NOW that spring has sprung, it is high time to start planning family days for the warmer weather. Here’s just a few of the family activities available at your doorstep.

THE CITY

SA Museum

Giant squids are the reason I don’t swim in the ocean. They’re also the reason most kids lose their little minds at the SA Museum; there’s an 11 metre long model of one here. Based on the largest squid ever recorded (it’s OK, it was off NZ waters), it’s displayed in an old lift shaft and goes over FOUR floors.

Honestly, the museum is so awesome, full of creepy animals and weird information and bones. So many bones.

The biodiversity gallery on level two is all touch screens and film clips and interactive things and it’s FREE. FREE I TELL YOU.

There are a million things to see and all the time, that squid just hangs in the elevator shaft. Watching you. Probably waiting for the next time you are in the ocean and letting its other squid friends know.

Elder Park

They should rename it postcard park because almost every image of Adelaide includes this place. With the rotunda, paddleboats and Popeye, what’s not to love? Y

ou can’t beat it for access – the train station is right there – and its water views make for very nice duck watching.

Paddleboats are $20 for 30 minutes (you can fit three people on them), the nearby cafe makes a very nice latte and there are plenty of grassy hills to roll down.

With steps, ramps and a fountain, we salute you, Mr Elder. Your park is very fine.

Adelaide Zoo

Yes, a family ticket is $85 (2 Adults and 2-3 children) but that’s what you’d pay for an AFL game and those lions and tigers aren’t even real.

Or head to our Facebook page for your chance to win passes

WIN!! One of two family passes for a day at the Zoo. All you have to do is like our Facebook page and tell us your fav Zoo animal in the comments of our Zoo post.

This full day out is well worth saving up for. There’s so much to see and do, you can relax on the lawns, watch the hippos have a snack, listen to one of the many keeper talks throughout the day or just wander among it and look. Yes, there’s pandas, and orang-utans to admire from afar, but there are also funny little chooks to pet and goats to feed. Keep it affordable by taking your own lunch, and take some change for a Golden North Ice Cream.

Art Gallery

Whoever is in charge of this children’s program is all over it like Pro Hart on a white carpet. The first Sunday of every month is START – a great intro to art for children and families, including activities, tours, live performance and entertainment. Then there are the Sunday storytelling sessions in the Gallery shop, with books read aloud. And The Studio is a free activity space for families and art lovers of all ages where you can make hands-on arty things, any day of the week. All in one of our most beautiful buildings. All free.

Victoria Square

It’s like someone at council said “let’s just make this into a giant backyard”. Some days there is totem tennis spiked into the grass, some days there are four-square outlines on the pavers for you to work your way from dunce to king. From chess, to movies, to a giant box filled with sporting equipment for anyone to use, it’s the best backyard ever. There’s heaps of paving for scooters to scoot, heaps of grass to kick a ball, seating to watch it all happen, and then, once you get peckish, yum cha is just a stone’s throw away on Gouger. All that’s missing is the Hills Hoist.

THE EAST

Children’s Storybook Trail, Carrick Hill

The Children’s Storybook Trail at Carrick Hill takes families on a journey through 12 different tales to allow children to explore and discover the outside world. Director Richard Heathcote says the trail uses classic stories to inspire children’s imaginations.

“The whole trail is interactive and they can climb, touch, feel or jump,” Mr Heathcote says.

“It’s about a chance to explore in a safe environment in the bush in Adelaide’s most dramatic historic hillside and families can enjoy it all for free. You can even bring the family dog on a lead to join in on the day.”

The trail’s latest addition is Frog on a Log. It is based on the book The Water Hole, by Graeme Base, and includes nine 50cm-tall frog statues.

Other highlights on the walk include a Hobbit house, fairy house and scenes from The Jungle Book and Charlotte’s Web.

