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There's an endless amount of fun to be had at home and around Adelaide over the school holidays. So 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 of Adelaide.
Adelaide Zoo, Mega Adventure Obstacle Park and South Australian Museum are a few examples of great family-friendly tourist attractions that are open during the school holidays.
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.
Within driving distance from Adelaide CBD is Adelaide Zoo, Monarto Open Range Zoo and Cleland Wildlife Park, all of which offer close encounters with animals big and small.
Adelaide is surrounded by green spaces, quite literally. So book the family, and a few mates if they like, in for a cycle, skateboard or scooter ride around the greenest spots. You could even take your two wheels over to Mount Lofty for a bigger day out.
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.
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.
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.
Set the table up 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.
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.
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.
From kneading dough for pizza to mixing and licking cupcake batter, turn the kids into mini chefs for a meal or two with a kid-friendly cookbook or a pre-mixed batter. Get them involved by letting them pick out what they'd like to make.
When the kids are at home this can be a saviour. Treat them to that new game they've been asking for all term long or pick out a family-friendly one that they can play with their siblings or with you.
You don't have to go far to have a camping adventure. In fact, you can pitch a tent right in your own backyard. Tight on space? Teepees, small tents and DIY forts are ideal for indoor areas. Add some snacks, books, torches and pillows and you're all set.
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.
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 by Hahndorf on the way home to introduce the kids to German culture.
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.
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.
Up to 85% off domestic activities
Available on select dates for activities including skydiving, hot air balloon flights, quad biking, scuba diving, whale watching, bridge climbing, high tea and more. Destinations include Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Melbourne and more. T&Cs apply.
Extra $10 off site-wide with code
Valid on all dates, including over Christmas, on activities like skydiving, quad biking, bridge climbing, canyoning, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights, abseiling, scuba diving, cruises, high tea and more. Destinations include Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and more. Minimum spend of $80 required. T&Cs apply.
Extra 10% off Australia activities with code
Valid on all dates on activities like skydiving, bridge climbing, canyoning, hot air ballooning, helicopter scenic flights, abseiling, cruises, tours, high tea and more. Minimum spend of $100 applies. Destinations include Darwin, Gold Coast, Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart and more. T&Cs apply.
Up to 93% off things to do in Australia
Available on select dates and activities like classes, spas, getaways, dining experiences and more. Destinations include Sydney, Perth, Melbourne Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Gold Coast and more. T&Cs apply.
Up to 30% off Australia experiences + Extra 10% off with code
Ends
Available on select travel dates when you buy 2 or more experiences such as sightseeing cruises, hot air balloon flights, day tours and skydives. Destinations include Brisbane, Adelaide, Hunter Valley, Gold Coast, Sydney and more. T&Cs apply.
Up to 85% off things to do in Adelaide
Available on select travel dates for activities like virtual reality driving experiences, kayaking, helicopter flights, skydiving, abseiling, kid's soccer training and more. T&Cs apply.
Up to 74% off things to do in Adelaide
Available on select dates and activities including skydiving, wine tours, kayaking, classes, rally driving and more. T&Cs apply.
Kids activities from $18 + Extra $10 off with code
Available on activities which can be given as gifts such as day tour cruises, zoo experiences, hop-on hop-off bus tours, attraction passes, zoo and animal interactions and more. Destinations include Gold Coast, Cairns, Melbourne, Adelaide and more. Minimum spend of $80 applies. T&Cs apply.
Adelaide activities from $15 + an extra $10 off with code
Available on select dates and activities such as a winery tour in Adelaide Hills, tandem skydiving, a kayak tour, a high-tea experience and more. Sample price is for River Torrens sightseeing cruise. Minimum spend of $80 applies. T&Cs apply.
Australia high tea experiences from $75 + Extra $10 off with code
Available on select dates across Melbourne, Broome, Sydney, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide and more. Minimum spend of $80 required. T&Cs apply.
Things to do in Adelaide from $16
Available on select dates in 2020 and 2021 for activities including wine tours, cruises, safari experiences, attraction entry passes, sightseeing tours and more. T&Cs apply.
5% off first time experience
Available on select dates on activities like tours, sightseeing cruises, skydiving, hot air balloon experience, zoo and animal interactions and more. Destinations include Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Adelaide and more.
Things to do in Adelaide from $15
Available on select dates for activities like river cruise, wine tours, whale watching cruises, swimming with the dolphins and more.
Things to do in Adelaide from $38
Available on select travel dates for activities such as sightseeing cruise, wine tours, zoo and wildlife interactions and more. T&Cs apply.
Need more ideas? Check out our 50 free activities to keep the kids busy these school holidays
Junior Engineers. Various dates throughout January. These workshops allow your kids to dive into the world of coding, game development and app development with face-to-face or online workshops.
South Coast Adventure Camp. 5 - 7 January. The ultimate summer camp that will keep your kids busy with water adventures and camp activities.
ICA Sportzworx Stepney School Holiday Clinic. 15 December - 25 January. Keep your kids busy and active during the school holidays with an indoor sports clinic. You can choose to send your kids for one day or multiple days throughout December and January.
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.
Favourites including Adelaide Zoo, Monarto Safari Park and South Australian Museum are open during the school holidays.
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