Adelaide is bursting with family friendly activities that will keep kids entertained for hours. Through all the excitement, they will build life skills, use their imagination and learn new things along the way. Today South Australia local Tia Cole shares 11 places you can enjoy Adelaide with kids.

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Hahndorf Farm Barn

Younger kids will love Hahndorf Farm Barn where everyone is encouraged to have hands on farm experience. There are also fun, informative animal talks throughout the day, including a reptile show.

You and the kids will create some special memories, including:

• Milking a cow
• Hold baby chicks
• Bottle feed lambs
• Go for pony rides
• Ride a tractor

With hours of animal encounters on offer, it is a good idea to bring a picnic to enjoy out in the paddock where there are both open and undercover picnic areas and BBQ stations for hire. There is also a kiosk where you can enjoy nice refreshments.

Be mindful that with all the farm animals, feed and muddy ground, the little ones may want to wear gumboots and clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty on their fun farm adventure.

Where: 2282 Mount Barker Road Hahndorf,

Story Book Trail

Your little ones will create magical childhood memories at South Australia’s Story Book Garden, which is free to wander. On your arrival you will be amazed by the grand manor and the enchanting formal gardens that surround.

Along the sandy parkland walk, you will weave through ponds and trees where classic children’s tales are bought to life within the natural world.

Younger children will let their imaginations run wild as they discover hidden treasures from fantasy stories, including:

• The Hobbit
• Three Billy Goats Gruff
• Harry Potter (Quidditch Tree)
• The Secret Garden
• The Jungle Book
• The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

The bathroom is located 1km down the path at Carrick Hill Café which serves lunch along with mouth-watering sweets for you and the family to enjoy after your fairy-tale adventure. Alternatively you can pack a picnic to enjoy surrounded by the magic of the gardens.

Where: 46 Carrick Hill Drive, Springfield,

Escape Hunt

Head into Adelaide’s City Centre along Rundle Mall and step into a world of mystery at Escape Hunt. With 4 different escape scenarios to choose from, it’s a perfect wet weather choice. Whether you are lost ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’ or trying to escape the ‘Great White Killer’, the plots and difficulty ratings will help to decide which escape room is best for the whole family.

With up to 6 people from ages 7+, the family will have to use their team bonding skills to decipher the clues, solve the mystery and escape before the 60 minute timer is up. This thrilling experience will allow the kids to have a blast while tapping into their problem solving, communication, and cooperation skills.

Where: Level 3, 133 Rundle Mall, Adelaide,

South Australian Museum

Within the cultural precinct of the Adelaide Park Lands, kids will be enlivened as they learn about the world and build life skills through stimulating exhibits and interactive activities at the South Australian Museum.

The museum hosts a 1hr mysterious game, the Shadow Initiation game, which has 40+ puzzles to solve to win and unlock museum secrets. It is age appropriate for those 7+ and requires a booking.

You can check their website to see what the current exhibitions are. A good time to visit is during the school holidays where there are always family friendly events that the children will love.

All levels are accessible by the lifts and the parent room is located on the ground floor along with lockers. Outside in the picnic area is the Coffee Caravan to fulfil your caffeine and lunch needs during week days.

Where: North Terrace, Adelaide

Art Gallery of South Australia

Continue the visual adventure around the corner on North Terrace at the Art Gallery of South Australia. The kids can get creative in The Studio where they can draw, paint, weave, sculpt and more. The Studio theme changes to compliment the current gallery exhibition so each visit is unlike the last.

On the first Sunday of each month from 11am-3pm is Start at the Gallery, a family friendly, free event where children aged 3-12 will be introduced to art through activities, tours, live performances and entertainment. Bookings aren’t required. Just show up and enjoy.

The Art Galley Café is situated outside with a lovely enclosed grass area for the children to run around and play in the sun. The menu has a number of healthy options and also caters to many dietary needs.

General entry is free however fees may apply for exhibitions.

Where: North Terrace Adelaide

The Beachouse

Keep the younger kids entertained at this family friendly amusement park. At Beachhouse you can easily spend a few hours here with 5 levels of entertainment including an arcade, a train ride around the western styled mini golf course, the play castle which is perfect for children under 6, and more.

There are change rooms so the whole family can splash around with some water play on the bumper boats which are protected with big rubber rings and there are 3 water slides which are open during weekends, school holidays and most public holidays.

