What's on for Adelaide Families & Kids

[ October 10, 2020; ] [caption id="attachment_140042" align="alignnone" width="630"] Boardwalk on the Steub Trail (Credit: Walking SA)[/caption]
Steub Trail to Mt Lofty Summit, Cleland Conservation Park Officially Opened
Ever wanted to hike to the Mt Lofty Summit without the steep incline? This new trail is for you. The 3.8-kilometre Steub Trail begins at Cleland Wildlife Park and gently climbs through forest woodlands on […]

[ September 25, 2020 to October 4, 2020. ]
Nature Festival – A New Festival for South Australia
Nature Festival is a 10-day open-access festival celebrating the role nature plays in the identity of all South Australians. Expect family play experiences from Nature Play, outdoor yoga, public talks, and artistic installations. Nature Festival’s inaugural program hosts free and ticketed events dedicated to celebrating nature in […]

25 Things To Do In Spring for Adelaide Families by Nature Play SA
Looking for some fun Spring inspiration to get out and about with the kids now the weather is warming up?
Once Spring is in the air the days get longer and warmer so it’s the perfect time to head outdoors and explore!  We are […]

Explore the Nature Play Space in The Domain at Millicent
The new nature play space next to the mega playground in The Domain at Millicent was officially opened by Tony Pasin MP and Mayor Des Noll on 31 July 2020. 
This State and Federal Government funded project has involved many hours of planning and work from both […]

Willunga Almond Blossoms 
The Willunga Almond Blossom Festival has been postponed until October. However, visitors can still enjoy the blossom trees in and around Willunga which have already started blossoming.
There are a variety of almond blossom trees in and around Willunga. Some are blossoming now, some later this month. Follow the Historical Blossom tour map below […]

National Parks & Wildlife Service South Australia Park of the Month for August 2020 – Encounter Marine Park and Granite Island Recreation Park
With each Park of the Month there will be a variety of events for everyone to enjoy, with many of them free to attend. You can learn more about a park direct from […]

[ July 24, 2020 to September 8, 2020. ]
Your Wild Child Book Presale – More Nature Play Activities for Kids
Following on from the success of the first book by Brooke Davis, Your Wild Imagination, comes Your Wild Child – a new book for families to enjoy. 
Full of new and interesting nature based activities for children aged 2-12 years, this practical and easy to […]

Easy Walks & Bushwalks around Adelaide with Kids
Bushwalking and walking outdoors is a great way to spend time as a family, talking, relaxing, and it’s a great way to reduce stress. There are so many fantastic places to explore in Adelaide and around South Australia. 
Some walks are more suited to prams and toddlers as they […]

 
Carrick Hill Story Book Trail
Carrick Hill is an elegant English manor-style house built in 1939 surrounded by beautiful sprawling gardens. The Carrick Hill Story Book Trail takes you on a fun journey for about half a kilometre through the beautiful grounds and gardens of Carrick Hill Estate with plenty to explore and discover.
**Editors note July […]

Explore Adelaide’s Creeks
Kids are drawn to creeks. They love exploring this natural, wonderful play space – with or without water.
Winter, especially when we’ve had rain, is a wonderful opportunity to explore the creeks with running water. When we go camping, our kids can literally spend all day in a creek, collecting rocks and sticks, looking […]

[ July 4, 2020 to July 31, 2020. ]
#ItsBetterOutside – Nature Play SA Campaign
Nature Play SA has launched its new #ItsBetterOutside campaign featuring resources to inspire South Australians to get outside with their families.
It is a frightening and real fact that children are less physically active than ever. It is a startling statistic that only one in four children meet Australia’s Physical Activity […]

Glenthorne National Park – New Nature Play Adventure Playground Development
A nature-focussed adventure playground will be developed as an iconic destination within the Glenthorne National Park thanks to a partnership between the Marshall Liberal Government and the City of Marion.  
The City of Marion has agreed to contribute $2 million towards a huge adventure playground after it embraced […]

Explore the largest nature-based playspace in Adelaide’s south, at Wilfred Taylor Reserve.
By Brooke Hendry
Parents – load up that picnic basket and get ready for a treat! Wilfred Taylor Reserve, in Morphett Vale, is now open. Families, go in and roam, explore and play at what is now the largest nature-based playspace in the south of […]

