The summer holidays are finally here, which means beach visits, lots of outdoor play, and of course, Christmas! Not sure where to take the kids these school holidays? We’ve made it super-easy for you with our guide for things to do while school is out and the sun is shining.
Santa’s Wonderland
If you love Christmas, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to visit Santa’s Wonderland. Running from December 5 to December 24, when you book a session you can enjoy 3 hours of festive fun with amusement rides, ice skating, jumbo jumping castles and even the Christmas Activity Trail. There’s also a Wonderland Showbag, plenty of carnival food to indulge in, and photo ops with Santa. Ho, ho, ho!
For more information, click here.
Adelaide Zoo – Go Wild
This fun trail at the Adelaide Zoo is entertaining for the big kids, the little kids, and even the grown-ups. If you love animals, pick up your Play Wild booklet, then set off on an action-packed adventure where you’ll learn more about Australia’s cute and wonderful native animals. Open every day of the school holidays from 9:30am to 5pm.
For more information, click here.
Art Gallery of South Australia
With over 45,000 works of art from around the world and alternating exhibitions on display, the Art Gallery is a perfect way to introduce art to your children. Currently, they have a program running on the first Sunday of every month called Start, offering a free, family-friendly occasion with art activities, tours, live performances and entertainment.
For more information, click here.
The BeacHouse
Featuring three enclosed waterslides, dodgem cars, an 18-hole mini golf course, blaster boats, and much more, the BeacHouse is jam-packed with fun and adventurous activities for children and adults. Especially in summer, the waterslides are a perfect way too cool off after a day out in the sun.
For more information, click here.
Woodhouse Adventure Park – Unplugged
Woodhouse in Piccadilly is a giant outdoor playground packed with energy-burning adventures, with their Unplugged activities suitable for kids in Reception (must have completed a term of school) through to year six. The program runs from December 15 – 19, and January 12 – 23. It’s screen-free, outdoors, and full of fresh-air fun that leaves them happily exhausted. Are you a Scouts SA member? You can get 20 per cent off! What a bonus!
For more information, click here.
The Lane Vineyard Estate Picnics
What better way to spend a lazy summer day than with a picnic? Get the kids together and follow The Lane walking map, find your own private picnic table at one of five stunning locations, and enjoy a chef-made picnic hamper made with seasonal ingredients, all enjoyed against a picturesque backdrop of shady gum trees and the rolling vineyards of the estate. Picnics are open from now until April, and hampers include a choice of vegetarian, gluten-free, or regular options. What bliss!
For more information, click here.
South Australian Museum
As one of the most visited museums in the nation, the South Australian Museum is open seven days a week and offers an incredible array of interesting exhibits for children to delve into. With a feast of family-friendly experiences available, the museum offers a perfect outing that will keep the kiddies entertained and educated at the same time. They can even get hands-on in the Discovery Centre and learn all about fossils and gemstones.
For more information, click here.
Fox in a Box – Escape Room
Ready to level up your school holiday fun? Get ready to crack codes, solve puzzles and escape danger in one of Adelaide’s most immersive escape room experiences. With themed rooms and just the right amount of challenge, Fox in a Box is a brilliant choice for families, friends or high-energy teens looking for something different these holidays.
For more information, click here.
X-Golf + Hey Caddy
X-Golf Marion and West Lakes are your one-stop place for entertainment, golfing fun and delicious food. Conveniently located South or West of the city, with ample parking, and close to Westfield shopping centres, it’s easy to build a whole day out with the kids. X-Golf is also a great place for summer birthday parties with indoor comfort, a dedicated party room and packages to suit all budgets. Take the worry out of planning a party in the festive season. Take a look at the school holiday bundles on offer, and get putting!
For more information, click here.
Jr Chocolatier Workshop
If the kids love chocolate, they’ll go crazy for the chocolatier workshops hosted by the Barossa Valley Chocolate Company! With everything to satisfy even the sweetest of sweet-tooths, these junior workshops are full of games, activities and festive fun for kids aged 5-12.
For more information, click here.
Big Brains Tiny Hands at Urth Clay Studio
Pottery gets playful at Urth Clay Studio with hands-on sessions for kids and teens aged 8 to 18. On selected dates in December and January, children can mould, squish and sculpt their way through clay in an uplifting creative space that’s big on mindfulness and muddy joy.
