It can sometimes be hard to find activities, programs and things to do that are suitable, or “cool enough” for older kids, but they’re out there believe us! We’ve rounded up what we think are the best ideas and places to visit for older kids in Adelaide over the school holidays! There are some free options as well as places you will need to book ahead – so grab your teen and start planning!
Shanx
Located in Adelaide, SHANX Mini Golf offers a unique experience for older kids. It resembles a regular golf course but in a miniature size, making it accessible to people of all ages, genders, and skill levels. Positioned at the edge of the Regency Park Golf Course, this venue allows you to observe professional golfers while enjoying a round of mini golf. Navigate your way through bunkers, twists, and turns on the green as you tackle the eighteen holes. Each hole presents two options: the beginner-friendly Regency Course or the more challenging SHANX Course. The necessary equipment, including clubs and balls for each person, as well as a scoring card for the group, are provided for a complete experience.
BOUNCE After Dark!
BOUNCE now has two venues in Adelaide. Yep, you can BOUNCE the day away at Marleston and Greenacres! At the end of each term, BOUNCE hosts an awesome AFTER DARK PARTY where teens can bounce, flip, climb and party as a DJ spins some tunes!
Space Discovery Centre
The Adelaide Space Discovery Centre offers a captivating and educational space experience with hands-on activities related to space exploration and astronomy. Kids can delve into the wonders of the universe through interactive exhibits, engaging displays, and cutting-edge technology. They can learn about the history of space exploration, the latest advancements in space science, and even participate in simulated space missions. This immersive and enriching environment makes the Adelaide Space Discovery Centre an exceptional place for older kids to nurture their curiosity, expand their knowledge, and foster a lifelong interest in space and science.
Rockclimbings, Mega Swing, Kayaking Ropes and more at Adventure Hubs SA
Adventures Hubs SA has three venues located in the city, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu. Each venue offers a number of unique and fun filled experiences suited to kids over 120cm. Experience a whole new side of South Australia in beautiful forests, bush sanctuaries, rivers and rock gorges.
West Beach Adventure
Take adventure to a whole new level of fun. Can you imagine playing tennis in the sky, rowing a boat mid-air or manoeuvring between obstacles like our floating esky, BMX bike and sky-high picnic table? The SkyMate structure stands 26 metres tall and boasts over 60 different crossings. Obstacles vary in difficulty so guests can choose their own adventure.
MOD
MOD. is a place for kids who love hands on, interaction and all things STEM! There’s a mix of diverse and sensory activities catering for a wide range of ages, knowledge and capabilities. These are spaces for doing, not just seeing and best of all it’s TOTALLY FREE!
Adelaide Oval Tours
If you have a sports-mad kid, a tour of Adelaide Oval is a dream come true! Go behind the scenes of the scoreboard, media room, walk out onto the Oval and hear all about the history of this SA icon!
Escape Hunt
TreeClimb Grand Course
The Grand Course at TreeClimb has 5 progressively challenging obstacle courses set in the tree tops, featuring zip-lines and an exhilarating Tarzan swing, (Don’t panic if the Tarzan swing seems a bit scary – the fabulous staff are right there to guide you through it!) The Adelaide Grand Course consists of 52 challenges and is designed for thrill seekers and active adventurers of all abilities. Divided into 5 different levels of difficulty, each aerial or tree top path offers a fun and interactive set of challenges for every individual. Start with the Green course after passing the practice course, progress to the Blue, Red and then challenge yourself on the Black course. Each course ends with a Zip Line…..wheeeeee! The Grand Course is for those with a minimum height of 135cm and a max weight of 120kg
Bazinga Trading Cards
Bazinga Trading Cards in Adelaide is a place that your gamer kids will LOVE. This unique establishment offers a wide selection of trading cards, catering to various interests and hobbies. Whether your passion lies in sports, superheroes, or comics, Bazinga Trading Cards has it all. The store provides a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, where kids can explore the vast collection, trade cards with fellow enthusiasts, and discover rare and valuable items. There’s also an awesome arcade with a great mix of modern and retro gaming to choose from as well as air hockey tables.
