Spring school holiday ideas

[snifter]

The spring school holidays are getting closer so I'm starting this thread to share a few ideas for new arrivals and those that have been here a while already

 

 

First up, anyone with kids who are Octonauts fans might appreciate this. In Adelaide on Tuesday Oct 6.

 

http://www.octonautslive.com.au/

 

 

 

Zoos and wildlife parks. We prefer to visit these in the spring holidays before it gets into the heat of summer. If you have an Entertainment book you can get 25% off (group of 4, adults and kids) for Adelaide zoo, Cleland wildlife park and Monarto zoo.

 

Monarto zoo - http://www.monartozoo.com.au/ - Has a new arrival in the form of a baby rhino! http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-15/endangered-white-rhinoceros-calf-born-at-monarto-zoo/6776908

 

Cleland Wildlife park - http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/clelandwildlife/Home - Make a day of it up in the Adelaide Hills. Take a packed lunch or eat there, lots of space for kids to run though lacking in a decent play area. If you get round the whole park and have time left in the day you can always head to the Mount Lofty Botanical gardens on the way back.

 

Adelaide zoo - http://www.adelaidezoo.com.au/ - Some animals appear to have moved out to Monarto. Still a nice day can be had and you can combine a visit with a stop off along the river and perhaps the paddleboats or the Popeye - http://www.thepopeye.com.au/ or head south (either in the car or hop on public transport) in the parklands to the Princess Elizabeth playpark - http://playandgo.com.au/index.php/princess-elizabeth-playground-south-terrace-adelaide/

 

 

 

Check out the Capri cinema in Goodwood and see if they have a kids deal in the holidays (they usually do). Its a lovely old art deco cinema, run by volunteers and takes me back to my childhood when visiting. http://www.capri.org.au/default.aspx

 

 

 

Tues Oct 9 - Fri Oct 9 - Play at the Bay - Full info can be found here - http://www.holdfast.sa.gov.au/playatthebay

 

Play at the Bay is a program being run from 6 to 9 October 2015 (replacing the Jetty Road Treasure Hunt). The concept encourages children to play, explore and experience by offering workshops for a wide range of ages. For more detailed information on each workshop and to book, see the great list of activities below. Outdoor Fun Arts & Crafts Fun with Food Storytime for Toddlers Resume Writing. Booking essential.

 

 

Cirkidz - Visit the website for info. Suitable for kids aged 6-12 - http://www.cirkidz.org.au/circus-school/school-holiday-programs

 

Here is the program to give you an idea - http://www.cirkidz.org.au/images/school_holidays/Cirkidz_SPRING_School_Holiday_Program_2015.pdf

 

 

 

Visit Port Adelaide and hop on one of the dolphin cruises - http://www.portenf.sa.gov.au/page.aspx?u=702 - Take a packed lunch and eat on board or have lunch out somewhere.

 

 

Visit a national park. You don't have to go too far We have spent the last couple of weekends out in Belair national park. Lovely trails, can book tennis courts, take the dog (on a lead) and a picnic or BBQ there. Lovely play area, toilets and car parking (costs $12 to park in the park but we park at the golf course and go through the gate there into the park).

 

Adelaide - http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide'>http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide

 

Adelaide Hills - http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide'>http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Adelaide_Hills

 

Barossa - http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Barossa'>http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region/Barossa

 

Other regions here - http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/parks/Find_a_Park/Browse_by_region

 

 

 

Check out your local reserves and their free sports facilities. Many will have tennis courts, basketball hoop, play area, BBQ and more. Our nearest has tennis courts, play area and BBQ. Plus a big open space for kids to run.

 

 

 

Head to one of the many stunning beaches for a wander and an explore. Kids love building sandcastles, finding shells, running in the shallows. You don't have to spend all day, a morning or afternoon is often enough. We like to visit Glenelg over the holidays and watch the waters from the jetty, hit the beach, eat gelato and lunch at one of the many cafes. Also has a small playpark around by the marina and a good green space for kids to run. We also head south to some of the other beaches if the mood strikes.

 

 

 

The Beachhouse in Glenelg is also popular (but can be expensive, check pricing ahead of visiting). The 9am timecards are cheaper and are available on weekends and school holidays. Scroll down the page to see the pricing of those - https://www.thebeachouse.com.au/pricing/ . Can always start your day if you wish there and head out into Glenelg afterwards.

 

 

 

Head into the city for the day. The museums, art gallery and state library are all free and close to each other. You can wander the Botanic Gardens, visit Elder park and wander along the river, hop on a paddleboat or the Popeye (check pricing). Lunch out is easily solved at one of the foodcourts, something for everyone in one of those. Also there are the parklands all round the CBD so you can check where the parks and play areas are, the BMX track and other trails are to wander.

 

 

Anyone else know of anything going on or have suggestions for things to do, places to visit?

[NicF]

I've never been but the Planatarium at UniSA have a school holiday program that looks really interesting http://www.unisa.edu.au/Business-community/galleries-museums-and-centres/Planetarium/school-holiday-program/. One day I will remember it is there and organise a trip.

[snifter]

Superhero academy is on at Westminster school during the second week of the holidays.

 

Circus skills for kids aged 6-12. 2 hour session.

 

http://www.superheroacademy.net.au/

 

Put in a suburb, not just Adelaide.

 

Some sessions are already booked up, others filling up.

[snifter]

The Superhero spots are booking out fast.

