For anyone looking for kids’ holiday activities Perth parents can enjoy too, we’ve got some inspiration for you!
Whether you want to get away for the afternoon, make a day trip out of it, or just need some fun activities for your backyard, our list of 17 things to do with kids in Perth will have you full of ideas (many of which are free)!
Of course, most of our ideas are focused around nature play so your family can get outside, enjoy some fresh air, and get active together.
17 Kids Activities Perth Parents Will Love Too!
1. Visit the Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park
Picking the number spot on our list of things to do in Perth with kids was almost too easy — Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park.
If you’re looking for a true adventure with your kids, we cannot recommend Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park enough. This natural playground is easily one of the most fun things to do with kids in Perth.
Dubbed an ‘urban wilderness’, Rio Tinto feels like you’ve been transported from the heart of Perth right into the bush!
Kids have a blast here with creeks, climbing ropes, cubbies, aerial walkways, tunnels, and all sorts of areas to explore and connect with nature.
If you’ve been following our blog or if your children attend our Early Learning Centre, you know that we are enthusiastic advocates for outdoor play. Nature play for kids has so many benefits, and heading to Rio Tinto Naturescape Kings Park is the perfect chance to let your kid get some quality adventure and exploration time in!
King Park is a particularly great option if your kiddo is super active and needs to burn some energy. Along with the Rio Tinto Naturescape Park, Kings Park features many other fun kids’ activities, such as numerous walkways and the gorgeous floral clock.
2. Check Out the Poolgarla Family Area
As long as you’re at Kings Park, don’t miss the Poolgarla Family Area. This is such a beautiful green space your entire family can enjoy together. It is well suited to kids under six, featuring a fun little playground and plenty of grassy areas to roam.
Located on the northern side of Kings Park, visitors can have a picnic together, grab a coffee, exercise, and soak in the gorgeous surroundings.
To make an afternoon of it, plan together with your child to pack a picnic featuring healthy foods and snacks. If it’s especially hot (which seems to be the case lately!), there are plenty of trees to find a shady spot to take cover under.
3. Create Your Own Adventures
It’s fun to head out on a day trip or check out a new spot, but we wanted our list of things to do in Perth with kids to also include simple nature play ideas at home.
I know some days can turn into a blur when it comes to planning for Christmas, shopping, wrapping presents, and taking care of a family. But it’s still possible to keep your kids engaged and entertained without a big budget or fancy travel plans.
Many of our nature ideas can be done right in your backyard with minimal planning.
Check out our blog post on 35 Fun & Easy Nature Play Ideas to Try at Home with your kids, so you can make some awesome holiday memories this year!
4. Climb the DNA Tower
This may not be your go-to choice on especially hot Perth days, but it is something to keep in mind if we get a cooler day.
Got a kiddo that is bursting with endless energy? We know a way to use it up at least a little of it! Climbing the 101 steps of the DNA tower is exhilarating and good exercise for the entire family.
As the highest viewing point in King Park, this climb is worth the effort. On a clear day, you may even be rewarded with a glimpse of the Indian Ocean in the distance.
5. Head to Bold Park
If you’re a nature-lover like us, we highly recommend a trip to Bold Park with your kids. This unique wilderness area will have you convinced you left the city and headed straight into the outback.
Surround yourself with ocean views and stunning scenery in this vast bushland. Varying trails intertwine throughout the park and make it easy to explore.
With expansive biodiversity, you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of different native species of birds, reptiles, butterflies, ants, fungi, and so much more!
6. Visit Rotary Park, Wanneroo
Rotary Park is a great play spot for all ages. Along with a toddler play area, it has swings, wooden play structures, climbing nets, a fireman’s pole, a climbing wall, and, most importantly, plenty of shady spots!
7. Beat the Heat at The Lagoon
With it being even hotter than normal this summer, there are bound to be more scorching days coming up.
For afternoons that are just too hot to do anything else, The Lagoon is worth checking out. With all the lush plants surrounding it, it gives off serious tropical vibes that can make you feel like you snuck away for a vacation.
The crystal clear pool, swim-up island, shallow area, and amenities (private cabanas for hire!) offer a great break for kids and adults alike.
8. Head to the Beach
Don’t let these soaring temps keep you stuck inside. Another one of the best things to do with kids in Perth — no matter the heat! — is by spending time at one of our gorgeous nearby beaches.
It is amazing how a bucket, a shovel, and a big imagination can keep a kid busy for hours! Our favourite family-friendly beach in the northern suburbs is Mettam Pools, Trigg.
This popular family swimming spot is protected by a reef, creating a calm, natural pool that is ideal for little ones. It is also wheelchair and pram accessible.
With a walking track that is pram-friendly, nearby cafes, and a playground, another great beach for kids is Scarborough Beach.
We also recommend checking out Hillary’s Boat Harbour. The shallow waters here are protected by the harbour, creating a calm area for little ones to splash around and cool off. There are also nearby picnic spots and a playground.
9. Check Out Whiteman Park
Located north of Perth, Whiteman Park is a must-do activity over the holiday break. With so much to do and see here, it’s best to set an entire day aside for this one.
