Easter School Holiday Guide 2025

                          
Whether you are a local, or someone visiting the Timaru District these Easter school holidays, there are heaps of activities and fun to keep the kids entertained.
Walk and bike our beautiful trails
With over 30 walking and cycling tracks across the district, hit the trails with the kids and bring a picnic lunch.
From short walks to longer cycle trails and hikes, you will be treated to stunning scenery, dramatic coastlines, waterfalls and native birds.
Find all the Timaru District trails on our trails page or head to the Timaru Trails app or website and find the trails on the Walking & Biking Trails tour.
Explore the district's many museums
We have 10 amazing and interesting museums across the district to explore!
For lovers of cars and machinery, head to Geraldine Vintage Car & Machinery Museum, Geraldine Military Museum, Kyle Park, Route 79 and the Roger Mahan Heritage Centre. Take a trip back in time with a ride on the vintage steam train at the Pleasant Point Museum & Railway, and discover the aviation history at the South Canterbury Aviation Heritage Centre. For extensive local history, visit the South Canterbury Museum and Geraldine Historical Museum and don't forget our special and unique Te Ana Māori Rock Art Centre.
Hunt out some Easter eggs
Shearers Quarters Easter Egg Hunt
Thursday 17 April, 1pm – 3pm
Entry $5 per child, all proceeds to go to Riding for the Disabled.
Feed the animals, grab some lunch and play some mini golf while you are there.
Check out the local events
Markets
Come along to the Easter Markets for fresh local produce, food and baked treats, live music, Easter crafts and giveaways! Timaru Artisan Easter Farmers Market is on Saturday 19 April from 9am - 12:30pm, at 2 George Street. Pleasant Point Farmers Easter Market is on Sunday 20 April from 9am – 12:30pm on the main street. The Temuka Easter Market is happening on Saturday 19 April from 10am - 2pm, there will be face painting, balloon art, crafts, Easter egg hunt and more!
Pop-Up Events
The Timaru District Libraries are holding a free pop-up event, STEM Makerspace on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 April. Come create, have some fun and enter the prize draw at 102 Stafford Street, next to The Cyclery.
The Aigantighe Art Gallery are holding Pop-Up Art Zone, a free pop-up where children can ignite their creativity and learn through play. This will run on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 April at 102 Stafford Street, next to The Cyclery.
Sport Canterbury are running a free pop-up event City Jump on Tuesday 15 April, from 10:30am - 2pm. Come along to the top of the Piazza Steps to do a basketball challenge, use the play trailer, draw with chalk, skipping and more fun games.
Fun in Pleasant Point
Pleasant Point Railway are holding their annual Kiwi the Engine and Friends Easter weekend Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 April from 10:30am – 4pm. Ride on Kiwi the Engine, plus Tana the Tuatara, Polly the Pukeko, and Percy Penguin carriages along with Wally Weta Railcar.
The Guided Tours at Pleasant Point Railway will also be on from Saturday 12 – Sunday 27 April, with tours leaving every hour between 11am – 3pm. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
The 30th Morris Minor Convention is happening Easter weekend from Friday 18 – Sunday 20 April. It will be held at Phar Lap Raceway, Washdyke, Timaru with a car display at Pleasant Point Railway on Sunday 20 April from 10am – 11am.
Fun Family Events
The Amazing Dinosaur Discovery is coming to Timaru this Easter! Come down to Caroline Bay on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 April to view the large interactive dinosaurs. Book your tickets here.
Multicultural Aoraki are holding a family fun day, Thursday 17 April from 11am – 1:30pm at Village Green Playground, Fairlie.  Check out their Facebook page for more information.
Multicultural Aoraki are also holding a Mini Festival, Thursday 24 April from 12pm – 1pm at the Timaru Piazza.
The Temuka Holiday Park has a fantastic Easter programme from Friday 18 – Monday 21 April, with fun activities for the whole family. Check out their Facebook page for more information.
The Gypsy Fair will be happening on Port Loop Road on Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 April from 9am – 5pm. This nationwide travelling event brings family fun, live music and activities to the town, for more information head to their Facebook page.
Easter Roller Disco Friday 11 South Canterbury Speed Skating Club are holding an Easter Roller Disco on Friday 11 April, from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Brings socks and a helmet and use their free gear to skate around the rink at Marine Parade. For more information check out their Facebook page.
The South Canterbury Eco Centre welcomes you to join the world wide treasure hunt of geocaching. Visit the Eco Centre from 1pm – 3pm on Wednesday 16 April to learn more about it and how to use the app. For more information visit their website.
Mitre 10 Mega Timaru is running a Kids Easter Workshop on Saturday 12 April from 10am - 1pm. Bring the kids along to have some free creative Easter fun decorating Easter Eggs, head to their Facebook page for more info.
Check out the local school holiday programmes
There are lots of exciting and educational school holiday programmes happening over the Easter School holidays:
The Timaru District Facilities, South Canterbury Museum, the Timaru District Libraries, Aigantighe Art Gallery and CBay are all hosting a collection of fun activities and competitions over the school holiday break. Find out what's on at all of the district facilities here.
Waihi School are running four outdoor education courses from Monday 14 - Thursday 17. Activities include forest exploration, river/gorge exploration and fishing, heights and ropes, plus hike and bush skills. For more information and to book a spot, head to their website.
The Peel Forest Outdoor Centre is running an exciting outdoor course, which is a rafting day these school holidays. Full details and registration here.
Hockey South Canterbury is running a Holiday Programme for children aged Years 1-8 on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 April. For more information and to register check out their Facebook page.
Timaru Boys High School Basketball is running a two day junior basketball skills camp. The skills camp is available for girls and boys aged 9 – 14 years, happening on Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 April at the Southern Trust Event Centre from 9am – 3pm. Register using this form.
Chipmunks Timaru is running a school holiday programme with fun activities for the kids, for more information and to book head to their website.
Meet some cute locals
If your kids love animals, there are loads of places for them to get up close with some local cuties!
Feed and meet the farm animals at The Shearers Quarters or the Orari Farmyard Holiday Park. For something really special and thrilling, head to The Raptor Experience for a hands-on encounter with New Zealand raptor birds like Harrier Hawks and Little Owls. Or ride on horseback through the stunning landscapes in Fairlie at Real Kiwi Horse Trekking.
Jump and play
Want to wear the kids out? Take them to Jumpin Timaru for some trampoline fun for the whole family or to Chipmunks for games, bouncy castles and more!
Hit the mini golf and disc golf courses
Take the kids out for some competitive fun at one of the many mini golf and disc golf courses around the district.
Mini golf courses
You'll find mini golf courses at:
The Shearers Quarters
Temuka Domain
Caroline Bay
Cafe Mes Amis
Disc golf
There are disc golf courses located at Caroline Bay, West End Park and the Temuka Domain.
For more things to do in the Timaru District, check out our activities page.