What to do for free (and almost free) this school holidays

The four-day Easter weekend is only just over and already the school holidays are upon us.

And this year, finding an affordable way to keep the kids entertained is more important than ever.

Fortunately, there are plenty of free (and very cheap) options to keep them busy over the next few weeks.

Whether your child is a budding artist, an outdoors adventurer or the next Nigella Lawson, there's something for everyone in the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters.

Read on for the best fun, family-friendly and free activities to keep the kids entertained these school holidays.

For the nature lovers

Winding through the City of Norwood Payneham & St Peters, the leafy River Torrens Linear Park is the perfect place to burn off some energy with a walk, jog or bike ride.

Stretching along the banks of the gum-lined River Torrens, the path also provides plenty of opportunities to stop and admire the abundant birdlife.

Pause to catch your breath by the banks of the tranquil St Peters Billabong, and you'll be able to spot dozens of species resting high up in the trees or patrolling the reeds at the water's edge.

There's plenty of space to spread out and play at Felixstow Reserve, which features large open lawns, a range of sports equipment, a nature play area, wetlands and an interpretive trail that brings Kaurna traditions to life.

At the recently redeveloped St Morris Reserve, children from 2-10 can join a guided Story Walk Storytime Adventure on April 14 and see the park come to life with a range of stories and interactive activities.

For the future chefs

Sprout Cooking School has been helping children (and adults) build confidence in the kitchen for 15 years, and you can get a taste of the fun at Norwood Mall this school holidays.

Young chefs can learn how to make their own Vietnamese-style cold rolls with a delicious dipping sauce in free half-hour classes on April 20, 21 and 22.

On April 22, St Peters Library will host a Homefresh Cooking Workshop teaching mini master chefs how to prepare a full meal (including a main course and dessert) for just $5.

Those kids who have already mastered the basics can learn how to turn kitchen scraps into compost and grow their own produce at the free Create Your Own Food Forest event at Payneham Community Centre on April 13.

For the creative types

From April 13, the Norwood, Payneham and St Peters libraries will be giving away free lucky dip craft packs containing a range of materials for young artists to start working on their masterpieces.

The kids can also unleash their creativity in a self-guided space at the MakerSpace afternoon at  Payneham Library on April 23.

For something a little more structured, Soda Art Studio is offering free trial classes that introduce potential Picassos to sketching with coloured pencils and watercolour painting.

If you'd prefer to see the finished product, you can always curate your own tour by linking some of the many local galleries.

Throughout April, Pod Gallery will display a dramatic collection of Kimberly storm clouds photographed by David Morris.

The Desert to Dunes exhibition at Mezzanine 55 will celebrate the vast landscapes and wildly colourful flora of the state's arid north.

Art Images Gallery hosts four exhibitions across April, with the Big Landscape 2026 group exhibition and sculptor Peter Syndicas' first solo show at the gallery running until April 19.

The following week, the gallery will launch two new exhibitions featuring Marisha Matthews' retro still lifes and Kaurna artist Eleanor Alice's wonder-filled paintings and ceramics.