Geocaching

It is like a backyard Easter egg hunt – except it is not confined to your backyard and instead of chocolate, you hunt caches. Geocaching is the ultimate family treasure hunt. Caches are registered on several different websites. Families do not need to travel too far from home to find them. Across the east and inner south, there are caches hidden everywhere. There is one in Hazelwood Park named Harry Potter and the Cache of Azkaban. Another, called Slug and Snails (and Puppy Dog’s Tails), is somewhere on Glen Osmond Creek, near the intersection of Duthy and Maud streets in Parkside. All you have to do is find it. When you find the cache, you sign the logbook, which could be a piece of paper inside the container, and return it to its exact location. You can then log your find on the website.

Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty Summit trail

The Waterfall Gully to Mt Lofty Summit trail is hard yakka, but great fun for little trekkers with a sense of adventure. Mother of two Kelly Markos, who owns Utopia @ Waterfall Gully with her husband Justin, says the trail is a popular spot for families. Her five-year-old son, Jackson, has walked halfway up the 4km trail. She says it is common to see babies and toddlers strapped to their father’s back so families can reach the summit together and enjoy the views, which span as far west as Glenelg and as far north as Parafield Airport. Regular users of the summit track always come across families soaking up nature and taking on the challenge. Children comment on all the bugs they find along the way as parents encourage them along.

Weekend Markets

There are few things harder for parents than getting their youngsters to try new food. But these free weekend markets make shopping for the weekly groceries fun and tasty at the same time.

The Fullarton Market on the fourth Saturday of every month offers fresh produce and the sort of homemade foods your grandmother would have slaved over a hot stove for.

Open from 9am, stalls offer hot drinks, crafts and jewellery in the tranquil setting of the Fullarton Park Centre. Fancy a drive to the hills? The Blackwood Craft Market, at Blackwood Memorial Hall on Coromandel Pde, is open from 10am on the first Sunday of every month and has been going strong for 20 years.

Stallholders sell cakes, clothing, baby wear and books as well as your fruit and vegetable staples. Urrbrae Agricultural School also holds a “barn market” on the first Saturday of every month, selling produce grown on the grounds.

Closer to the city, the Adelaide Farmers’ Market at the Adelaide Showground is always popular among families. There are plenty of activities to keep the kids busy, including cooking classes, art tables and face painting. It is open every Sunday, 9am-1pm.

Cycling along River Torrens Linear Park

Tear the kids away from their screens, dust off their bicycles and head to Linear Park. The river-side trail is a perfect way for active families to enjoy a fun day out. It winds from hills at Athelstone, skirting along the CBD and, if you’re game and the kids are not out of puff, you can head all the way to West Beach.

Just remember to leave enough power in the legs to get you home! Abbi Fenton, of Payneham, regularly takes her seven-year-old daughter Gracie cycling along the path. She says it is a great way to encourage Gracie to be active and appreciate the native trees and wildlife.

THE NORTH

Bowland, Ingle Farm Shopping Centre, corner of Montague and Walkleys Rds, Ingle Farm.

Get ready for a fun night out! Bowland is a dark lit bowling alley with disco and cranking music to get the party started. If your children are too young for a disco, this is the perfect place for a bowl and a dance. Teens will also love the jukebox. Book out a weekend and get your bowling arm ready! There are 20 lanes available, a cafe and weekend specials.

Prices for children start from $11.50 and adults $13.50.

A family fun session, including unlimited bowling, is on every Saturday from 4.30-6.30pm and Sunday 10am-noon. It costs $10 per person and there must be four bowlers.

Families in the northeast can stay closer to home and head to glow in the dark bowling at AMF Golden Grove, The Golden Way.

Penfield Park Railway, Woomera Ave, Edinburgh.

All aboard the train express! Take the whole family along to the miniature railway and enjoy a ride on the train as it leaves the station and makes its way along a 1.9km track. The park also boasts the largest garden railway layout in Adelaide.

It’s open on the last Sunday of every month from 12-4.30pm and, for unlimited rides, it costs $8 a person or $30 for a family.

Wizbang Family Fun Centre, 108 Tolley, St Agnes.

Wizbang offers family fun for people aged five to 99, so take your grandparents along and have a go at glow in the dark mini golf. You heard right! It’s carnival themed and glows in the dark. If you’re feeling a little more active, have a go at jungle laser skirmish. The centre also has some great deals to do both activities, so plan an afternoon and head down.

Mini golf costs $7 and laser skirmish costs $8.

Crabbing, Fooks Terrace, St Kilda.

Living in the northern suburbs doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sea air. Head down to St Kilda and try at a spot of crabbing. If you have no luck, why not take the children across the road to the ever popular St Kilda Adventure Park and neighbouring Tramway Museum.

Aquadome, 1 Crockerton Road, Elizabeth.

Take advantage of the spring weather and head down to the local swimming pool. For those who are daring try the giant indoor waterslide. Parents, if you want to try something a little bit more low key there’s a sauna and spa room. Children will be kept entertained for hours at the beach entry pool.

Prices start from $5 for a child and $6.30 for an adult.

THE SOUTH

The Maxwell Maze – Maxwell Wines, corner of Olivers and Chalk Hill roads, McLaren Vale

The Maxwell Maze, planted in 1990, is a conifer pine tree maze on the Maxwell Wines vineyard property, which if you’re clever takes about 20 minutes to complete.

Jeremy Maxwell, of Maxwell Wines, says the maze will be officially opened this spring but already families are enjoying figuring it out. “The maze gives kids something to do while their parents are doing tastings,” he says. “We often have about 50 people go through it on any given weekend.”

Mr Maxwell says the maze gives visitors another attraction in the region. “It’s another option for people instead of doing all wineries and they can bring their kids.” The winery is also building shaded areas near the maze so families can picnic and make a day of it.

Coast to Vines Rail Trail – from Marino Rocks to Willunga

The Coast to Vines Rail Trail follows the historic rail corridor between Marino Rocks and Willunga. You can get onto the trail at any point and walk, ride or cycle the 37km stretch. There is lots to explore including the picturesque Coastal Cliff Walk between Marino and Hallett Cove, Onkaparinga River Recreation Park and Moana Sands Conservation Park, plus the historic towns of Old Reynella and McLaren Vale.

Cyclists can also loop onto the Southern Expressway Veloway at Trott Park for spectacular views of the coastline and plains. Make sure you plan your trip before you go and take a trail map with you.

The best part about this activity – it’s free! For more information visit southaustraliantrails.com or onkaparingacity.com

Train rides – Morphett Vale Rail, Wilfred Taylor Reserve, Wheatsheaf Rd, Morphett Vale

Morphett Vale Rail is a railway club offering rides on miniature trains. Secretary John Wakefield says it is a popular pastime for families because it is affordable. “We don’t charge an exorbitant price and with unlimited rides it makes for a fairly cheap afternoon of family entertainment,” Mr Wakefield says. “We have lots of birthday parties and families can use our grounds for barbecues and things. It’s a great day out.”

Morphett Vale Rail, founded on July 24, 1977, is run by about 35 volunteers and has more than 40 trains which run on about 2km of track. The park includes clubrooms, workshops and a two-storey Signal Cabin and railway station. It is open on the second and fourth Sundays of each month, 1pm-4.30pm. A daily ticket is $6 and gives you unlimited rides. There is no EFTPOS, so be sure to bring cash.

Jubilee Park Adventure Playground – Saltfleet St, Port Noarlunga

Who can go past the adventure playground at Port Noarlunga? Not many! It’s a family favourite in the south. The playground is suitable for children of all ages and has fenced off sections for extra safety. The main attraction is the fort – a wooden castle, ship and maze of wooden pathways.

Another section of the playground, installed as a tribute to the firefighters who helped put out a deliberately-lit blaze in December 2011, includes a station with a fire truck, toy bell and fire pole.

