Here are some of our favourite things to see and do with kids at the 2024 Royal Adelaide Show.
The Royal Adelaide Show is a such fantastic event for families, offering a huge variety of attractions and activities that cater to all ages. The Play & Go team has made a list of some of our favourite family-friendly highlights so far this year that you might enjoy too! From play areas designed specifically for children to learning about farming and agriculture, get ready for a day out that is both fun and educational for everyone.
Check back as we add to our list throughout the week.
FREE ACTIVITIES
Aggies Farm – situated between the Main Arena and Dairy Food Hall (9am-6pm daily)
A free activity especially suitable for little kids! Grab a basket and optional apron, and walk through the farm picking strawberries, carrots, potatoes and apples. Harvest eggs, shear a sheep and catch a fish. Return your produce at the farmers market at the end to receive your payment to trade in for a badge and sticker.
Poultry, Pigeon and Egg Pavilion – Upstairs above Taste SA
Here you can look at all sorts of amazing chickens, ducks and fancy pigeons. You can also hold a baby chicken, with students from Urrbrae Agricultural High School supervising.
Nature Play Space by Climbing Tree – just north of the Goyder Pavillion (9am – 5pm daily)
A huge play space for kids to explore, with potion-making kitchens, cubby houses, fairy houses and construction blocks.
The Learning Centre – Old Ram Shed, west of the Main Arena
There’s so much to do here! Collect a Passport and see how many activities on the checklist you can complete. Make sure you get the chance to create a smoothie in the Farm Kitchen, and find learn about water bugs from the amazingly helpful Urrbrae Agricultural High School students.
Golden Grains Pavilion – west of the Main Arena in the Old Ram Shed
Learn about different types of grains, and mill your own flour. There’s lots of activities and sensory play here.
Farmyard Nursery – south west of the Main Arena
A must for anyone who likes baby animals! There’s baby goats, alpacas, donkeys, sheep, cows, piglets, puppies and chickens to pat.
Cosi’s Lumo Energy Clowns – Show Bag Hall
It’s free to play the Cosis Lumo Energy Clowns in the Show Bag Hall – kids get a lolly at the end too!
Scarecrow Display – Goyder Pavilion
Check out the creative scarecrows from this year’s competition!
Adelaide Strikers Free Activity – Show Bag Hall
Have a turn on the Strikers jumping pillow in the Show Bag Hall, win a free ball or giant hand.
PAID ACTIVITIES
The Enchanted Circus
This ride was a massive hit! Just $15.00 to get an unlimited ride wristband so the kids could go on as many times as they liked. Great value, usually $10.00 for 1 turn.
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Yellow Brick Road Showbag – $13
Pick up your showbag and map from various stalls around the showgrounds. Keep an eye out for stands and collect items as you explore the show. This year, you’ll receive an apple, mandarin, banana, yoghurt, cheese toastie, gelato and lots more.
Crown Wheel – south of the Main Arena – $12 per person/$40 for 4 people / 50 per gondola (6 people max)
A brand new ferris wheel that gives a different view of the showgrounds. This ferris wheel is wheelchair accessible, fully enclosed (great for windy and wet weather) and one metre taller than the original Skymaster wheel. You’ll get a great view of the Main Arena from here, and it’s a great option for kids who may be a bit worried about the more open Skymaster ferris wheel.
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FOOD OPTIONS
Sushi Hub – south east of the woodchopping arena. Options from $3.50 to $13
This is a great lower cost, healthier option, and the queues are shorter than for cooked food. We loved the tamagoyaki (rolled omelet on a stick) for $5.50 and tempura veggie nigiri for $3.50. We recommend grabbing some for lunch, and eating while watching the woodchopping nearby.
Real Cheese Toastie – just $3.50!
The best value snack at the Show! Just note that the line ups can be huge at times, especially as you get a voucher to use as part of your Yellow Brick Road showbag.
Shibui – opposite Golden Grains, west of the Main Arena. Options from $7.50
A favourite for those with a sweet tooth, Shibui is at The Show this year with their famous mochi donuts, soft serves (Shibui Red Ripperz pictured) and marshmallow fluff cups. They’ve even got a new menu item which is a twist on their classic donuts with cinnamon sugar instead of the usual condensed milk. We always love a bite of their warm, freshly made donuts for dessert, which now come in a vertical box for easy eating!
They’ve also got light-up fairy floss and a family show deal which includes four mochi donuts and two soft serves for $28. We recommend heading to the Main Arena right next door to find a step or a seat to watch the entertainment while enjoying your dessert.
Read our review of Adelaide’s Shibui Dessert Bar
Chocolate and Co
Featuring their Lindt Chocolate on tap, we had the Chocolate and Co Mini Dutch Pancakes with strawberries smothered in Lindt Chocolate – $13. They are right next to Shibui beside the Main Stadium.
Pretzel Events (formerly Pretzel Mania)
This is a favourite for some of the Play & Go kids – and yes it’s an extra $1 for the Classic Salted ($12) but the kids say it’s totally worth it. For those who like a bit of spice, I recommend the Jalapeño Pretzel.
Hot Cinnamon Donuts from Rotary Club
Always an annual Show favourite, hot donuts are delicious and proceeds go to great community causes. One donut for $2.50, 3 for $6, 12 for $22.
Our Favourite Things to See & Do at the 2024 Royal Adelaide Show
Ended: WIN Royal Adelaide Show Family Passes
FREE Things To Do at the Royal Adelaide Show 2024
How to Enjoy the Royal Adelaide Show on a Budget | Show Tips for Families
Royal Adelaide Show | Adelaide Showground | 31 Aug – 8 Sep 2024
At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.
Image Source: all photos by Play & Go 2024
As per all our Play & Go reviews, this is not a sponsored post and our review is done completely independently.
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