25 Things To Do In Winter for Adelaide Families by Nature Play SA
Looking for some fun winter inspiration to get out and about with the kids?
Just because it’s winter it doesn’t mean you have to hibernate until spring!  The days are shorter, temperatures are cooler and it’s wetter underfoot, but Nature Play SA’s list of 25 things […]

[ May 7, 2020 to June 8, 2020. ]
Junior Rangers – Autumn Diaries
South Australia’s National Parks and Wildlife Service has a new Junior Ranger nature journaling activity that will get kids excited about spending time in nature this autumn. There is also a great competition too.
Designed to spark curious minds, ‘Autumn Diaries’ is a great way to take the classroom outside and get […]

Photo credit: Michael Waterhouse Photography
Ghost Mushrooms in the Adelaide Hills
You don’t have to go all the way to Mount Gambier to see these amazing bioluminescent fungi. 
Head to the Mark Oliphant Conservation Park trails in Heathfield in the Adelaide Hills to view the incredible Omphalotus Nidiformis, also known as ‘Ghost Mushrooms’. Photographer Michael Waterhouse found these […]

[ May 15, 2020; ]
Mount Lofty Botanic Garden re-opens Friday 15 May 2020
With just over two weeks of May remaining we still have enough time to visit the stunning Mount Lofty Botanic Garden to take in the beautiful late autumn colours.  
After seven weeks of closure due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are delighted to hear that Mount Lofty Botanic […]

South Australia’s National Parks are reopening for camping on Monday 11 May 2020
National Parks and Wildlife Service South Australia are reopening National Parks for camping, plus parks accommodation and camping on Crown Lands will also reopen.
Park facilities now open include:

Campgrounds (from Monday 11 May 2020)
Group facilities such as barbecues, firepits, showers, indoor camp kitchens (from […]

   
Tips for gardening with kids at home
There’s nothing better than picking your own fruit and veg and watching your flowers and plants spring up and become a haven for bees, birds and other creatures.
Gardening is great fun and good exercise and it’s fantastic when kids get out into the garden and watch with excitement […]

Family, nature and COVID-19 – A free online guide to support families by Nature Play SA
In an Australian first, South Australian, not for profit organisation, Nature Play SA has launched a free, online guide to support families across the country and the globe during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This beautifully presented 85-page e-book offers credible information, strategies, and […]

5 Nature Activities To Do At Home during the Holidays
Here’s how your kids can still get a good dose of nature around the house these school holidays.
If your family is in self-isolation or implementing social distancing measures these school holidays, it will no doubt be a hard task to come up with new ideas to […]

Activities Kids Can Do at Home – Fun, Affordable Easy Ideas & Inspiration
Help the kids have fun at home with these easy indoor and outdoor activities using simple household items, pantry staples, recycled materials and a little bit of imagination!
As families stay home to slow the spread of COVID-19, with the cancellation of countless upcoming events […]

25 Things to do in Adelaide during Autumn by Nature Play SA
The fabulous team at Nature Play SA have put together a list of 25 family friendly ideas and activities to do throughout Autumn.  March, April and May usually have warm days and cool nights, so it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the […]

What’s In Your Backyard?
Costa is asking kids across Australia to grab a camera and snap photos of the flora and fauna in their backyard.
Joining forces with Junior Landcare, the popular TV star and Landcare champion has launched the ‘What’s In Your Backyard?’ campaign to encourage the next generation to get outside and document what’s in their […]

Just Jonnies – Apple Picking at Harrisville Orchards
Just Jonnies is a new apple picking event at Harrisville Orchards in Lenswood. 
Their first apple picking event “Just Jonnies” will be on Saturday 14 March 12pm until 4pm and again on Sunday 15 March from 12pm until 4pm. Keep an eye on their Facebook page for future pick […]

Nature Play SA Forest Festival 2020
Grab your picnic blankets and beanies, Nature Play SA are bringing you an unforgettable family festival in the majestic Kuitpo Forest.
IMPORTANT UPDATE Sunday 15 March 2020:
Following the Federal Government announcement banning public gatherings of 500 people or more in an effort to slow the spreading of COVID-19, this event has […]

The South Australian Tourism Commission has launched a recovery campaign for the regions devastated by the recent bushfires in South Australia.
The campaign, “Help them out, #BookThemOut”, will focus on encouraging people to visit the Adelaide Hills and Kangaroo Island to boost bookings and help reinvigorate the local economies.  
Now more than ever, our beautiful Adelaide […]