Tip: Bookings are essential in school holidays

Different package deals are available for easy tap and play, so you only pay for the activities you want. The deals come with a fun band which is rechargeable, valid for 18 months and on top of that, there is no entry fee.

Need to know: There are minimum height restrictions for some rides, which are 100cm and 120cm. Lockers are available to keep your valuables, towels and a change of clothes. All levels are accessible via the lift and there are showers and a parent room available.

The café serves hot food, treats, and alcoholic beverages for the adults to enjoy while the kids run wild.

Where: 4 Colley Terrace, Glenelg

West Beach Adventure Course

The whole family will get the adrenaline pumping at the West Beach Adventure Course. Adults and older kids can face 70 aerial obstacles to conquer at their own pace on the grand course, call on courage for the 18m Vertical Drop and have a blast on the 3 person Mega Swing, which is much more exhilarating than your average flying fox. There is also a kids’ Course for the little ones.

The café is conveniently positioned next to the kids’ Course so you can cheer them on. You can also admire the stunning view of the adventure course from the Sky Walk, which is accessible by 83 stairs. There is no spectator fee if you want to just come and watch the kids.

There is no age limit however, for safety precautions the weight limits are 20kg – 128kg and height restrictions are 90cm for the kids course and for those 120cm – 140cm must be accompanied by and adult on the Mega Climb.

Unless the weather is deemed unsafe, the park runs rain or shine, so wear enclosed shoes, sunscreen and comfortable sports wear that cover your shoulders and you aren’t afraid to get dirty.

Online bookings are recommended and are essential during school holidays. The park is open every day during school holidays and on public holidays other than Christmas.

Where: 4 Hamra Ave, West Beach

A day trip to Strathalbyn is a fun family day out.

Adelaide Fringe

Adelaide City is host to the renowned family friendly event, Adelaide Fringe, which exhibits vibrant performances that include comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret, music, visual arts, workshops and more, along with pop-up stores and mouth-watering food trucks with world-wide cuisines.

The event itself is free to enter but shows require pre-booked tickets. Finding a carpark around this time can be difficult so we recommend arriving early and be weary that you may have to walk a couple blocks. Visit Adelaide Fringe to plan your visit.

Cleland Wildlife Park (aka Cleland Conservation Park)

South Australia is home to many wildlife parks including the Cleland Wildlife Park in the Adelaide Hills. Spend a couple of hours here to discover the wildlife at your own leisure and feed Australian animals along the way.

Tip: Book a keeper talk in advance so you don’t miss out on up-close animal interactions with echidnas, butterflies and more friendly creatures.

20 minutes from Adelaide CBD, the park is only closed on Christmas Day and during extreme fire warnings. Parking is free and the toilets are located by the café along with a parent’s room. There are BBQ facilities and picnic tables out in the greenery. Prams are also available for hire. If you don’t have a vehicle, you can join a day tour.

Where: 365 Mount Lofty Summit Road, Crafers (Adelaide Hills)

Captain Jolley’s Paddle Boats

Get active with a mini river cruise on the most significant river in Adelaide Plains, the River Torrens/Karrawirra Parri. For 30 minutes, you will have a unique view of the beauty within the South Australian Capital as you flow past Adelaide Oval, pedalling down the river which dissects the city centre.

They have two sizes of boats available. The yellow pedal powered boats can seat 2 people with a little one in the middle and life jackets are provided. They also have blue boats that can seat 2 adults and 2 kids. Don’t forget your sunscreen.

Where: You board in Elder Park

Elder Park

Continue relaxing within this stunning park by the River Torrens for a family picnic, a leisurely stroll, or depending when you visit, the park hosts many free community events such as the Ozasia Moon Lantern Festival.

There are public toilets nearby the park on King William Road and if you can’t find street parking, the Festival Carpark is only a 3-minute walk.

Where: King William Rd, Adelaide

Even more options for entertaining kids in Adelaide

If you have exhausted the options try some of these:

• Adelaide Botanic gardens
• Port Adelaide – street art and museums
• Older kids might enjoy Adelaide Central Market
• Climbing the Adelaide Oval roof
• Teens will love the Jimmy C Street Art Tour
• Check out the Port Adelaide Dolphins or take a swim with them.
• Treeclimb Adelaide
• Fairy Garden
• Open Range Zoo

Best Times to Visit Adelaide with Kids

It is always a good time to have a family fun day out, especially during school holidays but generally the best times for family outdoor adventures are during the Spring and Autumn months. Note that June is typically the wettest month in South Australia.

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