Here’s 22 family bucket list ideas for 2022. 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!
See a movie at the Mainline Drive In - while you still can!
We had to put this one first on the list, because Adelaide’s last drive in cinema is closing in February 2022. (Sob.) So get there while you can, so your kids can experience the thrill of watching a movie in the car while eating (& probably spilling) popcorn & choc tops. They have a great summer of movies planned, click here to see what’s on.
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.
Ride on a miniature train at Wilfred Taylor Reserve
The Morphett Vale Railway runs on the second & fourth Sunday of every month – if you have a train crazy kid, you’re going to want to take them! It is right next to the Wilfred Taylor Reserve playspace so you can really make a day of it! Find out all the details here. Toot, toot, all aboard!
Take the family to Illuminate Adelaide
A new event in 2021, Illuminate Adelaide wowed 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 2022 there will be a new FREE event in Renmark called ‘In-Depth’ which promises to be fantastic. For all the info on family friendy Illuminate, click here.
(Image: Frankie The Creative)
Visit Mellor Park at Lockleys
The new Mellor Park Playground at Lockleys is open & it’s a winner! Geared towards primary aged kids, it has new bbq, toilets & lovely green lawns. Lots of climbing equipment & even a flying fox. Check out our thoughts by clicking here.
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
With an anticipated opening of September 2o22, you can plan an spring day out at TreeClimb & take on the high ropes course in the stunning Kuipto Forest. According to the gang at TreeClimb, it promises to be LONGER, FASTER, HIGHER…..sounds great to us! Of course, if you can’t wait til September, you can visit TreeClimb in the city parklands earlier.
Enjoy a Picnic at Carrick Hill
Pack a proper picnic, in a proper picnic basket, with your proper picnic rug and enjoy a sunny spring afternoon in the beautiful gardens of Carrick Hill. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a classic piece of literature. Don’t forget to check out the story book trail while you’re there. Click here for more 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.
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.
Go plane spotting at Parafield Airport
Kids just love planes right? They are pretty cool. For a cheap way to kill a bit of time & get the kids excited, go & park out at Parafield Airport & watch the planes take-off & landing. You might get sick of it after the 387th take-off but the kids will love it!
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! Plus you will now find Doughballs in both Glenelg & Mawson Lakes. Grab all the details here!
Take the kids to a live show they'll never forget!
Ok, so this one will cost you but it’s worth it, just to see the looks on their face when their favourite characters step out on stage. In 2022, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre will host both The Wiggles and Paw Patrol shows. If your kids aren’t into those, keep an eye on your local theatre for smaller kids productions – it’s never to early to develop an appreciation for the theatre!
Line up for a donut from the Port Elliot Bakery
We say line up, because let’s be honest, there is nearly always a line! But it is absolutely worth it to get your mouth around one of the Port Elliot Bakery’s ‘Donuts Of The Month’. People stalk their Facebook page in anticipation to see what the next mouth-watering flavour will be. The line moves quick so you won’t be salivating too long! To find out more or find other great donuts around Adelaide, click here.
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 skatepark on Morton Road at Christies Downs, which is in the same precinct as the fabulous new playground. Enjoy!
Feed Kangaroos at Woodstock Winery
Woodstock Winery in McLaren Flat has a native animal sanctuary onsite & at 11:30am each day, you can feed the kangaroos for only $5 per person. Plus they have a playground, lots of lawn, a restaurant & of course, WINE! (Ok, we may have added this one in for the adults!). It’s a lovely spot & the kids will love feeding the roos. Find out more here.
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.
You might also be interested in
-
Bike tracks, trails and parks for kids and families in Adelaide Its WHEELY Fun to Get outdoors and active with these child-friendly bike tracks ideal for all ages!If your children are confident riders and enjoy a bit of adventure then you must check out our list of the best bike trails around Adelaide. There are also plenty of great family rides that are less "off road" for those of you with kids who range in ability levels - or bikes that might be more suited to paths (or who want a coffee break along the way!!) More information on biking in Adelaide We hope you've enjoyed this rundown of 9 awesome kid friendly bike trails in Adelaide, and found some inspiration to get out and enjoy the great outdoors on two wheels. For more information on locations of other bike paths (easy or difficult) head to this website: https://www.southaustraliantrails.com/ Or, if you're after Mountain Biking paths then check out these link for loads of great information: https://www.bikesa.asn.au/ridingmapshttps://adelaidemtbtrails.com/suggested-routes/ Bike Safety Parks Bike Safety Parks are designated places you can take your kids to learn about road rules, 'giving way' and understanding road signs. Adelaide has a number of options and if…
-
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!
-
If your looking for somewhere free and fun to cool down in the warm weather, then look no further we have you covered. Here's a list of our favourite places to have a splash and cool down in the warmer weather.
