As the capital city of South Australia, Adelaide is a can’t miss city on many Australian adventure itineraries.
Adelaide is a wonderful mix between cosmopolitan elements, demonstrated through their art galleries and museums, and natural beauty, from the Adelaide Botanic Garden and the sprawling Adelaide Park Lands to the coast along St. Vincent Gulf.
With so many things to see, it is no surprise that there are plenty of things to do in Adelaide for families.
In fact, there are many activities that are catered specifically towards families, even if you’re travelling on a budget. If you’re looking for free things to do in Adelaide with kids, look no further!
Here’s a list of my top 8 things to do in Adelaide today, all with kids (and the budget) in mind!
1. Visit Rundle Mall & Say Hi to the Rundle Pigs
Rundle Mall is a classic spot for shopping in Adelaide! There are outdoor and indoor areas to explore, both offering different touches. The outdoor area draws lots of street performers and small vendors, so the area constantly buzzes with energy!
With plenty of restaurants and shops, you can enjoy shopping or merely people watching at the mall.
Plus, if you’re looking for free things to do in Adelaide with kids, visiting the Rundle Mall Pigs is a must! These famous pigs are a group of four bronze statues, named Augusta, Oliver, Horatio, and Truffles.
The kids are bound to get a laugh out of the pigs funny poses. All in all a great bit of family fun in Adelaide and walking around Rundle Mall can be a great way to spend a few hours.
2. Splash Around at the Festival Plaza Precinct
If you’re visiting on a warm day, you may be looking for a way to cool off. One of the best free things to do in Adelaide with kids is visiting the Festival Plaza Precinct.
The Festival Plaza Precinct is an open space, with plenty of space for relaxation and play. The best spot for playing is undoubtedly the free water play space, which has bunches of elements. From misters, lights, and pooling water displays, the little ones will be delighted to run through the spray. It should be on your list of things to do in Adelaide today, especially if you’re trying to beat the heat.
Don’t forget to bring along a towel or a change of clothes. If you really get into the water jets, you’re likely to need something dry afterwards! If you want something even better, check out the schedule before you make your plans.
There are often family-friendly events at the Festival Plaza Precinct, which can make the experience even more magical!
This is a great one to pass the time with the little ones and one of the best things to do in Adelaide with family.
3. Be Space Explorers at the Australian Space Discovery Centre
Located at Lot Fourteen, the Australian Space Discovery Centre opened its doors for visitors starting in 2021. It is one of the perfect free things to do in Adelaide with kids, since the site was designed with kids in mind.
During your visit, you can wander the Discovery Centre’s interactive environments and exhibits, such as the Space Gallery, Mission Control Centre, and the Careers & Information Hub!
The Centre is open every week from Wednesday to Sunday, so you can pick whatever day works best for your crew. It is worth noting that while the experience is open to space-inspired kids of all ages, the Australian Space Discovery Centre is designed to cater most to kids ranging from ages 12 to 17.
Spend an afternoon in Adelaide exploring the stars with this free activity!
4. Wander Through the Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Located right near Adelaide’s Central Business District, the Adelaide Botanic Gardens make for a lovely escape from the urban chaos. This public garden spans over 50 hectares of space in the heart of Adelaide.
Originally opened in 1857, the gardens have been a staple of the local community since. You could spend an entire day wandering the different sections of the gardens, including the Economic Garden (featuring plants used in many modern products), the Cactus & Succulent Garden, the International Rose Garden, and more!
The giant lilies and succulents are particular favourites within the Adelaide Botanic Garden. With the kids in tow, you should especially consider checking out the Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden, which is a specially designed educational space for childhood learning.
This one also makes my list for the fun things to do in Adelaide for adults. All around the Adelaide Botanic Gardens make a great activity for a nice day in South Australia!
As a bonus, they’re open every day of the year, so there’s no excuse to miss out on the Adelaide Botanic Gardens!
5. Take a Tour at Haigh’s Chocolate Factory
As the oldest, family-owned chocolate maker in Adelaide, Haigh’s Chocolate Factory is a classic stop on many visitors’ lists. Visiting the chocolate factory is an especially magical experience, since you can see the chocolate being made up-close by the expert chocolatiers!
Located on the edge of Adelaide’s parklands, it is not difficult to get to the Chocolate Factory, Visitor Centre, and retail area.
