School Holiday Activities Perth for September 2026

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Mum tested experiences updated for 2026 holidays.

Looking for the best school holiday activities in Perth? I’ve done a lot of the hard work for you!

I have done Perth over many sets of school holidays with my son Alex and we have packed a ridiculous amount into our trip. We climbed Matagarup Bridge, toured around Rottnest Island, toured Optus Stadium, tried indoor skydiving, explored Fremantle and tested plenty of Perth attractions along the way.

I’ve combined the places we genuinely enjoyed with current research to help you find things to do in Perth these school holidays for toddlers, primary school kids, tweens and teenagers.

You’ll find big days out, affordable activities, free things to do, indoor ideas for hot or rainy days and a few easy activities for days when staying home sounds much more appealing.

Perth school holiday dates

Best Perth school holiday activities by age

Not every activity works for every child. These are some of my picks depending on who you’re trying to entertain.

Age	Good choices
Toddlers & preschoolers	Perth Zoo, AQWA, Kings Park, Hillarys Boat Harbour
Primary school kids	Scitech, Perth Zoo, Adventure World, AQWA, BOUNCE
Tweens	Adventure World, Rottnest Island, iFLY, Matagarup Zip+Climb, BOUNCE
Teenagers	Matagarup Zip+Climb, Rottnest Island, iFLY, Zero Latency, Optus Stadium
Whole family	Rottnest Island, Fremantle, Kings Park, Perth Mint, AQWA

Got teenagers? I’ve also put together a dedicated guide to things to do with teenagers in Perth, with activities that older kids will actually want to do.

Looking for something happening specifically during these school holidays? These are some of the Perth events and special activities I’d have on my radar for the September 2026 break.

Perth Royal Show

26 September to 3 October 2026 | Claremont Showground | All ages

It wouldn’t be the spring school holidays in Perth without the Royal Show. This year’s show runs for eight days, with animals and agricultural displays, rides, showbags, entertainment and plenty of food.

If your kids are mainly there for the rides, it’s worth checking the daily specials before you go rather than buying everything as you need it. This is obviously one of the more expensive school holiday days out once you add rides, food and showbags, so setting a budget before you arrive might save some pain later!

Perth Royal Show 2026 information

Monster Village Fremantle

26 September to 4 October 2026 | Esplanade Park, Fremantle | Ages 3+

If you’ve got kids who need to burn off some energy, Monster Village is taking over Esplanade Park with a huge pop-up inflatable playground.

There are 80 metres of obstacle courses plus nine inflatable attractions, with kids bouncing, climbing, racing and sliding their way through a one-hour session. Tickets start from $18 online and supervising parents and guardians enter free.

I particularly like this one because you could easily combine it with some of our other Fremantle recommendations. Do Monster Village, grab something to eat, explore Freo and head down towards Bathers Beach.

Monster Village Fremantle

AWESOME International Arts Festival

29 September to 3 October 2026 | Perth Cultural Centre and other venues | Mainly ages 0–12

The AWESOME International Arts Festival returns during the first week of the holidays with five days of theatre, art, creative activities and family performances.

This is one I’d particularly look at if you’ve got younger children and want something other than rides, playgrounds and physical activities. There are both free and ticketed experiences, so you can choose according to your budget.

The festival also spills into other Perth attractions. WA Museum Boola Bardip, for example, is hosting A Perfect City, a collaborative family art experience, throughout the festival.

Find out more about the AWESOME International Arts Festival

ZOOlights at Perth Zoo

26 September to 11 October 2026 | Perth Zoo | All ages

If you’re planning to visit Perth Zoo these holidays, there’s a very good reason to go later in the day.

For the entire school holiday period, ZOOlights is transforming the zoo after dark with hundreds of illuminated lanterns. The lights come on from 5pm, with live music and roving illuminated performers, and the zoo remains open until 8pm.

Even better, ZOOlights is included with general zoo admission rather than requiring a separate event ticket.

