Love summer in Adelaide? Or do you spend the summer months wishing for winter to return? Love or loathe the heat, you need to keep the kids entertained right? Especially during those looooong South Australian school holidays! Here are our favourite family friendly things to do with Kids in Adelaide during Summer. As you can imagine there’s lots of ways to cool down and beat the heat but there’s also a few other super fun ways to spend the summer months….don’t forget to Slip, Slop, Slap & also tag Kids In Adelaide in all your summer adventure photos! PS- still want more ideas? Check out our Summer School Holiday Guide!
FREE Water Play
Fun = free! Well it does in this case anyway, cause we have found a bunch of spots around Adelaide where the kids can splash, run through fountains & cool off for the exact price of $0. Bargain! Here they are….click here.
Find a Shaded Playground
A shaded playground (either with natural shade or some sails) is just what the Doctor ordered for the Aussie summer, and we have some beauties here in Adelaide. So many in fact we have made a list of all of our fave shaded playgrounds. Check them all out….click here.
Is it even Summer with out Ice Cream!
The ultimate summer treat! We are so lucky to have so many fabulous ice-cream & gelato shops in Adelaide, and now even the fro-yo craze! So, from beachside to city centre. Choose your favourite flavour or try something new. Ice cream is also the best bribe for kids to behave! We did the hard work & found the best spots for a scoop.
Try one of our favourite beachside eats!
Every one loves heading to the beach in summer, and nothing works up an appetite faster than fresh sea air, swimming and time outdoors. Here’s a handy list of our absolute favourite places to eat with kids at the beach. From kids meals, to a balmy evening cocktail, these are all with in meters of the waterfront across Adelaide.
Cool down at the Glenelg Ice Cream Festival
Cool down this summer at South Australia’s biggest Ice Cream Festival! Jetty Road, Glenelg will transform into an Ice Cream Village on Thursday 23 January, packed with delicious treats, live entertainment, a fashion parade, and family fun like face painting and a silent disco.
Best of all, it’s free – don’t miss it!
Why just swim when you can slide!
Yes, you too Mums & Dads – why should the kids have all the fun?! Adelaide has an incredible number of waterslides, from free waterparks like Splash Town at Moonta, through to caravan parks such as Port Broughton Tourist Park & Victor Harbor Holiday & Cabin Park or the outdoor waterslides at Salisbury Aquatic Centre and Waterworld.
Visit your Local Pool
If you aren’t lucky enough to have a pool in your backyard, your local swimming centre is the place to be on a hot day! Over summer they will often offer special entry deals & activities. Plus many have cafes onsite so you can grab a coffee too! Here’s some of our faves.
Water Play At Home
Water always keeps kids happy, right? Here are a ton of Water Play At Home ideas that will keep your tribe cool AND entertained for hours on those hot Adelaide summer days!
Escape the heat and get in the air con!
Are you melting outside in the heat? Air conditioned indoor play centres are a great spot to chill out and grab a cold drink while the kids have a play.
Secret Swimming Spots
Yeah beaches are great, but SA also has a ton of lakes, natural springs, jetty enclosures, tidal pools & rockpools to swim in. Your kids will have the best adventure! Find out which we recommend, pack the car & get going!
Explore a Rockpool
South Australia is known for great beaches & many of them have some great rockpools for kids to explore. Find some marine life & cool off – it’s the ultimate nature play! Here are some rockpools that have the KiA tick of approval – click here.
Pick Your Own Fruit
There are heaps of great spots to pick your own fruit across South Australia but most of the best fruits are in season for summer! Roll some fresh air, exercise & healthy eating into a fun family day out. See our favourite fruit farms right here.
Go Regional
Summer = loooooong school holidays, so what better time to go on a family getaway? Heaps of coastal towns are also a LOT cooler than the heat of Adelaide on a scorching day so a regional trip is a great way to beat the heat. Check our our Regional Features for inspiration.
Semaphore’s Summer Carnival
Soak up the summer vibes at the Semaphore Summer Carnival these school holidays!
With free entry, rides from $6, and seaside fun for all ages, it’s the perfect way to spend a sunny day. Think thrill rides, carnival games, and classic beachside vibes!
Roonka River Adventure Park
Roonka is run by Scouts SA who run Woodhouse Adventure Park, so you know it’s going to be awesome! Book in for a stay and have a riverland adventure at Roonka!
They have HEAPS of water activities including kayaking, a zipline over the river and a slide straight into the water – how COOL is that?
Visit an Outdoor Cinema
Summer = balmy nights & daylight savings, so all of the outdoor cinemas open up, woohoo!
Screening the latest releases plus classics, you’ll find open air cinemas across Adelaide over summer.
Check out the Moonlight Cinema schedule & book in for a fun family movie night under the stars.
Get to the beach
When it comes to blue water, white sand, rockpools, reefs and gentle waves – S.A’s got the goods. Not all beaches are the same when it comes to family friendly though. They’ve got to have gentle waves, no strong sweeps or currents, they have to be easy to get to (and lug your massive beach bag full of ALL the things to)
feature image credit: Antoinette Tyson.
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