25 things all Adelaide kids should do before they’re 12
It’s holiday time and that means getting out and exploring the world around you. Here’s our list of mostly-free, outdoor fun for all Adelaide kids. How many can you tick off the list this summer?
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Remember 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 – with loads of ideas for nature play and getting outdoors in our great state. How many can your family tick off the list these summer holidays?
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.
There’s also TreeClimb - there’s the existing park that takes you high into the tree tops in the city on Greenhill Rd and on January 15 a $1.3m TreeClimb is set to open at Kuitpo Forest in the Mounty Lofty ranges. The zip-line, high ropes adventure is fun for all ages - if you can handle the height! The new Kuitpo course includes multi-level courses, extended zip-line loops overlaying part of the Heysen Trail and a suspended aerial nets course. It also caters for people with disabilities so they can enjoy the treetops with their families and carers. Visit treeclimb.com.au to book.
2. Camp under the stars
Backyard, definitely. But we also recommend getting away from home. 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. Visit a nature playground
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. Then there’s also Wilfred Taylor Reserve, Hallet Cove Nature Playground, Mitcham Reserve. Or if you live in the regions, checkout George T Fisher Nature Playground in the Fleurieu Peninsula or Bowman Park at Crystal Brook. The Thorndon Park Super Playground has also just reopened after a mega upgrade – just in time for the summer holidays!
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? Collect shells to make a necklace. Build a sandcastle.
GUIDE: SA’S BEST BEACHES FOR ANY OCCASION
5. Do a family day trip drive
Check out our ultimate guide to the best day trip locations within 150km of Adelaide – from the heritage passport trail at Burra in the Mid North to riding the Big Rocking horse. Search our map.
MAPPED: THE ADVERTISER’S GUIDE TO THE BEST DAY TRIPS
6. Go for a nature hike
There are so many wonderful walks right on our doorstep. Try the Chambers Gully hike at Waterfall Gully, The Women’s Pioneer track or a section of the Hallett Cove Boardwalk (Not the closed off bits!) along the coast or the Punchbowl Lookout Walk in Paralowie, the Michael Perry Botanic Reserve track or Thorndon Park loop around the lake. SA is rich in nature trails.
7. Catch a crab
St Kilda, Port Vincent, Pine Point, Port Gawler and Thompsons beaches are just some of the state’s top crabbing spots that allow people to wade in the shallows or go in a boat to go crabbing. If raking, cooking and eating isn’t your style, try catching and releasing little ones in our various rock pools. Can you spot a hermit grab? A starfish? Shells? A Port Jackson shark egg case (Those brown spiral shaped things that could be mistaken for seaweed and can be up to 15cm long.). Then there’s moon snail sacks (Clear c-shaped jellies), Abalone shells, Razorfish, Tapeweed fibre balls or sponges and sea urchins.
8. Catch a wave
Moana Beach has a pretty good reputation for a great family day out. But SA is rich with the best beaches in the world so click here to find the perfect beach for any occasion with our SA’s Best Beaches guide.
SA’S BEST BEACHES FOR ANY OCCASION
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.
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!
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 or perhaps the now accessible Myponga Reservoir — anywhere there’s water. But make sure you’re not aiming at any wildlife! A hot tip: Research suggests a 20 degree angle between the water 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. Check out our guide to the best snorkelling beaches here and then see how many of the 60+ SA 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? Koalas? 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 are 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. Build a cubby
In your backyard, or in a park (Some of the nature playgrounds have sticks and twigs ready for you to build cubbies and tee pees!). You can use old pieces of wood, rope, fallen sticks and leaves – whatever is lying around!
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 72ha, it’s the largest segment of the Adelaide Parklands. Belair National Park, your local oval or the beach are also great options for kite flying.
17. Mix a nature potion, make mud pies
Get your hands dirty. Old containers, sticks for stirring, dirt, flowers, leaves and water make for an afternoon of fun. On hot days, why not make an ice cake? Pick flowers and leaves and pop them in a container. Fill with water and pop in the freezer until frozen and voila … A beautiful ice cake. Or perhaps mud facials or mud baths for those wanting to get super messy!
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 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. Or grab a recipe and bake something in your kitchen. Don’t forget to include the kids in writing a shopping list and going to the supermarket.
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
Cherry picking season is late this year because of that long winter, so why not go cherry picking? Beerenberg Strawberries Farm is also a must on every kids list for strawberries. It’s $5 per person (12 years-and-under are free). You will be given a wristband and picking containers and will have to pay for what you pick. Always check to see if the orchard you are visiting is open – sometimes they need to close because they are ‘picked out’ or due to hot weather.
21. Catch a match
Warm summer nights are the perfect time to stay up late and see the world in a new light. The Big Bash cricket games at Adelaide Oval are fun for the whole family. Watch the bats fly by the oval at dusk as the Strikers hit their opponents for six!
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 Mount 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!
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.
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 does an awesome sunset — and is blessed with the sun setting over the sea at any of our amazing beaches. And summer is the ultimate time to watch one.
What did we miss? What play do you and your family love? Leave a comment below:
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