Guided tours are available whenever the retail store is open, so check their schedule if you’re curious. There are guided tours, which last approximately thirty minutes, and self-guided tour options for those with kids under five or anyone needing additional flexibility.
While the tour is free, you shouldn’t expect to taste too much chocolate for free. Plan to spend a little bit on chocolate, if you want to get the full sensory experience at Haigh’s Chocolate Factory.
It’s undoubtedly one of the best free things to do in Adelaide with kids and is one of the best family things to do in Adelaide!
6. Explore the South Australian Museum
The South Australian Museum is an excellent natural history museum, which centralises Australian Aboriginal and Pacific cultures, as well as life and earth sciences more generally.
The collections and exhibits stretch over five floors, so there is something for everyone to explore and enjoy! With over 3,000 individual artefacts on display, the South Australian Museum is the biggest collection of Australian Aboriginal artefacts in the world. It is an amazing place to learn about the original owners of the land.
You can also view the travelling exhibitions, which change regularly, so there’s always something new to see!
This is one of the great free things to do with kids in Adelaide that doesn’t depend on the weather. You can check out this most every day (excluding Good Friday and Christmas), so it makes an excellent option for a really hot or really rainy day in Adelaide.
7. Enjoy the Best Playground in Adelaide
One of the tried-and-true free things to do in Adelaide with kids is to visit the park!
Adelaide Park Lands, with its sprawling gardens, ovals, green spaces, and play areas, offers a variety of family-friendly attractions.
Adelaide has some imaginative and engaging playgrounds, which the little ones will absolutely adore. When the kids have some extra energy they need to burn off, take them to the park!
The Wilfred Taylor Reserve is one of the best playgrounds in the area. The playground there embraces a natural look and feel, intending to bring visitors of all ages closer to nature. Plus, the intentional design goes far beyond this. It also serves as tribute to the Kaurna people, as well as the land’s later role as a farm.
It is ideal for growing families, since there are dedicated play areas for toddlers and young kids, with another area for older kids. This can easily be an all day activity, if you decide to take advantage of the picnic grounds, barbeques, and more. Definitely one of the best family activities in Adelaide.
If your little ones need some dedicated playtime, take a visit to the Wilfred Taylor Reserve!
I promise you won’t regret it!
8. Inspire Growing Artists at the Art Gallery of South Australia
Also known as the AGSA, the Art Gallery of South Australia is a wonderful environment for growing, artistic minds.
To begin, the AGSA has an expansive collection of art, including over 45,000 individual pieces, which cover 2000 years of history. No matter the medium, from pottery and paintings to video and textiles, the AGSA has it in their collection.
In addition to this incredible permanent collection, the AGSA also hosts an impressive array of travelling exhibitions. That means that even if you’ve visited before, there is always something new to see at the Art Gallery of South Australia!
While AGSA might sound like it is primarily one of the fun things to do in Adelaide for adults, it actually has programming catered to children. From the dedicated children’s activity space to a kid-friendly art studio, your little ones can find their creative spirit at the Art Gallery of South Australia!
Would really recommend it of one of the best things to do in Adelaide with kids.
Exploring Australia: Things to Do in Adelaide Today
While you’re getting to know Australia, don’t forget to put Adelaide on your list!
It is a lovely city, which is the capital and largest city of South Australia. With the beautiful St. Vincent Gult nearby, as well as the expansive parklands around it, Adelaide brings cosmopolitan life and nature in conversation with one another.
In addition to the city’s diversity, there are plenty of free things to do with kids in Adelaide. Just a short drive away, the Adelaide Hills offer a variety of family-friendly activities such as visiting farms, wildlife parks, gardens, and campgrounds, all set against the scenic natural beauty of the region.
This makes Adelaide an amazing city to visit as a family; don’t miss out on this South-Australian gem!
Frequently Asked Questions about Adelaide, South Australia
What is special in Adelaide?
Adelaide provides access to the top Australian wines and hosts an enviable bar scene. There are also a number of things to do around the main city and it is very walkable with a lot of green and open spaces.
Where to take younger kids in Adelaide?
There are many family attractions in Adelaide. Take your children to Glenelg, Brighton or another metropolitan beach. Whizz up the colourful slide rides at The Beach house in Glenelg or the Zoo in Adelaide.
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