Anyone who has ever been tasked with looking after kids, their own or someone else’s, knows that the days can drag on if you don’t have at least one or two things planned. Plus, kids are messy so the more you can do with them out of the house, the better. Luckily, there are loads of fun things to do with kids in Perth so you’ll never have to hear the phrase “I’m bored” again. Maybe.
Fruit Picking
An activity that’s fun for you, fun for the kids, and provides snacks for the trip home? Sounds like a big win to us. There’s almost always some kind of fruit to be picked in Perth and lucky for you, we’ve got a list of the best places to pick your own fruit. You’re welcome.
Museums
WA Museum Boola Bardip might be the first museum that comes to mind when thinking up things to do with kids in Perth, but it’s not the only one. Your kids will also love the WA Maritime Museum, the Fremantle Prison, and the Perth Mint to name just a few.
Scitech
Great for kids big and small, Scitech will keep your kids entertained for hours which is always a win. There are plenty of permanent activities which you might remember from your own time there as a kid if you grew up in Perth, but there’s also always something new on offer so you can go every few months without the risk of bored children. Don’t miss the planetarium for older kids and the puppet shows for the little ones.
Water Slides
The Cockburn ARC has two colourful 18-metre high water slides—the Pipeline and the Tumbler which are for kids seven and over, but there’s also the water play area with smaller slides for the little kids. And then there's obviously Adventure World in Bibra Lake and Outback Splash in Bullsbrook—which is also home to mazes, wildlife, mini golf, and more.
Mini Golf
Get a bit of competition going amongst the kids with a friendly game of mini golf. There are so many great courses around Perth that we went ahead and wrote about all the best places to play mini golf right here.
Mazes
Speaking of Mazes, if you’ve worked your way through all of those on offer at Outback Splash, head to Amaze Miniature Park near Mandurah for another maze, mini golf, gardens, miniature buildings a shady playground and cute little tea house to boot.
Go Karting
If you’ve got a little Daniel Riccardo on your hands, let them have their very own Grand Prix and be a winner for the day at go karting tracks such as Kart World in Belmont, Indoor Kart Hire in O’Connor, Mega Fast Karts in Wanneroo and Cockburn. If you’re not sure you’ll love karting, head to Hi Voltage Entertainment in Belmont to give it a go and if it’s not your thing, they’ve always got mini golf and a play centre as backup options.
Laser Tag
Whether it’s raining, scorching or you’re just done with sunshine, laster tag will keep kids entertained for hours. Check out Archie Brothers at Karrinyup for laser tag with a side of bumper cars, ten pin bowling, and virtual reality. If you’re closer to Carousel, head to Strike where you can sandwich your laser tag game between a round of ten pin bowling and an escape room.
Wildlife Adventures
If you feel like checking out some animals, there are plenty of options to choose from in Perth. The most obvious is the Perth Zoo which is guaranteed to be an exciting day out, but there’s also the Caversham Wildlife Park where you can hold koalas, feed kangaroos and penguins (yes, penguins!), cuddle animals at Molly’s Farm, and visit the reptiles. If that’s not enough of a reptile hit for your kids, you can head to the West Australian Reptile Park in Henley Brook which is home to all kinds of lizards, pythons, and snakes as well as a few other native animals. If the kids prefer something cuddly, there’s the Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm where kids can get up close and personal with all sorts of furry friends. Last but certainly not least, head to AQWA and do a few laps on the conveyor belt while the kids ooh and ahh at all the sea creatures before heading up to the touch pool.
Trampolining
While you might be hesitant to get a tramp at home, you can always head to one of the many trampolining places in Perth such as Just Jump in Wanneroo (where they also do parkour) and Bounce in Cannington and let your kids jump to their heart’s content. They’ll love you for it.
Escape Rooms
Got a little sleuth on your hands? Take them to an escape room for a day of fun with the family. There are so many great escape rooms in Perth and while not all of them are family friendly, nearly every venue will have one or two rooms appropriate for the kids. Check out Perth’s best escape rooms here.
Free Things To Do With Kids In Perth
And, because we’re always trying to save you some coin, we thought we’d better mention some of the best free things to do with kids in Perth too.
Free Flicks For Kids At Northbridge Piazza
Pack up a picnic and head to the Northbridge piazza for a free flick on the big screen every Saturday afternoon until 17 December. Check out the program here.
Playgrounds
If you need a quick and easy activity to do with the kids, playgrounds are your best friend. Obviously there are hundreds of playgrounds all over Perth but if you’re looking for something new a few of our favourites include the Dutch Inn Playground in South Cott, the Jo Wheatly All Abilities Play Space in Nedlands, the Ivey Watson Playground in Kings Park which was designed with younger kids in mind, the Whale Playground in Scarborough, the Lighthouse Adventure Park in Eglinton, the Eden Beach Foreshore Playground in Jindalee, Mueller Playground at Kitchener Park Subiaco and the Chevron Parklands and Optus Stadium Sensory Playground in Burswood—to name just a few!
Beach Days
Another fairly obvious one, but living in Perth means beach days are plentiful and they’re a great way to entertain the kids. Pack up your beach umbrella, sunscreen, snacks, and water and head to some of Perth’s calmer beaches. Mettam’s Pool and Yanchep Lagoon are particularly great for snorkelling, or if you feel like making a day of it, you could always pop over to Penguin Island or Rottnest.
River Hangs
If your kids don’t love the waves, the river might be more their vibe. There are plenty of tiny hidden beaches if you venture down the paths as you walk along the river in North Fremantle and Mosman Park. If you don’t have the time or patience to explore, head straight to the foreshore at Matilda Bay, Freshwater Bay, South Perth, or Maylands, to name just a few of our faves.
Farmers Markets
Farmers markets are a great way to keep the kids entertained while you simply enjoy coffee and a bite to eat. Or, if you’re feeling more ambitious, you might even be able to knock off your weekly shopping while the kids dance to live music, play with friendly pooches and make new friends. Here are a few of our favourite farmers markets in Perth.
The Library
Most libraries have regular (and free) story times throughout the week and if you’re lucky, your local might even have a coffee shop attached. Grab a coffee, park your kid in front of the superstar running story time and you can zone out while someone else entertains your kid. Check the website of your local library or give them a call to find out what’s on.
Water Playgrounds
If you’re not after a full day at the beach or the river but your kids love getting wet, hunt down some of Perth’s free water playgrounds. You’ll find them at Elizabeth Quay, Forrest Place, Hyde Park, Ellenbrook and Whiteman Park to name a few.
Refuel at some of Perth's best kid-friendly cafes.
Image credit: Supplied, WA Museum, Elle Borgward, Wembley Mini Golf, Diego Gavilane, Supplied, Northbridge Pizza, Supplied