Adelaide City

Adelaide City Family

From free storytimes and hands-on art to outdoor adventures and specialist family support, Adelaide offers plenty of practical ways to spend time together, build skills and ask for help. Many activities sit within the city centre, while nearby, metropolitan and statewide services broaden the options available to children, young people, parents and carers.

📚 Free learning, stories and creativity

City of Adelaide Library – Family Storytime and LEGO Club

Families can share books and songs at free Family Storytime every Thursday outside school holidays, or build and create at the Sunday LEGO Club. Bookings are not required. Check the library service’s current information for City Library and North Terrace Library details before setting out.

State Library of South Australia – Little Library

Little Library is a free, purpose-built children’s space in the State Library’s Spence Wing on North Terrace. Designed for ages 0–11, it gives families room to browse and borrow children’s books, settle into quiet reading spaces, and take part in storytimes, programs and activities. Current opening times are published on the State Library’s kids and families page.

Art Gallery of South Australia – Start at the Gallery

Start at the Gallery combines art activities, tours, live performances and entertainment for children aged 3–12 and their families. The free program runs from 11 am to 3 pm on the first Sunday of each month, with no booking required. A parent or carer must supervise participating children.

South Australian Museum – Crocodile Club

Young museum visitors under five can join this free early-learning club with their families. Self-guided activity packs and resources explore nature, science and literacy, making it a flexible option for an outing along North Terrace. Free registration is required to access club resources and offers.

Carclew – Pom Pom and School Holiday Activities

Nearby in North Adelaide, youth arts organisation Carclew runs Pom Pom, a drop-in contemporary art space where young creators and their families can experiment on Saturdays and during school holidays. Its separate holiday activities offer creative opportunities for children and young people aged 5–17; check the current program for session details and access arrangements.

🌿 Nature, animals and active play

Adelaide Botanic Garden – Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden

At the eastern edge of Adelaide Botanic Garden, the Little Sprouts Kitchen Garden helps children explore where food comes from. Families may visit outside booked education sessions. The educator-led Little Sprouts program is different: it is available to school groups from age four to Year 7 and is not suitable for playgroups.

Adelaide Zoo – A to Zoo Early Learning Program

This eight-week, play-based program introduces children aged 2–5 to learning through craft, stories, music, movement and a guided zoo visit. Sessions run from Monday to Friday during school terms. Advance booking is required, and zoo entry is not included in the program booking.

TreeClimb Adelaide

Families seeking a more physical challenge can try aerial adventure courses in the Adelaide Park Lands. The Kids Course is for children aged 4–8 who are 100–145 cm tall, while the Grand Course is for ages eight and over with a minimum height of 135 cm. Online booking is recommended because walk-in places are not guaranteed. Children under 15 must have an adult guardian on site.

🧸 Early learning and youth pathways

City Community Children’s Centre

Located on Gilbert Street, this community-based centre provides long day care for children from six weeks to school age, along with a kindergarten program. It operates Monday to Friday across 52 weeks. Families interested in a place should contact the centre to request its waiting-list form.

The Foundry by SYC

The Foundry is a weekday youth skills hub on Carrington Street in the Adelaide CBD. Young people can connect with programs and services relating to education and training, employment, disability support, housing and homelessness, justice services, and Australian Apprenticeship Support Services. Check the hub’s program information to identify the most relevant entry point.

🤝 Relationships, caring and family wellbeing

Relationships Australia South Australia – Adelaide City Central

The South Terrace site supports individuals, couples and families through family and relationship counselling, Family Relationship Centre assistance, and intercountry adoptee and family support. Wheelchair access and interpreters are available. Telehealth services also provide an option for South Australians who cannot attend in person.

Grandcarers SA

Grandparents and other informal kinship carers who have primary care of children can access personal and peer support, information, workshops and advocacy. Limited financial assistance is also available. Registration is free and no referral is required, although some gatherings and activities are tied to particular locations. Grandcarers SA has a Pitt Street presence and supports carers statewide.

Carers SA – Young Carers

Children and young people aged 5–25 who help care for someone can access free, age-aware support across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia. Options include individual coaching, six free counselling sessions, peer groups, social activities and Young Carer Breaks. Activities are organised for ages 5–8, 9–12, 13–17 and 18–25.

UnitingSA – Family Counselling

Metropolitan Adelaide families can enquire about counselling focused on strengthening family relationships and communicating with and supporting children. Assistance may include counselling for individuals, couples or families, alongside advocacy, practical information and referrals. Access begins with an enquiry to UnitingSA.

Parenting SA

This South Australian Government resource provides statewide and online parenting information for families raising children from birth to 18 years. Practical topic guides cover different ages and family situations, while the online directory can help parents and carers find services relating to parenting, child development and family wellbeing.

♿ Disability therapy and assistive technology

Novita – Therapy Services

Novita supports children, young people, adults, families and carers through disability therapy and related services. At Hindmarsh and other metropolitan locations, available disciplines include speech pathology, physiotherapy, developmental education, psychology, social work and positive behaviour support. Some assistance is available remotely as well as on site. Funding pathways vary, and Novita advises that NDIS funding is not always needed to begin.

NovitaTech Hindmarsh Retail Store

Families, carers, clinicians and schools can compare and trial assistive technology at this nearby showroom. Its range covers mobility, communication, seating, daily living, therapy and rehabilitation products. Purchasing may be through NDIS funding or private payment, depending on individual circumstances, and the site includes spaces for appointments with therapists and support teams.

📌 A few checks before you go

• Confirm age and height rules: programs and adventure courses have different developmental, age and physical requirements.
• Check booking arrangements: some free drop-in activities need no reservation, while term programs, therapy and counselling require registration, an enquiry or advance booking.
• Ask about accessibility: contact the provider before visiting if your family needs step-free access, communication support, an interpreter, sensory adjustments or assistive equipment.
• Review supervision and inclusions: confirm whether a parent or carer must stay, and whether admission, materials or other costs are separate.
• Recheck current details: school holidays, booked education sessions and program changes can affect access, schedules and availability.

✨ If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Adelaide City and surrounding families, you are warmly invited to add your listing or update its details so local parents and carers can find the right opportunity.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on city.adelaide.sa.guide.