Here’s 23 family bucket list ideas for 2023. 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.
Spend a couple hours with BBQ Buoys
The best way to see the city of Adelaide! Book a session with BBQ Buoys and enjoy catching up with friends and family on one of their donut shaped boats. You can cruise the River Torrens while barbecuing some meat or enjoying a grazing platter and sipping on a few beverages. These are heaps of fun for a party, catch up or to show a different side of Adelaide to visiting tourists.
Take the family to Illuminate Adelaide
Back again in 2023, 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 2023 there will be new eevents 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.
Get high with TreeClimb 2.0 in Kuipto Forest
Now open, you can plan a day out at TreeClimb & take on the high ropes course in the stunning Kuipto Forest. We love the Grand Course, Kids Course and the fabulous new addition of the Nets Adventure! Of course, you can visit TreeClimb in the city parklands as well for the original Treeclimb fun!
Take a spin on an EcoCaddy
You might have seen these cruising around Adelaide & wondered what they are all about! EcoCaddys are an easy, enviro friendly way to get around town! You might catch a ride for free when they partner with festivals & events across the city or you can book a tour. They drivers (pedallers?) won’t just get you from A to B either – they will tell you heaps of interesting tidbits about Adelaide that we bet you didn’t know.
It’s so much fun! Click here for more EcoCaddy info!
Umpherston Sinkhole in Mount Gambier
Aren’t sinkholes fascinating? Umpherston Sinkohle in Mount Gamber 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?
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.
Check out the NEW Thorndon Park redevelopment
If you are a northerner, chances are you have already checked out the latest Thorndon Park upgrade, but if you don’t live nearby it is well worth the drive to check out this redevelopment.
The theme is BIRDS and it includes a huge bird slide, a crane swing and heaps more. 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 now find Doughballs in both Glenelg & Mawson Lakes plus at their regular pop ups. Grab all the details here!
Take the family to a live show they’ll never forget!
Ok, so this one will cost you but it’ll be worth it. In 2023, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre will host Cirque du Soleil CRYSTAL in a magical performance suitable for all ages. Swapping shoes for skates, get ready to be mesmerised by eye-popping acrobatics and incredible figure skating and while the storyline may go over the heads of younger kids, they’ll still love the music and the jugglers.
Or if tickets are a little on the pricey side, keep an eye on your local theatre for smaller productions – it’s never to early to develop an appreciation for the theatre!
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.
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.
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.
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Summer's here and it’s the perfect time to hire, borrow or dust off the kayak sitting in the shed. Why not try out visiting one of our favourite spots to kayak with kids in South Australia. When kayaking with kids always remember safety comes first so insure you check the weather conditions before you head out as a windy day will quickly ruin your kayaking plans. Make sure your life jackets are in good condition and fit well and take lots of snacks, water and sunscreen! When kayaking with kids always remember safety comes first so insure you check the weather conditions before you head out as a windy day will quickly ruin your kayaking plans. Make sure your life jackets are in good condition and fit well and take lots of snacks, water and sunscreen!
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When it's hot in Adelaide, it's really bloody hot. So here are some great parks where you can find FREE shade, water, and some playground fun to keep the kids happy and the electricity bill down. As always PLEASE be very careful with your kids around water. We love kids exploring, having fun in nature and having a splash but you need to watch them at all times! And don't forget to slip, slop, slap and wrap! All of the places below are FREE for a cool down. If you're looking for swimming pools and water parks - click here Got other Faves? let us know so we can add them
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