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School holiday activities in Adelaide for September 2021

Here's our list of budget-friendly things to do that will entertain the little ones throughout the school holiday break.

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Stephanie Yip

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Dylan Crismale
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There's an endless amount of fun to be had at home and around Adelaide over the school holidays. We've searched high and low for the best things to do whether you're out and about, at home or on an exciting day trip outside Adelaide.

Outdoor activities in Adelaide for the school holidays

Have an adventure at one of Adelaide's top family friendly attractions

You can't make it through the school holidays without visiting classic attractions like Mega Adventure Obstacle Park and the South Australian Museum. For something different try a virtual reality experience.

Digital Adventure Game at the South Australian Museum
Digital Adventure Game at the South Australian Museum

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Get out on the water

Enjoy the fresh spring air and the sea breeze out on the water. Make the most of the great outdoors – from fishing to swimming with dolphins.

Get up close and personal with the wildlife

Within a couple of hours of Adelaide CBD is Gorge Wildlife Park Cleland Wildlife Park and Kangaroo Island, all of which offer close encounters with animals big and small.

Climb the Adelaide Oval roof

Climbing the Adelaide Oval roof is a must-do, and the school holidays provide the perfect opportunity to do it. The 360-degree views of Adelaide and beyond during the climb create an exhilarating experience that will likely be the highlight of the holidays for your kids.

Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush with a flight simulator experience

Have you ever wondered what it feels like to be in control of a plane? Jump into the pilot's seat and choose from thousands of airports for your flight simulator adventure.

F/A-18 Jet Fighter Simulator Experience - 60 Minute Flight
F/A-18 Jet Fighter Simulator Experience - 60 Minute Flight

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Have a haunted experience

Do your kids love a good ghost story? Test their wits at some of Adelaide's most haunted and eerie spots, such as Adelaide Gaol. Just don't tell them that it could also be a little educational.

Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Investigation

Adelaide Gaol Ghost Tour and Investigation from RedBalloon

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Take a trip to the park

Adelaide is surrounded by green spaces, quite literally. So book the family and a few mates in for a cycle, skateboard or scooter ride around the greenest spots. You could even take your 2 wheels over to Mount Lofty for a bigger day out.

At-home activities in Adelaide for the school holidays

Join a virtual workshop

Spending a day indoors? Keep restless kids entertained by joining an online workshop where they can learn a new skill. Choose from private lessons and group workshops, many of which are pre-recorded so you can watch them whenever it works best for you.

Virtual Birthday Party for Kids: Marionette Making
Virtual Birthday Party for Kids: Marionette Making

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Learn something new

If you have a couple of kids who are keen learners, keep their curious minds working with a course these school holidays. With a selection that ranges from design and drama to coding, entertainment is just a few clicks away.

Get crafty at home

Set up the table with all manner of arts and crafts materials and let the kids' imaginations flourish. To give them some direction, there are plenty of online workshops you can join as well.

Cook up a storm in the kitchen

Master the craft of cooking from scratch. They can learn to make pizza with friends or take a home cooking course and add more than one dish to their culinary repertoire.

Exercise your brain

It's important that while the kids rest during the school holidays they also keep their minds active. Mindfulness is a great tool for managing stress while classic strategy games like chess help develop logical thinking.

Become a leader

Being a leader comes naturally to some but plenty of other people become leaders through hard work and practice. These programs can enhance your kids' public speaking skills or start them on the way to building their own business.

Learn about robotics

Can't keep them from tinkering with things? If you've got a child who loves working with technology they might enjoy these programs which cover basic electrical concepts.

Pick up a hula hoop

The humble hula hoop is a great toy for keeping kids active. Best of all, the whole family can join in the fun.

Kids storybook reading and 40-minute hula hoop lesson
Kids storybook reading and 40-minute hula hoop lesson

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Learn to code

If there's one skill your child should learn these school holidays it would have to be coding. These programs serve as a great introduction for those with little or no experience.

Take a drawing class

Drawing is a relaxing activity and a great way for kids to let their imaginations run wild. These classes will let them take what's in their minds and bring it to life on a page.

Break out the gaming console

When the kids are at home this can be a saviour. Treat them to that new game they've been asking for all term, or pick out a family friendly one that they can play with their siblings or with you.

Grab the popcorn and have a movie marathon

Stuck at home and in search of something to keep the kids busy? How about a movie marathon? Netflix, Disney+ and BINGE all have a massive range of kid-friendly titles that you can put on at any time.

Have a family games night

Clear the kitchen table or even the lounge room floor and pick out one of their (or your) favourite board games, jigsaw puzzles or card games. This one's great for a cosy night in or to wind down before bedtime.

Road trips you can take from Adelaide

There's so much of South Australia to see, and the school holidays are the perfect time to explore. For more inspiration, see our guide for epic South Australia road trips. Before heading out, see the current restrictions that apply in Adelaide.

Adelaide Hills and Hahndorf

Distance from Adelaide: 45 minutes by car or bus.

