And here we are again, school holidays… how is it July hols already I hear you ask?! Full transparency, I really don’t have that answer, this year is flying by way too quickly. However, I do have the answer to ‘what do we do with the kids these school holidays?’ so you can relax, make yourself a cuppa, grab a biccie and read on!
First of all, how good are cosy days in.. or out, with no alarms, no schedules, no packed lunches and just QT with your kiddos. It’s priceless and as a kid, it’s often fun school holiday memories that linger for years, so this is where we come in, get the kids together and look through our epic list of what’s on in Adelaide these July school holidays and make some plans!
We have done all the groundwork for you and put together the best of the best on offer in Adelaide these holidays and we’re not too afraid to blow our own trumpet and say it’s a pretty epic list, with a great variety of indoor and outdoor activities, with something on offer for all kiddos ages, skill sets and interests. You’re totes welcome.
Here’s to a fun, cosy, memorable – and hopefully not too wet, couple of weeks ahead, happy winter holidays everyone!!
1. WESTFIELD PRESENTS HAPPY CAMPERS
We know, we know… July school holidays aren’t the most favourite of all the school holidays because, winter and well quite frankly no one wants to be outdoors when it’s blowing a gale and pouring with rain. But that’s where the amazing team at Westfield come into play because they have got you and your kiddos covered (geddit!) There are activities galore at Westfield Marion and Westfield West Lakes with their immersive kids camp-inspired activity zone. From Games World to the Happy Camper Craft Zone, to QBD Campfire Stories and Nature Play… your kiddos will be spoilt for choice and you will have a new found love for winter school hols!!!
WHEN: Westfield Marion July 8-13, 10am – 2pm, Westfield West Lakes, July 15 – 21, 10am – 2pm WHERE: Westfield Marion and West Lakes
MORE INFO: kiddomag.com.au
2. ADELAIDE OVAL TOUR
Your little cricket or footy buff is going to be beside themselves these school holidays when you tell them they can get up-close-and-personal with Adelaide Oval! Your kiddo will get to go behind the scenes with an Adelaide Oval Ambassador and get an all access pass into areas which are off limits to the public. Their excitement will be off the charts when they are taken around by someone who knows the Oval inside out, they will get to go inside the old scoreboard (say what!!!!), visit the media centre, head into the footy and cricket change rooms as well as see all the memorabilia! Tours are offered all day, every day (except for game days!) so head to the link below to find out more and get booked up! This is such a cool experience and a must do school holiday activity, your kiddo will be so excited to go back to school and tell everyone about the cool experience they’ve just had, they won’t complain or ‘be bored’ for the rest of the holidays! We highly recommend! WHEN: Offered daily. (Check website for info!) WHERE: Adelaide Oval MORE INFO: adelaideoval.com.au/tours/
3. CIRCUS RIO AT THE BAY
Circus Rio has taken Adelaide by storm and is making its final curtain call these July School holidays. First of all.. how good is the circus? Second of all, Circus Rio is like no circus you’ve ever seen before and is a family fun day out, you’ll be amazed at the incredible performers off Circus Rio as they take the whole family on a journey around the world.
This is a performance you won’t want to miss, with Circusrio bringing colour, flare and inspiration never before seen in South Australia.This combination is sure to delight all families of Adelaide, from toddlers to grandparents – there’s something for everyone! World renowned acts hailing from France, Brazil, Russia (and many more!) come together in this colourful carnival for the entire family. More than just your classic clowns and juggling acts – think tightrope, FMX and aerialist tricks!
This school holidays there is no better activity than a trip (or two) to Circusrio. You can be sure it will be a fun and inspiring experience under the Big Top for the entire family!
WHEN: July 4th – 27th
WHERE: Wigley Reserve – Cnr Anzac Highway and Adelphi Terrace
MORE INFO: circusrio.com/
4. ZOOCATION – ADELAIDE ZOO SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
Adelaide Zoo is the place to be these winter holidays with their Zoocation care school holiday program. You can drop your kiddos off knowing they are having an amazing time with a dedicated carer, learning and discovering all the amazing things on offer at the zoo and meeting all the locals. You can be sure you’ll arrive to pick them up and they’ll either a) want to stay longer or b) ask how many hours till the morning when you drop them off again. This holiday care program comes highly recommended and is a school holiday favourite of parents and children alike.
