Who doesn’t love a free day out! Perth is so crammed with fun free things to do that it was hard to get it down to just 30! Free school holiday activities in Perth could be plane spotting, beach days out and days at the park. Write down your favourite free holiday ideas so your next school holidays you will have the long list of the best things you can do in Perth without spending a dime.
If you are looking for school holiday ideas for teenagers in Perth we can help!
State schools finish on Friday 29 March 2024 and return to class on Monday 15 April 2024.
Easter school holidays in Western Australia are Saturday 30 March 2024 to Sunday 14 April 2024.
As with everything at the moment, please check with the venue directly (either by their website or social media pages) to ensure they are open during the times you wish to attend. You should also check their current policy around advanced bookings, entry requirements and timings.
Kings Park
If you are looking for free holiday ideas, then parks and gardens are always at the top of the list of free attractions in Perth. And if you visit Perth you MUST visit Kings Park. Kings Park is home to the spectacular Western Australian Botanic Garden.
Visitors can enjoy sweeping views of the Swan and Canning Rivers, the city skyline and the Darling Ranges to the east. Bushland walk trails, immaculate gardens and parklands and a variety of children’s discovery play areas can all be found in Kings Park.
Read more about Kings Park here.
WA Shipwrecks Museum
One of our other favourite free school holiday ideas are always museums! Located just next to Fisherman’s Wharf in Fremantle and housed in a 19th Century Commissariat Building, the Shipwrecks Museum is a fascinating look at some of the ships and relics that have washed up on the state’s hazardous coastline.
Along with the permanent exhibits housed at the Shipwreck Museum, young children are invited to take part in several activities just for kids, including A Trek Through Time, Pondering Pirates and Now and Then.
These school holidays you can see:
- Under Cockburn Sound
Hillary’s Area
Hillary’s Boat Harbour is a prime family destination offering numerous attractions to keep the kids eager and entertained, whilst parents can either join in the fun or relax, watching them play safety.
Butterflies, Birds and Bridges Trail
Only a 20-minute drive from Perth, the Butterflies, Birds and Bridges Trail is one of the most scenic trails in Canning Regional Park. One of the best free activities in Perth, you’ll walk through sedge meadows, mature woodlands, creeks and amongst the crowns of a paperbark forest. This lengthy but easy trail is the perfect weekend day trip from Perth, and with water access points and a cafe, it’s a trail that you don’t have to be too prepared for.
Get all the ’need to know’ info here.
Cottesloe Beach
Free things to do on the school holidays, don’t get much better than beach time!! Perth’s iconic Cottesloe Beach is as pretty as a picture. It’s one of the city’s most popular spots for swimming, snorkelling, surfing and drinking in ocean sunsets over a glass of wine, a refreshing beer or a relaxed dinner. Crystal clear waters and consistent swell make it a regular hangout for swimmers, body boarders and surfers, while the rocks and reefs invite snorkellers to hit the water too.
Ellenbrook Water Playground
Rainbow Waters is one of Perth’s biggest outdoor water parks. The playground features arched fountains, water cannons and ample space to splash around. It’s open seven days a week in the warmer months from 9am to 7pm. There are also four electric barbecues, various shelters, picnic tables and change room facilities. Best of all, the playground is free to the public! Find out more here.
Elizabeth Quay
This waterfront precinct has lots of free attractions. BHP Water Park is a welcoming free community space for West Australian families and visitors to enjoy. The major attraction at BHP Water Park is an interactive water feature that uses jets and lighting to create fun and exciting water choreography. The maritime inspired playground includes a sand pit and log steppers, where children can “walk the plank”. There are lots of climbing ropes and frames to scramble, a ship’s bell to ring and a slide to enjoy. Find out more here.
Mettam’s Pool
Perth is full of beautiful beaches however Mettam’s Pool is perfect for families. This shallow, almost lagoon like beach is less than 2m deep so perfect for young children. Locals tips: There are a few shaded tables so bring a picnic lunch.
Art Gallery of Western Australia
Children and families are very welcome to visit AGWA and explore the exhibitions and collections together. The art trails, children’s labels, family tours, artist-led workshops and community events support young visitors to engage deeply with works of art and share their unique perspectives. Find out more here.
Lake Leschenaultia
Spend a day canoeing, paddle boarding or bushwalking at Lake Leschenaultia. Bring a barbeque picnic (or just stop by the café!) and relax in this beautiful bush reserve area. If you are lucky you might spot a kangaroo stopping by!
Click here for Lake Leschenaultia
Yagan Square playscape
If you’re looking for somewhere for the kids to play, head to the upper level of the Market Hall building. Surrounded by a natural forest canopy with fantastic views over the square, the Yagan Square playscape uses natural forms to create a fun environment for children of all ages and abilities. You’ll find gentler play areas for toddlers and more challenging terrain for older children, as well as water play area. This play space has been designed to celebrate the geological and rock formations found across regional Western Australia. Find out more here.
Gwelup Secret Garden
If you ever want to spark a child’s interest, simply say the word ‘secret’ and they will be all yours. The Gwelup Secret Garden is located in Carniup Reserve and is a lush green space that will enchant even the biggest of kids. Pack your gumboots and go exploring.
Water Labyrinth
Happy children are the order of the day as they run and play through one of Perth’s favourite water sculptures; the Water Labyrinth. The Water Labyrinth is an interactive water sculpture created exclusively for Forrest Place by internationally renowned artist Jeppe Hein. It runs daily from 10am to 6pm unless an event is being hosted in Forrest Place. Find out more here.
Find out more about the Secret Garden.
Play a Game of Disc Golf
Disc golf is a flying disc sport in which players throw a disc at a target; it is played using rules similar to golf. It is often played on a course of 9 or 18 holes. Perth has a permanent Disc Golf Course in Greenwood, the ‘Rob Hancock Memorial Golf Course’. Natural Australian bush with grass fairways.
Recycle Right Tours Canning Vale
Have you ever considered what actually happens to your rubbish once it leaves your verge side collection? Would you like to learn a bit more about how you can make a difference to the environment by placing your rubbish in the correct bin? At the Southern Metropolitan Regional Council’s Regional Resource Recovery Centre (RRRC) in Canning Vale, you can come and see exactly what happens to your waste.
Free 1.5 hour tours are available to educate visitors about the recycling process and allow safe and exciting views from observation decks into the various facilities. All school, community and family groups are welcome, as well as individuals. Take a tour here.
Play Space
The Play Space is located in the James Street Mall main pedestrian way in the Perth Cultural Centre, in front of the WA Museum. Instruments such as chimes and beaters, a colourful set of melodic drums and a series of interconnected talking tubes, create a soundscape for children to explore and experiment with. Movement, balance and energy are also encouraged throughout the play space with walking stilts, low steppers and climbing rocks. The play space was recognised with a design award by the Landscape Industry Association of WA (LIAWA). Get all the details you need here.
Perth Airport Viewing Platform
Do you have a little one that dreams of taking to the skies one day? Bring them to the Perth Airport Viewing Platform to watch the majestic machines taking off and landing. Located just a couple of hundred metres from the runway, you can really get up close! Families tip: There are no facilities there so make sure you bring food and visit the bathroom before you go.
Read up on the viewing platform here.
Bibra Lake Playground
When the kids have energy to burn, take them to the ultimate playground to burn it off. Bibra Lake Playground is an all ages all abilities playground set on the bank of a lake, and has every piece of equipment kids could want. Families tip: Bring along a change of clothes so the kids can enjoy the water play area.
Read more about Bibra Lake Playground here.
DFES Education and Heritage Centre
The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Education and Heritage Centre is located in the original Perth Central Fire Station. Now refurbished, the old station characterises both past and present emergency services’ through displays dedicated to the history of Western Australian (WA) fire services and a natural hazards and disasters education gallery. The centre is open to the public and offers an interactive, interesting and fun experience for schools, tourists, families and community groups.
WA Museum Boola Bardip
This is a museum to share stories and learn about the rich history of WA. Each exhibition has a hands-on element for children, meaning you won’t hear the words ‘this is boring’! With eight permanent exhibitions and ever-changing ones, you will find something everyone will love.
