25 things Adelaide kids should do before they’re 12

REMEMBER getting muddy? Falling off a bike? Scrambling up the branches of your favourite climbing tree? Here’s our list of things every Adelaide kid should do before they turn 12.

• Kara Jung: Kids need nature play
• State of Play: Adelaide’s top parks and playgrounds
• Budget-friendly ideas for family and friends in Adelaide
• We asked the locals (and some ex-locals) what they love about our beautiful Adelaide

REMEMBER getting muddy from head to toe as a kid? Scabby knees from falling off a bike? Scratches up your arm from scrambling up the branches of your favourite climbing tree?

Research shows in just one generation we’ve gone from childhoods where a majority of play was outdoors, unstructured, risky (and, most importantly, fun!) to mostly indoor, with too much time in front of screens.

But the physical and psychological benefits of reversing this trend are huge. So here’s our list of things every Adelaide kid should do before they’re 12:

The old Moreton Bay figs in Botanic Park are perfect for climbing among the branches.

1. Climb a tree: If you haven’t hidden among the twisty, magical roots of the giant Morton Bay Figs in Botanic Park then do you even live in Adelaide? We also recommend the Olives in Rymill Park and Glover East Playground.

2. Camp under the stars: Backyard, definitely. But we also recommend getting away from home. School camp or birthday slumber party on the Adelaide Zoo roof anyone? Check out Wild Nights at adelaidezoo.com.au. Or why not head to Brownhill Creek Caravan Park or go a bit further to stringybark Camp Ground in Deep Creek Conservation Park on the Fleurieu Peninsula. For other SA national park camping spots, visit www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks

3. Build a cubby or treehouse: Why not visit Morialta Nature Playground and use the sticks, leaves and rocks from the creek to create your own nature teepee. While you’re there, climb on the Great Snake, and climbing boulders. This park is great for challenging kids of all ages to think creatively and get a little messy.

The creek at Morialta Conservation Park Nature Playground.

4. Go beachcombing and build a sandcastle: South Australia has the BEST beaches in the world and many that are family-friendly and super fun. My family loves West Beach with the playground above the sand. Plus Henley Square, for great fish and chips and water play before heading down onto the sand. Or there’s Glenelg? Port Willunga? Moana? Seacliff? Semaphore? ... did I mention we have the best beaches in the world?

Get crafty at the beach collecting shells. Picture: Kara Jung

5. Make a leaf artwork: Autumn is coming and with it, the leaves will start putting on a glorious show of colours. The Botanic Gardens — both at Mount Lofty or in the city are great spots to collect autumn leaves. Throw them in the air and watch them rain down. Then take a few of your favourites home to make a beautiful picture. You’ll need paper, glue and your imagination. Waterfall Gully Rd, leading up to Utopia Café and the start of the Mount Lofty walking trail, is also stunning in autumn.

The Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens in autumn

Drew, 6, leads the way on a nature hike up Chambers Gully, Long Ridge and Winter Track, Waterfall Gully.

6. Go for a nature hike: There are so many wonderful walks right on our doorstep. Try the Chambers Gully hike at Waterfall Gully, a section of the Hallett Cove Boardwalk along the coast or the new Punchbowl Lookout Walk in Paralowie, the Michael Perry Botanic Reserve track or Thorndon Park loop around the lake.

7. Catch a crab: St Kilda, Port Gawler and Thompsons Beaches allow people to wade in the shallows or go in a boat to go crabbing.

8. Catch a wave: Moana Beach has a pretty good reputation for waves perfect for young kids looking to boogie board, body surf or catch a small wave on the surf board. Port Noarlunga, Seaford, Aldinga and Christies Beach are great for kids and boards too — and Aldinga has the added bonus of being able to drive all your gear right onto the beach.

Rosie, Ali, Drew and Eloise splashing at the beach.

9. Plant something and watch it grow: Gardening is a great way for kids to learn about where their food comes from and to care for the environment. You can start small with a pot of herbs on the kitchen bench, but the best fun is getting out in the dirt and planting your own veggies. There’s something very satisfying about sitting down to a meal largely grown in the backyard. A hot tip: Let them use real tools not plastic toy ones. And engage them through the whole process (not just planting and picking), but watering, weeding etc. And if you’re really keen, get them to make a scarecrow with old clothes, an old broom handle, straw and string.

There's nothing like home grown fruit and veggies.

10. Catch a frog or tadpole (and release it): There are loads of parks in Adelaide with creeks to explore — Michael Perry Reserve in Stonyfell, Burnside Adventure Park in Kensington Gardens, Hazelwood Park, Mitcham Reserve off Old Belair Rd in Mitcham, Tusmore Park, Morialta Nature Playground ... hours of free, unstructured fun!

Eloise, 2, holds a frog she found (and released) in First Creek, Waterfall Gully.

11. Skim a stone: Find a lake or pond and learn this useless but fun skill. Thorndon Park Reserve lake, Wittunga Botanic Garden, Mount Lofty Botanic Garden — anywhere there’s water. But make sure you’re not aiming at any wildlife! A hot tip: Research suggest a 20 degree angle between the beach and a speedy spinning stone gets the best results.

12. Go snorkelling: For beginners, the reefs off Port Noarlunga, just by the jetty, and Aldinga are perfect. See how many of the 60+ fish species you can spot beneath the waves.