WHEN: July 9-18
WHERE: Adelaide Zoo
MORE INFO: adelaidezoo.com.au/event/zoocation-care-school-holiday-program/
5. THE PLANETARIUM
These school holidays we are calling all star gazers and junior astronauts to explore the solar systems and travel through magical galaxies along the way. The Adelaide Planetarium has you covered with magical, immersive trips to the solar system and back these holidays, check out the website for more info, options and experiences on offer. There’s also an astronomy for kids course – which sounds really cool – on offer to check out too.
WHEN: July 11-13
WHERE: Adelaide Planetarium
MORE INFO: unisa.edu.au
6. GIRLS ROCK ADELAIDE WORKSHOP
We are stoked that Girls Rock Adelaide Workshop is a thing! An amazing school holiday day camp designed to empower girls through music. Your lil rocker will form a band, choose an instrument, write a song and perform in front of an audience as well as watching other performances, and engaging in creative workshops and activities. I mean, how cool – right! Best of all, it’s all done in an incredibly positive, safe, inclusive and supportive environment where new skills are learnt, creativity is free to flow, friendships are formed and passion is fostered. No prior music experience is necessary so whether your kiddo loves to sing along to the radio in the car or literally sings from dawn until dusk… this is the holiday activity for them!
WHEN: July 15-19
WHERE: Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide
MORE INFO: girlsrockadelaide.org/program
7. PHIL CUMMINGS – STORIES BEHIND THE BOOKS
This interactive exhibition is not-to-be-missed… we repeat, NOT to be missed!! Phil Cummings has a career spanning over 30 years and across 60 publications including such titles as Boy, Ride Ricardo Ride and Be brave Pink Piglet. He is a much loved children’s author and is offering a rare insight into what happens behind he books. Compiled from the State library collection and Phil’s personal materials and manuscripts it offers a rare insight into what goes on behind the scenes.
A fascinating holiday activity for any budding authors, or any kiddo who loves books and would be fascinated to see what goes on behind the story.
WHEN: Running through until July 21
WHERE: State Library SA
MORE INFO: philcummings.com
8. TREE CLIMB
Adelaide’s adventure amongst the tree tops is quite quickly becoming an outright phenomenon in our state… and no wonder, have you checked it out yet? If not, it’s a must these school holidays!! It has over 70 obstacles and 7 courses and there really is something for every age and skill level. It’s a fun family day out, something to go along to with friends or for some one on one time with your little kiddo. Either way, it comes highly recommended and really is such a fun day out where kids are have the time of their lives using their current skills to overcome obstacles whilst picking up new skills, moving their bodies and challenging themselves… all while having so much fun and getting a bit off an adrenalin rush!
WHEN: Check website for details.
WHERE: Cnr Greenhill Road &, Unley Rd, Adelaide
MORE INFO: treeclimb.com.au
9. BOUNCEinc
Get ready to get really excited… BOUNCEinc (aka an Adelaide institution and the ultimate indoor trampoline park!) has holiday camps!! Whether your kids are aspiring freestyle trampolinists, or just have a lot of energy to burn (and what kiddo doesn’t love some quality time on the trampoline!!) BOUNCEinc have you covered, they have intensive 5 day programs on offer and participants in both the Flight Squad and Ninja Squad Holiday Camp programs (more detailed info on each program on their website) get a two hour session every day to develop their skills, with dedicated coaching time and time to practice their new skills and hone in on their ninja technique. It’s a fun, healthy way to spend the holidays.
WHEN: July school holidays, check website for timetable
WHERE: BOUNCEinc, 164-168 Richmond Rd, Marleston
MORE INFO: bounceinc.com.au/holiday-camp-2
10. PUMPT
Pumpt is where it’s at these school holidays for your little skater boy or girl! There’s hours and hours and hours of fun to be had at Pumpt with scootering, skateboarding and biking – there’s something for all ages and skill levels… and when your kiddos have burned all their energy and need sustenance, the cafe is amazing so you can fill those bellies with food and then they can go back for more!