I’d be tempted to arrive late enough to see some of the animals and then stay as the lights come on. Animal viewing continues until around 6pm, although some areas close earlier.

ZOOlights at Perth Zoo

Burst into Spring at Scitech

26 September to 11 October 2026 | Scitech, West Perth | Best for younger kids and primary schoolers

Scitech has a special spring program running throughout the school holidays, making this a particularly good time to visit.

The holiday ticket includes the hands-on exhibits as well as the Planetarium and shows. This spring’s program includes the new Spring Loaded Science Theatre show, exploring how energy can be stored and released, along with Planetarium programs and Dinoshadows in the Puppet Theatre.

It’s an easy one to keep up your sleeve for a rainy day or when Perth delivers one of those days when everyone has had quite enough sunshine.

Scitech spring school holidays

OceanXplorers at WA Museum Boola Bardip

26 September to 11 October 2026 | Perth Cultural Centre | Particularly good for younger and primary school kids

WA Museum Boola Bardip is going underwater these holidays with its OceanXplorers Activity Zone.

The drop-in area runs daily from 10am to 3pm and includes ocean-themed puzzles, sensory activities, books, crafts and origami, with different activities aimed at little explorers and primary-aged kids. There’s no need to book the activity zone and it’s included with general museum admission.

There are also additional workshops and events happening across the holidays, although some of the bookable programs have already sold out, so check availability before promising the kids a particular workshop.

WA Museum Boola Bardip school holiday program

Exploring the Reef at WA Maritime Museum

26 September to 11 October 2026 | Fremantle | All ages

The WA Maritime Museum also has extra activities running every day of the holidays from 10am to 2pm.

Exploring the Reef includes craft activities, a Great Sea Search trail, games, a digital aquarium and short cinema experiences exploring Ningaloo Reef and humpback whales.

Older kids aged eight and over can also try a separate virtual reality experience that takes them underwater on the Great Barrier Reef.

The general school holiday activities are included with museum admission, making this another easy addition to a Fremantle day.

Exploring the Reef at WA Maritime Museum

Shipwrecked! at WA Shipwrecks Museum

26 September to 11 October 2026 | Fremantle | Families

This one jumped out at me because we already recommend the WA Shipwrecks Museum as one of our free Perth activities, and Alex and I visited it ourselves.

During these school holidays there’s an additional Shipwrecked! activity where families follow clues as castaways on a desert island and create their own treasure map.

So if you’re planning our Fremantle day, these holidays are an especially good time to include the museum.

WA Museum school holiday activities

And one free bonus: City of Perth Library

26 September to 11 October 2026 | City of Perth Library | Ages 2–11

If you’re in the CBD and need an easy free activity, the City of Perth Library has drop-in holiday craft activities running throughout the school holidays.

They’re free, don’t require bookings and run during normal library opening hours. There are also individual free workshops during the break, including Catapults and Dragons and Bollywood Dance, although those sessions require bookings.

City of Perth school holiday activities

What’s on in Perth these school holidays

Perth always has extra events, exhibitions, shows and activities popping up during the school holidays.

Big days out in Perth these school holidays

Want to do something the kids will still be talking about when they go back to school? These are the Perth experiences I’d choose when you’re looking for more than just a couple of hours out of the house.

Matagarup Zip+Climb

Best for: Tweens and teenagers who love adventure

That is us in the photos above! I’m not going to lie, I found this one a bit scary, but oh, so much fun.

After our safety induction, we started the 314-step climb up the main arch of Matagarup Bridge to the SkyView platform, 72 metres above the Swan River. This isn’t simply a long staircase. We had to climb, crawl, shimmy and squeeze our way through some surprisingly tight spaces before finally reaching the top.

And then came the best bit: the zipline back down!

There are three experiences to choose from. The full Zip+Climb takes you to the top of the bridge before sending you along the 400-metre zipline over the Swan River. Express Zip gives you a shorter climb before the zipline, while the Bridge Climb takes you all the way to the SkyView platform without the zip.