Our two favourite spots for kids at Whiteman Park include Pia’s Place and the Children’s Forest.
The Children’s Forest is free to enter and full of wonders for families to explore, including colourful birds, statues, artwork, plants, and flowers. It’s an engaging, exciting way for kids to learn about native bushland and burn some energy!
You’ll find several playgrounds throughout the park, but be sure to check out Pia’s Place. Designed with kids in mind, Pia’s Place is an incredible play space for kids. Located at the Mussel Pool, Pia’s Place is the park’s biggest playground. It was also designed to be accessible for all kids of all abilities.
10. Get Bouncing
We’ll most likely see nothing but sunshine, but on the chance you get stuck inside on a rainy day, or if the outside temperatures soar a bit too high, head to Bounce Cannington or Bounce Joondalup.
Here, kids get the chance to bounce on almost 50 interconnected trampolines rather than bouncing off the wall of your home. Kids can also play dodgeball or high-flying basketball and challenge themselves in a ton of fun ways!
If you’re wanting to burn some energy with your kiddos, we challenge you to find a better workout than bouncing around on these trampolines for a couple of hours!
11. Check Out Wanneroo’s Museums
Another option for days where the weather won’t cooperate for outdoor kids’ activities in Perth, immerse yourself in history at one of Wanneroo’s three museums.
With interactive displays and so much to check out, these museums are a great chance for all ages to learn more about Wanneroo pioneers and local history.
12. Head to Braithwaite Park, Mount Hawthorn
Braithwaite Park is worth the quick drive to Mount Hawthorn if you have younger and older kids to entertain. The fully fenced-in nature play area was specifically designed for older kids and is filled with challenging obstacles, water features, stepping stones, ropes, logs, and more.
There is also a traditional playground designed for toddlers and younger children, featuring slides, lower monkey bars, and more. The park also has restrooms, picnic tables, and drinking fountains.
13. Check Out the Russell Brown Adventure Park at Mosman Park
If it’s on the hotter side but you don’t want to be stuck indoors, head to Russell Brown Adventure Park for plenty of chances for your little one to cool off.
Little ones can play by the running creek or enjoy some water play — and you can sit close by in one of the many naturally shaded areas right along the Swan River.
14. Take a Hike
We are spoiled with some of the most beautiful hiking trails in and around Perth, several of which are perfectly suited to little ones.
Some of our favourite kid-friendly hiking trails include:
Whistlepipe Gully, Forrestfield — A short 30-minute drive from Perth, this 3.5km loop is easily navigable and features wooden bridges and great views of the city in the distance.
Rocky Pool, Piesse Brook — About 30 minutes outside of Perth, you’ll find this enjoyable interpretive trail that takes you to the beautiful Rocky Pool. Spectacular views and local flora and fauna are abundant on this trail.
Note: At 5km and with some slightly steep descents in some areas, Rocky Pool is better suited to older kids. It depends on your child’s ability level and hiking experience, but we generally find that kids 6 and older handle this hike just fine as long as they practice caution on the steeper descents.
Glen Brook Trail, John Forrest National Park — The Glen Brook Trail in John Forrest National Park is the perfect hike for little adventurers. With the option to walk a loop that is just over 2km, it offers the ideal distance for younger kids who are still building up their hiking stamina. There are also boulders along the way, granite outcrops, fairy villages, and you may even spot some ducks swimming in the dam.
15. Go on a Nature Walk at Neil Hawkins Park, Joondalup
If you want to plan a nature walk with your family, Neil Hawkins Park is about as easy as it gets! Along with a playground and free public barbecues, visitors often spot rabbits, swans, ducks, turtles, and kangaroos.
There are gentle, easy walking trails that meander throughout the park and plenty of areas to get some shade.
16. Get Cruising
If you haven’t checked out the Pitstop Playground at Discovery Park with your kiddos, put this at the top of your list of kids’ holiday activities in Perth. Located at Grandis Boulevard and Botanic Avenue, Banksia Grove, this custom playground is just plain cool!
Kids can race around the bike tracks that were built to look like miniature raceways. The Pitstop Playground is probably one of the most unique parks in our area and kids love racing around on the tracks and challenging their bike skills.
Note: With all the blacktop and minimal shade, save this for a cooler or cloudy day, or plan to go early in the morning or later in the day.
17. Visit Herdsman Wildlife Centre in Wembley
For a small donation (proceeds support ongoing environmental education), Herdsman Wildlife Centre is super affordable yet so much fun. This scenic wetland is just minutes from the city but will have you immersed in nature.
Here, kids can get up close with a variety of local wildlife and take part in nature-based experiences, Indigenous education, and community events. They also offer fun classes created just for kids, such as Wildlife Wednesdays and Nature Play Group Thursdays.
Need More Ideas for Kids Holiday Activities in Perth?
For more inspiration on things to do in Perth with kids, we highly recommend checking out Nature Play WA.
With a mission to educate the public about the benefits of unstructured outdoor play, their site is dedicated to sharing resources that help encourage families and educators to get kids outside and into nature.
If you have questions about our programs here at Tribe Early Learning Centre and would like to talk with one of our childcare specialists, please contact us.