And the best part, even when it’s pouring with rain, Pumpt has you covered (literally, ha!) for hours of fun… because it’s all indoors! Take that rain July holidays!
WHEN: Check website for opening hours
WHERE: 221 Marion Rd, Richmond
MORE INFO: pumpt.com.au
11. TRASH TEST DUMMIES
Returning to Adelaide after a sell out season at the Edinburgh Fringe, Trash Test Dummies takes the good ol’ household wheelie bin and turns it into 1 hour of hilarious, side splitting comedy, the perfect way to share a laugh with the kids these school holidays. So get booked up and get ready foo laugh your head off!
WHEN: July 13, 1pm or 3pm (duration: 1 hour)
WHERE: Space Theatre
MORE INFO: adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au/events/trash-test-dummies
12. FAMILY FUN FAIR
All aboard! The National Railway Museum is putting on an epic Family Fun Fair these July school holidays, running 10am to 4pm daily from Thursday the 18th till Sunday the 21st of July. Music, dancing, train rides, little steam engines, Dig A Dino and Animals Anonymous are just some of the fun activities and entertainment on offer – and all are included in the admission fees.
WHEN: July 18-21, 10am-4pm
WHERE: National Railway Museum
MORE INFO: nrm.org.au/whatson/events
13. MINECRAFT MADNESS STEM
Local school teacher, David Tucker is running a one-off school holiday event these July holidays for year 3-7 students. The event is a STEM based Teachertron Minecraft adventure. Adventure maps in a sandbox world, fun servers and challenges that use provocation to get students thinking creatively and to use problem solving and innovation to unravel a fun 2 hour mystery. Players will experience fueling and launching a rocket into the stars, tinkering with new technologies and setting up a base on the moon or in space.
WHEN: Both weeks of the holidays, various times – check website for info.
WHERE: Clapham Primary School – 60 Barretts Rd, Clapham
MORE INFO: teachertron.online/
14. BIG MARKET ADVENTURES FOR LITTLE FOODIES
Do you have a little foodie as part of your clan? Well look no further these school holidays than the Mecca that is The Adelaide Central Market and their tantalising school holiday program. Incase we couldn’t love The Adelaide Central Market anymore, they are so passionate about teaching kids the value of preparing healthy food from scratch and nutritional advice to accompany. They have two amazing programs on offer these winter holidays; Little Market Chefs and Market Trail. Little Market Chefs is all about cooking and preparing healthy food, classes are fun and interactive, with all produce provided from Market stalls, but also educational where your kiddos will learn that health, starts in the kitchen. Plus, each class includes a small takeaway of the dish they have made so they will be proud as punch to come home and show you what they’ve made… and you’re off the hook preparing dinner that night. Win, win!
And the Market Trail is back by popular demand after its success last school holidays whereby kiddos can go on a treasure hunt through the market, collecting samples and information along the way. So cool, right!
WHEN: Various dates – check website
WHERE: Adelaide Central Market
MORE INFO: adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/event
15. JURASSIC CREATURES
Get ready for your kiddos (and quite honestly, your own!) mind to be blown. Take your kid back in time with this interactive walk through an ancient world filled with dinosaurs is a must these July school holidays! This interactive experience is just that, an experience and one that will captivate you just as much as your kiddo. You can rest assured that after a visit to Jurassic Creatures, the only thing that will be extinct is their boredom!
WHEN: June 28 to July 28
WHERE: Bonython Park
MORE INFO: ticketmaster.com.au/jurassic-creatures
16. CUBBY TOWN
Nature Play and National Parks SA have teamed up again for an epic school holiday activity… enter: Cubby Town. They are back for one day only these winter hollies, for the 5th time with their successful Cubby Town event. The ultimate in Nature Play, your kiddos will be relishing in nature till their little hearts content with cubby building, wattle and eucalypt crown making, guided ranger walks, reading tents, Woodli building and so much more. Nature Play and National Parks SA make for a dynamite team and their events are always amazing. Tickets are on sale and numbers will be capped so get in quick so you and your kiddos don’t miss out!!
