Toddlers are busy, toddlers are fun, when they throw a tantrum you’ll just want to run! Toddlers can be hard work, but can also be SO MUCH fun. Give them the right space and it’s so entertaining (and also very important) to just let them free and watch them learn, experience, climb, run, fall, work out and try again. Finding that safe space can be tricky though and a fully fenced playground, shallow spot for a splash on a hot day, a cafe with a great play corner or a venue that
caters for toddler needs is like finding gold in them thar hills. Here’s our top 10 ways to keep your toddlers happy, entertained and having fun in Adelaide
We know what it’s like when you have a toddler – sometimes you just NEED to get out of the house. Immediately!
But what is there to do for toddlers in Adelaide? Unfortunately our little toddler sized people don’t come with an instruction manual with an index of “ways to entertain” them and “places to go” to keep them busy, having fun and burning beans!
Luckily, that’s where we come in! We know toddlers here at KIDDO, and we too have had to find things to do in Adelaide with toddlers in tow. Drawing on our years traipsing around Adelaide with little people full of energy to burn, we’ve created your ULTIMATE guide of things to do in Adelaide with toddlers.
We have toddler friendly indoor activities, play centres, baby and toddler play groups to join, toddler story times, and plenty of outdoor options too. Suffice to say, there’s actually a LOT of things to do in Adelaide with toddlers – we’re at 20+ top activities at last count, and we’ll keep adding whenever we find a good activity for you and your toddlers!
Junior Jumpers at BOUNCEinc
If you can walk… you can bounce! BOUNCEinc has dedicated areas and activities for Junior Jumpers to play, develop and explore, perfect for your toddler. Toddlers and preschoolers can enjoy soft play in a safe and multi sensory environment for them to harness balance, coordination, strength and agility in a way that focuses on fun, creativity and movement. It is the perfect freestyle playground for toddlers to progress and develop, inspiring self-expression and social connection in physical activity. Jump to it!
164-168 Richmond Rd, Marleston
Visit BOUNCEinc
A to Zoo program at the Adelaide Zoo
Designed for the toddlers among us (especially for 2 – 4 year olds!), the magic of Adelaide Zoo’s animals is brought to life in this engaging learning
program. Join the zoo’s qualified Early Years Educators to discover more about the amazing animals during weekly play-based, creative learning sessions. Each session runs for 45 minutes and focuses on a different animal every week. Exclusive A to Zoo sessions are available to Early Childhood Centres. While you’re there, your toddler can take a walk on the wild side and experience the Zoo’s Nature’s Playground. The play equipment was built on nature play principles that stimulate all the senses
through climbing structures, water play features, a natural creek bed and aerial walkways!
Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road, Adelaide
Visit Zoos SA
Toddler Sense
Multi-sensory adventures for busy people from 13 months to 3.5 years? Can we get a HECK YES?! Toddler Sense offers a whole new world of sensory stimulation, play, fun adventures and learning for your toddler or child.
Every Toddler Sense session is jam-packed with fabulous activities and fun adventures to help your adventurous toddler or child burn off excess energy and develop vital physical, communication, social and intellectual skills that form the foundation of all future learning.
The team at Toddler Sense knows what keeps your toddler happy, busy, motivated, interested and excited to learn! Join the exciting world of magic and adventure in a safe and happy environment – there’s always something new and wonderful to look forward to! Baby sensory classes are also available for little ones from birth to 13 months.
Visit Toddler Sense
KinderGym
KinderGym is a national program which provides a fun and safe environment where babies, toddlers and preschoolers can develop socially, cognitively, emotionally and physically and have a whole lot of fun while they’re doing it!
At KinderGym parents and caregivers play an active role in each class, singing with them, playing along side them and helping them through the obstacles and play areas.
It’s a great opportunity for you to connect with your child and share in their fun and development, meet other parents and caregivers with kids of a similar age, and the best part is, there are KinderGyms run all across Adelaide, so you’re bound to find one in a suburb near you!
Find your local KinderGym here
Local Council Library activities
Many local council libraries have regular programs, events and activities aimed at babies, toddlers and preschoolers, from children’s story time, baby time to craft sessions and costumes to hire and take home.
Some council libraries even have toy libraries, a veritable wonderland for you and your toddler to explore and borrow from, with a huge collection of toys to roll, bounce, twist, push, pull and spin!
Check in at your local council library to find out what programs they run for babies and toddlers – we bet you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much they have on offer!
Council Libraries
Cirkidz Tiddlerz program for toddlers
This circus class is for Little People (toddlers from age 2.5 years – 3.5 years) and their Big People. Trainers take everyone on an adventurous journey as participants explore the way their bodies work, move, and play. Tiddlerz toddlers discover that they can roll, balance, throw, jump and bounce in ways they could never have imagined. Circus obstacle courses each week allow Tiddlerz to develop their fine and gross motor skills, learn about themselves, interact with others and have fun at the circus.
The Tiddlerz activities program has been developed by Joel Osborne in conjunction with Early Childhood experts, and, while the kids are having too much fun to realise it, progressively develops skills over the semester. Parents and guardians receive regular feedback as their children reach milestones and Tiddlerz are invited to perform for their friends and families at the end of each semester.
Cirkidz, 27 Fifth Street, Bowden
cirkidz.org.au
Sensory Fun for Little Ones
Sensory Fun for Little Ones offers creative inspired learning through sensory play! There’s lots of indoor and outdoor areas for you to play alongside your toddler or child and try a variety of sensory play activities, different themes throughout the year, messy play, sensory art, song time, sensory group time and lots more. Sensory play encourages children to learn at their own pace while building brain pathways which leads to the ability to complete more complex learning tasks. Sensory play also supports language development, cognitive growth, fine and gross motor skills, problem solving skills and social interaction.. all essential for learning and assisting in preparation for kindergarten and school. Sessions run during school terms on alternate Mondays and Wednesdays at the Holdfast Bay Community Centre, Hove. Or find ‘Sensory Fun for Little Ones’ on Facebook and Instagram for play ideas you can try at home.
Sensory Fun for Little Ones
Variety Children’s Zoo at Adelaide Zoo
The Variety Children’s Zoo is an amazing play space for toddlers and kids alike, filled with interactive areas that allow them to get closer than ever to some of the zoo’s most popular residents.
Complete with areas for children of all ages and abilities to play and explore, the Variety Children’s Zoo features things like balance beams and ladders for the zoo’s charismatic goats, climbing branches for the friendly quokkas and a dedicated presentation area for keepers to share stories about their animal friends.
Located right next door to the zoo’s incredible Nature’s Playground and connected via aerial walkways catering for all abilities and prams, the Variety Children’s Zoo is a must-visit stop with your little one! Spend the whole day at Adelaide Zoo and your toddler will be completely tuckered out by the end of the day!
Adelaide Zoo, Frome Road,
Adelaide
adelaidezoo.com.au
Hahndorf Farm Barn
Hahndorf is just a short drive up the freeway and is the cutest lil town you ever did see. Thereʼs loads to do there and lots of rich German culture and history to immerse yourself and the kidlets in.
Itʼs also home to the Hahndorf Farm Barn – aka heaven for the animal loving toddlers – where your little ones can get up close and personal, interact, hold and feed most of the animals with the cutest little residents from baby lambs to guinea pigs to donkeys. And itʼs educational too, children learn all about the animals as well as have opportunities to milk a cow and ride a pony!
Check out our review of Hahndorf Farm Barn – we visited with toddlers in tow and it was a hit!
2282 Mount Barker Rd, Hahndorf SA 5245
farmbarn.com.au
Cleland Wildlife Park
We all know toddlers are fascinated with things that crawl and bounce and move, and at Cleland Wildlife Park, your toddler can get up close and personal with roos, koalas, wallabies, betongs and Tasmanian devils – most of which are in their natural habitat – and itʼs just 20 minutes away from the city centre!