Roofclimb Adelaide Oval
Minimum age 8 years. RoofClimb presents unrivalled 360-degree vistas of Adelaide and its surrounds, capturing the breathtaking Australian scenery from our magnificent coastline to the picturesque foothills. Led by expertly trained RoofClimb Leaders, you will traverse the rooftop of the iconic Oval’s Western Stand, venturing towards the Riverbank platform elevated 50 metres above the revered playing field. Take a seat in the world’s inaugural rooftop stadium seats, where you will be immersed in the hidden tales and historical narratives that have shaped Adelaide’s vibrant heritage.
Animal Experiences at Monarto Safari Park
Feed a lion or a rhino. Leap into the world of Lemurs, Mingle with a Meerkat and more! Monarto Safari Park has a range of animal experiences especially for older kids.
Skate Parks in Adelaide
Looking for a skate park in Adelaide to take the kids and their scooters, bikes and skateboards? Our local groms, Callum and Harvey are all over it and out reviewing the best skate parks Adelaide has to offer. You won’t just find great skate parks in Adelaide though – so many regional towns have excellent skate park facilities for beginners through to skate-pros! So whether you want to head north, south, east or west, you are guaranteed there will be a skate park in the list below for your kids to carve up. Put the bikes, skateboards or scooters in the car and get going! (Don’t forget helmets!)
Adelaide Playgrounds for Older Kids
Don’t think your older kids are too big for a playground! Adelaide has some awesome adventure playgrounds your older kids are sure to love. Flying foxes, big (BIG) slides, climbing walls and more. There are so many good ones arounds we’ve got a whole section on our website dedicated to older kids playgrounds!
On-Stage Program at the Adelaide Festival Centre
Each school holidays, the Adelaide Festival Centre run their On-Stage Program for kids who love to dance, sing and act and want to be exposed to some great industry training. There are sessions specifically for teens – but get in quick!
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What's more appealing than keeping the kids busy, happy and active these holidays!? When it's all FREE!! If you're like most parents in Adelaide, you will get half way through these school holidays and be struggling to work out how to keep the little minions occupied until they go back to school. If you're like me, you want to do it without spending a fortune. I love hanging out with my kids, don't get me wrong, but sometimes a few ideas on what we could do go a long way, and a few free ideas are even better. So, here are a few ideas to get you through the next week with our Top 10 Free things to do with kids in Adelaide:
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Find it at: West Terrace, Adelaide Fantastic news skater fans, FINALLY, after being left skatepark-less since 2013, construction is complete and the brand new $3.8 million dollar Adelaide City Skate Park is now open to the public! Located at Narnungga Gladys Elphick Park (Park 25) or the corner of Glover Avenue and West Terrace, it's already an incredibly popular facility with Adelaide skaters and riders. This is South Australia's largest skate park and offers something for all ability levels. There's a freestyle area, beginner bowl and advanced bowl. Lots of grinding rails and ledges, stair sets and a large bowl featuring a pretty imposing vertical cradle. Plenty of shady spots to sit and spectate with the new park designed to be inclusive and provide viewing areas for everyone to enjoy. There's an onsite water station and lights for night skating. The lights are automatically dimmed from sunset to sunrise, but can be fully lit for periods of one hour between sunset at 12:30am. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fu5AaKU91E
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Ahhh summer in South Australia. The perfect time to pack up the car & head to one of our many beautiful beaches, lakes or springs for a swim. We have dived in (see what I did there?) to find the best spots to cool off. No matter the age or swimming level of your kids there is sure to be somewhere in the list below that is perfect for your family. There are beaches that are perfect for boogie boards, rockpools to discover our marine life, secret natural plunge pools, lagoons, jetty enclosures & more. Some are our metro Adelaide beaches, some are in regional SA & some are very well kept secrets! Tag us in your photos of these watery havens - also don't forget to slip, slop, slap, check water levels & currents before entering the water & ALWAYS supervise kids around water.