WHEN: July 17, 10-3pm
WHERE: Belair National Park
MORE INFO: eventbrite.com.au/e/cubby-town
17. CURIOUS CRITTERS
The perfect school holiday activity for your curious little, animal loving, critter. This event is only $5 per child and a great way to learn more about all creatures great and small. Your kiddo will be entertained by furry, feathery, scaly and slimy critters and come away having learnt some very interesting new facts.
WHEN: July 18, 10.30-11.30
WHERE: Aldinga Community Centre
MORE INFO: eventbrite.com.au/e/school-holiday-fun-curious-critters
18. AFL MAX
We are so excited that Australia’s first immersive, AFL skills and entertainment centre is opening right here in Adelaide!! The key aims from owner James Podsiadly (former Crows alum) was to have an interactive and safe centre where all are welcome… and he has certainly achieved that. Trust us when we say AFL Max is EPIC – 5500m² of epic-ness to be precise! So, these July school holidays, take your kiddos to the newly opened AFL Max where they can take their pick of activities from an extensive choice on offer: Max Interactive, Max Aerial, Max Climb, Max Skills, Max Bump, Max Tackle and Test, Max VR, Max Rookie.
WHEN: Check website for open hours
WHERE: 32 Butler Boulevard, Adelaide Airport
MORE INFO: aflmax.com.au
19. HAHNDORF FARM BARN
Get your dose of cuteness these July School Holidays, between your cute kiddos and the cute baby animals at Hahndorf Farm Barn… it’s cuteness overload!! Kids love it here and it’s no wonder why, hello, did we mention baby animals! Your little ones will be in their element when they are up close and personal with the cutest animals you ever did see, from baby goats, rabbits, guinea pigs and so many more. Plus, they can learn how to milk cows and ride a pony and bottle feed baby lambs!
WHEN: Open daily, 10am – 4pm
WHERE: 2282 Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf
MORE INFO: farmbarn.com.au
Little Picassos hold the most amazing school holiday programs, and holiday after holiday have the same kiddos coming back for more because they’re just so great! Their classes and workshops are held in their studios which quite simply put are such an incredibly inspiring, creativity inducing and beautiful environment for kids. From creative play, to clay, to dolls house design, to t-shirt making and art canvas work – and everything in between, you can be sure of one thing, your kiddo is going to be inspired to lean into their creativity and create until their hearts content. Their school holiday classes and workshops range from one, two or three hours to half or full days for kiddos from 2-16 years old.
WHERE: Glenelg, Hyde Park and Woodcroft
MORE INFO: littlepicassos.com.au/school-holiday-and-artcamp
Ok ok so Monarto Zoo – the largest open range zoo – is amazing place to have a fun family day out and see beautiful animals roam around at any time of the year BUT let us tell you, during the July school holidays, Monarto Zoo is the place to be, there’s so much happening from a whole week of NAIDOC celebrations to World Chimpanzee Day, head over to their website for details and join in all the festivities!
WHERE: Monarto Zoo, Old Princes Hwy, Monarto South
MORE INFO: monartozoo.com.au
If the weather is miserable, cabin fever has struck and the kids are climbing the walls these school holidays, we have just the answer for you… head over to LATITUDE where they can, quite literally, climb the walls and burn off some energy while having the time of their lives! With rock climbing, trampolines to bounce away on, a kids zone and just a complete fun-overload, this is a must visit these hols!
WHERE: 13-15 Fosters Rd, Greenacres
MORE INFO: latitudeair.com
It’s really no secret that here at KIDDO, we are huge (HUGE!!) fans of Kid & Hub, Adelaide’s creative space for toddlers and pre-schoolers. It is next-level-amazing and offers a range of fun, creative, unique sensory learning experiences and activities. It’s the ultimate play cafe really, where mum and dad can grab a cuppa knowing their kiddo is learning, discovering, creating and having their imagination and skill-set stimulated in the best possible way. Once you visit Kid & Hub it’s pretty much a sure bet that you and your kiddo will want to visit again, and again…. and again!
