Wondering what to do in the school holidays? From traversing through the treetops, to exploring natural wonderlands and tackling adrenaline-fuelled obstacle courses, there’s plenty of school holidays activities to entertain pint-sized punters. Start planning with our top family friendly things to do in Adelaide that will keep everyone from toddlers to teens happy.
1. TREECLIMB
Unleash your little Tarzans among the treetops in the heart of Adelaide. Perched in the canopy of Kurrangga Park, kids of all ages can swing, leap and climb through seven different routes with more than 70 suspended obstacles at TreeClimb. With courses of varying difficulty featuring ziplines, bridges, ladders, log-walks, swings and rock climbing, it’s the perfect family-friendly activity in Adelaide. Be sure to grab the measuring tape before you head out, your kids will have to be 100cm or taller to experience TreeClimb.
2. STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING
With almost 4,000 kilometres of white ocean sand, South Australia’s coastline awaits and one of the best ways to explore this vast watery playground is gliding along the glassy waters. A short 40-minute drive to Port Willunga will put you and the family in prime stand up paddle boarding territory. Just keep your eye out for the SUP Down South sign to rent stand-up paddleboards or arrange a lesson with one of the accredited instructors. You can also hire SUP boards at Xtreme Kites & Paddle in Port Lincoln or SUP with dolphins on tour with Adventure Kayaking.
3. FRUIT PICKING
Show the kids where their food comes from on a fruit-picking expedition through South Australia. From cherries to strawberries, apricots, figs and blueberries to citrus, apples and pears, South Australia’s best produce is ripe for the picking and within reach of the city. Pick and eat your way down rows of sweet and juicy strawberries at Beerenberg Farm, pluck perfectly ripe figs from the orchards of Glen Ewin Estate, or feast or ruby-red gems at Martin Hill Cherries. Take the pick of the crop with our guide to the best places to pick your own fruit in South Australia.
4. CHOCOLATE FACTORIES
Has your little one always dreamed of being Charlie IN the chocolate factory? Balance out all that fruit with a healthy dose of chocolate at one of South Australia’s famous chocolate factories. Start off with a free factory tour of iconic Haighs where kids can learn how their favourite chocolates are made and, of course, taste test for themselves! Next, head for Barossa Valley Chocolate Company in the heart of the Barossa. Here, kids can watch chocolatiers at work, decorate their own chocolate block and try their hand at the art of chocolate making. There’s even a chocolate and cordial pairing for your little ones to enjoy while you sample your way through a wine and chocolate flight. Insatiable chocolate cravings? We hear you! More chocolatey goodness awaits at Melbas Chocolate Factory in the Woodside.
5. MONARTO SAFARI PARK
Banish the dreaded ‘I’m bored’ and set-off on an African safari at Monarto Safari Park. Watch lions, cheetahs and zebras roam over a 1,500 hectare open-range sanctuary, all from the comfort (and safety) of a shuttle bus. See Simba out of the TV and in real-life at Australia’s only 360° lion experience. Marvel at this king of the jungle from a distance or get right up close in an unforgettable ‘feed the lion’ experience. As Monarto Safari Park is a conservation charity on a mission to save species from extinction, this experience is equally amazing as it is educational.
6. FAMILY FRIENDLY WINERIES
It is possible to have your wine and drink it too at South Australia’s best child-friendly wineries. From kid friendly wineries with playgrounds, to kids’ cheese flights and even a cellar door with a wildlife park, South Australia is dotted with wineries where grownups can enjoy a guilt-free glass or two. Some of our favourite family friendly cellar doors include Kimbolton Wines, Woodstock Wines and Gemtree Wines. Here’s our guide to the best family friendly wineries near Adelaide and beyond.
7. BOUNCE
With more than 50 interconnected trampolines (that’s about 3,000 square metres of bouncing bliss), Bounce is the ultimate school holiday destination to get the whole family active. The warehouse-turned giant trampoline theme park is the stuff of childhood dreams, with a dodge ball area, slam dunk runway and giant foam pit for the ultimate airborne adventure. The X-Park obstacle course is the ultimate test for adrenalin junkies featuring moveable blocks, vault boxes and swinging bars.
