Adelaide CBD

Adelaide CBD Family

📌 Families in Adelaide’s CBD can share stories, make art, explore science and space, or join age-specific programs from the early years through to young adulthood. When health, disability, caring responsibilities or family pressures need extra attention, free and specialist support is also available locally or through services covering metropolitan Adelaide.

📚 Stories, play and early learning

Little Library

At the State Library of South Australia on North Terrace, this free children’s space gives families with children aged 0–11 somewhere to read, talk, sing and play together. Children can browse and borrow books, making it useful for both a relaxed visit and choosing stories to continue at home. Check the service page for current opening hours.

City of Adelaide Library Family Storytime

Free Family Storytime runs every Thursday during school terms, excluding school holidays. Families can enjoy stories and shared early-literacy activities without needing to book. Check the current event listing before visiting, particularly around the end of term.

SAC Playgroup

St Aloysius College hosts an onsite Thursday playgroup near Adelaide Central Market for children from infancy to school age. Parents, grandparents and carers stay for sessions featuring play, stories, songs and dance. Enrolment is required; the first visit is complimentary, with subsequent participation charged per child, per school term.

A to Zoo

Adelaide Zoo’s early-learning program combines storytelling, music, movement and craft with a guided zoo visit for children aged 2–5. The 45-minute sessions form an eight-week school-term program offered Monday to Friday. Places must be booked, and zoo admission is separate from the program booking.

✨ Art, nature, science and school-holiday activities

Start at the Gallery

The Art Gallery of South Australia presents this free monthly program for children aged 3–12 and their families. Visit on the first Sunday of the month, from 11 am to 3 pm, for art activities, tours and performances. No booking is required, but children must remain under a parent’s or carer’s supervision.

Australian Space Discovery Centre

At Lot Fourteen, families can explore space through free hands-on exhibits, a space gallery, careers information, mission-control viewing and a themed experience room. Public sessions run on weekends during South Australian school terms and daily during state school holidays. Children under 12 need an accompanying person aged over 17. Sensory guides, seating and assistance are available.

MOD.

This free North Terrace discovery museum creates exhibitions primarily for young people aged 15–25, although visitors of all ages are welcome. Some content may require guidance for children under 15. Families can also look for selected Quiet Mode evening sessions offering a sensory-friendly visit. General visits do not require booking unless the group has more than 10 people.

Adelaide Botanic Garden children’s workshops

Selected children’s and family activities, including school-holiday workshops, are offered at Adelaide Botanic Garden. Ages, booking conditions and formats vary between events, so choose from the current program. Some workshops include time outdoors; for example, Nature Dough is recommended for ages five and over and requires each child to attend with an adult or carer.

Carclew School Holiday Activities

Nearby in North Adelaide, Carclew runs visual art, drama and music workshops for children and young people aged 5–17 during school holidays. Sessions are tailored to particular age groups, and previous arts experience is not required. Fees vary. Parents and carers of school-aged participants are encouraged not to remain, while carers and support staff are welcome.

🌟 Youth connection and wellbeing

Open Door Youth Drop-In

Young people aged 13–18 can meet, relax, have free snacks and contribute ideas for library activities at this City of Adelaide Library program. It is scheduled fortnightly on Fridays from 4 pm to 5.30 pm during school terms. As the published booking information is inconsistent, confirm the current access arrangements before attending.

headspace Adelaide

Young people aged 12–25 can seek free, confidential assistance at the Wakefield Street centre, operated by Sonder. Support covers youth mental health, alcohol and other drug concerns, work and study, connections with GPs and early psychosis. Families can use the official centre page to understand available pathways and how the young person can make contact.

Carers SA Young Carers

Young people aged 5–25 who care for a family member or friend can access support across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia. Options include individual assistance, coaching, counselling, peer groups, social activities and Young Carer Breaks. Young-carer counselling provides up to six free sessions.

❤ Health, development and family support

Nunkuwarrin Yunti Strong Mums, Solid Kids

This free, culturally appropriate maternal and child health service supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children and families living in Adelaide, from pregnancy through early childhood. Healthy Kids offers health checks, immunisations, parenting and development information, referrals and supported-playgroup connections for children up to five. Adelaide services are listed at Wakefield Street, and home visits are available.

Child and Family Health Service child health and development checks

Families can book free checks for South Australian children from birth to age five without a referral. Checks consider health, development, social and emotional wellbeing, alongside parenting support. When booking, families may request an interpreter or support relating to culture or additional needs.

Autism SA supports and services

Autistic children and young people, along with parents, carers and families, can access metropolitan support spanning the early and school years. Options include speech pathology, occupational therapy, psychology, behaviour support, school transition and family assistance. Delivery may occur at Autism SA’s Tonsley or Elizabeth sites or in homes, schools, childcare centres and kindergartens. Confirm current intake availability for the particular service required.

Uniting Communities Family Advisors

Family Advisors offer free, confidential support and referrals for relationship difficulties, separation, parenting, housing and financial stress, as well as connections to other services. This is a metropolitan Adelaide pathway rather than a confirmed CBD-based service; listed in-person Family Relationship Centre locations include Christies Beach, Oaklands Park and Aldinga Beach. Contact the organisation to identify the most suitable access option.

✅ Before you attend

• Check ages and supervision: programs range from infant playgroups to young-adult services, and requirements for accompanying adults differ.
• Confirm bookings: some activities are drop-in, while term programs, workshops and larger group visits may require advance arrangements.
• Review total costs: a program may be free while admission is separate, and workshop or term fees can vary.
• Ask about access: contact the provider ahead of time if your family needs sensory information, mobility assistance, an interpreter, cultural support or adjustments for additional needs.
• Recheck schedules: school terms, holidays and changing event programs can affect dates, sessions and availability.

📣 Family-focused businesses, services and community groups supporting children, young people, parents or carers in and around Adelaide CBD are warmly invited to add their own listing or submit updated details.

⚠️ 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 cbd.adelaide.city.