Woodhouse is a life savour when it comes to school holidays and not knowing what to do with the kids when you’re working or have prior commitments. They offer these incredible ‘drop and go’ camps where you know your kiddo is going to get unplugged from technology and screen time and immersed in nature, activity and adventure… all whilst developing new skills and making new friends! Woodhouse is fully facilitated, fully catered and every day a different theme is on offer, so you can book in for 1 day, 3 days… or all 10 knowing that it won’t be mundane or repetitive. But be warned, the days book up quickly so head to the website for info and get your kiddo booked in!!
WHERE: Scouts SA – Woodhouse Activity Centre, 37 Spring Gully Rd, Piccadilly
MORE INFO: woodhouse.org.au/experience/schoolholidays
25. WINTER WONDERLAND
Rug up and get your skates on! Winter Wonderland is coming to Glenelg and oh boy are we excited! A sheltered, windowed marquee (with view of the beach none-the-less) will be where all the magic happens with skating, demonstrations and ice shows all on offer. Watch as the kids faces are in awe of the cool, 450sqm beachside ice rink, which will be created over 3 days using 10,000 litres of water frozen using 4km of specially-laid refrigeration piping. This space will allow for a capacity of 150 people per session leaving plenty of room for excited guests who don’t want to spend too long waiting in line. A guaranteed fun family day out, so what are you waiting for?! Get down to the Bay these July school holidays!
WHEN: July 1 – 22
WHERE: Moseley Square, Glenelg
MORE INFO: kiddomag.com.au/article/do/a-winter-wonderland-is-coming-to-glenelg
26. COMISSIONER’S DIGITAL CHALLENGE
You would’ve read about Commissioner Helen Connolly’s Digital Challenge in the latest edition of KIDDO, and these July school holidays you can get involved. Learn To Speak Robot is an initiative put together by Commisioner for Children and Young People, Helen Connelly as a free challenge to increase digital skills in our youngest generation of kiddos. There are varying ways to take part and it’s a great idea to keep your little one busy – and their mind challenged – these school holidays. Head to the website for more info.
WHEN: July 10, 10-4pm
WHERE: Cove Civic Centre
MORE INFO: commissionersdigitalchallenge.net.au
27. BUSHLAND BABIES SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
This is a really fun, hands on school holiday activity your kiddo is going to love. Head to the Adelaide botanic Gardens for Bushland Babies; where children and caregivers work together to create cute bushland babies and critters to take home using botanical seeds and pods collected from around the gardens. The Adelaide Botanic Gardens has so much on offer these school holidays with other activities also available including Papermaking, Gardening, a Plant Hunter Treasure Hunt, Wildlife Show and Aboriginal Plant Use – check the website for more details on their school holiday program.
WHEN: July 18, 1.30 – 2:30pm
WHERE: Adelaide Botanic Garden
MORE INFO: botanicgardens.sa.gov.au/education/School_holiday_program
28. FINDING FROGS AT THE SA MUSEUM
July school holidays at the SA Museum is all about our little green friends, the frogs. They have some very fun activities on offer for all kiddos, including arts and crafts, workshops, education on frog life cycles and learning how they can be a scientist now and help our precious wildlife in their day to day lives. For more info, head on over to the website.
WHEN: July school holidays, various activities, dates and times
WHERE: SA Museum, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000.
MORE INFO: samuseum.sa.gov.au/explore/program-and-activities
29. HOLIDAY CHESS PROGRAM
If you have a clever little chess cookie in your family fold, this is their ultimate school holiday activity. Especially when winter holidays often mean cold, wet, gloomy days… what better way to combat that than being rugged up indoors getting your chess on.
WHEN: July 9, 10-3pm
WHERE: The Chess Centre of SA
MORE INFO: chessschool.com.au/holidaychess
30. PALAEONTOLOGY ROCKS!
Is your kiddo forever frolicking in the garden uncovering rocks and treasures in the dirt? Well boy oh boy do we have a good school holiday activity for you! Back by popular demand, Palaeontology Rocks is on at The Mawson Centre and your little palaeontologist can get their dinosaur fix! Incorporating investigative skills along with creativity and imagination, little Palaeontologists can uncover dinosaur tracks and determine which type of Dino it is, as well as dinosaur egg excavations, dinosaur digs and getting to make fossils!
