It’s hard to believe that the October school holidays are just around the corner.
To save you from the stress of what to do with the kids this school holiday season, we’ve put together a handy guide of seasonal events that are on offer—so you can avoid those dreaded ‘I’m bored’ complaints.
Keep the kids happy with some of these incredible and unique events happening across Adelaide!
Cleland Wildlife Park Tours
Immerse yourself in nature and Australian wildlife these school holidays with several programs at Cleland Wildlife Park, including ‘Amazing Animal Armor’, ‘Wildification’, and in-person koala experiences.
Available in the school holidays only, leave your kids for a fun session with Cleland’s education team. They’ll discover just how amazing our native Australian animals can be while being active, hands-on and trying new things!
There are two different Wildification programs to suit all ages—Junior Wildification for 5 to 7 years and Wildification for 8+ years—and the in-person koala experiences have sessions throughout the day.
Where: Cleland Wildlife Park, 365 Mount Lofty Summit Road, Crafer, SA 5152.
When: 30th September to 15th October, 9:30 am-5 pm.
For further info on session times and tickets, click here.
Hahndorf Farm Barn Daily Reptile Shows
The Hahndorf Farm Barn is a unique blend of children’s farmyard and wildlife park and provides many experiences for kids and families these school holidays.
They also host shows, including a Cow Milking Show and a Reptile Show, where kids can get up close and personal and learn how to milk a cow properly, as well as discover the different types of reptiles with a 10-minute post-show handling session for the kids, where they also get to pat a python!
Check out the website below for stacks of fun activities for the whole family in the Adelaide Hills.
Where: Hahndorf Farm Barn, 2282 Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf, SA 5245.
When: Monday to Sunday, 10 am-4 pm.
For further info, click here.
Movie Deal at the Capri Theatre
Kids can see RUBY GILLMAN: TEENAGE KRAKEN, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM or PAW PATROL: THE MIGHTY MOVIE at The Capri over the School Holidays for only $7 a ticket!
Adults can join in the movie fun for only $11, and if you want to go with the whole family, a family pass of 4 is only $35. Get $1 off popcorn and enjoy Haighs Chocolates at the Candy Bar too!
Where: The Capri, 141 Goodwood Road, Goodwood, SA 5034.
When: Saturday 30th September 2023 – Sunday 15th October 2023
For tickets and further info, click here.
Patterns of the Park at Monarto Safari Park
For kids who want to go on a safari adventure, gather the whole family and discover animal patterns around Monarto Safari Park during these school holidays. Spot the dots on the tiny Cheetah cubs, the iconic black and white stripes of the zebras and the prickly lines of a porcupine’s quills. Colour in the patchwork elephant, taking inspiration from the park and go into the draw to win a family pass and elephant retail pack!
Kids can also grab a colouring page from the Visitor Centre before they set off on their adventure and look out for inspiration at the bus stops! By submitting a photo of their creation, they can go in the draw to win a family pass to Monarto Safari Park and an elephant retail pack valued at $150.
Take your little animal lovers, comfortable walking shoes and a water bottle to top up at the free refill stations.
Where: Monarto Safari Park, 63 Monarto Road, Monarto, SA 5254.
When: September 30th to October 15th.
For further info and tickets, click here.
On Stage Workshops
On Stage is a popular performing arts program for 8-17-year-olds, and they a running a range of theatre, circus and musical theatre workshops these school holidays. This October School Holiday Program features a 3-day contemporary masterclass at the Odeon Theatre in Norwood and a two-day and one-day improv workshop at Adelaide Festival Centre. If your child is a budding performer, this is definitely for them! Tickets start at $110, and registrations close by the close of business on Friday 6th of October.
Find out more and book your tickets here.
South Australian Museum activities
The South Australian Museum has a few great activities to engage your kids during these school holidays.
See the Museum like never before with The Shadow Initiation experience, which’s part-escape room, part scavenger hunt, and part behind-the-scenes Museum tour. With 1 hour and 40+ puzzles to attempt, it’s an adventure game that’s perfect for the whole family to enjoy together and can be played by up to 4 people.
On the 11th of October, there’s a Relaxed, Sensory Friendly Evening inclusive to visitors of all ages, including those with sensory or accessibility needs, along with their families, friends and support workers. It’s a chance to see all the permanent galleries in an exclusive after-hours experience.
This is a ‘Pay-What-You-Can’ ticketed event, and numbers are limited to ensure a quiet environment. Entry to the temporary exhibition Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of Year is also included with your ticket to this event.
Find out more about The South Australian Museum activities and book your tickets here.
School Holidays UNPLUGGED at Woodhouse
School Holidays UNPLUGGED is a fully-facilitated, ‘drop & go’ kids-only adventure program, specifically designed with age-appropriate activities for kids from reception through to year six, and perfect for those who want to keep their kids off the screens, active and entertained for the whole day!
Children are grouped by age, and everyday session includes time on the popular Challenge Hill obstacle course and a private Tube Slide session (weather permitting).
For more information on School Holidays UNPLUGGED, click here.
Woodhouse also hosts various Day Adventures that are perfect for the whole family to enjoy these school holidays and include Disc Golf, The Labyrinth Maze, and Cameron’s Climb rock climbing wall, amongst others. For families that want to stay for days of fun, there’s also accommodation available for large groups as well as camping and glamping options.
Where: Woodhouse Adventure Park, 37 Spring Gully Rd, Piccadilly, SA 5151.
For all of Woodhouse Adventure Park’s kid-friendly activities, click here.
WellFest Adelaide
SA’s premier wellbeing festival is returning to the city this October school holidays and offers wellbeing seekers opportunities to try something new, treat themselves or enhance their wellbeing practice with a robust event program with something on offer for all ages! Within the 70+ event lineup, there are great events for kids and teens. Check out some of our favourites below.
TreeClimb Grand Course
The TreeClimb Grand Course will have you navigating the intricate web of suspended bridges, balance beams and thrilling ziplines over two hours. With each step, you’ll build strength, flexibility and confidence, both physically and mentally. Work together as a team to encourage and support each other or climb solo. The choice of adventure is all yours.
During WellFest Adelaide, receive a 20% discount off your TreeClimb Grand Course adventure! Apply the discount code: WELLNESSTWENTY when you book.
Where: Park 20 – Kurangga Park, Cnr. Greenhill and Unley Road, ADELAIDE SA 5000
When: Friday, 6th October to Sunday, 8 October 2023
Time: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Book tickets here.
Adelaide City and Parks Bike Tour
Take in the culture and the vibrancy of Adelaide as you cycle along the safe city streets, precincts and parklands. Discover little-known treasures, lane-way art, quirky cafes, the local’s favourites and much more. The tour includes an experienced guide, bike, helmets, and morning tea. Children aged 12-17 years must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult.
Where: Pure SA, 111 Franklin Street, Adelaide, SA 5000
When: Saturday, 7th October 2023
Time: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Book tickets here.
Mini Shimmy: Belly dance for children
Get ready to shimmy and shake at “Mini Shimmy: Belly Dance for Children” – a fun-filled event where kids can learn the art of belly dance. Each child will be invited to create their own dazzling shimmy belt before jumping into a 40-minute bouncy, wiggly, fun dance class. Suitable for children aged 5-12 who simply love to dance. An experienced instructor will teach children basic belly dance moves, encouraging self-expression and body awareness.
Grab tickets for a joyful afternoon of low-impact belly dancing suitable for all body types and dance experiences.
Where: Belly Dance Amethyst, 291a Morphett St, Adelaide, SA 5000
When: 6th October 2023
Time: 3:00 pm – 3:50 pm
Book tickets here.
Play with Clay Session 2: Coil pots
This 2-hour workshop is an introduction to using the coil method with clay, guided by artist Sara Boni. You will learn how to roll and join coils to create a pot in your desired form.
Suitable for beginners and those familiar with hand-building techniques. Children under 12 are welcome and must be accompanied by an adult.
You and your children can expect to create between one and two pieces. All materials are supplied, including clay and shaping tools. All pieces will be kiln-fired. You will receive an email once your pieces are ready for collection (approximately two weeks after the workshop).
Where: Green Dots: the green OT, 109 South Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
When: Saturday, 7th October 2023
Time: 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Book tickets here.
For more information on all the WellFest events happening these school holidays, check out their full program here.
AFL Max
Play on at AFL Max these school holidays, with daily general admission sessions where kids can bounce, climb, sprint, and kick their way around stacks of action-packed zones.
From Monday 2nd of October to Sunday 15th of October from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm daily, kids can experience a 1-hour, 2-hour session of play with multiple session times available throughout the day.
Face Footys Academy is also coming to AFL Max these school holidays on Thursday the 2nd of October, with kids from ages 5-10 years scoring first-hand tips and tricks from AFL stars, as well as cool footy merch and a Face Footys discount.
Where: AFL Max, 32 Butler Blvd, Adelaide Airport, SA 5950.
When: Monday 2nd October to Sunday 15th October.
Book tickets and more info here.
The Beachouse
Open every day throughout these upcoming school holidays, The Beachouse has various activities guaranteed to entertain and bring the fun to kids of all ages.
With everything from Dodgem Cars, Mini Golf, Play Castle, Arcade Games, Waterslide and the classic Carousel, there are stacks of options to keep the kids busy. The bonus? No entry fee and no need to book! Simply purchase a Funcard or Funband and charge with credits. You can also purchase a 10 am Time Card for $39 per person that includes 2 hours of fun and gives the kids access to certain activities until 12 noon.
Where: The Beachouse, 4 Colley Terrace, Glenelg SA 5045.
When: Saturday, 16th September to Sunday, October 15th, from 10 am.
For more information on all the packages and various deals on offer, click here.
Code Camp
Code Camp is a much-loved school holiday program run across Australia, and they’ve released an awesome program for the upcoming school holidays. A variety of camps have been introduced to the program, including their most popular Spark Camp, where children can design, code and create their very own Jurassic Park game. Kids can choose from Blue, T-Rex or Therizinosaurus, select awesome backgrounds and collectibles from the movie Jurassic World Dominion, and bring the game to life with drag-and-drop coding.