Mardalup Park
Built on the former East Perth Gas Works site, Mardalup Park is right on the river’s edge and has a rich Noongar history. It was used by many Noongar families as a camping ground in the past – Mardalup is a Noongar term; its English translation is ‘place of small marsupial’. Mardalup Park also features many artworks constructed from materials from the old Gas Works and is the ideal spot for picnics for families or somewhere to sit back, relax and enjoy the city.
The Story Place at the State Library
The Story Place, on the mezzanine level of the library, is a vibrant and colourful space with plenty for kids to do. At The Story Place you’re never too young for a library card! A library card is one the best gifts a parent can give their child. It allows free access to books to feed their imagination and knowledge of the world. Children can discover favourite authors and illustrators and follow up their interests and hobbies. Get your child their own library card today – they can join at any age, even as a baby! Find out more here.
Totterdell Park
Nestled in amongst the office buildings in West Perth is the charming Totterdell Park. The playground has a soft fall play area with a large metal play frame featuring slides, climbing nets, ramps, monkey bars and a climbing wall. There’s also ample place for kids to kick a footy on the grassed area and lots of space to throw down a picnic rug and enjoy a catch-up with friends and family. Get more information here.
Whiteman Park Water Playground
Get the little ones to bring their bathers to Whiteman Park so they can enjoy the 30cm-deep paddling pool! With a wading pool and waterspouts, kids of all ages will enjoy this special area, complete with soft-fall surrounds and shade shelters surrounding the pool. The water playground is open from 10.00am to 5.00pm every day; usually from October to the end of the April school holidays each year (weather and permits permitting). Find out more about the playground here.
Telethon Discovery Centre
This interactive and fun centre will get your kids excited about learning! Explore the human body, use a microscope and take a tour of a real life laboratory. Located in the Perth Children’s Hospital it is just outside the city.
Whale Playground Scarborough
A playground beside a beach, what could be better! The Whale Playground has all the usual fun stuff – swings, slide, monkey bars – plus a life sized whale skeleton. If you walk just south of the park you will find a skate park, climbing wall and beach pool. The Whale Park and surrounds are the perfect destination for a day excursion.
Belmont Faulkner (Volcano) Park Feature Playground
If you’re looking for a playground for the kids to play a whole morning or afternoon away, this is the one! There is so much to do and see, and there is something for the little kids right up to the bigger kids – with the most popular attraction being the big volcano that shoots out “steam” (vaporised water) every 15-20mins.
It has a pathway that winds up to the – it’s wide enough that you can push the pram up there if you want to. It has a couple of slides on the side of the volcano or you can use the pathway to get back down.
Find out more about this awesome playground here.
Free walking tour
Learn about this iconic city via a free walking tour. Operated by volunteers who know the city like the back of their hand, these tours offer a wonderful opportunity to find places off the tourist map.
Learn more about the tours that are available.
5 things to do at home these school holidays
Staying at in doesn’t have to be boring. Make some time and memories at home these school holidays.
Start a garden
Start getting the kids excited about gardening and the environment by planting some seeds. Take a look at what is good to plant this season, grab some seeds and get planting!
Go on a treasure hunt
Kids just love a good treasure hunt, and it doesn’t have to be hard. Hide a treasure somewhere in the garden and then create a simple map for them to follow.
Put on a show
Most kids just LOVE performing, so why not put on a show. Put a sheet up in front of a makeshift stage and encourage the kids to do a bit of singing and dancing. Why not invite the neighbours and put on a performance.
Potato stamps
This is great for kids of all ages. Cut potatoes in half, carve out numbers or letters into each half then dip in paint. Great for fun and learning.
Make a book out of your favourite movie
Rather than sitting in front of the tv, encourage the kids to make a book about their favourite movie instead. They can draw pictures or cut images out of a magazine or newspaper, then tell you the story in their own words.
Even more WA school holiday ideas:
If you are heading off on a Western Australia road trip these school holidays check out our other articles:
