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21 Free Things to Do in Adelaide with Kids

ByLanie van der Horst Updated on

Are you looking for something free to do with kids in Adelaide?

Traveling with kids can be expensive, but thankfully, there are lots of fun and free things to do in Adelaide.

Whether you want to spend a few hours in a museum, tour a chocolate factory, or explore the botanic gardens, there are plenty of options for places to take kids in Adelaide for free.

You can even get around Adelaide on public transportation for free!

Some items on this list are better for older kids and teens, while others are fun for all ages.

Keep reading to find the best free things to do in Adelaide with kids.

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Map of Free Things to Do With Kids in Adelaide

Free Indoor Things to Do with Kids in Adelaide

Australian Space Discovery Centre

A girl playing on a touch screen in a room filled with touchscreens and planets and the moon on the walls at Australian Space Discovery Centre, a free indoor place to take the kids in Adelaide

While the hours of the Australian Space Discovery Centre vary, it is always free to enter.

This museum is self-guided, and visitors can stay as long as they want, as long as it is within the open hours. Many of the exhibits are hands-on.

Workshops take place throughout the day. We learned about the Space Station located right inside the museum, answered space-themed trivia, and learned about Australia’s connection to space.

Don’t miss the Plants in Space exhibit in the lobby.

South Australian Museum

Open daily from 10 am until 5 pm, the South Australian Museum has 5 floors of exhibits, most of which are free to enter.

The museum focuses on South Australia’s history as well as its natural history. Much of the museum is interactive.

A shop and cafe are located at the South Australian Museum.

Haigh’s Chocolate Factory Tour

Haigh’s Chocolate Shop has many locations around Adelaide, and their factory offers free tours, though you must sign up in advance.

The factory is open for guided tours from Mondays to Saturdays and lasts about 30 minutes.

If you can’t sign up for a guided tour, self-guided tours are available. We took the self-guided tour, and the kids loved watching the factory workers making chocolate. Some staff were extra friendly and walked up to the window to show the kids what they were working on.

State Library of South Australia

Check out the events, workshops, and permanent exhibits at the State Library of South Australia, all of which are free.

The State Library of South Australia has plenty of family-friendly events. Check to see if you need to sign up or can walk in without a booking.

Art Gallery of South Australia

General entry into the Art Gallery of South Australia is free, though there may be a charge for certain exhibits.

The museum is open daily, except for Christmas Day, from 10 am until 5 pm. A shop and cafe are located inside the museum.

As it is an art museum and not interactive, this museum is best for older kids and teens.

Start at the Gallery at the Art Gallery of South Australia

Start at the Gallery is a free program for kids ages 3-12 that runs on the 1st Sunday of each month.

The event opens at 10:30 am, and registration must be done in person. Activities include kid-friendly tours, art workshops, yoga classes, and storytime.

50+ Things to Do in Adelaide with Kids

MOD

MOD is a museum in Adelaide that is focused on the future. Entry is free, and the museum is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am until 5 pm.

Designed for those 15+, MOD may be interesting for a younger audience, but they must be guided through.

Migration Museum

Open daily from 10 am until 5 pm, Adelaide’s Migration Museum has free entry.

The Migration Museum has exhibits about immigration. Some of their exhibits and events have a fee to enter.

Adelaide Central Market

Outside Adelaide Central Market. The building is brick and says "Federal Hall." there is a Market sign with a large heart.

Kids can get their faces painted for free each Saturday at Adelaide Central Market.

Be sure to check out their school holiday programming for free workshops and events.

While it is not free, there is a kid-friendly food tour that includes a stop at Adelaide Central Market. Find out more about the F Factor Food Tour.

Libraries

We love visiting our local libraries, and we often visit the library while on holiday.

Libraries are always free, and they welcome everyone, not just locals. Oftentimes, libraries have games, puzzles, and other things for kids to do in addition to books.

Plus, they offer air-conditioning on hot days.

Find the best Adelaide library children’s area for your visit.

Ride on the Free Adelaide Metro City Connector Bus and Tram

A family standing on the side of the rail tracks waiting for the free tram in Adelaide. A red tram is heading towards them.