There are also swings, monkey bars, bridges, tunnels, a look out, lighthouse, slides and lots of climbing equipment. Surrounding the playground are picnic tables, shelters, barbecues and large grassed areas to kick the footy, play cricket or fly a kite. Public toilets are a short walk away and the carpark includes wheelchair access.

Kayaking on Port Noarlunga Reef and Onkaparinga River – Easy Kayaks, 22 Wearing St, Port Noarlunga

For the families looking for adventure, hire a kayak and explore the Port Noarlunga Reef and Onkaparinga River. Port Noarlunga’s Easy Kayaks hire out single and double kayaks and also host guided tours.

The tours on Port Noarlunga Reef use glass-bottom kayaks so people can explore the reef on top of the water. Easy Kayaks owner Chris Campbell says kayaking is a great family activity.

“There’s a sense of adventure in a small time frame,” Mr Campbell says.

“The Port Noarlunga experience is one a lot of people can have without having to go into the water, while kayaking on the Onkaparinga River is calm and quiet.”

Single kayak hire starts at $20, while family double kayaks start at $30. For more information visit easykayaks.com.au

THE WEST

Coast Park walking and cycling trail, all western beaches

Be active and take in the stunning vista of Adelaide’s best beaches all at once with a family cycling or walking day out along Coast Park.

Popular sections of the path run along the beachfront at Largs Bay, Semaphore, Grange, Henley, West Beach – where it links to the Linear Park River Torrens trail – and Glenelg.

Spend the day exploring and stop for a swim and lunch on the foreshore.

Coast Park is planned to span the entire 70km of coastline from North Haven to Sellicks Beach by 2020.

Fisherman’s Wharf & Hart’s Mill Markets, Port Adelaide

Head to the Port on a sunny Sunday or Public Holiday to get the most of the bustling market precinct.

Fisherman’s Wharf Market provides an abundance of eclectic items from toys, books, jewellery and antiques, while the Farmer’s Market at Hart’s Mill will fix you up for fresh produce for the week to come.

Connected by a loop path along the water and the newly revamped Harts Mill Playground, there is no shortage of things to see and do for all ages.

SA Aquatic and Leisure Centre, Oaklands Park

As the days get longer and warmer, you can bet the kids will be keen to hit the pool.

Among the features at Adelaide’s newest state of the art aquatic centre are water slides, a splash park and toddler pool for the youngsters.

Plus there’s a lap pool, sauna and steam rooms for the grown ups. A creche, cafe and health club are also on site.

Entry: $7.50 adults, $6 children, $23 family

National Railway and Maritime Museums, Port Adelaide

For an enjoyable yet educational day out, head to Lipson St, where some of the rich history of Adelaide and beyond is on display.

Explore the nautical collection dating back to 1872 to learn of our history at sea at the Maritime Museum.

Just down the road is Australia’s largest railway museum featuring more than 100 exhibits and historical giant steam engines the kids can climb on.

During daylight savings the museum also operates the Semaphore to Fort Glanville Railway Tourist train every Sunday, Public Holiday and during school holidays.

Entry: Railway Museum $12 adults, $6 children, $32 family; Maritime Museum $10 adults, $5 children, $25 family.

Bonython Park

On the city fringe, Bonython Park is more than just a reserve.

MORE: Top 25 Adelaide playgrounds

This huge parkland is the perfect spot for a family picnic and includes a newly renovated playground, boating lake and kiosk.

The park links to the Linear Park River Torrens trail, and backs on to the SA Police Road Safety Centre. The centre includes realistic looking streets complete with traffic lights, pedestrian crossings and signs designed for children to learn the road rules while they cycle in safety away from traffic.

The kids can also say hello to the SA Police horses, which graze in a fenced off area next to the park.

What did we miss? Share with us your ideas for a great family day out in the comment below.