Winter school holidays: What's on for Adelaide families this week

The school holidays are in full swing across South Australia, and Adelaide families are hunting for activities that don't blow the budget, or require a three-hour round trip.

With winter chill settled over the city and auction clearance rates still hovering below 50 per cent nationally over recent weeks, according to recent property market reports, many households are feeling the pinch. That makes free and low-cost options especially valuable right now.

Several local councils and community groups have stepped up with school holiday programs running through the end of the July break.

Free and low-cost options across the city

Adelaide City Council's libraries are hosting a range of drop-in sessions, including Lego Club at the City Library on Rundle Place and storytime sessions at Hutt Street Library. Both are free and run multiple times a week.

Over in the western suburbs, the Henley Beach Library is running a 'Winter Wonders' craft session on Wednesday 15 July for kids aged five to 12. Bookings are essential and spaces are limited to 20 children per session.

The South Australian Museum on North Terrace continues to offer free entry, with its permanent galleries on Australian animals and the Pacific cultures display drawing consistent crowds. The museum's 'Discovery Centre' hands-on area is open daily from 10am to 4.30pm.

For something active, the indoor play centre Bounce Inc on Port Road in Hindmarsh has extended its school holiday hours, opening from 9am to 6pm on weekdays. A two-hour jump pass costs $27 per child, with discounts for siblings.

At the Adelaide Showground on Goodwood Road, the weekly Farmers Market runs every Sunday from 9am to 1pm, offering free entry and a petting zoo for young children.

Something for older kids and teens

Teenagers haven't been forgotten. The City of Norwood Payneham St Peters is running a three-day skateboard workshop at the Payneham Skate Park from 14 to 16 July, costing $30 per participant. Helmets and boards are provided.

Over at the Adelaide Central Market, the 'Market Explorers' program, aimed at teens interested in local food, runs a behind-the-scenes tour on Thursday 16 July, including tastings and a Q&A with stallholders. The tour costs $15 per person and lasts 90 minutes.

For families willing to drive a little further, the Cleland Wildlife Park at Mount Lofty offers a 'Winter Wombat Encounters' program every afternoon at 2pm, where visitors can feed and pat rescue wombats. Entry is $25 for adults and $12 for children, with family passes available for $60.

Back in the city, the Art Gallery of South Australia is running its popular 'Drop-in Drawing' sessions for all ages each Saturday afternoon throughout the holidays. Pencils and paper are supplied free of charge.

For the final weekend of the holidays, 25 and 26 July, the Semaphore Foreshore will host the annual Winter Lantern Festival, with free entry and a fireworks display at 8pm on the Saturday night.

Most activities require advance booking, especially those at libraries and smaller venues. Families are advised to check council websites for cancellations or changes, as some sessions can fill up within hours of being advertised.