WHEN: July 11, 10-11am
WHERE: The Mawson Centre
MORE INFO: eventbrite.com.au/e/palaeontology-rocks
31. EVELYN ROTH’S NYLON ZOO VISITS THE BAROSSA
If you missed Evelyn Roth’s Nylon Zoo at WOMAD you will be delighted to know that Evelyn and all her wonder and magic of the Nylon Zoo is back and visiting the Barossa these school holidays!! How fun, day trip!! Evelyn Roth is a world renowned performance artist and her Nylon Zoo is an incredible, inflatable pop-up story telling space that is really magical and like nothing else. It’s a choreographed, interactive event where your little kiddo will be the dancer and performer as they participate along. They’ll be twirling in rainbow capes, fluttering like butterflies, flying like birds, hopping like kangaroos and flying like birds… and quite frankly be overcome with fun and immersed in imaginative play. In our humble opinion, this is not to be missed.
WHEN: July 18, various times
WHERE: Barossa Regional Gallery
MORE INFO: eventbrite.com.au/e/evelyn-roths-nylon-zoo-at-the-barossa
32. BRIXPO
Adelaide’s only fan built LEGO event, and take our word for it, it’s an epic event. Amazing LEGO model exhibition and interactive play it’s an affordable, creative – and most of all – exciting day out that the whole family can go along to and enjoy. With over 100 fan built creations to explore, your kiddos will be engaged and entertained for outs. There’s also free parking, a warm indoor space and delicious food and coffee. Fun school holiday day out? You betcha.
WHEN: July 13-14
WHERE: Morphettville Racecourse
MORE INFO: brixpo.com.au
33. SKATING AT VICTORIA SQUARE
Is there anything that screams Winter Wonderland more than iceskating in the park? (FYI – the answer is no, well, maybe we could add in some Christmas trees and fairy lights but alas, we live in the Southern Hemisphere) but the winter magic is back these July school holidays at Victoria Square. Get your skates on and get the whole family together for a world class, family friendly entertainment precinct that in addition to the skating fun includes magical lighting, music, rides, ice slide, jumping castle and a winter market. See, literally a wonderland!! The kids will be entertained all day long and parents can either join in or watch from the sidelines whilst keeping warm with a cuppa and a biccie.
WHEN: 28 June – 21 July
WHERE: Grote street
MORE INFO: southaustralia.com
34. LEARN TO ROCK CLIMB
Wet, gloomy, cold winter school holidays can more-often-than not mean your littlies are climbing the walls, and now, thanks to Wilderness Escape Outdoor Adventure, they actually can. Wilderness Escape are a long trusted SA institution when it comes to school holiday activities, and these July holidays they continue to deliver the goods!
WHEN: July 10, 8-5pm
WHERE: Wilderness Escape Outdoor Adventure
MORE INFO: wildernessescape.com.au
35. ADELAIDE THUNDERBIRDS SCHOOL HOLIDAY CLINICS
If you have the next Natalie Von Berto in your household, get her into the Adelaide Thunderbirds School Holiday Clinics to learn from the best, practice skills and develop new ones. An awesome winter school holiday workshop that will delight your little Netball superstar and give you the chance to a) have some me time (which, let’s be honest is just getting housework done), b) go to work guilt-free, or c) spend time one on one time with the other kiddos in your crew.
WHEN: July 15 1-4pm / July 19 9-3
WHERE: Priceline Stadium
MORE INFO: adelaidethunderbirds.com.au
36. WILDLIFE WALK
Less screen time, more green time. Get your kiddos out into nature these July school holidays with the Wildlife Walk at the Adelaide Botanical Gardens. This engaging walk will provide fitness, education and fun as your little ones trudge through the great outdoors and learn which animals call our beautiful Botanic Gardens home, what threats they face, how they live and interesting facts. It runs for an hour, it’s for all ages and if you can’t make the city one, there is also one being held in Mount Lofty Botanic Garden on Saturday July 20.
WHEN: 13 July, 10.30am
WHERE: Adelaide Botanic Gardens
MORE INFO: eventbrite.com.au/e/wildlife-walk-school-holiday-program
