25 things to do in Adelaide these school holidays with your grandkids

IT’S school holiday time and, with many parents at work, we’ve come up with 25 ways for grandparents to keep the grandkids entertained.

Boomer: Nature Play SA mud kitchen fun Nature Play SA mud kitchen fun, Jazz and Tom McKay. Must credit: Jason Tyndall.

IT’S school holiday time and, with many parents at work, we’ve come up with 25 ways for grandparents to keep the grandkids entertained.

WEST

1  River Torrens Linear Park Trail

WALK or ride along the riverside trail from the city to the sea. Stop for lunch at Apex Park or Breakout Creek Wetlands along the way.

2  Marion Coastal Walking Trail

TAKE a trek running through rugged cliffs, hidden coves and unique rocky coastline in this 7km section of Coast Park from Marino to Hallett Cove, ending at Headland Reserve.

There are beautiful views all along this coastal walk.

 3  Arrgghh, it’s a Pirate School, Port Adelaide

AHOY, me hearties! Learn how to talk and act like a pirate at an interactive performance at the SA Maritime Museum, Lipson St, weekdays from 11am and 1pm during the holidays. Included with museum entry. Details: samaritimemuseum.com.au

4  Nylon Zoo Story Tent, Henley Beach

THIS story event will take place in a giant inflatable storytelling theatre. Henley Town Hall, 378 Seaview Rd, two sessions from 10am-11am and 11am-noon, for kids aged up to 12. Free but bookings essential. Details: Visit bit.ly/eVents-csls or call 8408 1333.

5 FISHERMAN’S WHARF AND HART’S MILL PLAYGROUND

HEAD to the Port on a sunny Sunday or public holiday and you will find a bustling marketplace to explore while the kids play at the revamped Hart’s Mill Playground. Enjoy the atmosphere of this historic precinct along with some traditional fish and chips for lunch.

6 LEGO CHALLENGE AT WOODCROFT LIBRARY

PRIMARY schoolchildren can drop in from 10am to 5pm, April 26 to 29, take part in a Lego challenge and have photos of their creations displayed in the library. No bookings necessary.

EAST

 7  The Flavours of Campbelltown Food Trail

TASTE offerings from more than 20 food producers with a free, self-guided tour. Details: campbelltown.sa.gov.au

8 Haigh’s Chocolate Tour, Parkside

ALL attendees are offered a free tea or coffee to accompany chocolate samples. Tours free. Details: Bookings haighschocolates.com.au/tours

 9  Learn to face paint at Payneham Library

THIS event could get messy but will be a whole lot of fun for kids aged seven to 13. It’s on Wednesday from 10.30am; cost $5. Details: Bookings essential, npsp.sa.gov.au

 10 Circus Elements Workshop

CHILDREN become the entertainers at this juggling and performance workshop. April 27, 10.30am-11.30am at St Peters Library. Ages five-12; cost $5. Details: Bookings essential: npsp.sa.gov.au

11 MUD CENTRAL AND RIDGE PARK

BASK in a mud kitchen, learn about compost and make the most of nature craft and art activities at this partnership between the City of Unley Community and Nature Play SA. It’s free on April 21 from 10am-3pm. Details: unley.sa.gov.au

There’s a lot of fun to be had in a mud kitchen. Picture: Jason Tyndall

CITY

12  MARSHMALLOW PARK

ASIDE from having one of the cutest names around, Marshmallow Park boasts pretty awesome equipment for youngsters. It’s located off Glen Osmond Rd, between South Tce and Hutt Rd.

13  Migration Museum, Kintore Ave

MAKE a puppet, learn about the history of puppet characters from around the world and perform a show in the museum’s pop-up puppet theatres. From 10am-5pm weekdays and public holidays and 1pm-5pm weekends until May 1. All ages; free entry. Details: 8207 7580 or migrationmuseum.com.au

14  Guide Dogs SA Discovery Centre, 251 Morphett St

PLAY basketball with glasses simulating vision loss, learn braille and crack a code, walk with a white cane and meet a Guide Dog. Suitable for children seven and over; cost $6. Details: Bookings essential, 8203 8333.

15  Adelaide Central Market

THE market holds special activities for children every school holidays, from free market bag decorating workshops to paid cooking classes. Details: adelaidecentralmarket.com.au

 16  Come ’n’ Try sessions

TRY a new and exciting sport these school holidays. More than 10 sports associations are running come ’n’ try sessions in and around the Adelaide CBD this week. Sports available include baseball, BMX, hip hop dancing, judo, lacrosse, life games, orienteering, rowing, rugby union, softball, taekwondo and touch football. Most sessions $10. Details: Bookings essential, comentry.com.au

NORTH

17  Cobbler Creek Recreation Park, The Golden Way, Golden Grove

THE large nature reserve has everything to satisfy an inquisitive mind, including hiking trails, colonial history sites and some incredible views.

 18  National Military Vehicle Museum, Sturton Rd, Edinburgh

SHOWCASING some of the oldest militaria — including cars, trucks, tanks, a hovercraft, uniforms, models, radio equipment and artillery — the museum is generally open Sundays and public holidays, 10am-4pm. Entry is $10 adults, $8 concession and up to three children are free. Details: military-vehicle-museum.org.au

A vintage motor car at the National Military Vehicle Museum, Edinburgh Park.

 19  Mobara Park, Mawson Lakes Blvd, Mawson Lakes

LEARN about Japanese culture through plants and landscapes. There is also a kick and catch area, beach volleyball, tennis courts and plenty of areas for picnics.

 20  Goldenfields Reserve, The Golden Way, Golden Grove

THE major play space has undergone a transformation and is ready to be tackled by children of all ages.

 21  Activity trail at Tea Tree Gully Library, Modbury

HELP the littlies search for hidden clues at the library these holidays. Pick up a free activity trail guide from the “Ask Here” desk. Details: teatreegully.sa.gov.au

SOUTH

 22  ALDINGA BEACH

TAKE a drive on to the sand, get the stumps and bat out of the boot and make some beach cricket memories for kids to treasure.

 23  Jubilee Adventure Playground

CHILDREN will be entertained for hours with the swings, slides and castle fortress. There are barbecue and picnic areas. It’s off Salt Fleet St, Port Noarlunga South.

 24  Eco-craft at Waste Nott Recycling Store

LET your creativity run amok at this environmentally friendly craft event at Hackham West. There are two sessions on Wednesday, from 11.30am and 2pm. Details: Bookings essential, onkaparingacity.com

 25  Suitcase Theatre’s Jack & the Beanstalk, Woodcroft Library

BASED on the classic tale, this free puppet show with a modern twist also features a puppet-making workshop, live music and audience interaction. On April 27, 10am-11.30am, ages five and over. Also at Noarlunga Library on April 28. Details: Bookings essential, onkaparingacity.com or 8384 0050.