Exploring Family Friendly Kangaroo Island
South Australia’s Kangaroo Island is a true natural paradise, perfect for families wanting a getaway with that real holiday spirit – a world class bucket list destination.
There is so much to see and do on Australia’s third largest island from action adventures to peaceful walks through untouched bushland.  Think pristine beaches, […]

Image: Carl Charter
Environment SA’s 10 Top Spots to Snorkel in South Australia
South Australia’s marine parks are full to the brim with great spots to snorkel. Here are 10 places to try. 
From leafy sea dragons to giant Australian cuttlefish, about 85 per cent of the marine life in South Australia’s marine parks is found nowhere else […]

New ‘Sounds from the Ground’ Nature Playspace opened in Balaklava
The town of Balaklava is now home to the new ‘Sounds from the Ground’ Nature Playspace, officially opened on 25 October 2019.
The playspace is the perfect addition to Apex Park precinct which is home to a swimming pool, skate park, community garden and bowling club. The […]

Flinders Uni’s ‘SpringFest’, plus walking trails – Review, October 2019
The southern suburbs uni recently opened its doors for a family-friendly event. But, as we discovered, the campus has even more to offer, including scenic walking trails.
by Carla Caruso
It’s been a while since I’ve been a uni student (scarily, almost two decades), so I haven’t had […]

[ November 9, 2019 to November 11, 2019. ]
Sophie’s Patch Spring Open Garden
There will be a fabulous program of speakers, nurseries, refreshments and surprises providing entertainment and inspiration for the thousands of visitors from across Australia who visit this dry lands garden.
Kids Activities
On Saturday Kate Hubmayer will be running nature craft with kids making nature crowns.
Kristen Messenger from Bugs ‘n’ Slugs will also be there […]

[ October 26, 2019 to October 27, 2019. ]
Glenthorne National Park Open Days
Go along to one of the Glenthorne National Park Open Days and be amongst the first to see what’s planned for Adelaide’s newest national park.
Take a ranger-guided walk and see artist’s impressions from the draft master plan, and join in activities hosted by Nature Play SA including geocaching and cultural activities by the […]

50 Great Walks and Hikes for Kids & Families in South Australia
Walking and hiking with kids is a great way for families to spend quality time together outdoors. There are some really easy, short walks in South Australia which are great for little legs, while older kids will enjoy the challenge of more adventurous hikes.
Walking […]

Fossil Hunters Playground | Naracoorte Caves Conservation Park
A nature based playground and South Australia’s only World Heritage listed site, get together for a great day of fun and digging into the treasures of our past.
by Natalie Thoo
As you walk up to the Naracoorte Caves Visitor Centre you can’t miss a newly curated playground just off […]

 
Mitcham Memorial Library & Brownhill Creek in Hawthorn
If you thought libraries were just for bookworms or cranky types who like to ‘shh’ your kids, think again. Libraries aren’t what they used to be – particularly Hawthorn’s Mitcham Memorial Library.
by Carla Caruso
Following a $6.5 million rebuild, the new-look Mitcham Library flung open its doors in January […]

[ October 13, 2019; ]
Salisbury Plays at St Kilda
Salisbury Plays will arrive at St Kilda Adventure Playground for some games, sports, fun and food.
In partnership with Nature Play SA, this exciting event is filled with a range of nature play activities for children and families of all ages, from bush craft and kite making to walks exploring the biodiversity […]

[ September 29, 2019; ]
Explore, Discover + Play – A Family Day Out at Felixstow Reserve – Nature Play SA
Join Nature Play SA and the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters as they host a FREE family day out at the award winning Felixstow Reserve.
The fun-filled day will have the whole family exploring wetlands teeming with life, discovering […]

Felixstow Reserve
Review by Susannah Marks
The first thing that impressed me about Felixstow Reserve was the tranquility.  Not in a Bonnie Doon “how’s the serenity?” way, but because of the feeling of being miles from the city and in and amongst nature. It’s a really lovely spot for a wander, or a big gathering.
Felixstow Reserve was […]

[ October 12, 2019; ]
Forest Adventure Day on Hindmarsh Island
Join Wilderness Escape Outdoor Adventures for a fun and adventurous family experience exploring the magical forest at their private campsite on Hindmarsh Island.
The Forest Adventure Day is part of the Nature Play SA Festival, an annual festival for children and their families which celebrates and encourages play outdoors in nature.

Gates […]