The inner-city loop is free, as is a ride to the outer northern area of Adelaide. Find out which bus and tram to catch and explore Adelaide for free.

Free Outdoor Things to Do with Kids in Adelaide

Adelaide Botanic Gardens

Two kids walking through Adelaide Botanic Gardens.

Adelaide Botanic Gardens is always free to enter.

While hours vary depending on the day and time of year, the gardens are generally open during daylight hours. For specific dates, check here.

Glenelg Beach

Glenelg Beach near Adelaide. White sandy beach and large green pine trees.

While you do have to pay for the train, if you don’t have your own transportation, Glenelg Beach is very close to Adelaide City and has plenty of free fun things to do for kids.

In addition to the beach and its calm water, there is a playground located right on the beach.

Near the train and the beach entrance is a splash pad kids can play in before or after their day at the beach.

Things to Do with Kids in Adelaide at Night

Storybook Trail

In Carrick Hill Parklands is Storybook Trail, which is free and open daily.

Storybook Trail includes items from children’s books, including:

  • Three Billy Goats Gruff
  • The Secret Garden
  • The Jungle Book
  • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
  • Charlotte’s Web

Hart’s Mill

Hart’s Mill in Port Adelaide has a playground and lots of places to explore with kids along the waterfront.

Wilfred Taylor Reserve

Head to Wilfred Taylor Reserve for a fun day at the playground and walking on the nature trails. Wilfred Taylor Reserve is a great place for a family picnic.

Trains run on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of each month for a small fee.

Check out the Street Art

Lots of street art has popped up around Adelaide. Find your favorites and take a tour!

Mount Lofty Lookout and Botanic Gardens

The view of Adelaide from Mount Lofty.

You can drive up Mount Lofty to check out the view, and you can explore the Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens for free with the kids.

Mount Lofty Botanic Gardens opens at 8:30 am daily throughout the year and closes at 4 pm on weekdays and between 4 pm and 7 pm on weekends.

There is a large viewing area at the Mount Lofty Lookout.

Wittunga Botanic and Butterfly Garden

The Wittunga Botanic and Butterfly Garden opens at 8:30 am daily and is always free to enter.

The gardens are wheelchair accessible.

A playground is located at the Wittunga Botanic Gardens and Butterfly Garden, and there is a lake with ducks and turtles.

Play on a Playground

A large silver slide coming out of the mouth of an orange bird made of metal at Thorndon State Park in Adelaide.

Adelaide has lots of amazing playgrounds that offer free fun for kids.

Our kids didn’t want to leave Thorndon Park Reserve Playground, and I get it! Not only does it have a cute design, but there is so much for kids to do, including a flying fox, water play area, trampolines, and a swing set up like a carousel.

Find the best playground in Adelaide for your kids.

Play at a Splash Pad

A splash pad at the entrance to Glenelg Beach in Adelaide, a fun and free thing to do with kids.

Another fun place for kids to play for free is at a splash pad. Adelaide has plenty of splash pad options for hot summer days.

Planning a road trip to Coober Pedy?  Find the best places to stop and what to do on a road trip from Adelaide to Coober Pedy.

Free Things to Do with Kids in Adelaide Wrap-Up

We were pleased with the number of free activities kids in Adelaide during our holiday in South Australia.

Of course, it is very easy to spend money on vacation, and that is true for Adelaide, but there are plenty of free options that are kid-friendly.

In addition to many playgrounds and splash pads, multiple botanical gardens are always free to enter.

For those who would rather be inside, Adelaide has free entry to many museums, including the kid-friendly Australian Space Discovery Centre.

Not only are many museums free to enter, but they also have free family-friendly workshops and events throughout the year, especially during the school holidays.

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Lanie is the owner and author of Make More Adventures, a family travel blog that helps families make the most of their holidays. Lanie is an American living in Australia with her husband and 2 kids who love to travel almost as much as she does. When she is not traveling, working on her blog, or planning her next vacation, Lanie is watching Bravo, reading, or working with kids.

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