27 fun things to do with kids in Adelaide

You can find things to do with kids in Adelaide whether you have toddlers or teenagers. For toddlers and younger kids, you can enjoy indoor playspaces, check out animals at the zoo and picnic in the park. With older kids, you can run around unique outdoor play spaces, tackle aerial adventure courses and visit some of Adelaide’s kid-friendly museums. Teenagers can enjoy futuristic science museums, tour a historic former prison and zip line through the treetops. Find some of the best kids activities in Adelaide for year-round fun with your family.

1. Explore indoor and outdoor gardens at the Adelaide Botanic Garden

The Adelaide Botanic Garden is a public garden located within the Adelaide Park Lands. You can explore historic buildings including a Victorian-era glass Palm House, the Santos Museum of Economic Botany and the Goodman Building and State Herbarium. Unique locations within the Adelaide Botanic Garden include the National Rose Trial Garden, where rose species are tested in Australian climates, and the First Creek Wetlands, with educational walking trails through a specialized ecosystem. Adelaide Botanic Garden is open daily and offers free admission year-round.

2. Find your favorite animals at the Adelaide Zoo

The Adelaide Zoo is one of the oldest zoos in Australia, housing thousands of animals just north of Adelaide’s city centre. You can wander through the zoo’s lush natural habitats where regional species coexist just as they would in the wild. Explore a Southeast Asian Rainforest with Sumatran orangutans and siamangs, a free-flying bird aviary in the Australian Rainforest Wetlands, and sea lions and giraffes in the African Region. The Adelaide Zoo also maintains a children’s zoo with interactive exhibits and themed play spaces.

3. Learn about natural history at the South Australian Museum

Family activities in Adelaide include the South Australian Museum, a natural history museum located within the cultural precinct of the Adelaide Park Lands. The museum complex houses exhibits ranging from Ancient Egypt and Pacific Cultures to an Australian Polar Collection, Megafauna, and opal fossils and gem bones. A large collection of Australian Aboriginal cultural exhibits and artefacts is found within the South Australian Museum containing over 30,000 objects. Admission to the museum is free, though some special exhibits may charge a viewing fee.

4. Climb and zip line on an adventure course at TreeClimb Adelaide

TreeClimb Adelaide is an aerial adventure park with a treetop nature course tucked into the Adelaide Park Lands. The park contains 8 unique courses with over 70 obstacles comprising adventure courses for adults and children. Kids’ courses are suitable for children 100 centimetres and taller, with kids climbing independently as parents follow along from the ground below. TreeClimb Adelaide operates rain or shine, and all adventure courses include harnessing, safety briefings and a practice course.

5. Explore the Japanese-style Himeji Garden

Adelaide’s Himeji Garden is a Japanese-style garden in Park 18, or Peppermint Park, located in the southern part of the Adelaide Park Lands. The gardens include a sanusi, or mountain and lake garden, as well as a kare-sanusi, or dry rock garden. The rock garden is known as the Sea of Sand, with sand carefully raked and patterned to resemble waves of the sea. You can stroll scenic nature paths throughout Himeji Garden, encircling the lake and sculpted bonsai trees and natural elements.

6. Enjoy unique playgrounds within the Pityarilla Activity Hub

The Pityarilla Activity Hub is a great spot for family activities in Adelaide that’s located in the Adelaide Park Lands off Glen Osmond Road. At the Marshmallow Playspace, kids can enjoy water play activities, climbing structures and cubby houses inspired by Aboriginal designs. The Oxbow Playspace is a nature-inspired playground with climbing boulders and trees, wooden play frames, stepping stones and a large teepee. In the Renewed creek bed, kids can scramble over river rocks and boulders that house a mix of indigenous plants and wildlife. You’ll also find plenty of walking trails, picnic facilities and open green space to run around in.

7. See diverse artwork collections within the Art Gallery of South Australia

Family activities in Adelaide include the Art Gallery of South Australia, one of the largest public art collections in Australia. Located in the cultural precinct of North Terrace, museum exhibits range from Australian art to Contemporary Aboriginal, as well as Torres Strait Islander art, European, North American and Asian artworks. Admission to the Art Gallery of South Australia is free, though some special exhibitions may incur a fee.

8. Complete a daring aerial adventure course at West Beach Adventure

West Beach Adventure is a family-friendly adventure park located in Adelaide Shores at West Beach. Activities range from climbing and zip lining on the multistory MegaClimb structure to soaring through the air on the GiantSwing and taking a leap of faith from the MegaJump. Younger kids can adventure across the KidsCourse or climb up to the SkyWalk with parents to enjoy beautiful views across the city. Children must be 90 to 140 centimetres tall to participate in the KidsCourse and must be at least 120 centimetres for the MegaClimb.