Alex was 15 when we did this and we both loved it. If you’ve got adventurous older kids or teenagers, this is one of my favourite things we did in Perth.

My verdict: 5/5. I would absolutely do this one again.

Check prices and availability for Matagarup Zip+Climb.

Rottnest Island

Best for: A full family day out, beaches, cycling and wildlife

We went to Rottnest for the quokkas, obviously, but ended up loving the whole island.

The beaches are absolutely beautiful and there are plenty of ways to explore. Cycling is hugely popular, particularly with older kids and teenagers, but here’s something worth knowing before you confidently hire bikes for the whole family: Rottnest is hillier than you might expect.

I’m not going to pretend I cycled it because I most certainly did not!

We opted for the air-conditioned Island Explorer hop-on, hop-off bus instead and loved it. We could explore much more of the island without exhausting ourselves, and you can hop off to walk sections of the island before picking up the bus again further along.

If your family does want to cycle, don’t feel you have to conquer the entire island. You could concentrate on a few beaches and bays and leave yourselves plenty of time to swim, snorkel and look for quokkas. The island is only about 11km long, but trying to see absolutely everything in one day can turn a lovely outing into an endurance event.

For snorkelling, Little Salmon Bay has an underwater snorkel trail and sheltered water, while nearby Parker Point also has a snorkel trail and can be a little quieter. Both are accessible from the Island Explorer bus.

You don’t necessarily need transport at all if you only want a relaxed taste of Rottnest. There are quokkas, food and beaches within walking distance of the ferry, with The Basin about a 15-minute walk from the main settlement.

One thing I would take seriously is the heat. Take plenty of water, hats and sunscreen, particularly if you’re heading away from the main settlement. Food, drinks and water refill options become much more limited as you explore further around the island.

And yes, you’ll almost certainly want a quokka photo. You’ll see plenty around the main settlement, but remember they’re wild animals, so don’t touch or feed them.

My tip: Decide before you arrive whether you’re mainly there to cycle, beach-hop, snorkel, walk or see as much of the island as possible. Rottnest has far more to do than you’ll fit comfortably into one day, so a little planning makes a big difference.

Find a range of options for trips to Rottnest Island here and get your ferry tickets to Rottnest here.

Optus Stadium Tour

Best for: Sports-mad kids and teenagers

I’m going to go against the grain a little with this one. We did the Optus Stadium Tour because we had it as part of a combo pass and we’d just done the Matagarup Zip+Climb next door. It made perfect sense geographically.

But proximity doesn’t always mean something is worth doing.

For us, the stadium tour was a miss.

Maybe we were still on a high after climbing over a bridge and flying down a zipline. Maybe we were tired. Or, more likely, it’s simply because neither Alex nor I is particularly sports-mad.

That doesn’t mean I’d tell everyone to skip it. If you’ve got kids who love AFL, cricket or big sporting venues, they’ll potentially get far more out of seeing behind the scenes at Optus Stadium than we did.

But if your family isn’t especially interested in sport, I wouldn’t add it to your itinerary simply because you’re already at Matagarup Bridge.

My verdict: One for sports fans rather than a Perth must-do for every family.

Get your tickets for the Optus Stadium tour here.

Explore Fremantle for the day

Best for: All ages, especially families who like exploring on foot

Our Fremantle experience didn’t quite go according to plan. I managed to come down with COVID after our trip to Rottnest and ended up isolating in our hotel, which left 15-year-old Alex to do some exploring without me!

The good news was that he found Fremantle very easy to get around on foot and felt comfortable exploring independently. Once I was back in action, we also managed to see more of Freo together, and there’s easily enough here to fill a whole family day.

One of my picks is the WA Shipwrecks Museum, which we visited and really enjoyed. Entry is free, making it an easy addition to your day. If your kids are interested in darker history, you could instead make Fremantle Prison one of your main stops and take a tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed former prison.

