Jurassic Creatures Dinosaur Exhibition – Review
Be amazed and thrilled as the greatest creatures ever to walk the earth come alive before your eyes at this interactive, walk-through event. There are also activities galore.
by Carla Caruso
Got a budding palaeontologist in your life? (Hello, Ross from Friends.) Or a kid who’s watched all seven Jurassic films?
Then there’s a city event you’ll definitely want to pencil in your diary these school hols … Jurassic Creatures at Edwards Park!
We went on the opening night on 2 July 2021, which happened to be particularly wintry. But the chill factor and dark only added to the spooky vibe. It really felt like we were heading into a theme park, where cloned dinosaurs might run loose Jurassic Park-style. (We did have to watch out for some puddles and rain, though. And even the indoor bouncy castles got a little wet due to the deluge.)
Hot tip: make sure you check out all the animatronic creatures displayed outdoors before heading into the marquee. Otherwise, your kids may be too distracted by the jumping castles and other activities to fully enjoy them later.
As you walk through the dino display, it’s cool how each creature reacts and makes noise as you pass. The ice age area is particularly striking, especially when the faux snow is falling. (Although, on the cool night we were there, not too many were heading to buy the themed slushies nearby!)
Maybe it shows the mum in me, but I also loved the display featuring a dinosaur cracking out of an egg and another with a baby dino riding on its mother’s back.
I would’ve liked to spend more time reading the information signs by each animal, but my kids were too eager to keep moving. Embarrassingly, my husband had to tell me that the ‘electric fence’ warning signs weren’t real. I thought they were to keep people from touching the dinos! It has been a while between Jurassic movies for me…
Also outdoors, there are showbags and fare to buy – think hot food, popcorn, and fairy floss – and carnival games to play.
Indoors, as mentioned, there are jumping castles for the bigger kids, plus a ball pit and bouncy castle especially for the younger ones. The latter group should also like dancing to the live stage show.
Elsewhere, kids can don a digger outfit and chip away at a hard plaster egg to unearth their very own fossil. There’s also an area where they can make their own 3D wooden dinosaur puzzle. Although, my lot took their kits home as they were too hyped up to do them right then.
Younger visitors can also spend time in the junior art and craft area. Plus, you can pay extra to have a professional ‘dino’ pic taken.
To round things out, we checked out the Giant World Bug Display. I really want some framed jewel beetles for my home now!
You really are spoilt for choice at this event. Each session runs for two hours – and your kids are sure to have a gigantic amount of fun.
What we like about it
- All activities are included with the admission ticket.
- The bursts of faux snow and dry ice at two dinosaur displays make for great pics.
- Dinosaur-obsessed kids will be in paradise here. And it really is amazing to think that the creatures ruled the Earth for about 175 million years until their extinction.
- The event’s educational but fun.
- Kids under the age of three are free and don’t require tickets.
- It’s also a pram-friendly event.
Things to consider
- Don’t forget to rug up. Even consider bringing a change of clothes/socks for the kids if it’s rainy as it can be wet on the bouncy castles. Though they’re in an undercover marquee, rain still seeps through.
- The display of animatronic dinosaurs is outdoors. So, check the weather and pack a brolly if need be.
- Parking is now out the front of the venue (instead of at the netball courts across the road, as it was originally) – enter off Anzac Highway. The parking fee is $14 (charged by Adelaide City Council, not the event organisers).
- The toilet facilities are public ones outside the event fencing. So, this may also be used by non-event-goers during the night or day.
Coffee and food options nearby
Food and drink are available on-site.
Location:
Read more about the Jurassic Creatures Dinosaur Exhibition here.
What: Jurassic Creatures Dinosaur Exhibition Review
When: Showing until Sunday 25 July 2021
Where: Edwards Park, Anzac Highway, Keswick (opposite the netball courts)
Who: All ages
All photos by James Elsby for Play & Go Adelaide
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.
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