9. Climb, slide and play at The Beachouse

The Beachouse is an all-weather family entertainment centre on Glenelg’s foreshore in Adelaide. Attractions within the 5-storey complex range from giant slides and dodgem cars to a miniature golf course, a mini train ride, a carousel and a large arcade. Kids can also climb on a multistorey play castle with obstacles, slides and jumps. The Beachouse also offers an on-site cafe with snacks, meals and refreshments. There’s no entry fee for The Beachouse, but individual attractions may require paid admission.

10. Learn about Aboriginal culture and art at Tandanya

Adelaide kids activities include Tandanya, the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute and art museum located on Adelaide’s Grenfell Street. Tandanya is one of the oldest cultural centres in Australia that is both owned and run by Aboriginal people, housing diverse collections of artwork and cultural exhibits as well as an Indigenous-infused cafe. The museum also hosts an annual art fair and activities celebrating the yearly Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art.

11. Go ice skating in Adelaide’s Ice Arena

Adelaide’s Ice Arena offers public skating and arena ice sports located in Thebarton. You can hit the ice for skating during public skate sessions, take ice skating or hockey lessons, or visit for special snow-play sessions. Skates are also available for hire for children and adults, as well as free “Come & Try” classes offered periodically throughout the year.

12. Take a train ride at the National Railway Museum

The National Railway Museum is located in Port Adelaide and is one of the largest railway museums in Australia. The museum complex houses multiple track gauges, heritage train cars, steam locomotives and diesel locomotives, as well as historical buildings and interactive spaces. Seasonal mini-train rides are available at the National Railway Museum, with 1 track on the museum grounds and another following the coast.

13. Walk the trails at Mount Lofty Botanic Garden

At the Mount Lofty Botanic Garden, you can explore winding nature trails and themed gardens on the eastern slopes of Mount Lofty in the Adelaide Hills. The flora ranges from native Australian species like tree ferns to exotic plants like rhododendrons and magnolias, as well as the National Species Rose Collection. A diverse collection of artwork and themed sculptures is featured throughout the gardens. The Mount Lofty Botanic Garden offers free admission year-round.

14. Meet mellow farm animals at the Hahndorf Farm Barn

If you’re looking for things to do with kids in Adelaide, check out the Hahndorf Farm Barn for kid-friendly activities and farm animals. Located in Adelaide Hills, the Hahndorf Farm Barn offers animal viewings and encounters year-round ranging from bottle-feeding calves and lambs to feeding kangaroos and riding ponies. You can take a tractor ride around the farm, catch an interactive animal show and check out the farm shop for refreshments and souvenirs.

15. Explore immersive science exhibits at MOD

Adelaide activities for teenagers include MOD, a museum exploring futuristic ideas, sciences and technologies. Located within the University of South Australia, the museum spaces are immersive, interactive and designed to engage young people to shape the future. 7 galleries encompass exhibits like Science on a Sphere, a sphere displaying changing planetary data in the centre of a room surrounded by interactive touch screens. MOD offers daily free entry and is typically best enjoyed by those ages 15 and older. You can check exhibit information on the MOD website before visiting to ensure it’s appropriate for your family.

16. Go strawberry picking at Beerenberg Farm

Beerenberg Farm is a family-owned farm in Hahndorf offering a range of grocery items for sale as well as seasonal strawberry picking. Strawberry season typically runs from November to April, during which you can pay to pick your own juicy strawberries in Beerenberg’s strawberry patches. Check the farm’s website before visiting to ensure that the patch is open that day, and be sure to pack water, sunscreen and hats. You can also shop for farm-fresh and homemade products ranging from fruit jams and jellies to honey, chutney, sauces and dressings.

17. Take a sightseeing cruise aboard The Popeye

The Popeye is a long-running pleasure boat service on Adelaide’s Torrens Lake in the North Parklands. Tours on The Popeye range from sightseeing cruises to themed excursions and dinner cruises, with plenty of family-friendly options. The Popeye conducts tours from its main landing at Elder Park, as well as a secondary Zoo Landing off Frome Road. If you’re interested in a more interactive experience, you can rent a paddleboat through Captain Jolley’s Paddleboats, also at Torrens Lake.

18. See kangaroos and koalas at Cleland Conservation Park

Cleland Conservation Park is a large protected area within the Adelaide Hills that houses the popular Cleland Wildlife Park. Within the Wildlife Park, you can take a guided tour along the Yurredla Aboriginal Trail, learning about culture and hearing stories from an Aboriginal guide. You can explore spacious animal habitats ranging from emus, kangaroos and koalas to dingoes, wombats, reptiles and birds. Cleland Conservation Park encompasses several waterfalls, as well as the Mount Lofty Summit, where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Adelaide Plains below.

