In the city

Marshmallow playground, Glen Osmond Rd

This playground on Glen Osmond Rd received a major facelift earlier this year, and now, interactive nature play elements sit alongside the more traditional swings and slides.

The area is fully fenced and includes a tennis court and half basketball court for families and older kids.

Bonython Park adventure playspace, Port Rd

This modern playground features a 25m flying fox, a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round and a giant mouse wheel.

Children can also become archaeologists for the day and dig for bones in the sand pit.

TreeClimb, Greenhill Rd

Strap yourself in because TreeClimb is an adventure ‘playground’ like you’ve never experienced before.

Thrill-seekers of all ages and abilities can navigate the 7 high-rope courses as they swing, leap, climb and fly through the tree tops.

You’ll want to make a booking for this experience, with general admission tickets costing about $40.

East

Morialta Conservation Park playground, Woodford

Prepare to explore Frog Island, or reach the dizzy heights of the Eagle’s Perch and clamber into the giant bird nests.

This playground has been designed to incorporate nature and has 5 themed play areas, all with a close connection to the local flora and traditional land owners.

If it’s rained recently there may be a bit of mud so prepare to get dirty and pack a change of clothes.

Hazelwood Park playground, Hazelwood Park

Grab a friend and zoom along the dual flying fox at this eastern suburbs playground. It’s hard to miss the spectacular climbing mound.

This playspace also features an old steamroller that smaller children will find fun to climb.

West

Weigall Oval Reserve, Plympton

This new playground features wooden structures to climb, ropes to balance on and even water to splash in.

There’s a good mixture of toddler and older kids’ equipment, and even a workout area for adults if they fancy burning a few calories while the kids play.

Old Gum Tree playground, Glenelg

This playground is more ‘traditional’ than the other ones we’ve included in this list, but it’s at a historical South Australian location and includes the old gum tree.

The park is fully fenced so the little ones can run free, and there’s plenty of shady spots to lay out the picnic rug.

Mega Adventure Australia, West Beach

Mega Adventure Australia is similar to the TreeClimb park in the city. You’ll be strapped into a harness before you navigate more than 70 obstacles on a 26m-high structure.

You can play tennis in the sky, row a boat mid-air or manoeuvre between obstacles such as a floating Esky, BMX bike and sky-high picnic table.

North

Bush Magic playspace, North Adelaide

The Bush Magic playspace might be a little older than some of the playgrounds on the list, but it’s still suitable for children of all ages.

It ticks off most items on the playground must-have list, with a maze, pommel, see-saw, slides, monkey bars, a rope bridge, and sand-play area.

St Kilda Adventure playground, St Kilda

Children big and small will be entertained for hours at arguably the best playground in South Australia.

Offering a range of attractions to ignite the imagination, it features a huge castle with slides and a drawbridge, a bouncy boomerang, giant flying fox, pirate ship, a large volcano with multiple slides, a basketball court, swings and more.

South

Apex playground, Hawthorndene

This playground, nestled between Blackwood and Belair, offers a small play area, along with tennis courts and a BMX track for the older kids.

Jubilee Park, Port Noarlunga

Want to climb a multi-level fort? If you do, take a drive down to Port Noarlunga. The Jubilee Park features tunnels, a water-pump play feature, bridges and a giant giraffe.

There’s also a large grassed area to kick a football, play some cricket or just run around.

Country SA

Monash playground, Monash

The older generation may have fond memories of the old Monash playground, featured in the video below, with its giant metal slides that would burn your legs in summer and a home-made roller coaster. Unfortunately, the park was closed in 1992.

While the new adventure playground is a little bit tamer these days, it still has a tower to climb, a maze to explore and slippery dips to slide down.

The Lake Bonney Discovery Park, only a 10-minute drive from Monash, also has a water playground that will keep the kids cool and entertained.

The 500m² waterpark – themed to reflect the beauty of the River Murray and local citrus growers – includes three slides, a huge tipping bucket, water cannons and several spray zones.

Splash Town, Moonta Bay

Located on the picturesque Moonta Bay foreshore, Splash Town is a free water park for kids of all ages. The water park consists of four large water slides, one kiddie slide, several large mushrooms and a large tipping bucket.