Free ideas to keep your kids busy in Adelaide this summer

NEED ideas to keep the kids busy these holidays? We've got a list of cheap and free things to do in every corner of Adelaide.

Children enjoying the Playspace at Bonython Park. Picture: Tricia Watkinson.

NEED ideas to keep the kids busy these holidays? We've got a list of cheap and free things to do in every corner of Adelaide.

CITY

■ Whitmore Square

Pay a visit to the South West Community Centre on Sturt St where you can borrow a giant chess board to take to Whitmore Square. While you're there, have a game of table tennis or hit the basketball courts.

■ Bonython Park

Kids will love the Playspace at Bonython Park which has a 25 metre flying fox, wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round and a giant mouse wheel.

Children enjoying the Playspace at Bonython Park. Picture: Tricia Watkinson.

■ Kids' Tennis Day

See SpongeBob Square Pants, Dora the Explorer and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles take to the courts at Memorial Drive Tennis Centre on January 5. Register at kidstennisday.worldtennischallenge.com

■ The Studio

Little artists can visit the ground floor of the Art Gallery to work on their own creations - all materials are supplied. Free, 8207 7000

■ Blue Hive

At the end of the Torrens Footbridge there are 4m by 4m shaded octagons with interactive elements for children.

NORTH

■ Movies@thepark
Head to Tea Tree Gully Civic Park to enjoy this free outdoor cinema. January 17, 24, 31 and February 7. Opens 6.30pm for drinks, movies start at 8.30pm. Details at www.teatreegully.sa.gov.au
■ Loud Lock-In at Len Beadell Library
Gaming, airbrush tattoos, pizza, movies and more will be on offer for children aged 12 to 18 during this free lock-in on Wednesday, January 22, 6.30pm-9.30pm. Bookings essential. Contact 8406 8233.
■ Find you groove
Northern Sound System's school holiday workshops include DJ, rhythm, ukulele, skate, scooter and BMX lessons. Bookings essential. Cost: $5-$10. Call 8255 5560.
Dillon Olliver and Luke Busuttil from the band Walking With Thieves at the Northern Sound System.■ Gepps Cross Drive-In: Take in the latest cinema releases at the drive-in. Cost is $22 per car for up to five passengers. Details: wallis.com.au

■  Cool off at Waterworld
Dare to ride the 77m SupaJet slide, race your friends on the side-by-side straight racing slides or just cool off in the main pool or toddler's splash pool at Ridgehaven. Kids $5, adults $6.50.

SOUTH

subrach, seen Kara■ Outdoor Art classes
Learn how to paint with local artist Sonya Olsen. Held in Ramsay Place on December 18 and 20 and January 15, 17 and 22, 1pm-2pm. Details: onkaparingacity.com

■ Head to the beach

The south has some of the best beaches. Port Noarlunga, Port Willunga or Christies Beach, to name a few.

Grace Hardman, 7, enjoys the sun at Port Noarlunga.

■ Swimming lessons

Free lesson at the Noarlunga Aquatic Centre. Children must be aged nine or older. Head to the David Whitton Drive centre December 20, 4.30pm-5.30pm. To book: 0403 354 855.

■ Jubilee Adventure Playground

Hit one of the south's best playgrounds. A castle fortress with ladders, slides and more. Barbecue, picnic and shaded areas. Salt Fleet St, Port Noarlunga South.

■ Games, Games, Games!

Chess, Twister, Wii and more at the Noarlunga Library, Hannah Rd, Noarlunga Centre. Suitable for primary school children. Held every second Wednesday, 4pm-5pm. Details: 8384 0655.

EAST

■ Orienteering at Thorndon Park
Head to Hamilton Tce in Paradise and discover your inner adventurer with the free orienteering courses. Maps at sa.orienteering.asn.au. Plus there are barbecues, walking trails playground, natural wetlands and more.
■ Waterfall Gully hike
Take your older kids for the three-hour return hike to Mount Lofty Summit for panoramic views of Adelaide. Or climb the trail to the top of First Falls and grab an icecream from Utopia for a less strenuous option.

Waterfall Gully is a great spot for a hike.

■ Tusmore Park
Have a hit of tennis, climb a tree or cool off in the paddling pool. It's off Stirling St in Tusmore.

■ Burnside Pool
For those hot days, head to Hazelwood Park for a dip and a play. Kids $5.50, adults $6.50, spectators $4.80.
■ Mitcham Library
Bookworms can read 10 books to go in the draw to win an iPod shuffle. Book logs must be signed by a parent and submitted to the library by Sunday, January 26, at 5pm.

WEST

■ The Pirate Show
Head to the SA Maritime Museum, 126 Lipson St, Port Adelaide for some pirate music. Help Captain Black Diamond get to Treasure Island. Shows from January 6 to 24, weekdays 11am and 1pm. Museum entry fees apply, Adults $10, kids $5.
■ Brighton Jetty Classic Sculptures Festival
Explore sculptures on display for the Brighton Jetty Classic Sculptures Festival on the beautiful Brighton Beach. The exhibition will run until February at Bindarra Reserve and along the Brighton Esplanade from 10am to 6pm.

Sculptor Alec de Wilt on the beach at Brighton with his sculpture, Lost Hermet. Picture: Stephen Laffer.

■ Jervois Bay Ships Graveyard
The remains of five vessels are easily accessible at low tide at Rennie Rd, Ethelton. ■ Kids Port Walk

Pick up a backpack, compass, binoculars and map from the Port Adelaide Visitor Information Centre, 66 Commercial Rd for this free, self-guided walk around our historic Port. For kids aged 8 - 12. Details: 8405 6560. ■ Marion Coastal Walking Trail
Get active with a hike along the Marion Coastal Walking Trail. The 7km trail starts at the end of the Marino Esplanade and extends to the Hallett Headland Reserve at Hallett Cove.