School holiday fun

No need to stay housebound with the little ones, we’ve got your plans covered these school holidays. Along with all the amazing playspaces around the city, there’s plenty to do with our list of free and cost-friendly activities that you and the kids are going to love! 

Adelaide Central Market always have activities for the kids each school holidays, and this school holidays is no exception. The self-guided Market Trail shows the little ones around the market, where they get samples from each of the stalls along the way. There are also a series of free events that change seasonally each school holidays, so keep your eyes peeled. We suggest you book ahead to make sure all the little ones have something to do.

The JamFactory is offering free tours for all ages beginning at 11 am every Monday to Friday. These tours are available outside of school holidays too, but why not use the break to introduce your kids to a staple in South Australian craft and design.

As well as a JamFactory tour to explore behind the scenes and more, we suggest you time your visit to coincide with their glassblowing demonstrations, which happen every Monday to Friday 9 am to 12 pm and 12:30 pm to 4:30 pm (aside from Wednesday afternoons and the last Friday of every month). The kids will be endlessly fascinated by the spectacle of the growing glass sculptures, and if it’s something you haven’t seen yet either, we guarantee you’ll be rapt too.

The Migration Museum is a great way to mix school holiday fun and an educational daytrip this break. The Migration Museum is filled with interactive exhibitions and educational games that will keep your young ones busy for hours.

Let the kids bring out their inner explorer by collecting a pre-made chatterbox during their visit. It holds clues to the whereabouts of pictured objects located throughout the museum. Or if the kids are feeling crafty they can take one home to make themselves! 

Topping it all off, the Migration Museum has free entry and free tours – let your kids learn something this school holidays. 

Want to see a different view of Adelaide? Hop on a boat and paddle along the Torrens, passing the Convention Centre, Adelaide Oval, and many other riverside sights of Adelaide. $20 buys you and two friends (or children) a 30-minute paddle. Life jackets are provided for the littler paddlers, so everyone can enjoy their ride while being safe at the same time.

A picnic in the botanic gardens is a great way to spend some time in the sun these school holidays. With free entry into the Botanic Gardens, we suggest you make a full day out of it. Pack a picnic basket with the kid’s favourite lunchtime snacks, grab the picnic blanket, and find yourself a nice tree to set up underneath. Although balls are strictly prohibited, why not bring along paper and pencils and draw some of the plants and friendly animals you find? Or stick with the classics and play a game of chasey on the lawns. If you run out of snacks by the afternoon, no need to worry, the onsite kiosk is filled with plenty of tasty treats for hungry tummies.

The Adelaide Botanic Gardens also plays host to a popular school holiday program designed to promote fun, hands-on learning about plants, animals and the environment. Ticket costs range from $10 up to $30 - book early as spots sell out.

TreeClimb Adelaide is Australia’s first inner-city aerial adventure park, set up in the park lands. If you’ve got little thrill seekers at home, this is the perfect School Holiday activity for you. The Kids Course takes 80 minutes to complete, and costs $29 per child. Safety is paramount – the harnesses and helmets are provided, as is a safety training course at the beginning of every climb. Although parents are welcome to join in, if you’d rather sit on the side lines and take photos of your little adventurers, there is an eco-hut that serves hot and cold beverages for your enjoyment.