13. Play spotlight in the dark: A torch, friends and a little dose of bravery are all your need for this childhood game. Depending on where you live, see what nocturnal animals you spot while you’re there: Spiders? Possums? Frogs?

14. Paddle a kayak or stand-up paddle board: The calm waters of the Barker Inlet in Port Adelaide and through Garden Island’s Graveyard Maritime Heritage Trail is ideal for beginners and families. These ships date back to 1856 and are now abundant with sea life and bird life, while the inlet is full of birds, mangroves and DOLPHINS! This trail is 2km and can be accessed through the Garden Island Boat Ramp.

West Lakes is also a popular paddle spot — Deflin Island is good for beginners on calm days. The island is in the middle of the lake and is great for paddlers to circle its 6km circumference. Onkaparinga River is also a popular destination for paddlers, but check conditions as this is a tidal river with changing conditions. You can hire stand-up paddle boards off Seacliff and explore the lovely beach cove — perfect for smaller ones on calm days.

15. Dig for worms in your backyard: Just make sure to tell mum or dad before you start digging up a garden patch.

16. Make a kite and fly it: Make it, then head to your local sports oval. Victoria Park is also great for big open space — at 72 ha, it’s the largest segment of the Adelaide Parklands.

17. Mix a nature potion and mud pies: Get your hands dirty. Old containers, sticks for stirring, dirt, leaves and water make for an afternoon of fun. For those parents who don’t want to pack up at the end of these messy sessions, check out Nature Play SA (natureplaysa.org.au) or Wild Imagination (wildimagination.com.au) which host heaps of activities in the school holidays including mud and water play, nature crafts, potion stations and lots more.

Mud play! Every kid deserves to get muddy. Picture: Alison Sarre

18. Learn to cook a recipe or two: Kids who cook become adults who cook — and we’ve all gotta eat, right? Cooking is also great for teaching basic maths, how to see a project through and about healthy eating. Big Market Adventures for Little Foodies is back on at the Central Market these school holidays, which includes low cost and food free events for kids, as well as Little Market Chefs ($18) where kids learn to cook a nutritious tasty meal with the guys from Sprout Cooking School. Visit adelaidecentralmarket.com.au for dates and to book.

Little Foodies school holiday workshops at Centrals Market. Brothers Blake, 10, Hunter, 4, and Micah, 7, at the Central Market. Picture: AAP/Roy Vandervegt

You can feed an emu at Humbug Scrub Sanctuary.

19. Hang with some animals: Cleland National Park, Gorge Wildlife Park, Humbug Scrub Sanctuary and the Hahndorf Farm Barn, as well as Adelaide and Monarto Zoos, are all top Adelaide institutions that deserve a visit during childhood.

20. Go fruit-picking: Beerenberg Strawberries Farm is a must on every kids list. Just check their website that the patch is open as the season is coming to a close. It’s $4 per person (13 years-and-under are free). You will be given a wristband and picking containers and will have to pay for what you pick. Then there’s orchards across Adelaide where cherries, pears, apples and figs can be picked depending on the season. Apple season kicks off in May — why not head to one of the orchards in Lenswood. There’s even a ‘Pick a Pink Lady’ Weekend on May 5 and 6.

Sam, Josh, 5, and Sophie, 3, at the Magarey Orchard, Coromandel Valley. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

Tourists stopping at Second Falls on the Yurrebilla Trail in Morialta Conservation Park.

21. Go whale watching: The Fleurieu Peninsula down to Victor Harbor are perfect spots for whale spotting during the winter months.

22. Enjoy some quiet time under a waterfall: Morialta Conservation Park has some stunning waterfalls and lovely walks. Waterfall Gully’s First Falls is literally at the end of the carpark, but a short 500m walk up the Mt Lofty Track takes you to Second Falls, which is also a lovely spot to sit and ponder or splash about in the shallow water.

23. Share your secrets with your bestie at the Whispering Wall: Travelling towards the Barossa you’ll find the Barossa Reservoir at Williamstown — and the Whispering Wall. Every Adelaide kid should visit this quirky wall and experience its amazing acoustics that lets a whisper be heard from the other end — more than 100m away!

The Whispering Wall dam of the Barossa Reservoir.

24. Ride (and fall off) a bike: The Linear Park bike path is perfect for a family bike ride.

This shared-use trail follows 30km of the River Torrens from Athelstone through to Adelaide CBD, and then to the river mouth at West Beach/Henley Beach. There’s numerous playgrounds, picnic and duck-feeding spots along the way.

Don’t have a bike? That’s OK, there’s numerous dockless public bikes now available for hire. And it’s okay, everyone who learns to ride has to fall off at least once — it’s a rite of passage!

25. Watch a (or many) sunrise and sunset: Yep, most parents will read this and cringe at how many times their kids have woken them up before dawn. But actually getting out of the house to sit and watch a sunrise is something else. Something quite magical. Mount Lofty Summit and Windy Point are top spots. Adelaide also does an awesome sunset — and is blessed with the sun setting over the sea at any of our amazing beaches. It can get chilly so bring a jacket.

Sunset at Brighton Beach.

What did we miss? What play do you and your family love? Leave a comment below: