It could be back old-fashioned activities for free-range kids these school holidays, with fewer organised group events on offer due to COVID-19 restrictions.

The Girdler family fun fair is back on the Victor Harbor foreshore, with the familiar Ferris wheel and rides set to entertain.

Perfectly located between the upgraded adventure playground and the causeway to Granite Island, there is plenty to keep everyone busy all day. Just across the road is the Encounter Coast Discovery Centre, with local history on show.

The kids will have a whale of a time at the SA Whale Centre, on Railway Terrace in Victor Harbor. It reopened last month, just in time for the whale season, and is open seven days from10.30am to 5pm. 

Check out the whale centre website for a guide to spotting the south coast seasonal visitors from Goolwa through to Encounter Bay.

Don’t forget the Mount Compass Recreation Park, incorporating a state of the art skate park, BMX track and open play space. It has a sheltered spectator viewing area and the space has a meandering creek for nature play, and a play area with basket swing, large slide, sandpit and picnic table.

The City of Onkaparinga is offering some gender-specific hang out sessions for boys and girls aged 8-15.

Boy Space will be held on Wednesday 8 July from 11am to 1pm at Studio 20, at the Aldinga Central Shopping Centre. It’s an opportunity to take along mates or make some new ones. Register via Eventbrite. 

Studio 20 will also host a Girls Movie Hang Out on Wednesday 15 July from 1pm to 3.30pm. Girls can enjoy lunch and a movie with friends. Register via Eventbrite to attend.

You can borrow jigsaws and board games from all the local libraries, as well as books and magazines, to while away the time when the weather is not so great for the outdoors and the indoor pools at the Fleurieu Aquatic Centre are back in business.