 

Mostly weekend timeslots left. Couple of hours free activity for the kids

[Diane]

If you haven't been to St Kilda playground for a while, I understand there have been some major upgrades there.

 

http://www.whatsonforadelaidefamilies.com.au/Blog-St-Kilda-Adventure-Playground-Progress-For-Family-And-Kids-640

[snifter]

If you haven't been to St Kilda playground for a while, I understand there have been some major upgrades there.

 

http://www.whatsonforadelaidefamilies.com.au/Blog-St-Kilda-Adventure-Playground-Progress-For-Family-And-Kids-640

 

Its just completed stage 2 I think. I'm not sure if the new slides and stuff will be open for all the holidays. Its worth people checking out first before hitting the road. Be a shame to get there and find a big chunk of it still closed off.

 

 

The revamp looks great though. We'll defo be heading down there in a few weeks on a weekend. Tie it in with another wander in the mangrove swamp and perhaps a dolphin sighting trip out from Port Adelaide on the way there or back.

[jo_marnes]

Its just completed stage 2 I think. I'm not sure if the new slides and stuff will be open for all the holidays. Its worth people checking out first before hitting the road. Be a shame to get there and find a big chunk of it still closed off.

 

 

My eldest went with friends today - reports that the fort isn't open yet. Still, he spent the whole day there so there must be plenty to do!

[snifter]

My eldest went with friends today - reports that the fort isn't open yet. Still, he spent the whole day there so there must be plenty to do!

 

My husband and son went yesterday as I was at work in Port Adelaide so seemed to be a good day to go. They went to St Kilda in the morning then in the afternoon headed into Port Adelaide and did the one of the dolphin spotting boats. They had a great day. The slides and fort were not open but the rest was and husband said it was a big improvement on the old play park and the grounds much nicer too to sit and spend time in. Must admit, the old playpark was looking very sparse and rather old and tired.

 

He said a decent cafe there would be a welcome addition. And that once the slides and fort are open it will be a lot better still.

[snifter]

My bad, forgot to list this the other day. Anyways, something for the kids

 

Little Foodies at Central Market. A fun way to pass a morning or afternoon. Keep in mind the market can often wind up its day on the earlier side so don't rock up at 4pm ready to start the trail.

 

http://www.adelaidecentralmarket.com.au/big-market-adventures-for-little-foodies/

 

Advise booking for the trail and Little Chefs in advance as it can fill up. There is usually enough scoff for kids to lunch on after they finish the trail round the market.

 

Info from the website pasted below

 

 

 

 

 

The Market is always a hive of activity during the school holidays! Our activities are always low cost or free and change every holidays so there is always something new to do and discover.

Little Market Chefs – $18 plus booking fee

Gouger Street Dining Area

Tuesday 29 September – 10am, 12pm, 2pm (5-8 years)

Thursday 1 October – 10am, 12pm, 2pm (9-13 years)

Tuesday 6 October – 10am SOLD OUT, 12pm SOLD OUT, 2pm SOLD OUT (5-8 years)

Thursday 8 October – 10am, 12pm, 2pm (9-13 years)

Little Market Chefs is back these school holidays! Here at the Adelaide Central Market we are passionate about starting from ground level and teaching the next generation how to prepare healthy, easy and tasty meals together with nutritional advice. Why? Because good health starts in the kitchen! All of the produce will be fresh from our stalls and the team from Sprout will ensure the classes are not only fun and interactive but have an educational focus too.

Please note there is no guarantee that Sprout director Callum Hann will take the class personally.

Book here for Little Market Chefs

Market Trail – $7 plus booking fee (4+ years)

 

Collect your map from Gouger Street Dining Area

Tuesday 29 September, Thursday 1 October, Friday 2 October, Tuesday 6 October, Thursday 8 October, Friday 9 October (self guided, between 9am and 3pm)

The Market Trail is back due to popular demand! The trail has been specially formulated for little foodies to learn about the local and imported produce that the market has on offer. With ten pit-stops, each little foodie will receive a market bag, map and will visit the selected stalls to receive a sample item. The sample items range from cheese, yoghurt, a piece of seasonal fruit and sweet treat. You can’t beat the Market trail for value these school holidays at only $7 plus booking fee, or $9 on the day).

It is recommended that you book your place in advance as tickets are limited, however, when available, bookings will be accepted on the day (in Gouger St dining area). Please note some sample items may contain nuts and it is the parent or carer’s responsibility to check all items offered by stalls.

Book here for the Market Trail

 

Paint A Pot, Plant Some Seeds Workshops – FREE (4+ years)

Grote Street Dining Area

Thursday 1 October – 9am – 12pm

Tuesday 6 October – 9am – 12pm

Join us for our pot painting and seed planting workshop these school holidays. Your little one will be able to paint their own pot before planting their own seedling. The workshops also include a conservation and environmental focus provided by Conservation Education Services. The workshops are free and bookings are not required (however places are limited and a short wait may apply).

Face Painting – FREE (all ages)

Grote Street Dining Area – Grote St dining area

Friday 2 October – 10am – 2pm

Friday 9 October – 10am – 2pm

Big Balloon Giveaway – FREE (all ages)

Friday 2 October – From 10am

Friday 9 October – From 10am

Cooking Demonstrations ‘Family Meals’ – FREE (all ages)

Friday 2 October – 11am with Bree May and Dougal McFuzzlebutt

Friday 9 October – 11am with Lucy Cornes and Dinah from Stirring the Pot

Note: A parent or guardian is expected to supervise children in their care for all school holiday activities at all times.