For more information, click here.
Adelaide Botanic Gardens
The Adelaide Botanic Gardens is a staple of our beautiful city, teeming with wondrous indigenous plant life and native wildlife. Take a walk through the trees, follow a cultural garden tour, or stop into the kiosk for a cold soft drink or iced coffee. Plus, with all those open areas amidst the plants, there’s plenty of space for the kids to run around.
For more information, click here.
Cirkidz Holiday Program
Flip, fly and climb at the Cirkidz circus centre in Bowden. With sessions for ages 5 to 12 including aerial skills, trampolines and pick’n’mix circus games, this is high-energy fun from a team that knows how to bring out the performer in every child.
For more information, click here.
Australian Space Discovery Centre
Free and open seven days (except public holidays), the Australian Space Discovery Centre is launching little explorers into orbit with interactive exhibits, live mission feeds and holiday workshops. From robotics to rocketry, every visit is packed with hands-on fun and learning.
For more information, click here.
TreeClimb
The TreeClimb experiences are for all ages, but they do have one specific course for the littlest of adventurers. The course consists of more than 45 obstacles, including ziplines, and is the ultimate fun-in-the-sun experience. Adults are permitted to coach and encourage from the ground, but are not able to use the equipment themselves. The only requirement for children, is that they need to be at least 100cm tall. Let’s get climbing!
For more information, click here.
Semaphore Summer Carnival
Carnival fans? From December 13 2025 to January 26 2026, the Semaphore foreshore will be a hive of amusement-park activity and dazzling with neon lights. Only closed on Christmas Day, this event promises a day of fun and games – and plenty of rides! – for the whole family.
For more information, click here.
Wilbur’s Wildlife Discovery Centre
If you’re looking for an animal experience that is hands-on and gets the kids up close and personal with some incredibly cool reptiles, check out Wilbur’s Wildlife Discovery Centre at the District Outlet Centre at Parafield Airport. Summer fun for the whole family, activities include an interactive wildlife show and play zone, a mini golf course, and an expanded paleontologist zone with dinosaur fun.
For more information, click here.
Summer School Holiday Program – Adelaide University
Sports-crazed kids will love this one. Developed by Adelaide University Sport and Fitness, the Summer School Holiday Program is for children aged 5-11 years old. Introducing kids to a wide range of different sports, these entry-level skill sessions are ideal for kids with lots of energy to burn!
For more information, click here.
Sprout Cooking Classes
Encourage your child to embrace their inner chef! Sprout offers cooking classes for young foodies, using fresh, healthy and seasonal ingredients, all made from scratch. Create a fabulous two-course meal, have a blast, and learn some valuable cooking skills.
For more information, click here.
Code Camp
Coding is the future! Every tech genius will tell you that coding is the backbone of technology, and for tech-savvy kids aged 5-12, Code Camp is the place to be. Offering programs over 2-3 days, ranging from beginner to advanced, children will learn more about the digital world and see how technology like websites and apps rely on coding to succeed. Entertaining and educational.
For more information, click here.
Pick your own cherries
There are a range of orchards in the Adelaide Hills where you can take the whole family to pick your own cherries. In fact, we already have a guide to all the best locations around SA.
For more information, click here.
Theatre Bugs School Holiday Programs
Learn singing, dancing and acting skills while making new friends and having fun! Treat your kids to the thrills of creativity, acting and fun, with hands on, dynamic classes taught by friendly and encouraging teachers.
For more information, click here.
Cleland Wildlife Park
Experience the thrills of discovering some of Australia’s most iconic native animals at Cleland Wildlife Park these school holidays, located just 20 minutes from the CBD. They have a range of school holidays to choose from, such as self-guided trails, story time on the lawn, bush play, and the kids only zone.
For more information, click here.
Bounce
With all their holiday energy after finishing school for the year, your kids are probably bouncing off the walls right now. Why not take them to a massive trampoline park? Featuring tons of trampolines, a slam dunk zone, an obstacle course, and a dodgeball court, Bounce is full of fun activities for all ages. Bounce Marleston currently has a school holiday program called Holiday Camps, which offers 3-hours of bouncing and refuelling with food included.
For more information, click here.
For more school holiday activities in your local area, please check with your council and library.
Is there something we’ve missed? Let us know at [email protected]
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