21 awesome things to do in Adelaide with kids

Adelaide is something of a wonderland for kids and families. It has one-of-a-kind family-friendly attractions and colourful year-round events.

Once upon a time, the words ‘hip’ and ‘Adelaide’ would never have been used in the same sentence. Yet, today the South Australian capital is a vibrant hub filled with culture, natural beauty and adventure to wow all ages.

Known as the City of Churches, the South Australian capital oozes European charm with interesting architecture, wide boulevards and pretty parks, including the lush Adelaide Botanic Gardens and Adelaide Park Lands, a sprawling expanse of gardens, ovals, green spaces, and sporting and play areas.

Eat up a storm at the impressive Adelaide Central Market and take the 20-minute drive to the Adelaide Hills where more than 60 wineries await. Grab your towels and sunscreen for a trip to one of the city’s fantastic beaches, including popular Glenelg, where you can take a dip, swim with dolphins and more. If you prefer your animal encounters on the drier side, a visit to Adelaide Zoo or a safari at open-range Monarto Zoo, about 50 minutes from the city, might be more your family’s speed.

There are so many cool things to do in Adelaide, your entire family will be spoilt for choice.

1. Adelaide Zoo

Home to over 3000 animals, the Adelaide Zoo is a guaranteed hit with the kids who will love the opportunity to hold a creepy critter, feed a giraffe, try their hand at being a keeper for the day or pack their pyjamas for a zoo sleepover. Although the giant pandas, Wang Wang and Fu Ni, reign as the zoo’s star attractions and the only giant pandas in Oz, there is also a children’s zoo, multiple feeding sessions, a river cruise on board the Popeye, walk-through aviaries and a nocturnal house.

2. Be a beach bum

With an expansive coastline and Mediterranean climate, the beaches surrounding Adelaide are a waterbaby’s dream year round. Most are in proximity to the city centre, making it easy and convenient to hop from one sandy white shore to the next and even during the cooler seasons they serve as prime picnic and sunset-viewing spots.

3. Glenelg Beach 

This seaside suburb is a playground for both kids and adults, with a bustling jetty, countless restaurants and postcard-perfect waves to splash about in – don’t forget to order gelato and watch the epic sunset. Then explore the bustling jetty and countless restaurants.

Head down to Holdfast Shores for a magnificent sunset or join one of the daily dolphin sailing tours that circuit the bay. For kids nine years and older, don your snorkels and get in the water with these magnificent mammals with Temptation Sailing.

4. Adelaide Oval

Adelaide Oval lies in the heart of the city and seats well over 50,000 people. It is hailed as one of the world’s prettiest cricket grounds and a historical landmark in its own right. The oval has hosted sporting matches since 1871.

If possible, catch an AFL football, soccer or cricket game; the experience will be legendary to say the least. If timing isn’t on your side, or tackle the RoofClimb or go behind closed doors with Adelaide Oval Tours and venture into the inner sanctum of the stadium, hear remarkable stories and learn a bit of history.

Cricket aficionados rejoice; the stadium is also home to the Bradman Collection, a bronze statue of the ‘the Don’ mid-swing and an interactive museum where you can play against the legend himself.

5. The Beachhouse

The Beachhouse is a family entertainment complex with waterslides, dodgem cars, bumper boats, a carousel, mini-golf, games and more for keeping the whole family entertained.  The Beachhouse is suitable for both sunny and rainy days.

6. West Beach Adventure

West Beach Adventure is a playground, but not as we know it. The multi-level aerial obstacle course’s 70 challenges include an 18-metre simulated freefall jump and a super-fast Giant Swing.

7. Haigh’s Chocolate Factory tour

Did someone say chocolate? Tour the Haigh’s Chocolate Factory to see confectioners create and hand finish premium chocolate. Best of all? There are special choccie tastings while on the tour. Yum!

8. St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream & Dessert

A visit to Glenelg is not complete without a trip to the St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream & Dessert. Colossal milkshakes, hot chocolate, cinnamon churros, popcorn waffles, brownie crepes… the treats will simply dazzle and serve as the perfect fix for any sweet tooth. (Expect to leave with your entourage on a massive sugar high!)

9. Bike riding

For a mix of sun, sand and speed, hire a bike for free with BIKeSA and cycle the River Torrens Linear Park Trail all the way from the Mount Lofty Ranges to Henley Beach. This beach is a local favourite with a great family-friendly atmosphere and main square home to cafes, pubs and alfresco eateries.

