Adelaide North

Adelaide North Family

From art-making and active play to music, youth leadership and family support, Adelaide North offers practical ways to spend time together and get help when it matters. Families can find options for babies through to young adults, including free activities, early learning, disability services and programs for more complex circumstances.

✨ Play, creativity and early learning

Pom Pom

Children up to 12 can experiment with contemporary art alongside their family or carer at Davoren Park Shopping Centre. These free, drop-in workshops run on Saturdays during school terms and on selected weekdays in the school holidays. A Relaxed Hour before the main session provides a quieter option for neurodivergent children and children with sensory access needs. Every child must attend with a parent, guardian or carer.

Play Gym

Play Gym at the John McVeity Centre in Smithfield Plains gives children from six months to six years room to climb, crawl, balance and move through equipment-based play. It runs on Fridays during school terms, with parents or guardians joining their children. There is no need to book, and the operator notes that sibling discounts are available.

Book Bugs

Babies and toddlers aged up to two can enjoy board books, music and play-based learning with their parent or carer. Playford Library Service holds Monday sessions at the Civic Centre Library in Elizabeth and Tuesday sessions at the Stretton Centre Library in Munno Para. Current listings say families can attend without booking.

HIPPY Elizabeth

HIPPY – Preparing Kids for School is AnglicareSA’s free, two-year home-based early-learning and parenting program. It helps parents use play-based activities with their children as they approach school. Families interested in the Elizabeth program can enquire on 0481 171 741.

🎯 Youth activities, connection and leadership

The GRID Youth Hub Drop-In

Young people can connect with others, seek support and take part in social and recreational activities at this free, supervised Hopestreet drop-in. It operates from The GRID at 73 Elizabeth Way, Elizabeth. Published sessions include Wednesday afternoons, Thursday evenings, and Friday and Saturday afternoons into the evening; check the current timetable before attending.

The GRID Collective

Young people aged 12–25 can contribute ideas and help shape programs, events and opportunities across the City of Playford. The youth-led group also provides a setting to build connections and leadership skills. Meetings are held fortnightly on Tuesdays, and participation can continue flexibly. The nominated contact is City of Playford Youth Development Officer Ruben Swanepoel.

Northern Sound System youth programs

Creative young people can explore recording, performance and drama through programs at Northern Sound System in Elizabeth. StudioLab offers free recording sessions and mentoring during school terms, with booking optional but availability variable. Holiday Bands is for 13–17-year-olds during school holidays, while Drama Club caters for ages 12–17. Program dates change, so confirm the current intake or session before making plans.

🌈 Disability, development and carer connection

Novita therapy services

Novita provides occupational therapy and speech pathology for babies, children and young people, with hubs at 27–35 Orange Avenue, Salisbury and 28 Philip Highway, Elizabeth. Occupational therapists can work on participation in play, school and everyday routines, while speech pathologists support areas including communication, literacy, eating and swallowing. No referral is required to book an occupational therapy consultation. Depending on the service and individual circumstances, funding may be available through the NDIS or Medicare, or services may be accessed on a fee-for-service basis.

Novita Male Role Models and Dad’s Group

Fathers and other male role models can join the children they support for free Saturday-morning activities led by a Novita social worker. Sessions may involve construction, art, science, films or mini Olympics. Venues rotate between community spaces and playgrounds in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, so families should ask where the next group will meet. Enquiries are available on 1300 668 482.

🤝 Family relationships and youth support

Family by Family – North

Families who want to make changes in their lives can work with trained Family Coaches and “sharing families” through this Uniting Communities program. Children are included as families identify goals, draw on practical experience and work towards positive change together. The North location is at 26 Anderson Walk, Smithfield, with enquiries accepted through the program’s published contacts.

Reconnecting Families – Reconnect

This early-intervention service supports young people aged 12–18 in the City of Salisbury who are dealing with family conflict, homelessness or the risk of homelessness, or disconnection from school and community. Uniting Communities offers family counselling and links to education, training, employment and community connections. Families and young people can review the service pathway when circumstances begin to place housing or relationships under strain.

GRIT

GRIT provides free, specialist support for male and non-binary young people aged 12–18 who are affected by, using, or at risk of using domestic, family or sexual violence. Available to eligible young people connected with Adelaide’s northern suburbs, including Playford or Salisbury, it offers individual counselling, peer groups and facilitated recreational or creative activities. A young person, parent, guardian or support person may make a referral by contacting 08 8202 5980.

❤ Kinship care support

Martinthi Aboriginal Kinship Care

UCWB and InComPro support Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal kinship carers looking after Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in care across metropolitan Adelaide, including Adelaide North. Assistance can include a kinship care worker, cultural training, therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, social events and help connecting with services. Access requires a Department for Child Protection referral; UCWB and InComPro do not accept referrals from other sources.

📌 Before you attend or enquire

• Confirm the fit: check age limits, locality requirements and referral conditions, particularly for youth and specialist support programs.
• Review current arrangements: school-term activities, holiday programs, rotating venues and youth sessions can have changing dates or availability.
• Ask about access: discuss sensory, communication, mobility or other participation needs with the provider before attending.
• Clarify costs and funding: some options are free, while therapy fees and available funding can depend on the service and personal circumstances.
• Check supervision rules: activities for younger children may require a parent, guardian or carer to remain and participate.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group that serves Adelaide North, you are warmly invited to add your details or update your listing so local families can find accurate, useful information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on north.adelaide.guide.