19. Get lost in a labyrinth maze at Woodhouse Activity Centre

Woodhouse Activity Centre offers a ton of kid-friendly activities roughly 15 minutes outside of Adelaide’s city centre. This huge bushland space includes attractions like Challenge Hill, an obstacle adventure course, tube slides, a multi-level labyrinth maze, hiking trails and disc golf games. Cabin accommodation and campsites are also available at Woodhouse Activity Centre for a fun multi-day family adventure in the outdoors.

20. See historic sailing vessels at the South Australian Maritime Museum

The South Australian Maritime Museum located in Port Adelaide explores the region’s maritime history. The museum complex includes over 20,000 objects and artefacts, from maps and navigational equipment to ship figureheads, vintage swimwear and colonial navy memorabilia. Historic vessels at the Maritime Museum include multiple steam tugs, a navy workboat, sailing dinghies and a wooden ketch. You can also climb the stairs to the top of the historic Port Adelaide lighthouse to enjoy panoramic views over the water.

21. Enjoy all-weather play spaces at Lollipop’s Playland

Lollipop’s Playland is an indoor play centre for toddlers and younger children with multiple locations in Adelaide. Play equipment includes a mix of soft play, climbing structures, obstacles, bouncy inflatables and slides, with special spaces for toddler play. An on-site cafe is also available for parents to enjoy. Lollipop’s Playland utilizes a matching wristband system for parents and children, with secure gated entry to the centre for additional safety.

22. See one of Australia’s largest giraffe herds at Monarto Safari Park

Monarto Safari Park is an open-range zoo in Monarto with exotic animals housed across a massive zoological park about an hour from Adelaide’s city centre. The park encompasses more than 1,200 hectares across 5 major habitat exhibits, from cheetahs and lions to rhinoceroses, meerkats, giraffes and multiple endangered species. You can explore extensive walking trails throughout the park, as well as participate in keeper talks and special animal experiences.

23. Swim in an indoor heated pool at Adelaide Aquatic Centre

The Adelaide Aquatic Centre encompasses a complex of family-friendly indoor swimming pools and facilities located in North Adelaide. Facilities at the aquatic centre include multiple heated swimming pools for laps and special water activities, as well as leisure pools and water slides. Children can play in the octopus-themed Octopool and participate in regular family activities at the centre. The aquatic centre also offers spas, dry saunas and a steam room, as well as shops selling swimming equipment.

24. Climb to the top of Adelaide’s Big Rocking Horse

One of the iconic Adelaide kids’ activities is visiting the Big Rocking Horse in Gumeracha. This massive white and red rocking horse stands over 18 meters tall, with stairs leading to multiple viewing platforms atop the steel structure. The family-friendly complex houses an adjacent toy store offering handmade wooden toys and collectibles, as well as a small wildlife park and picnic areas. Bring some cash to purchase bags of feed to distribute to some of the mellow animals in the park. A cafe and restaurant are also on-site, offering snacks, meals and refreshments.

25. Hike to a waterfall at Morialta Conservation Park

Morialta Conservation Park is a protected area and park located northeast of Adelaide’s city centre. The park offers a mix of rugged bush environments and wooded areas, a gorge with multiple waterfalls and a beautiful series of ridges and cliffs. A large playground and nature area are housed within the park, as well as picnic areas and family-friendly walking trails. Morialta Conservation Park offers a popular hiking trail to the First Falls waterfall that’s easily accessible for families with children. Keep an eye out for wildlife in the park ranging from koalas to honeyeaters and thornbills, frogs and tadpoles.

26. See historic aircraft and engines at the South Australian Aviation Museum

At the South Australian Aviation Museum, you can explore galleries of historic aircraft and memorabilia from the region’s aviation and aerospace industries. Located in Port Adelaide, the aviation museum houses a large collection of modern and heritage aircraft, engines, propellers and rockets within multiple themed galleries. Self-guided and guided tours of the South Australian Aviation Museum are available, as is a gift shop. Family-friendly events and workshops are also held throughout the year.

27. Go on an evening ghost tour at the Adelaide Gaol

Teenagers will likely enjoy exploring the Adelaide Gaol, a historic former prison located in Adelaide’s Park Lands. The gaol is one of the oldest buildings in South Australia, operating as a prison from 1841 to 1988 and housing over 300,000 inmates during that time. Self-guided and guided tours of the museum, former prison and prison yards are available, as well as spooky evening ghost tours of the supposedly haunted site. A retail shop and cafe are also available at the Adelaide Gaol.