Itʼs also a great place to have a picnic. For opening hours, information on planning your day, fees and to buy tickets, head straight to the website. Cleland also hosts birthday parties, for more party venue ideas check out our KIDDO Adelaide Party Venue guide!
365 Mount Lofty Summit Road, Cleland, SA, 5152
clelandwildlifepark.sa.gov.au/Home
Toddler World at Funtopia Prospect
Funtopia Prospect have a dedicated toddler zone (Toddler World, designed for children under 2) where your tiny tot can let their imagination run wild with lots of activities to encourage imaginative play.
With building blocks, slides and play equipment, interactive games and plenty of obstacles for little people, your toddler will thoroughly wear themselves out at Funtopia… just in time for a NAP!
If you have bigger kids in tow, you can let them loose in Playground World or on the climbing walls so everyone’s entertained (while you drink a coffee – the Funtopia baristas don’t disappoint)! We visited Funtopia with our kiddos – here’s what we thought!
259-269 Main N Rd, Sefton Park SA
funtopiaworld.com.au
Croc’s Playcentre
Crocs Play Centre in Kilburn have a dedicated toddler zone which is separate from the main play area and is designed for children aged four years and under.
This area features small slippery slides, a bouncing castle, and lots of soft play options that will have the little ones well entertained, but also away from the bigger kids who might be playing a little bit more raucously! For more options for indoor play centres, check out our guide to Adelaide’s play cafes and activity centres.
Churchill Road, Adelaide
Visit Croc’s Playcentre
Lollipops Playland & Cafe
Your toddler will be in their element as they climb, slide, swing and jump their way through an outing to one of Lollipops Playland indoor play centres.
Lollipops Playlands all have dedicated toddler and baby areas, away from the area the big kids play, so you can enjoy a hassle-free coffee while you’re toddler does what they do best… plays, explores and has fun, in a space designed with our littlest people in mind!
With centres at Golden Grove, Happy Valley and Croydon, you can pick the centre closest to you (or the one furthest away if you want your toddler to sleep in the car on the way home… we get it!!)
7-11 Helicon Drive, Golden
Grove
449 Port Rd, Croydon
18/50 Kenihans Rd, Happy Valley
Visit Lollipop’s Playland and Cafe
Kids Zone at Latitude
The smaller you are… the bigger the adventure! Little astronauts and gymnasts will love the dedicated indoor play centre at Latitude – and so will mum and dad!
Kids under 5 and under 110cm, can learn new skills and build their confidence in our supersized kids soft play area. Specifically designed for little tackers from 18 months, the Kids Zone at Latitude is available to book all day every day. But they thought about the parents when they designed their toddler activities too.
There’s plenty of seating and pram parking plus a dedicated parents’ change room!
13-15 Fosters Rd, Greenacres
latitudeair.com
Henley Square Water Play
The recent(ish!) Henley Square redevelopment has transformed Henley Beach into even more of a haven for families, and nothing is as popular for toddlers there than the in ground water feature. Grab a takeaway coffee (or iced coffee if it’s the height of summer!) and watch on as your little person chases the water spouts and plays in the reflection pool (when we say pool.. it’s not even ankle deep so no fear of any underwater mishaps here!).
Do be aware though that there isn’t any fencing between the nearby road and the water play area so do make sure to keep a close eye on your little ones. If you prefer to venture a little closer to the ocean, there’s also a grassy area at the foreshore with plenty of room for toddling, wooden wave shaped seating that kids LOVE to clamber over, and an awesome shower water feature that will get your kids drenched!
For more splash zones and swimming centres check out our guide to Adelaide’s indoor and outdoor pools.
Henley Square, Henley Beach, SA
Carrick Hill
If you want to head outdoors with your toddler in tow, head to Carrick Hill. Your little person will love Carrick Hillʼs Story Book Trail – a self guided (pram friendly) half kilometre trail with themed areas to explore (your toddler will LOVE the cubby house glade) and discover throughout the picturesque Carrick Hill grounds!
