Quick excursions and big days out are fun for all the family, and if you’re looking for some inspiration, look no further.
There are countless kid’s activities in Adelaide and the trickiest thing is choosing what to do first!
Your little nature-lover, big thrill-seeker or medium-sized culture buff is spoilt for choice in South Australia, so check the weather, pack some snacks, and work your way through this list of child-friendly experiences.
1. Explore a new playground
Every under five loves a playground, and there are opportunities for nature play, sensory play and adventure play all over Adelaide. Wigley Reserve Playground, Marshmallow Park Playground, Wilfred Taylor Reserve and Hendry Street Reserve Inclusive Playground are all great places to start, and if the weather’s foul, indoor playcentres like Funtopia Prospect and Imagination Kidz save the day.
2. Meet some animals
Kangaroo Island is a big hop from Adelaide, but there are animals aplenty at Adelaide Zoo and Cleland Wildlife Park. You can cuddle a koala at Gorge Wildlife Park, ride a pony at Hahndorf Farm Barn and dolphin-spot at Adelaide Dolphin Sanctuary, and if you really want to go wild, Monarto Safari Park is the largest safari experience outside Africa (an hour’s drive from Adelaide city).
3. Get sporty
Your tiny tenpin bowler and junior jumper will happily burn off some beans at Zone Bowling and BOUNCE, and SA Police’s Mock Roadway is a safe place to ride their bike.
The trampolines, climbing walls and ninja-parkour at Latitude are awesome for an older kid, and there’s mega climbing and swinging at West Beach Adventure.
AFL Max is footy heaven in Adelaide’s west, and Woodhouse Activity Centre gives brains and bodies a work-out, with obstacles, orienteering, disc golf and a maze.
Kart Mania combines fast karts and laser tag, and for an aerial adventure, hit up TreeClimb and Cirkidz Circus School, or head to the hills and climb the World’s Biggest Rocking Horse!
4. Visit a museum or art gallery
There’s history and culture of all kinds in Adelaide, and the South Australian Museum is a great place for Young Explorers to start.
If your child likes all things transport, stop at The National Railway Museum, land at the South Australian Aviation Museum, and set sail with the South Australian Maritime Museum. A tram ride, Popeye boat ride and Jet Flight Simulator are top choices too.
Also, look for the monthly kids’ events at The Art Gallery of South Australia, and watch glass-blowing from a child-safe distance at the JamFactory.
5. Explore nature
Morialta Conservation Park has natural trails, waterfalls and an amazing playground (all 10kms from the city), and there are some nice little walks at Cleland Conservation Park, Anstey Hill Recreation Park and Hallett Cove Conservation Park.
For something more cultivated, visit the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Adelaide Himeji Garden and Carrick Hill Story Book Trail, or do some fruit-picking when the season’s right.
6. Make a splash
Glenelg, Semaphore and Henley beaches are three places to practice your child’s splashing and sandcastle-building skills, and you can also get in the swim of things at Adelaide and Waterworld Aquatic Centres.
The Beachouse offers thrills and spills with waterslides, bumper boats and other drier attractions, and the slide at Semaphore Waterslide Complex is unmissable (literally) at 13.3m high. Kayaking on the River Torrens is also a fun way to build muscles and memories as a family.
7. Go on a fun tour
Top things off with a drool-icious tour of the Haigh’s Chocolate Factory, brave a ghost tour at Adelaide Goal and journey into space at the Adelaide Planetarium (which has school holiday events). Then, if you’re still hungry for entertainment, take a self-guided food tour through Chinatown and Adelaide Central Markets.
What’s on in Adelaide for kids
South Australia is the Festival State, and every year there are lots of things to do in Adelaide with kids. One-off shows come and go, and you can also diarise these fab annual fixtures:
- Royal Adelaide Show
SA’s largest, longest-running event is always a crowd-pleaser, with rides, showbags, animals, food and ribbons all rolled into one. - The National Pharmacies Christmas Pageant
This free community event brings festive cheer to the month of November, with music, magic and a special appearance by the big man in red. - Cricket
Fans are in for a treat when The Ashes hits Adelaide Oval, and there are men’s and women’s cricket series scheduled yearly at this iconic ground. - Adelaide Fringe
This month-long summer festival is designed for all ages from one to 100+, with comedy, circus, music, theatre and other arty entertainment on offer. - Adelaide Festival
Last, but not least, this cultural mainstay makes dance, theatre and opera accessible for your primary school-aged child.
Now that you’re sorted for what to do in Adelaide with kids, think about what child care you need.
Toddle makes it easy to compare child care centres and choose one that ticks the boxes for action, availability and affordability.
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