trampoline park, ten pin bowling alley, mini golf course, or zoo (lots of walking involved).
Check out ‘Easy Ways to Move More’ for more ideas.
Do what you can – whāia te mea ka taea e koe, enjoy what you do – kia pārekareka tāu i whai ai, move your mood – kia pai ake ō piropiro.
Come on down and try out some different sports during January and February in a fun and friendly environment! Bookings are required.
- Pickleball (all ages);
- Racquet sports like table tennis, badminton, pickleball and tennis (all ages);
- Scuba with Dive HQ (10+ years); and
- Snorkelling (8 to 13 years).
Support your community and make local connections at an upcoming event such as:
- Pilates in the Park (Saturday 1st February in North Hagley Park);
- Bike Public Art Tour (Sunday 2nd February from Cranmer Square);
- Parklands @ Play (Sunday 16th February at Parklands Reserve); and
- Eastern Community Sport and Recreation Open Day (Sunday 23rd February at Rāwhiti Domain).
Swimming Canterbury is running a series of FREE carnival events for all ages wanting to try out swimming! A range of events will be available including 25m and 50m races, kick races, and relays.
Date: Sunday 9th March 2025.
Time: 9.45am to 12.30pm.
Location: Jellie Park Recreation and Sport Centre (295 Ilam Road, Burnside).
Find out more about the Have A Go Carnival events from Swimming Canterbury, including how to enter.
Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre will undergo a multi-staged closure so that scheduled maintenance and refurbishment work can be carried out.
The stadium will close on Monday 9th December 2024 and all other parts of the facility will close on Monday 6th January 2025. They will reopen in stages during February - based on the amount of work being undertaken in each space.
“The closures have been planned to take place during this period as it is the quietest time of year at Pioneer,” says Nigel Cox, Head of Recreation, Sport and Events at Christchurch City Council.
Mr Cox thanked the public for their patience while the work is carried out.
"We’re looking forward to welcoming the community back to an updated and improved Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre from early February 2025 onwards."
Find out more about the Pioneer Recreation and Sport Centre summer closure (Christchurch City Council).
Summer's around the corner Ōtautahi - so time to dust off your bike and get out there!
Warm weather and long evenings beckon, so why not reacquaint yourself with your bike? Feel the wind in your hair as you explore our beautiful city on two wheels! Biking is a great way to travel a little further than you might on foot, get the benefits of exercise and fresh air - and find new corners of Christchurch to discover and enjoy.
We know that not everyone feels super confident on a bike; for those of us who might be a bit tentative, we’ve put together this list of fun and scenic trips suitable for less experienced riders. Most of these are on shared paths so having a bell on your bike will be super helpful for alerting walkers that you're approaching.
Find out about the best bike rides in Christchurch for less confident cyclists (Christchurch City Council).
Active Canterbury on Facebook has the latest local events and happenings on physical activity.
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Here are some snippets on the latest physical activity research or news that we found interesting.
This issue of Insights from Recreation Aotearoa explores the benefits of investing in recreation for individuals, whānau, and society.
This campaign from Swimming NZ highlights the essential life skill of swimming and its endless health and wellbeing benefits.
The Victorian Government has released a guide on how sport can be used as a tool for preventing gender-based violence.
Read more Active Canterbury news.
The Active Canterbury Newsletter is produced bi-monthly and aims to keep local physical activity providers informed. It has a focus on latest physical activity research, upcoming education and training opportunities, key events and tips on how to practically apply research and industry tools.
View the latest newsletter: AC Network Newsletter February 2024