Here’s 24 family bucket list ideas for 2024. You’ll create so many family memories while doing these & get to visit places across Adelaide & South Australia that you have probably never been to! And nope, not all of them cost the earth….in fact a bunch of them are FREE. See how many of these you can tick off over the next 12 months and don’t forget to tag us in your photos while you’re doing them!
Take the kids fruit picking – yum!
There are heaps of fruit picking spots across Adelaide, from figs to strawberries, cherries & more! Head south to Harvest The Fleurieu or into the Hills to Beerenberg to grab strawberries or check out our guide to fruit picking for more fruits & places to visit.
Cool down at Splashtown in Moonta Bay
This waterpark is so much fun, perfect on a hot day & best of all, it is completely free & open to the public! So whether you are staying on the Yorke Peninsula or just want to go for a daytrip, you can visit Splashtown for hours of water fun. It’s located on the foreshore, has shade & also a playground nearby. See what we thought when we visited.
Take the family to Illuminate Adelaide
Back again in 2024, Illuminate Adelaide wows crowds with their stunning light displays across the city. There are ticketed events in all sorts of places such as the Botanic Gardens & the Adelaide Zoo, however there are also a bunch of free events & installations that you can enjoy with the family. In 2024 there will be new events and installations which promise to be fantastic. For all the info on family friendy Illuminate, click here.
Pt Clinton Fairy Houses
If you are travelling to Yorkes, skip the stop off at Port Wakefield and visit these Fairy Houses in Port Clinton instead! There are over 30 little houses to explore and it’s a much better way for the kids to stretch their legs rather than sitting in a roadhouse eating a bad pie.
Have a picnic in the Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Meander through the gardens, watch the ducks, walk under the huge 150 year old fig trees & visit the Amazaon Waterlily Pavilion. Then find a shady spot to plonk down & enjoy your lunch….ahhhh the serenity! Read all about the Adelaide Botanic Gardens here.
See something weird or wonderful at the Adelaide Fringe
The Adelaide Fringe is definitely not just for the adults – there are tons of kids shows & family friendly activities, right across South Australia. Bubble shows, dancing, circus, sing-alongs, classic fairytales….there is something to suit everyone. If you don’t want to spend money on a show, you can just soak up the atmosphere across the city during the four weeks the Fringe is in town. Check out our family friendly Fringe picks by clicking here.
Visit TreeClimb in multiple locations!
You can plan a fun family day out at TreeClimb & take on the high ropes course in the stunning Kuipto Forest or TreeClimb in the Adelaide city parklands. Don’t forget about the Nets Adventure for those who might be too little for the climbing. Both locations have a cafe onsite and plenty of room to spread out and watch the climbers. We think the best bits are the ziplines!
Reacquaint yourself with the Museums
Gone are the days of boring Museums that you only visited on school excursions! Take your kids along to one of SA’s many fantasic Museums and join in with activities, interactive displays, workshops and more.
Perhaps you’ll head to the Port and visit the SA Maritime Museum, experience the latest in technological advances at MOD. (this one is free too!), or of course you can spend a day at the South Australian Museum strolling through their many floors and exhibits.
There are so many Museums in SA to visit – click here to find which one you’ll visit next!
Umpherston Sinkhole in Mount Gambier
Aren’t sinkholes fascinating? Umpherston Sinkohle in Mount Gambier is both fascinating AND beautiful. The kids will love to frollick in the lush greenery – don’t forget to bring some fruit to feed the possums. And yes, it’s FREE! Check out all the details here.
Cool off at Tusmore Park
Tusmore Park is a great spot for a catch up with friends or to let the kids burn off some energy, plus the new Tusmore Pool is now open! The wading pool opens seasonally and is perfect to cool off with shade included!
We love popping there for a splash on a warm day – see you there?
Enjoy something other than wine in the Barossa
Yep, who knew, there is more than just wine in the Barossa? In fact, there is the Barossa Adventure Station in Angaston & it has been a HIT with the kids since it opened. In-ground trampolines, a multi level playspace, 1km bike track plus heaps of toilets and parking. But wait, there’s more – check out our whole page dedicated to this fantastic playground.
Try new foods at the Adelaide Central Market
Kids can be a bit boring when it comes to food can’t they? Pasta, fruit, nuggets & hot chips, pasta, fruit, nuggets & hot chips, pasta, fruit, nug- ok we think you get it. If you want to mix it up a bit, take them to the Adelaide Central Markets! They will be enticed by the delicious smells & will love being able to try something new. Plus they often run kids cooking workshops – yum & fun! Here are our top picks for the Adelaide Central Markets with kids.