8. WOODHOUSE
Nestled in lush Piccadilly in the Adelaide Hills lies Woodhouse Activity Centre, an outdoor activity hub for kids of all ages. Just 15 minutes from the city, spend some quality time in the great outdoors exploring the 54-hectare property surrounded by picturesque bushland. Climb, crawl, swing and slide your way through more than 30 obstacles on Challenge Hill, tackle a giant split-level maze, slide down two epic tube slides, negotiate one of seven orienteering courses or have a round of disc golf (think golf with a frisbee). With so much on offer, its lucky accommodation is available on-site including space for bush camping.
9. AFL MAX
If you’re looking for ideas to keep your budding sports star entertained, we have found the answer: the brand-spanking-new AFL Max. Developed by some of the biggest names in the game, little footballers can explore seven zones at the huge sports and entertainment hub with kicking, passing, fitness and tackling activities designed to enhance their AFL skills while having a whole lot of fun. But don’t expect your average footy practice drills – think AFL-themed jumping zones, climbing walls, tackling courses, virtual reality experiences and even an AFL draft-testing facility. AFL Max is the only centre of its kind in Australia and is just 15 minutes west from the city at Adelaide Airport.
10. MINI GOLF
Nothing says school holiday fun like a round of good old-fashioned mini golf, and Australia’s largest dinosaur themed mini golf course, Barossa Bowland, lies just an hour from the city. After putting away the afternoon, Hungry dino-golfers will love the wood oven pizzas afterwards, and with the world-renowned vineyards of the Barossa within reach, parents are well catered for, too. You’ll also find mini golf fun at The Beachouse in Glenelg, at Holey Moley in the city, West Beach Mini Golf on the coast and Naracoorte Mini Golf on the Limestone Coast.
11. MEGA ADVENTURE
Skateboarding, tennis, row boats and picnics in the sky? Reach new heights at Mega Adventure in West Beach just 20 minutes from the city. The gigantic aerial adventure course features more than 70 obstacles including ziplines, rope bridges, climbing towers and a few quirky additions like a floating esky and sky-high BMX bike. For those brave enough, take a leap of faith from the ParaJump or climb 30 metres to the crow’s nest lookout. If you’re not an adrenalin junky, take the steps up to the viewing platform and soak in sweeping views across the ocean and Adelaide Hills.
12. LATITUDE
Your little ones will climb, bounce and play the day away at Latitude, an epic activity centre that has something to keep kids of all ages entertained for hours. The perfect all-weather kid-friendly destination and one of the best school holidays activities, this epic indoor centre has an impressive set up of more than 100 trampolines, rock climbing, stepping poles and an eight-meter bungee tower. There’s also a giant airbag, basketball lanes, dodgeball courts, a huge foam pit, aerial obstacle course and play zone. Rainy afternoon plans sorted!
13. BIKE TRAILS
For the ultimate school holiday shred-sesh, make tracks for one of South Australia’s incredible bike trails. From cruising along the coast to tackling mountain peeks or pedaling through vineyards (you’re welcome, parents) there’s a family-friendly bike trail to suit all levels in South Australia, and many are just minutes from the city. Some of our favourite spots for a family-friendly ride include the Encounter Bikeway, the River Torrens Linear Park Trail and the Coast to Vines Rail Trail. Get on your bike and get kids active with our guide to the best cycling trails in South Australia.
14. NATIONAL PARKS AND GARDENS
Looking for free school holiday activities? Mother Nature has you covered. Vast expanses of bushland teeming with wildlife, fresh air and plenty of spots for the whole family to stretch their legs await on Adelaide’s doorstep. Leave the iPads at home and explore waterfalls in Morialta Conservation Park, go for a walk along the coast at Hallett Cove Recreation Park, take the kids for an off-road bike ride in Shepherds Hill Recreation Park or picnic among the trees at Mount Lofty or Adelaide Botanic Garden. Check out our guide to the best national parks near Adelaide and give the whole family a good dose of natural therapy.
15. MORIALTA ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND
Get back to nature at Adelaide’s biggest playground – Mukanthi in Morialta Conservation Park. The award-winning nature-based playground sprawls over an area almost the size of Adelaide Oval and has five play areas to explore. With a focus on natural materials and experiences, kids can explore the climbing tower, huge slide, maze, climbing boulders, rope ladders and swings. There’s also barbecue facilities and sheltered picnic areas so bring your lunch and make a day of it.
16. SASMEE PARK
Tucked behind the railway line at Millswood you’ll find a train station of a different scale, specifically designed for little passengers. SASMEE Park is a miniature train experience with a range of model steam and diesel ride on experiences for little locomotive lovers. The park is only open every second weekend on alternate Saturdays or Sundays, so be sure to check opening times.
