Christchurch Play Rangers

The Play Rangers offer free and open access play sessions where all children aged between 0-18 can come and play.

Children are encouraged to help plan the session and choose the activities they would like. Play activities include junk modelling, den building, parachute games, arts and crafts, ball games and sports. The play sessions can help children and young people to build relationships where they feel they have a friend and role model to talk to.

How does the scheme work?

The Play Rangers work together seasonally at various parks and open spaces in Christchurch in the school holidays. The sessions are operated on an open access principle which means there is no registration or fee and children are free to come and go as they please. The Play Rangers meet the requirements of the Every Child Matters Outcomes Framework by promoting healthy lifestyles through exercise, healthy eating and encouraging children to be involved in their communities.

The Play Rangers provide opportunities for children and young people to be challenged, take risks and have fun outdoors with others come rain or shine. The Play Rangers ensure that safety is paramount, but due to the nature of the environment children are responsible for their own actions. Children under the age of eight years old must have parental supervision if they wish to join in.

The Play Rangers

Our Play Rangers work to deliver direct play opportunities on site as well as organising specific events for children and young people. Our Play Rangers are Ryan Dawes and Sonia Mendonca.

If you have any queries regarding any of the sessions or if you would like more information please contact us. To find us on facebook please click on the link Christchurch Play Rangers (opens in a new window) .

To help you

For more information please see the Parents' Guide (pdf, 1Mb) (opens in a new window) or information on play areas in the Borough Christchurch play areas. You may also wish to download the map of the Play Sites (pdf, 7Mb) (opens in a new window) which includes directions to the play sites.

How you can get involved?

Christchurch Play Rangers are always looking for people to get involved in a variety of ways, including sponsorship, donations and volunteering.

If you would like more information on sponsorship or donations please use the contact details below. If you would like to volunteer and offer your experience, knowledge and skills to the Play Ranger project, you can download volunteer information which includes:

Free play sessions

The Play Rangers run seasonal events during the school holidays in rain or shine. The events are free of charge and open to all children and young people from toddlers up to the age of 18. Children under the age of eight must be accompanied at all times by an adult. The schedule of up and coming Play Ranger sessions can be found here Easter 2012 Schedule (pdf, 428kb) (opens in a new window) . More sessions for the summer holidays will be scheduled soon, including the popular electronic Neos Unit game.

Skate Jam 2012

The Christchurch 2012 Skatejam was cancelled on Saturday 14 April because of heavy rain and unsafe conditions. The event has been rescheduled for Friday 10 August, weather permitting.

Last year the event was very popular with around 250 young people attending on the day. This year the competition is open to inline skates, skateboard, BMXs and scooters. There will also be a showcase of slacklining, for the first time in Christchurch.

Entry to the competition is free and there are great prizes to be won. The competition begins at 12 noon, with registration beginning promptly at 11.30am. For more information please see the poster Skatejam 2012 Poster (pdf, 834kb) (opens in a new window) .