Free Kids' Activities in Adelaide: What's On, Libraries, Free Trials
Live listings refreshed 24 Sept 2026 · Last updated 24 Sept 2026
There are 3 free events listed in and around Adelaide for the next month, 764 libraries, parks and community spaces we hold inside the city, and no kids' activity providers listed yet offering a free class or trial. This page is kept, not posted: the lists below come straight from the AroundSchools directory and refresh twice a day, and the writing is reviewed on a schedule — the dates at the top of the page say when.
Key takeaways
- The reliable free things in Adelaide are run by councils: library storytimes and holiday programs, playgrounds and pools with free entry, and council-run events. Membership of a council library is free.
- One-off free events come and go. The sections below only show what is listed for the coming weekend, the next month and the next school holidays — if a section is missing, nothing is listed yet for that window.
- "Free" here means the organiser marked the event free. Where no price is listed, the table says so; check with the organiser before you go.
Free this weekend in Adelaide
| When | Event | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 July – 9 Dec | Family Storytime at Tynte Street Library · Ages 0–5 · Council event | North Adelaide | Free |
| 8 Sept – 10 Dec | Babytime Term 3 @ Ngutungka Henley (0-1 years) · Ages 0–1 · Council event | Henley Beach | Free |
| 8 Sept – 17 Dec | Young at Heart Intergenerational Playgroup · Ages 0–5 · Council event | West Lakes | Free |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 3 of 4 upcoming events in Adelaide are marked free by their organiser · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
How free works in Adelaide
Council libraries. Every council in the Adelaide area runs a library service, and membership is free for anyone who lives, works or studies in the area. Libraries run rhyme time and storytime for babies and preschoolers most weeks in term time, and most add school-holiday sessions — craft, Lego, coding and author visits — that are free but often need a booking. The council pages below list what we hold for each council.
Council programs and venues. Councils run the playgrounds, skate parks, ovals and many of the pools. Entry to playgrounds and parks is free; pools usually charge, but many councils run free or low-cost school-holiday activities at their leisure centres. The council's own events calendar is the primary source; where we track a council's calendar, its events appear on this page with a "Council event" tag.
Free trials at providers. Many swim schools, dance studios, martial-arts clubs and sports clubs offer a free first class or a trial week so a child can try before a term is paid for. Ask before you enrol — and where a provider in our directory has listed a free class or trial, it appears in a table below.
The state voucher. South Australia’s Sports Vouchers are claimed through the club or provider when you register a primary-school-aged child, so ask whether a provider accepts them before you pay. South Australia voucher program. Our guide to school cost help by state covers the other schemes.
Council libraries in Adelaide
| Place | Suburb | What is there |
|---|---|---|
| Adelaide Library & City Classroom | Adelaide | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| Adelaide Theological Library | Brooklyn Park | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| Adelaide Theosophical Society Inc | Adelaide | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| Als Library Services Pty LTD | Edwardstown | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| Burnside Civic Centre | Tusmore | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| Burnside Library | Tusmore | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| Campbelltown Public Library | Newton | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| Central Library | Bedford Park | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| City of Onkaparinga Library Service | Aldinga | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| City of Playford | Davoren Park | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| City of Playford Library Service | Elizabeth | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
| City West Campus | Adelaide | Library · Details not verified yet — check the council site |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 52 libraries, 712 parks and 0 community spaces we hold inside Adelaide · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Playgrounds and parks with verified facilities
| Place | Suburb | What is there |
|---|---|---|
| Byethorne Park | Nairne | Park / playground · Toilets, Sports courts / fields |
| Dead Man's Pass | Gawler South | Park / playground · Toilets, Sports courts / fields |
| Harry Bowey Reserve | Salisbury Park | Park / playground · Toilets, Sports courts / fields |
| McLaren Vale & Fleurieu Visitor Information Centre | McLaren Vale | Park / playground · Toilets, Parking |
| North Unley Play Park | Unley | Park / playground · Toilets, Sports courts / fields |
| Ridge Park | Myrtle Bank | Park / playground · Toilets, Sports courts / fields |
| Rymill Park Murlawirrapurka | Adelaide | Park / playground · Toilets, Sports courts / fields |
| Semaphore Foreshore Playground | Semaphore South | Park / playground · Toilets, Sports courts / fields |
| St Helens Park | Prospect | Park / playground · Toilets, Sports courts / fields |
| The Princess Margaret Playground | Black Forest | Park / playground · Toilets, Sports courts / fields |
| Adelaide International Bird Sanctuary National Park - Winaityinaityi Pangkara | St Kilda | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields |
| Adelaide Parklands | North Adelaide | Park / playground · Sports courts / fields |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 52 libraries, 712 parks and 0 community spaces we hold inside Adelaide · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Free by age
Ages 3–5
| When | Event | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 July – 9 Dec | Family Storytime at Tynte Street Library · Ages 0–5 · Council event | North Adelaide | Free |
| 8 Sept – 17 Dec | Young at Heart Intergenerational Playgroup · Ages 0–5 · Council event | West Lakes | Free |
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 2 of 4 upcoming events in Adelaide are marked free by their organiser · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Events that do not state an age range appear in the lists above but not in the age sections.
Councils in the Adelaide area
Council pages for South Australia
| Council | Kids' activity providers | Schools | What's on |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Adelaide | 33 | 16 | 1 event |
| City of Onkaparinga | 31 | 62 | See the council's site |
| City of Charles Sturt | 23 | 30 | 2 events |
| City of Marion | 21 | 26 | See the council's site |
| City of Port Adelaide Enfield | 21 | 33 | See the council's site |
| City of Salisbury | 19 | 40 | See the council's site |
| City of Tea Tree Gully | 18 | 28 | See the council's site |
| Adelaide Hills Council | 17 | 25 | See the council's site |
| City of Campbelltown (SA) | 12 | 14 | See the council's site |
| Burnside | 10 | 10 | See the council's site |
| City of Mitcham | 10 | 24 | 1 event |
| City of Holdfast Bay | 9 | 11 | See the council's site |
See all 28 South Australia councils with a page
Live from the AroundSchools directory — 28 South Australia councils currently have a page · correct as at 24 Sept 2026
Frequently asked questions
Is library membership really free? Yes — council libraries in South Australia do not charge for membership, and most programs for children are free, though holiday sessions often need a booking because places are limited.
How do I know an event is free? The organiser marked it free when it was listed. If the price column says "Price not listed", the organiser did not state one — check their page or ask before you go.
When are the next school holidays in South Australia? The next break starts 26 Sept 2026 and ends 11 Oct 2026 (government school dates; individual schools can vary by a few days). See our school holidays page for the full program.
Can I use the South Australia voucher on these? Vouchers are for registered clubs and providers, not for one-off events. Ask the provider whether it is registered before you enrol.