Kayak on one of Adelaide’s reservoirs
Several of Adelaide’s reservoirs have opened to the public recently & they make for a great day out. You can kayak on the Happy Valley Reservoir or just take a stroll in the great outdoors & chat to the kids about how important our reservoirs are. There are also mountain bike & pram friendly paths to explore – a whopping 20km of paths all up! Find out more here.
Head to Woodhouse Adventure Park
We LOVE Woodhouse Adventure Park! Challenge Hill, Disc Golf, Camping, Tube Slides….it really is fun for the whole family. Head up there for the day or book the kids into one of their fantastic school holiday programs.
There’s so much to do & not a screen in sight! Get all the Woodhouse details at this link.
Speaking of Woodhouse… glamping anyone?
Yep, that’s right you can now spend the night up at Woodhouse Adventure Park in one of their glamping bell tents.
We LOVED doing this last year, it’s perfect for a bit of a fancy getaway or for families that might not be up for a full on “camping experience”.
Check out the NEW Goldenfields Playground redevelopment
If you are a northerner, chances are you have already checked out the latest Goldenfields Playground upgrade, but if you don’t live nearby it is well worth the drive to check out this redevelopment.
There is tons of climbing equipment, the coolest twisty slide and trampolines. Pack a picnic and GO!
Get the full Doughballs experience!
It’s no secret that Doughballs is one of our favourite spots to eat. Delicious warm doughballs, a fantastic kids menu, great service, yummy pizza…you really can’t go wrong! You will find Doughballs in Glenelg & Rundle Place plus at their regular pop ups. Grab all the details here!
Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live
The first-ever Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live™ Glow Party™ is coming to Adelaide in 2024.
This is your only opportunity to see real-life versions of the famous Hot Wheels monster truck toys in the DARK Mega Wrex™, Tiger Shark™, Demo Derby™, Bone Shaker™, Bigfoot®, Gunkster™, and the brand new HW 5-Alarm™, the fire truck hero of Hot Wheels Monster Trucks will light up the floor in outrageous monster trucks competitions and battles.
Event performances will also feature a dazzling dance party, spectacular laser light shows and Hot Wheels toy giveaways. Plus for the FIRST TIME EVER, the fire and frost-breathing, car eating dragon – ARCTICGON.
Cool off at a secret water spot…
Well, maybe not so secret anymore, but Adelaide and South Australia have some fantastic hidden little rockpools, lakes, tidal pools and swimming enclosures to enjoy when the weather heats up.
Be sure to check out this page when you are travelling – don’t forget your bathers!
Go whale watching at Victor Harbor
Sure it’s usually cold & windy, but it’s well worth visiting Victor Harbor during whale watching season. They love to pass by & put on a show for us, so rug up the family & get your best looking eyes ready for some serious whale spotting. To find out the best time to visit & what you might see, check this page out.
Visit a skate park
Yes they can be slightly terrifying but we guarantee your kids will have a ball & probably pick up some new skills along the way. There are some great skateparks around that you can use with skateboards, bikes or scooters (and helmets of course!). We especially love the new Adelaide City Skate Park. Grab your boards & helmets and enjoy!
Experience an Adelaide 36ers Game
Adelaide 36ers games at the Adeaide Entertainment Centre are about so much more than the basketball. Yep, that’s great too but make sure you get there early to get involved in all of the fun family activities before the game. There are always heaps of chances to win prizes too!
Head along for heaps of family fun – GO SIXERS!
Spend the day at St Kilda Playground
Most of us parents remember St Kilda Playground from our own childhoods, but have you taken your own kids there? Take them down the huge slide, let them swing to their hearts content, do some construction work on the mini diggers, pack a lunch & make a day of it! We have a whole page dedicated to St Kilda Playground & why you should go – check it out.
SteamRanger Heritage Railway
When we asked our followers what was on their Bucket List, the SteamRanger Heritage Railway came up time & time again!
This is a wonderful experience for the whole family – catch one of the trains through the Adelaide Hills, or head south to get on the Cockle Train between Goolwa & Victor Harbor. You will see beautiful scenery and the kids will love the thrill of being on one of the old locomotives.
Keep and eye out for the special event train runs they do too!
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