27 Jan 2023
One of the best times to be in Adelaide is when the Adelaide Fringe comes to town.
Full of warm balmy nights, loads of venues and a whole month of comedy, cabaret, theatre and fun, it’s the perfect time to book a stay!
For kids and families, there are heaps of options too. Check out our list of 10 family-friendly shows at this year's Adelaide Fringe. Don’t worry, these shows are fun for adults too!
Adelaide Fringe Accommodation
From Adelaide Beachfront, Hahndorf Resort, Barossa Valley, Goolwa, Lake Bonney or Clare, we have options all over SA to make your Adelaide Fringe.
Top 10 family-friendly shows at this year’s Adelaide Fringe!
1. You are a Doughnut
Musical Comedy
We couldn’t resist this title. From the creators of "The Alphabet of Awesome Science” comes a biological-musical-comedy that explores the ins and outs of the human digestive system!
Join biology teachers Oesoph A. Gus and Dewey Dean as they take a hilarious journey through every twisting tube and organ — with sketches, songs and sensational science! It’s a fast-paced variety hour, with each new digestive destination inspiring a wonderfully unusual performance.
Browse performance times and tickets here
2. Hypnotist Matt Hale: Top Fun! 80's Spectacular
Comedy Hypnotism
We are suckers for a Top Gun reference. Take the “Highway to the Hypno-zone,” grab your day-glo, big hair & Rubik's Cube as the must-see comedy hypnotist brings an 80s twist to his brand new show: Top Fun!
Combining total audience participation with the incredible abilities of the mind, Matt turns the traditional hypnosis show on its head, highlighting the talents and creativity of the volunteers for big laughs instead of embarrassing them. No two shows are the same!
Browse performance times and tickets here
3. Trash Test Dummies
Physical Theatre/Circus
Winners of the best Children’s presentation at the Adelaide Fringe Festival 2015 and runners up for Children’s Choice Award Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2016, the Trash Test Dummies are as full of laughs as their bins are full of surprises.
With side-splitting slapstick, daring acrobatics and amazing juggling, these Dummies are off on an imaginative adventure that is anything but garbage. With ballet and balloons for good measure, this fast-paced hour of “unadulterated mischief” delivers a dump truck full of fun!
Browse performance times and tickets here
4. Attenborough and his Animals
Comedy Science Theatre
As huge fans of the great man, we couldn’t go past this show - the magic of David Attenborough live!
A blue whale swims through the depths. Racer snakes pursue an iguana across the desert. Two hapless fools recreate wonderful scenes of the natural world. Catch this award-winning, five-star show for an epic display of clowning, physical theatre and the largest range of animals you'll ever see onstage.
Browse performance times and tickets here
5. You're Glorious
Circus
Mums and Dads of high-energy kids will love this. "You're Glorious" is a celebration of what our young people can achieve through the circus arts choreographed to the soundtrack of Australian singer/songwriter, Montaigne.
Showcasing 30 performers aged 8 to 18 across a wide range of circus genres, 'You're Glorious' combines high-level youth circus with an uplifting and positive theme. A surprising, colourful and tantalising hour of enjoyment for the audience and performers and a reminder of how incredibly GLORIOUS our lives can be!
Browse performance times and tickets here
6. Children are Stinky
Physical Theatre
You didn’t hear it from us! Expect high calibre circus, a rocking soundtrack, and genuine belly laughs. ‘Children are Stinky’ is hands down the most spectacular reverse psychology experiment you have ever seen.
The duo’s attempts to prove that kids are stinky are met with messy, ridiculous and hysterical twists. They only succeed in proving that children are awesome, and they know it! Set in the 1990’s, in-jokes and cleverly choreographed nostalgic mash-ups hook parents in for a rollicking trip down memory lane.
Browse performance times and tickets here
7. Party for Two
Interactive Theatre
Party for Two follows the story of best friends Sheldon Hall and Tucker the goat. It’s their birthday and it’s time for a party but everything is running behind schedule. Perhaps you can make the mud cake, squeeze the lemonade and hang the bunting?
Playing at the Summerhouse and in the Garden, Party for Two is an interactive performance designed for children who like to make and do, and celebrates imagination and collaboration while also inspiring nature play.
Browse performance times and tickets here
8. Amazing Drumming Monkeys
Musical Comedy
Australia’s favourite family puppet show is back at the Garden of Unearthly Delights. Based in Adelaide, The “Monkey show” has been touring nationally and internationally for over 19 years, and is a must-see for families with young children.
It’s rare to find a show that can be enjoyed equally by children and their parents, with funky live drumming for all ages, plus a message for the world.
Browse performance times and tickets here
9. The Scientwits - The Wrong Experiments!
Comedy Science Theatre
Who hasn’t dreamed of donning the white lab coat and going crazy? Join The Scientwits in the lab and watch Captain Chaos and Scientist Sam create utter mayhem in this high-energy and interactive comedy science show for kids where NOTHING goes to plan! Suitable for ages 4-4,000,000, get ready to be blown away!
Without any formal training and an appalling lack of attention to detail, Captain Chaos 'accidentally' destroys the lab, derailing the lesson and substituting Scientist Sam’s mundane experiments for far more exciting versions - aka The Wrong Experiments!
Browse performance times and tickets here
10. PreHysterical
Circus / Physical Theatre
This show rocks! A hilarious circus show for children and parents that follows three foolish Neanderthals as they struggle to survive the harsh natural world.
Avoiding predators, navigating harsh environments and learning to work together are all explored with marvellous circus skills and hilarious slapstick. With truly incredible circus and tongue-in-cheek humour for the adults, PreHysterical is something everyone will enjoy.