Adelaide's closest wine region is also a haven for little ones who love to explore. Wander the townships and meet the locals, have lunch surrounded by vineyards or pop into Hahndorf on the way home to introduce the kids to German culture.

Abseiling In The Adelaide Hills - Half Day
Abseiling In The Adelaide Hills - Half Day

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Kangaroo Island

Distance from Adelaide: 1.5 hours by car and 45 minutes by ferry.

That famous speck in the ocean off the coast of South Australia needs no introduction. Get the kids away from the screen and surround them with natural beauty. Choose from hiking, cycling, kayaking, quad biking or more outdoor adventures on the island.

Double Kayak Hire Along Harriet River - For 2
Double Kayak Hire Along Harriet River - For 2

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Kangaroo Island Wildlife Discovery Day Tour from Adelaide
Kangaroo Island Wildlife Discovery Day Tour from Adelaide

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The Murray River

Distance from Adelaide: 1.5 hours by car to Murray Mouth Lookout.

The Murray River is Australia's longest river and it tails off into the ocean in South Australia at Murray River Mouth. Fill the kids with a sense of wonder by sailing this iconic waterway. Or, for the more adventurous, go rafting down the Mitta Mitta in Alpine National Park.

River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Dinner Tour
River Murray Dark Sky and Sunset Dinner Tour

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When are the school holidays in Adelaide 2021-2022?

TermDates
Term 1 school holidays10 April - 26 April 2021
Term 2 school holidays3 July - 18 July 2021
Term 3 school holidays25 September - 10 October 2021
Term 4 school holidays11 December - 30 January 2021/22

Free activities for the school holidays in Adelaide

  • Glenelg Beach. Weather permitting, head to the beach for a splash and embark on a shell safari.
  • JamFactory. Take the kids to see the artists at JamFactory and catch one of the glass-blowing experts in action.
  • Morialta Conservation Park. Just a short 10km from the CBD, spend a day witnessing crashing waterfalls, wandering numerous walking trails and encountering the native wildlife.
  • Botanical gardens. Take a free guided tour at South Australia's 3 botanical gardens throughout the holidays. This is a good option for older children and wannabe explorers.
  • South Australian Museum. Programs and activities for kids are on year-round at the South Australian Museum. Over the school holidays, kids can participate in events and workshops while you roam the museum.

Need more ideas? Check out our 50 free activities to keep the kids busy these school holidays

School holiday events and programs in Adelaide in September

  • Pixar Putt: 24 September to 17 October. This Pixar themed 18-hole mini-golf course is setting up shop beside the Torrens these holidays. The course and interactive holes are inspired by everyone's favourite Pixar films. Prices start from $19.90 for kids and $29.90 for adults (9 holes).
  • Bricks4Kids Lego Workshops: 27,30 September and 1,5-6 October. Put their Lego building skills to the test with the wide range of activities from Bricks4Kids including making fun characters, train sets, robotics and more.
  • Circkidz Circus School: 30 September and 7 Ocotober. The team at Circkidz will have your child learning basic circus skills or parkour tricks in no time. Costs $30 per child per session.
  • Nature Festival: 25 September to 4 October. Enjoy the full range of events at the Nature Festival including talks, exhibitions, nature walks, workshops, bird watching and more. The Nature Festival is the perfect spring school holiday activity.
  • Bubble Show with Mini Milkshake: 6 October. This show all about bubbles is sure to be a hit with kids and grown-ups alike. See what happens when Dr Bubbles brings his mischievous puppet Milkshake to life.
  • Holiday Chess Program: 28-29 September. Mix up education and tons of fun with endless games of chess these holidays. Signing up your little ones costs $60 and takes place at the Chess Centre of South Australia.
  • School Holiday Skating Sessions: 29 September, 6 October. The skating rink is the place to be during the holidays. For $12 (entry and skate hire) your kids can enjoy an afternoon full of fun games, music and roller skating.
  • Adelaide Strikers Holiday Program: 5-8 October. Get your kids prepped for cricket season with fun activities over 2 days of fun. Program costs $55 and is for kids aged 5-10.
  • Circus - The Show: 27-28 September. The circus has rolled into town. With only 3 shows at Her Majesty's Theatre this is a school holiday event you don't want to miss. The show won "Best Children's Event" at the Adelaide Fringe Weeklies 2021.
  • Migration Museum: Exhibitions run throughout the school holidays. The Migration Museum has 2 brand new exhibitions to visit: "Paving the Way'' and "ReClaiming Country". Learn more about South Australians past and present these school holidays, for free.

Frequently asked questions about Adelaide school holidays

What should I keep in mind with COVID-19 when going out during the school holidays?

When planning your family's school holiday activities, remember to maintain good hygiene and social distancing. If you're planning to visit an attraction in an enclosed space, it's best to book in advance so you don't miss out.

What's open during the school holidays in Adelaide?

Adelaide's top attractions including Adelaide Zoo, South Australian Museum and Art Gallery of South Australia are open. The spring school holidays also call for outdoor fun which can be had at Adelaide Botanic Garden, Adelaide Oval and Glenelg Beach.

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