Code Camp is where parents find fun school holiday activities that empower kids to design, code and get creative.
Where:
When:
Book your tickets and find out more here.
Cirkidz
Cirkidz Holiday Program is open to children 5-12 years old and is packed with fun from Monday to Friday each week of the school holidays. With both half and full-day sessions of circus learning and fun activities, kids get to discover their circus SUPERPOWER with a bunch of friendly circus trainers guiding them through each session.
Flip out on the trampoline, soar among the rafters, learn acro tricks certain to impress, or try a bit of everything. If kids are booked in for a full day, there is a lunchtime break and DVD chill-out time from 12-12:30 pm, and if you’re booking for half a day, you can choose between a morning session starting at 8:30 am or the afternoon which starts at 12:30 pm.
Where: Cirkidz, SA Circus Centre, 27 Fifth Street, Bowden, SA, 5007.
When: Weekdays from Monday, October 2nd to Friday, October 13th, 8:30 am-4 pm.
For further session info and to book tickets click here.
Little Picassos Art Classes and Art Camp
Book your little one in for a Little Picassos art experience these school holidays, with a selection of fun and creative classes held in an inspirational and motivational studio art space for children. Classes and workshops can range from one, two or three hours to half-day sessions, with the option of also booking multiple classes in one day with supervised lunch breaks.
Their school holiday art programs are rich in variety and have art classes that will intrigue and delight every child, from skill-based fine art teachings and technique and style sessions to fun experimental classes that are suitable for children aged between 2.5-16 years old.
With classes held at three locations—Glenelg, Magill and Hyde Park—the classes are accessible to everyone, and all materials are provided, so all kids need to do is wear comfortable clothes and bring a smock if they have one (smocks are also available at the studio).
Where: Little Picassos
Glenelg: 1/686 Anzac Hwy, Glenelg, SA 5045
Hyde Park: Rear of 330 Unley Road, Hyde Park, 5061 (shop 8)
Magill: 463 The Parade, Magill, 5072 (Shop 2)
When: October 3rd to October 13th.
For tickets and further info, click here.
Flourish with Rachel, Personal Best 4-Day Course
This 4-day program is tailored to empower teenagers with essential skills to boost self-confidence, enhance presentation abilities and develop valuable life skills through a combination of interactive workshops, hands-on activities and expert-led sessions. Some of the topics covered in the program include learning confident table manners for a formal dinner, discovering how to set and achieve goals, and developing a skincare routine that suits a budget.
Where: Next Gen Memorial Drive, War Memorial Drive, Adelaide, SA 5000.
When: Monday, October 9th to Thursday, October 12th, 9:30 am-4:30 pm.
For tickets and further information on the course program, click here.
The Hospital Research Foundation Adelaide Thunderbirds School Holiday Clinics
If your little one loves netball and is keen to develop their skills or just wants to give it a go, then the Adelaide Thunderbirds Netball Clinics are a great idea. These interactive clinics vary depending on the age and skills of the players and aim to cover all aspects of the game, including attacking, defending, shooting, ball handling, footwork and match play practice. The netball clinics are a fantastic way to make new friends, build confidence and be part of a fun and inclusive environment.
The school holiday clinics cater to different age groups, with various sessions held throughout the day.
Where: Netball SA Stadium, 155 Railway Terrace, Mile End, SA 5031.
When: Tuesday October 3rd to Thursday, October 5th
For more information on the clinics and to get tickets click here.
Disney Princess The Concert
Disney Princess—The Concert makes its way to Adelaide this October after performing across the globe to sold-out shows. The acclaimed cast will feature performances of popular Disney Princess and Frozen tunes, including ‘How Far I’ll Go’, ‘A Whole New World’, ‘Colors of the Wind’, ‘Part of Your World’, ‘Almost There’, ‘Let It Go’, and more.
The performers, appearing as themselves, will celebrate these iconic characters and share exclusive, hilarious and heartfelt behind-the-scenes stories from their time on the stage and screen. Larger-than-life animation and theatrical effects will immerse the audience in pure Disney magic.
Concert-goers are encouraged to dress up in their best royal attire for the event!
Where: Adelaide Entertainment Centre, 98 Port Road, Hindmarsh, SA 5007.
When: Sunday, October 15th, 3 pm-5 pm.
For tickets and further info, click here.
Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours
For a more adventurous school holiday activity, Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours offers guided kayak tours through some of South Australia’s most stunning waterways.
Trek down creeks within the marine park and enjoy an abundance of birdlife and the mangrove forest. The Garden Island Ship’s graveyard is another unique feature of this area, where you will paddle amongst some amazing ruins of the past. The tour is led by a marine biologist who will give attendees a deep understanding of the environment, the dolphins and the history of this amazing part of South Australia.
Where: Dolphin Sanctuary Kayak Tours, Angass Inlet Boat Club, Lot 204 Garden Island Road, Port Adelaide, SA 5015.
Find out more and book your guided kayak tour here.
Is there something we’ve missed? Let us know at [email protected]
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