The summer holidays are here and it’s time to say farewell to packed lunches and school drop offs for a little while. To help keep the children entertained, we have compiled the following list of activities on offer over the break, which runs from 16 December until 28 January.
Moonlight Cinema at Adelaide Botanic Garden
Now until 14 February 2024 l Botanic Park, Adelaide
Fancy watching a film under the stars? Pack your favourite picnic and head to the Adelaide Botanic Garden for Adelaide’s favourite outdoor cinema. With family movies, new releases and some film-buff classics, it’s always a great night out. Grab your tickets now.
Now until 21 January 2024 l Art Gallery of South Australia
View hundreds of works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia at the 2023 Tarnanthi Festival. Head to the Art Gallery of South Australia for exhibitions and family-friendly workshops.
State Library of South Australia
Now until 30 June 2024
Turn a flat piece of paper into fantastic foliage. Stop by the family table at the State Library to create your own plant or leaf using paper cutting and folding techniques – and then enjoy the library's current exhibition, Cornucopia: Gardens and Gardening in South Australia.
9 December – 17 March l South Australian Museum
Put on a VR headset and be transported to an interactive, digital rainforest where you’ll encounter weather, seasons and biodiversity shifts as you navigate your way through the ecosystem. Tickets can be bought online or at the door.
18-19 January 2024 l South Australian Museum
If you’re aged 5-16, make your own animated film with the gang from GooRoo Animation. Design and sculpt your own plasticine characters and creatures, then bring them to life using the Stop Motion Studio app. Bookings essential.
22-23 January l South Australian Museum
A one-hour workshop to get your hands dirty creating a tiny living terrarium world. Being held to celebrate the GONDWANA VR: The Exhibition, this workshop is designed for young people aged 7 to 18. Bookings essential.
Various dates in December 2023 and January 2024 l Australian Space Discovery Centre
Little astronauts are invited to space story time, which begins with a reading of a space book, followed by an activity. The hour-long session is aimed at children aged 3-8, who are invited to explore the Space Gallery following the event. Registrations are required for this event. And if you can't make it to this session, the centre is open daily during the holidays, between 11am and 5pm, for free family sessions.
Various dates in January 2024 l Australian Space Discovery Centre
Learn about plants in space and how to grow food for astronauts living in space or on the moon. Aimed at young people aged 7-14. Registrations required for participants.
Cleland wildlife Park School Holiday program
Selected dates in January
Come and discover amazing native wildlife, try new things and meet new people at Cleland’s junior wildificaiton school holiday program. There are a number of events on offer for children of all ages, including Bush Buddies for 2 to 4-year-olds, Puggle Play for babies and the full-day Wildification program for young people aged 8 to 13-year-olds. Bookings required.
Various locations
Whether you’re looking for your young ones to develop water skills or older children to gain more water knowledge, VACSWIM has programs suitable for children aged 3-12 years. Enrol now in one of four 2023/24 program dates available during the summer school holidays.
8-13 January 2024 l Adelaide
Sit courtside and enjoy world-class tennis at the Adelaide International. The event is more than just tennis, with live music, entertainment, food trucks and activities. Sixteen top-20 players are confirmed for the field, including Tommy Paul and Wimbledon singles champion Marketa Vondrousova, as well as Adelaide's own Thanasi Kokkinakis.
12-21 January 2024 l Various locations
Head trackside to watch the biggest cycling race in the southern hemisphere, with the world’s best riders and cycling teams heading to SA. Enjoy the festival program with family events, the free City of Adelaide Tour Village, street parties - including the return of the Unley Gala - and regional events. For the first time, the route will showcase Murray Bridge.
Summer holidays at Adelaide Zoo
Various dates l Adelaide Zoo
Throughout the school holidays, the Adelaide Zoo will host a range of activities, from a zoological art installation, a free flight bird show, a wildshow in the children’s zoo and daily keeper talks.
SA’s best national parks
What better way to spend the school holidays than exploring the national parks within our great state. From rugged to remarkable, South Australia is home to some of the best national parks in Australia, just waiting to be explored. Check out some of the best.
Various locations
Let the children run wild at some of the fabulous playgrounds within our state’s national parks. From Mukanthi Morialta Playground, Cobbler Creek Recreation Park to the newly built Glenthorne National Park Adventure Playground or Para Wirra Conservation Park, there's plenty of play spaces across Adelaide to encourage children to get rid of some energy while having fun.
