Things to Do in Adelaide with Kids: 12 Activities Children Actually Love

Adelaide is a remarkably child-friendly city — the free museums, the wildlife parks, the beaches, the open parklands ringing the CBD, and the genuinely short distances between everything make it an easy place to spend a day with children without it feeling like an endurance event. This list covers the activities that actually hold children's attention: the ones where they ask to come back, not the ones where they last 20 minutes before asking for their phone.

Free Family Activities in Adelaide

1. South Australian Museum

Free entry and genuinely world-class. The whale skeleton hanging from the ceiling of the main hall stops children in their tracks on the way in. The Aboriginal Cultures gallery is the most significant collection of its kind in the world — the museum is careful about how it presents the material, and kids tend to engage more than parents expect. The dinosaur and meteorite rooms are the perennial favourites. Budget 2–3 hours; there's a good café inside. Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000. Open daily 10am–5pm.

2. Adelaide Botanic Garden

Free, and a genuine adventure for younger children who want to run. The Amazon Waterlily Pavilion has giant lilies that kids will want to stand on (they can't, but the attempt is entertaining). The Bicentennial Conservatory is a full-scale tropical rainforest under glass — warm, humid, and full of plants that look like they belong in a film. Pack a picnic and find the duck pond. Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000. Open daily from 7:15am.

3. MOD. Museum of Discovery

Free to enter, and designed specifically to be interactive rather than hands-off. MOD sits at the University of South Australia on North Terrace and focuses on science, technology, and human experience — the exhibits change regularly, and everything is designed to be touched, pulled, pressed, and explored. Better for children 7 and older who want to engage with ideas rather than just look at things. Address: 1 Morphett St, Adelaide SA 5000. Open Wednesday–Sunday.

4. Elder Park and River Torrens Paddle Boats

The paddle boats on the Torrens are a reliable winner with children who have leftover energy after the museums. Hire from the Elder Park boathouse (around $20 for 30 minutes) and paddle upstream toward the zoo. The Popeye riverboat also runs short cruises from the same jetty — good for younger children who aren't up for paddling. Free to walk and play in the park itself.

Best Paid Activities for Kids in Adelaide

5. Cleland Wildlife Park

Twenty minutes from the CBD in the Adelaide Hills, and the most hands-on wildlife experience in the state. Kangaroos roam free and will eat pellets from your hand; koala holds are available at set times (book when you arrive); emus, wombats, and Tasmanian devils are all viewable. Budget a full half-day. Adults $32, children (4–15) $15.50. Open daily 9:30am–5pm. Address: 365 Mt Lofty Summit Rd, Crafers West SA 5152.

6. Adelaide Zoo

Home to Wang Wang and Fu Ni — Australia's only giant pandas — as well as an African savannah precinct, a free-flight bird aviary, and over 2,500 animals in total. The panda exhibit tends to draw a crowd; arrive early or visit on a weekday. Allow three hours minimum. Adults from $39, children (3–14) from $22. Book online to save the queue. Address: Frome Rd, Adelaide SA 5000.

7. Adelaide Magic Theatre

The main Saturday night show is suitable for children 8 and up — 70 minutes of close-up magic, sleight of hand, and comedy that works for adults and older kids simultaneously. The magic happens close enough that children in the front rows are part of the action, not observers of it. Our magician Sam King has a background in children's performance and knows how to read a young audience.

For younger children specifically, keep an eye on our dedicated kids' magic shows — we run occasional afternoon sessions designed for ages 5 and up, with shorter running times and magic pitched directly at a younger crowd. Check the booking page for upcoming dates. Adults from $45; concession $40. Address: The Lost Dice, 111 King William St, Adelaide CBD. Book here →

8. Bounce Inc Trampoline Park

An enormous warehouse of interconnected trampolines, foam pits, climbing walls, and obstacle courses. Exhausts children completely in under two hours, which is either the point or a welcome side effect depending on your perspective. Good for ages 5 and up; separate areas for toddlers. Book online to guarantee a session — popular with birthday parties and can fill out on weekends. Adults $22–28; children from $18 depending on age and session length. Address: 25 West Thebarton Rd, Thebarton SA 5031.

Day Trips with Kids from Adelaide

9. Morialta Conservation Park (20 min from CBD)

A series of gorge trails and waterfalls that feel genuinely wild despite being close to the city. The First Falls walk is manageable for children old enough to walk a kilometre — rocky in parts, rewarding at the end. Go in winter or spring when the water is actually falling. Spot native wildlife including yellow-footed rock-wallabies on the upper trails. Free entry; dogs allowed on leads. Address: Norton Summit Rd, Rostrevor SA 5073.

10. Glenelg Beach

The tram from Victoria Square takes about 25 minutes and delivers you directly to the esplanade — no driving, no parking stress. Glenelg has calm, shallow water that suits younger swimmers, a jetty for fishing and walking, and enough cafes and ice-cream options to keep everyone happy. The adjacent Beachfront playground is good for toddlers. Free entry.

11. Beerenberg Farm, Hahndorf (40 min from CBD)

A working farm in the Adelaide Hills where children can see how the famous strawberry jam is made — and pick strawberries in season (November to April). The farm shop is open year-round, and the drive through the Hills is pleasant enough to be part of the activity. Combine with lunch in nearby Hahndorf for a solid half-day. Free entry to the farm shop; strawberry picking charged per punnet. Address: 131 Bald Hills Rd, Hahndorf SA 5245.

12. Adelaide Oval Stadium Tour

The behind-the-scenes tour takes families through the players' rooms, onto the ground, and up to media areas — kid-friendly commentary throughout and good for children who follow football or cricket. The museum section covers the history of Adelaide Oval and Australian sport. Adults $22, children from $10. Tours run daily; book at adelaideoval.com.au.

Tips for a Great Day Out with Kids in Adelaide

• Start with the museums on North Terrace — SA Museum, Art Gallery, and MOD are all free, all within a short walk of each other, and all air-conditioned. A good fallback if the weather turns.
• The free CBD tram is genuinely useful — it connects the museums, the Botanic Garden, and the beach (to Glenelg). Kids enjoy the tram ride itself.
• Cleland Wildlife Park needs a morning — get there when it opens and the animals are active. By early afternoon on hot days the kangaroos find shade and are less interested in interacting.
• Book magic show tickets in advance — 25 seats means it sells out, and it's the kind of thing that backfires badly if you rock up and there are no seats. Book online here.
• School holidays get busy everywhere — the zoo, Cleland, and Bounce in particular. Book ahead or go early in the week.

Age Guide: What Works for Which Ages

• Under 5: Botanic Garden, Torrens paddle boats, Glenelg beach playground, Elder Park.
• 5–8: SA Museum, Cleland (koala hold!), Morialta (shorter trail), Beerenberg Farm.
• 8–12: Adelaide Zoo (pandas), Bounce, Adelaide Magic Theatre, MOD, Morialta full trails.
• Teens: Adelaide Magic Theatre, Oval Stadium Tour, RoofClimb (with adults), Adelaide Fringe shows.