Rainy day ideas for families in Adelaide

Adelaide's weather is mostly kind, but wet winter days, wild spring storms and summer heatwaves all happen. When they do, families need somewhere to go. The good news is that some of Adelaide's best indoor spaces sit side by side on North Terrace, close to free public transport and to each other. This guide shows how to put together a rainy day (or a scorching one) that doesn't involve a screen.

Opening hours, exhibitions and rules change, so check each venue's website before you go.

The North Terrace loop

North Terrace is the backbone of a wet-weather day. In a few hundred metres you'll find:

• The South Australian Museum, which says it is open every day from 10am to 5pm except Christmas Day and Good Friday (noon opening on Anzac Day), with five floors of exhibits and a lift to every level.
• The Art Gallery of South Australia, which says it opens 10am to 5pm every day except Christmas Day, with free general entry and charges for some exhibitions.
• The State Library of South Australia, including the striking Mortlock Wing.

Because these are so close together, you can split the day: museum in the morning, a break for lunch, then the gallery or library in the afternoon. Short walks between them give children a chance to stretch their legs, and if it's pouring you won't spend long outside.

Getting there without getting soaked

Driving and parking in the rain with children isn't much fun. Adelaide Metro says tram travel within the city free zone, between South Terrace, the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Festival Plaza and the Botanic Gardens, is free, and the Art Gallery says trams run frequently along North Terrace, with stops at Art Gallery and University of Adelaide. Free city connector buses also link city attractions. See getting around with kids.

If you're coming from the suburbs, children under 5 travel free on Adelaide Metro with a parent or carer, and two children under 15 can travel free with an adult using an adult Daytrip on weekends, SA school holidays and public holidays.

At the museum

The museum is a natural first stop for curious kids. Pick a floor or two rather than trying to see everything. The museum's Discovery Centre has limited opening days and hours, so check before you go if that's on your list. The café opens 10am to 4pm daily, according to the museum. Our guide to the museum with kids has more tips.

At the art gallery

Art galleries can be surprisingly good for children, especially in short bursts. The gallery says it holds almost 47,000 works of art and design, from Aboriginal and South Australian art to European and Asian collections, and it describes an interactive Studio where visitors can become the artist.

A few practical points: the gallery says food and drink aren't allowed in the galleries, large bags, backpacks and umbrellas must be left in the free cloakrooms, and of course the art mustn't be touched. Prams can be a useful way to carry the things you'd otherwise have in a backpack. See the art gallery with kids.

At the library

Libraries are calm, warm and free, and they're designed for browsing. A rainy-day visit to a library, whether the State Library or your local branch, can mean picture books, a quiet read, or a look at special displays. Many local libraries also run free programs for children, such as story times, especially during school holidays. Check your council library's website.

Under glass at the Botanic Garden

If the rain eases, the Botanic Garden at the eastern end of North Terrace has spaces under cover. The gardens describe "gardens under glass" and buildings including the Bicentennial Conservatory and the Museum of Economic Botany, which is free to enter. Some events in the conservatory are ticketed. See the Botanic Garden with kids.

Hot days count too

On days of extreme heat, the same indoor venues are a welcome refuge. Plan to travel early, use the tram to limit time in the sun, carry water and keep the outdoor parts of the day short. Cancer Council Australia notes that UV radiation is not related to temperature, so sun protection still matters on mild days too.

Tips for a happy indoor day

1. Pick one main venue and treat anything else as a bonus.
2. Plan breaks. Little legs tire quickly in museums. Build in snack stops and a run around.
3. Give children a mission: find three animals, a painting with a dog, or the oldest object you can.
4. Let them lead for part of the visit. You might be surprised by what catches their interest.
5. Leave before they're done in. Ending on a high makes the next visit easier.
6. Pack light. Bags may need to go in a cloakroom.

At home, too

Not every wet day needs an outing. Building a cubby, baking, a home "museum" of treasures or a family board game marathon can be just as memorable. But when cabin fever sets in, North Terrace is never far away.

Our day out finder includes a "wet or wild" option that suggests indoor ideas.

Ideas by age

Toddlers and preschoolers do best with short bursts. A visit to one floor of the museum, a library story time or a look at the conservatory can be enough. Plan around naps and bring snacks for breaks outside the galleries.

School-age children enjoy missions and challenges. Try a museum scavenger hunt, a gallery "I spy" or a sketching challenge in a notebook. Let them choose what to see next.

Teens may prefer exhibitions linked to their interests, from science and history to contemporary art and design. Give them some independence with an agreed meeting time and place.

Making the most of school holidays

School holidays are a popular time for indoor venues, and many run special programs for children, some free and some ticketed. Check websites well ahead, book where required and arrive early to avoid the busiest times. Weekdays are often quieter than weekends.

Food on a rainy day

The museum café and the gallery's AGSA_eat offer places to eat, but neither venue allows food in the galleries themselves. If you'd rather bring your own lunch, look for a covered spot outside, or plan a rainy-day picnic at home afterwards.

Keep it flexible

Rainy days often clear. Keep an eye on the sky, and if the sun comes out, a quick walk to the Botanic Garden or along the riverbank can be a welcome change after a morning indoors.

What to wear and bring

Pack raincoats rather than umbrellas, since the gallery asks for umbrellas to be left in the cloakroom. A spare pair of socks for each child and a towel in the car make the trip home more comfortable.

Key points

• The museum, art gallery and State Library are a short walk apart on North Terrace.
• The Art Gallery of South Australia says general entry is free; some exhibitions are ticketed.
• City trams in the free zone and the city connector buses are free.
• Bags, backpacks and umbrellas go in the gallery's free cloakrooms.
• Pick one main venue, plan breaks and leave on a high.