Then leave time simply to wander. Fremantle Markets is good for inexpensive food, snacks and browsing, while the Esplanade area has plenty of room for younger kids to burn off some energy. With older kids and teenagers, part of Freo’s appeal is that you don’t necessarily need an attraction booked for every hour.

You can also wander down towards Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach, grab fish and chips or an ice cream and have a swim if the weather is warm.

My tip: Don’t try to tick off every Fremantle attraction in one day. Choose one or two things you particularly want to see, then leave time to wander, eat and explore. If little legs get tired, check the current Fremantle CAT bus route rather than walking everywhere.

With teenagers: Fremantle worked particularly well for us because Alex was old enough to enjoy exploring rather than needing to be entertained at every stop. If you’ve got independent older teens, it’s the sort of place where you can potentially give them a little freedom to browse while you do your own thing.

We loved this walking tour around Fremantle and you might too!

Adventure World

Best for: All ages, especially thrill-seeking tweens and teenagers

If your kids love theme parks and water slides, Adventure World is one of the obvious BIG days out in Perth.

Located at Bibra Lake, around 25 minutes from Perth and 15 minutes from Fremantle by car, Adventure World combines a theme park and water park with more than 25 rides and attractions.

Older kids and teenagers can tackle rides like Abyss, Goliath and Kraken, while younger children aren’t forgotten. Dragon’s Kingdom is designed for little adventurers and Kahuna Falls has eight water slides and more than 100 water-play features.

This is one to give a full day rather than trying to squeeze it between other activities. Pack the swimmers, sunscreen and hats and check the ride requirements before promising younger kids a particular attraction, as height restrictions apply to some rides.

Adventure World operates seasonally rather than year-round, reopening for the 2026/27 season for the warmer months, which makes it particularly well suited to Perth’s hot weather school holidays at the end of the year.

My tip: If you’re visiting during busy warmer school holidays, arrive early so you’ve got plenty of time to make the admission price worthwhile.

Check out Adventure World tickets prices here

Perth’s Outback Splash

Best for: Hot days and families with kids of different ages

For another BIG water-park day, Perth’s Outback Splash in Bullsbrook combines waterslides and pools with activities you don’t need swimmers for.

Thrill-seekers can tackle The Wedgie, Blackout, Gold Rush and The Wall, while Splash Island has five slides, water cannons, sprays and a giant tipping bucket. There’s also The Lagoon swimming pool for families wanting a slower pace.

What I particularly like about this one for families is that the day doesn’t have to revolve entirely around waterslides. There are also mazes, mini golf, a children’s playground and giant chess, which gives everyone something else to do when they’ve had enough of being wet.

It is a substantial day out rather than a quick activity, and admission reflects that. Booking online in advance is currently cheaper than buying at the gate, so it’s worth planning ahead.

My tip: Check the opening calendar before making the drive. Outback Splash operates seasonally and opening days and hours change throughout the year.

Check out session times and price for Perth’s Outback Splash

Perth Zoo

Best for: Toddlers, primary school kids and animal-loving families

Perth Zoo is one of the easier BIG days out to recommend when you’re travelling with younger children or a family with a broad range of ages.

Located in South Perth just across the river from the CBD, the zoo recommends allowing at least half a day, although I’d make a full day of it rather than rushing around trying to see everything.

As well as exploring the animal exhibits, check what’s happening on the day you visit. The zoo runs keeper talks, animal experiences and special events throughout the year, with extra activities often appearing during the school holidays.

It’s also worth checking the current school holiday program before you go. For the September 2026 holidays, for example, Perth Zoo is running ZOOlights in the evenings, so what’s available can change considerably from one holiday period to the next.

My tip: Don’t promise the kids a particular animal without checking first. Exhibits can temporarily close or animals can be off display, so have a look at the zoo’s current information before you visit.

Caversham Wildlife Park and Whiteman Park

Best for: Animal lovers and families wanting to turn one attraction into a full day

Caversham Wildlife Park is located inside the much larger Whiteman Park, so rather than racing in to see the animals and leaving again, you can easily build a bigger family day around the two.

