Burnside

Burnside Family

Families in and around Burnside can share stories, borrow toys, build movement skills and enjoy casual outdoor play close to home. When extra help is needed, there are also verified pathways for youth wellbeing, children’s allied health, carers and families facing serious challenges.

📚 Stories, toys and early-years connection

Burnside Library Children’s Activities

At Burnside Library in Tusmore, children and caregivers can join weekly activities suited to different early stages. Baby Chat welcomes babies and toddlers aged 0–2, Toddler Tales is for ages 2–3, and Storytime is designed for preschoolers. The library also publishes children’s events and school-holiday activities. Check the current calendar before visiting, as registration may be required for some sessions.

City of Burnside Toy Library

Families can borrow from a collection of more than 4,000 toys at Burnside Library, with most items intended for children from birth to five years. Membership and borrowing conditions apply, and children must be closely supervised while using the Toy Library. A story-based preparation guide is available for children with developmental delay, disability, ADHD or autism, helping families become familiar with what to expect during a visit.

Burnside City Uniting Church Playgroup

Parents, grandparents and caregivers can bring children from babyhood through to school age for term-time play in Tusmore. The playgroup runs on Tuesdays from 9.30 am to 11.30 am, with no booking required. The listed cost is $4 per family each week. Bring a snack and water bottle for your child, along with a hat during warmer weather.

🤸 Movement, playgrounds and family recreation

Burnside KinderGym

Babies, toddlers and preschoolers aged six months to five years can practise fundamental movement skills in weekly caregiver-attended classes. The program includes BabyGym, KinderGym, PreGym and Junior Gym, allowing families to choose a session matched to their child’s age and stage. A come-and-try session is available, but booking is essential.

City of Burnside Sports Library Project

For spontaneous outdoor activity without bringing a full bag of gear, free sports and recreation equipment can be borrowed at Langman Reserve in Burnside, Tregenza Oval in Linden Park and Webb Street Reserve in Rose Park. Families use the equipment for casual play at the reserve and return it when finished, making this a practical option for trying different activities together.

Hazelwood Park and Wombat Waterhole

Wombat Waterhole provides a dedicated play space within the public reserve at Hazelwood Park. Families can also use the paths, seating, picnic areas and barbecues for a longer outing or relaxed gathering. Council information notes an upgraded toilet block near Olive Grove, a useful detail when planning a visit with young children.

Kensington Gardens Reserve Adventure Playground

Different playground areas cater for different age groups at this Kensington Gardens reserve, including the Adventure Playground. Barbecues, ovals and a basketball hoop give families several ways to combine play, sport and time together. Council also reports accessibility improvements around the reserve, although families with specific access requirements should confirm whether the available facilities suit their needs.

🌱 Development, wellbeing and youth support

Resilient Kidz

Children, adolescents and young people in Burnside and other Adelaide suburbs can access paediatric allied-health and disability support. Available disciplines include occupational therapy, speech pathology, psychology, play therapy, art therapy, hydrotherapy and exercise physiology, alongside support work and group programs. Support may be provided in clinics, the community or schools. Self-managed and plan-managed NDIS participants are supported, and many services do not require a referral; families should confirm the pathway appropriate to them.

BaptistCare SA Family Wellbeing Service

This free service provides therapeutic support and psycho-education for families with children and young people aged 0–18 who are experiencing mental-health or wellbeing challenges. Burnside falls within its funded service area, while appointments are offered at Wayville, Salisbury, schools and selected community venues rather than at a stated Burnside office. Up to 15 sessions may be available, and family members need to be willing to participate. Eligibility is checked by postcode, and referrals cannot be accepted when another mental-health service is already involved.

headspace Adelaide

Young people aged 12–25 can seek free, confidential help from this nearby Adelaide service, which serves the Adelaide Primary Health Network catchment. Support covers mental health, physical and sexual health, alcohol and other drug concerns, and work or study. Young people may refer themselves, while family members and other people can also initiate a referral; participation remains voluntary for the young person. The Early Psychosis service has separate eligibility requirements.

❤ Support for carers and families in difficult circumstances

Carers SA

Carers across South Australia, including Burnside residents, can begin a support conversation without a diagnosis or referral. The service is for people caring for a family member or friend with disability, mental illness, chronic health conditions, frailty, dementia, terminal illness, or alcohol and other drug issues. Through Carer Gateway, options include support planning, coaching, counselling, peer groups, young carer services, tailored support packages, carer breaks and emergency respite pathways.

South Australian domestic and family violence support services

People affected by domestic, family or sexual violence can use free, confidential statewide support pathways. The Domestic Violence Crisis Line provides crisis counselling, support and referral to safe accommodation 24 hours a day on 1800 800 098. 1800RESPECT is also available around the clock on 1800 737 732. In an immediate emergency, call 000.

📌 Before you go or make contact

• Check age and eligibility: Programs cover different stages, from babies through to young adults, while funded support may involve postcode, participation or service-use conditions.
• Confirm bookings and current details: Event places, term dates, session availability, borrowing rules and listed fees can change.
• Ask about accessibility: Contact the provider or venue if your family needs step-free access, sensory considerations, communication support or accessible facilities.
• Clarify supervision: Early-years classes and playgroups involve a caregiver, and children must be closely supervised in the Toy Library. Public play spaces also require adult supervision appropriate to each child.
• Discuss service pathways: Before starting therapy or wellbeing support, confirm referrals, funding arrangements, location options and whether another provider’s involvement affects eligibility.

✨ If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Burnside and nearby suburbs, you are warmly invited to add your details or update an existing listing so local families can find accurate, practical 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 burnside.sa.guide.