Download FREE downloadable activity packs (indoor & outdoor) to keep the kids entertained all winter long (link to downloads at the bottom)!
School holidays are a great opportunity to explore Perth and surrounds with family and friends. Perth has so many hidden gems to keep everyone entertained. We asked locals their top tips for keeping kids entertained during the winter break, in the areas near our kids art class venues in Floreat, Mount Lawley and South Perth. Here is our list of 25 free activities for kids that will delight everyone.
Free fun around Scarborough
Scarborough beach front (1)- soak in the winter sun rays down on the beach or jumping in puddles along the beachfront.
Playground Fun
Scarborough foreshore is the perfect place for your kids to race down to the skateparks, rock climbing, and play on the Whale playground. Keep a look out for Mo, Evie and Otis’s artwork that is etched on the whale.
Lark Café (2) – Sara gives this café and nature playground a big thumbs up. Check out Buggybuddy’s review here.
Easy Bike Riding
Head just out of Scarborough for flat bike riding fun for all bike riding abilities. Lake Carine (3) and Lake Gwelup (4) are the perfect locations for a family bike ride. These lakes have flat pathways all the way around making it accessible for all. Lake Gwelup (5) offers a viewing platform over the side of the lake. It’s the perfect spot to watch out for birds, and maybe spot a turtle or two if you’re lucky! Paula also let us know there is a new bike track at Lake Monger (6) that is worth a peddle.
Gems North of Perth
Amazing views
Ruth kids loves the Water Tower at Mount Flora in Watermans (7). It has a great 360 degree mural that definitely rivals the amazing view.
Olwyn recommends the Burns Beach to Mindarie (8) shared bike and walking coastal walk.
Visit Hillaries Boat Harbour (9) and pass an hour eating icecream and watching the Rottnest ferry load.
Ninja Warrior park at Whitford Nodes (10) is definitely worth a visit to tire out the kids according to Deanna and we love it for the view from the top of the new staircase.
Fun near Mount Lawley and Perth City
- Mei Ling loves Geo caching (11) with kids. A inexpensive and fun way to explore your local area. Kids around Perth has a great guide to explain what and how to do it.
- Tony recommends Tranby House in Maylands (12) as a great place to do some fishing. If all you catch is a cold, then warm up at the café.
- Spend some time in the Cultural Centre and visit the State Library (13) (thanks Barbara). Don’t forget to check out the Frog pond (14) outside the Art Gallery (15) and check out the free activities on the first level for kids inside.
- Elizabeth Quay (16) is the perfect place to spend a day, whether you choose to stay there for coffees and ice cream.
South Perth Fun: River, Parks & Playgrounds (Free!)
While you are at Elizabeth Quay enjoy a ride on the ferry to South Perth foreshore (17). Sal suggested this is a perfect low-cost way of seeing the city and spotting new things whilst on the water. Maybe you will even spot a dolphin in the river!
Play Ground Fun
There are great play areas along the South Perth foreshore with Sir James Mitchell, Hurlingham Road Playground (20)which is a disability friendly playground for both able and less able bodied children.
Bike riding is really easy with super flat paths or just over a 1.5km walk from the jetty is the Old Mill (21), the oldest structure in South Perth.
Family Adventures Across the Swan: Jandakot, Parks & Nature.
Watching the planes fly in and out of Jandakot airport (26) is a favourite for Megan and her kids. A viewing area is just off Eagle Drive. Click to read Buggybuddys review.
Travels with Bender has a great list of free activities South of the River including Kadidjiny Park, Melville (27) which Josh calls Dr Suess park with it’s weird and dreamlike theme.
Unleash Your Explorer at Kings Park: Free Nature Play for Kids
Lots of our locals love Kings Park (22). It is the perfect location offering pristine views of the city and the Swan River and the perfect place to enjoy a picnic lunch. Picnics can be a fabulous way to involve your children through the winter holidays as it can allow them creative freedom, choosing what to include in the packed lunch.
Kings Park has a range of locations within the park that are accessible free of charge.
Free Water and Nature Play
Hannah gives a big thumbs up to the Nature Scape, Rio Tinto Park which includes waterplay where children can interact with the natural Western Australian environment. With opportunities to play in water ways, build stone towers and most importantly to be able to freely climb lots and lots of things letting out all their energy.
The park offers and abundance of playgrounds throughout including a dinosaur themed play area at Zamias.
Fremantle Fun: History, Harbor & Family Adventures!
Take a trip down to Fremantle (23) which offers a lot of holiday fun and experiences for the family.
Walk along the port or watching out for boats passing in and out the harbour at the E-Shed and the rocks at Fremantle Port and walk out to the point (thanks Stace).
Jump on the Ferris wheel at the Esplanade for a small charge which offers 360 views of Fremantle port and surrounding city.
Maritime History Adventure
Did you know at 1pm everyday the One O’Clock Time Signals are reenacted at the Round House?(24) This is one of Perth’s oldest structures. (Find at the end of High Street overlooking Bathers Bay). For more maritime history, head to the Maritime Shipwreck Museum (25) on Cliff Street which is free and has a real shipwreck and daily free guided tours.
Or simply chill out at Esplanade Park, with lots of playground options for younger kids, and skatepark offered for older kids. For a complete guide to Freo check this guide by our friends at Buggybuddys
Day Trip Fun: Adventures Beyond Perth!
These fun activities for kids are a bit further out but too good not to mention.
Yanchep National Park: A 1-hour drive with koalas, bike paths & picnic areas
A family trip up to Yanchep National Park (28) is guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. You can take your bikes and cycle around the paths on the lake, walk through the walking paths or witness Perth’s only free access to view koalas or enjoy a picnic lunch or a hot meal at the Yanchep tavern within the park. There are plenty of kangaroos and bird life too. The park requires a $15 dollar fee, however, it is well worth the cost for a day of fun for everyone!
Splash & Play at Lake Leschenaultia: 1 hour drive from Perth – A Perfect Day Trip!
Lake Leschenaultia (29) is the perfect place during the summer holidays for a family day trip. Offering the perfect location to canoe, swim, and cycle. Barbeques are accessible for the perfect cooked lunch, sausage in a bun! Shaded areas plentiful for the perfect pace to take your families favourite outside game like bocce or finska. Or even take down a deck of uno cards to play with the family.
Bushwalking & Nature Fun: A Day Trip to Bells Rapids (less than an hour drive from Perth).
Bells Rapids (30) is the perfect location to escape from the chaos of life with the family. Spend a day in the hills, exploring the surrounding bush trails of the rapids and the rapids itself. It is the perfect place to let your children run around and enjoy some nature time and Stuart recommends taking the boogie boards. Nature time is important for children as it allows them to become in touch with the natural world and ignore all the distractions from their technology. Nature time requires your children to focus their attention on the sounds and things they see, watch Fiona’s favourite Bluey episode, The Creek before you go.
The winter holidays are the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors no matter what the weather. Be sure to try out some of these ideas these holidays for guaranteed fun for all.
Check out our Free Activities for Kids downloads. With six to choose from these are perfect for those “I’m bored” moments in the house (Household Scavenger, Calm Colour In, Easy Art) and out (Mindful Nature Walk, Boredom Busters.)