10. Cleland Wildlife Park

An alternative to Adelaide Zoo is Cleland Wildlife Park, a short 30-minute drive from the city, Cleland Wildlife Park comprises 35 hectares of native bushland where animals roam freely… and they love visitors, so be sure to get your feeding hands ready and keep your eyes peeled for Skippy.

11. Tandanya Arts Centre

Tandanya is the oldest Aboriginal-owned and -operated arts centre in Australia, with almost three decades under its belt. Catch a cultural presentation of the didgeridoo before exploring the four galleries.

12. Granite Island Recreation Park

Granite Island and the horse-drawn tram offer a wonderful opportunity to get away from it all and enjoy amazing eco-experiences and fine dining.

13. Monarto Zoo

Monarto Zoo is a thrilling concept combining an open-range zoo with a natural wilderness sanctuary, working toward the conservation of wildlife and nature.

14. Morialta Conservation Park

Morialta Conservation Park is one of Adelaide’s most popular parks. If you are interested in chasing waterfalls and checking out the dramatic Morialta Gorge, tackle the easy-going 1.7-kilometre First Falls Walk.

Where: Morialta Conservation Park is 10 kilometres northeast of city centre

15. A foodie tour at Adelaide Central Market

The Adelaide Central Market is an eclectic mix of sights, smells and tastes that has had tourists flocking for over 145 years. From seafood to olive oil to cheese, the food hub presents an array of local, fresh produce and an ethnic melting pot of gastronomic selections just waiting to take your tastebuds on a heavenly ride. A single visit doesn’t allow much time to visit all of the 80-plus stalls, but with Central Market Tours you can get a nibble of what’s on offer. Little foodies-in-the-making can also expand their palates with free samples from the multitude of family-owned businesses – so be sure to come hungry!

16. Head to Adelaide Hills

The Adelaide Hills Kids’ Food Trail is a great way to introduce kids to producers to learn about where their food comes from and the processes involved – the summer Cherry Trail is a particular favourite.

17. Hahndorf

Discover the unique pleasures of Australia’s oldest surviving German settlement, Hahndorf. The boulevards are infused with old-world colonial charm, from the sandstone buildings and colourful greenery to the kitsch bakeries and restaurants. Entertainment for the kids comes in the form of traditional lolly and toy shops, a fairy garden and 3 Wishes Candle Barn – where they can create their own candle to take home. Pop into Beerenberg Farm and sample the freshly made jams, sauces and condiments, or stop by the paddocks themselves for some strawberry picking from November to April. Needless to say, sightseeing families can easily spend an entire day here exploring the quirky gift shops, smallgoods outlets and nearby wineries.

18. Go green

Adelaide Park Lands is a sprawling expanse of gardens, ovals, green spaces, sporting and play areas. Bonython Park is another epic space with a flying fox, water play, sand pit and a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round. Adelaide Botanic Garden is also worthy of an extended visit with the giant lilies and succulents particular favourites.

19. Mega Adventure aerial park

If your kids are adventurous types head to the Mega Adventure aerial park. It boasts 70 obstacles that will scare them happily silly as they climb, swing and crawl through a labyrinth of sky-high challenges.

20. The Escape Hunt Experience

Calling all family detectives! If you love doing challenging things as a family, solving mysteries and consider yourself a ‘super sleuth’, then The Escape Hunt Experience is just what you’re after!

21. Cleland Conservation Park

Enjoy lunch among beautiful gum trees at Cleland Conservation Park, keeping your eyes peeled for echidnas, bandicoots, kangaroos and koalas. Added bonus? There are free-to-use gas barbecues scattered around the grounds at the entrance.

Adelaide Accommodation

The Stamford Grand Adelaide Hotel at Glenelg is located right on the beach in the popular seaside suburb. There’s a rooftop pool and kid-friendly activities, plus kids eat free with the family getaway package. The Stamford is 20 minutes from the CBD.

Oaks Adelaide Horizons Suites offer spacious and stylish serviced apartment stays with a swimming pool and parking opposite Sky City Casino and the Adelaide Oval in the heart of the CBD.

BIG4 West Beach Parks‘ brilliant beachfront location is minutes from Henley and Glenelg beaches. Along with camping and cabins, there’s a Splash Zone, jumping pillows, go-karts and more.

Marion Holiday Park boasts a 45-metre lagoon pool with a poolside bar and beer garden where parents can hang out while the water slides, jumping pillow and adventure park keep the kids busy. At night, bring the family together with a movie at the outdoor cinema. Marion Holiday Park is located just 12 kilometres from Adelaide city.

South Australia family accommodation