This activity uses classic childrenʼs stories to encourage and ignite their imagination, from Wind in the Willows to The Hobbit to The Jungle Book and The Secret Garden, these are just a few tales kids will discover along the way.
You can also explore the picturesque grounds of Carrick Hill, with lush green hills (perfect for picnics… or rolling down!), and there’s a cafe on site for when little (and big!) tummies get hungry!
46 Carrick Hill Dr, Springfield SA 5062
Visit Carrick Hill
Adelaide Botanic Gardens
We are so lucky in Adelaide, our Botanic Gardens are seriously beautiful and oh-so-peaceful considering theyʼre in the heart of the hustle and bustle of the city!
It really makes for a fun day out, take a wander around, stop for a picnic and just enjoy being present in nature – thereʼs plenty of flora and fauna to see and loads of room for your toddler to run around!
The paths are pram friendly so you’ll have no issues if your toddler decides their little legs have had enough!
North Terrace, Adelaide SA 5000
Visit Adelaide Botanic Gardens
Find a toddler friendly playground
If you have a toddler, you’ve probably walked the well worn path to the local playground. Over and over again!
We are so incredibly lucky to have so many amazing parks and playgrounds in Adelaide and South Australia, so many of which cater so beautifully to toddlers and preschoolers. We’re talking playgrounds with fences. Playgrounds with toilets. Playgrounds with fun things that little people can climb and reach!
Check out our guide to the best playgrounds in Adelaide and see if there are any you’ve missed that might be perfect for an adventure with your toddler in tow.
kiddomag.com/do/adelaides-best-playgrounds
Cockle Train
Calling all train loving toddlers! This is the adventure for you! Apart from the fact that a day out to Victor Harbor is already the perfect fun for families with toddlers (especially that snooze on the car trip for your little human!), itʼs made even better by the fact that itʼs home to the Cockle Train which travels along the oldest steel railed railway in Australia dating back to 1887.
All aboard! Times, fares and booking info is all available on the website.
Victor Harbor, SA
steamrangerheritagerailway.org
Intergenerational playgroups
Helping Hand Residential Care in North Adelaide is proving that imagination is ageless, hosting intergenerational playgroups each Wednesday during the school term.
The Learning Tree Playgroup connects three generations (elders, parents and children), bolstering the proverbial village it takes to raise a child, while also bringing joy and good old-fashioned fun and laughter to elderly residents living in aged care, as well as the unconditional love that only a child can give.
This is such a meaningful activity for you and your toddler and all families with children aged up to 6 are welcome every Wednesday 10am-12pm during school terms at Helping Hand, North Adelaide – 49 Buxton Street. Intergenerational playgroups run across the state thanks to Playgroup SA!
playgroupsa.com.au
Impact Kids World Barossa
Impact Kids World is a play centre in the Barossa with birthday party rooms, a toddler area, sensory area, and an all important cafe area for the parentals!
The multi-level indoor playground features a vibrant circus themed, multi-storey maze, some inflatable equipment, ride on cars, a mini ball pit and small climbing structure.
The staff are super friendly and there are plenty of healthy food options for littles and bigs!
7 Siegersdorf Rd, Nuriootpa
Visit Impact Kids World Barossa
Mainly Music
Babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and parents will be treated to music and story, activity and interaction, structured and unstructured fun at Mainly Music. Weekly sessions are full of songs and rhymes, actions and movement, designed to engage you and your child.
Not only will your little one be delighted by the one-to-one attention you give, but you’ll love the way they respond and develop. The structured 30 minute music session will be followed by 30-60 minutes of eat/play/chat.
Snacks and refreshments will be served, followed by a time of unstructured play while you get the chance to connect with other parents and care givers with similar aged kids!
The team behind Mainly Music also run Mainly Play sessions with a focus on learning through play.
Find a Mainly Music group near you