At Caversham, admission includes experiences such as feeding the kangaroos, meeting a koala, the Farm Show, Meet the Wombat & Friends and a penguin keeper talk and feed.

Once you’ve finished with the wildlife, explore more of Whiteman Park. Depending on the ages and interests of your kids, you’ll find playgrounds, walking and cycling paths, transport museums, vintage train and tram experiences and plenty of picnic space. Pia’s Place is an all-abilities nature playspace that could be particularly useful for families with younger children.

This is one I’d choose when you’ve got children who love animals but want enough variety to stretch the outing beyond a wildlife park visit.

My tip: Look at the Whiteman Park map before you go rather than assuming everything is clustered together. It’s a large park and planning which attractions you actually want to visit will save you wandering around unnecessarily.

Check out Caversham Wildlife Park details here

Find more information about Whiteman Park here

iFLY Perth

Best for: Primary school kids, tweens and teenagers who want something different

Alex and I tried indoor skydiving at iFLY Perth when he was 15 and this was another experience we genuinely enjoyed.

If you’ve never tried indoor skydiving before, you’re not jumping out of an aeroplane. Instead, you fly inside a huge vertical wind tunnel, with an instructor there to help you position your body and get the hang of it.

The actual flying time can sound surprisingly short when you first see it written down, but there’s much more to the experience than simply stepping into the tunnel. Allow time for checking in, getting geared up, the safety briefing and learning what to do before your flight.

I’ve since done iFLY again in Chermside with three kids and they loved it too, so this is one I’m very comfortable recommending for adventurous older kids and teenagers.

It’s not a cheap activity, which is why I’ve included it in our BIG days out rather than the cheap section, but it’s also very different from spending the day at a zoo or theme park.

My verdict: A great one for tweens and teenagers, particularly if they’re forever asking to do something more exciting than another museum or playground.

You can get your iFly tickets from Experience Oz

CHEAP school holiday activities

While not everything in life is free, affordable adventures with kids in Perth during the school holidays can be found if you know where to look. We love activities like visiting interactive museums, splashing around in water parks, and discovering the wonders of wildlife at nature reserves, creating priceless moments while keeping the budget in check.

Perth’s wide range of cheap school holiday activities ensures that kids can delight in the joy of exploration, while parents can relish in the satisfaction of providing a memorable and pocket-friendly holiday experience. These low cost activities are great options the September school holidays.

AQWA – The Aquarium of Western Australia

Best for: All ages

We visited AQWA at Hillarys Boat Harbour when Alex was 15, and it’s an easy one to recommend if you want a few hours indoors, particularly on a very hot Perth day.

AQWA focuses on the marine life found along Western Australia’s enormous coastline, from the icy waters of the south through to the tropical north. The highlight is the underwater tunnel, where sharks, rays and other marine life swim above and around you.

What makes AQWA particularly useful for a school holiday day out is its location. Don’t just visit the aquarium and drive home. Leave time to explore Hillarys Boat Harbour afterwards. You can grab something to eat, wander around the marina and let the kids have a play or head to the beach.

We did both AQWA and Hillarys during our Perth trip, and combining them makes much more sense than treating the aquarium as a standalone outing.

My tip: Parking at Hillarys is free, but AQWA warns that it can get particularly busy during the school holidays, so allow extra time to find a park.

You can get your tickets to AQWA here.

The Perth Mint

Best for: Primary school kids, tweens and teenagers

This was another one Alex and I actually did in Perth, and I think it’s a great option when you want something interesting that doesn’t consume your entire day or your entire school holiday budget.

The Gold Tour takes around an hour and includes a live gold pour, where you can watch molten gold being transformed into a solid bar. You’ll also see the enormous one-tonne Australian Kangaroo gold coin and displays exploring Western Australia’s gold history.

And there’s now something completely new to see. In July 2026, The Perth Mint created the world’s largest gold bar, weighing an astonishing 521.2kg. It went on public display as part of the Gold Tour in September 2026.

It’s the kind of attraction that sounds as though it might be a little dry for kids, but seeing actual molten gold being poured makes the history much more interesting.

My tip: Allow about an hour for the tour rather than allocating half a day. The Mint is in East Perth, so it’s easy to combine with another city activity.

You can find details for the Perth Mint here

BOUNCE

Best for: Primary school kids, tweens and teenagers

We did BOUNCE in Perth with Alex when he was 15, and if you’ve got energetic kids who would rather be moving than looking at things in display cases, this is a good one to have up your sleeve.

BOUNCE is much more than rows of basic trampolines. Kids can jump, practise tricks and tackle different freestyle and activity areas, making it particularly good for older primary school kids, tweens and teenagers.

There are three BOUNCE locations around Perth, so you can choose whichever works best for where you’re staying:

• BOUNCE Cannington
• BOUNCE Joondalup
• BOUNCE Osborne Park

We’ve tried BOUNCE-style activities with teenagers more than once, and they’re a reliable way to burn off some serious energy. It’s also a handy option to keep in reserve for a rainy day or when the Perth summer heat makes another outdoor activity considerably less appealing.

My tip: Book ahead during the school holidays if you want a particular day or session time.

Wanneroo Botanic Gardens mini golf

Best for: All ages

We played mini golf at Wanneroo Botanic Gardens during our Perth trip and this is a lovely option when you want something the whole family can do together without spending theme park money.

The gardens have 36 holes across two 18-hole courses, surrounded by trees, gardens, rockeries and waterfalls. It’s much prettier than your average mini golf course and there’s enough variety in the holes to keep older kids and teenagers interested too.

You can also play Glow Golf in the evening, using light-up LED golf balls as you make your way around the gardens after dark. It’s the same course rather than a separate indoor glow-in-the-dark course, which makes it a particularly nice option on a warm Perth evening.

We enjoyed this one and I’d happily recommend it when you want a relaxed family activity rather than another huge day out.

My tip: You can combine your game with something to eat at Leapfrogs restaurant onsite, or save Glow Golf for an evening activity. Booking online currently gives you a small discount.

Check out the Wanneroo Botanic Gardens here

The Bell Tower

Best for: Primary school kids, tweens and teenagers

Oh boy this one is hard to photograph, but that’s my photo of the Bell Tower above, and its location at Barrack Square makes this an easy activity to combine with exploring Elizabeth Quay.

The Bell Tower houses the historic Swan Bells and you can head up through the tower to the observation deck for 360-degree views across the Swan River and Perth CBD. Depending on the experience you choose, you can also learn about bell ringing and even have a go at chiming one of the historic bells yourself.

We visited during our Perth trip and I wouldn’t necessarily make a special journey across Perth just for the Bell Tower, but it works really well as part of a day exploring the city.

Allow time afterwards to wander around Elizabeth Quay rather than jumping straight back in the car (we combined it with the free walking tour (see below)).

My tip: Combine the Bell Tower with Elizabeth Quay and another CBD attraction and you’ve got a really easy day out without spending a fortune.

Grab tickets to the Bell Tower here.

Glowing Rooms

Just five minutes south of Fremantle, with loads of free onsite parking, Glowing Rooms is designed to provide you with an unrivalled school holiday experience. Play through a Mini Golf course like no other, surrounded by intense colours, all in air-conditioned comfort. Whatever the weather, whatever your skill level, glow in the dark 3D Mini Golf is the perfect leisure activity for all ages.

As you travel through the course, explore space and the far-flung corners of the universe. Journey under the waves to a world inhabited by sea creatures. Wander past some of Australia’s most iconic landmarks and get up close and personal with some of your favourite superheroes!

They also have VR Escape Rooms.

Visit their website here.

WA Maritime Museum

Best for: All ages, particularly kids interested in boats and maritime history

If you’re spending a day in Fremantle, the WA Maritime Museum is an affordable attraction that’s easy to add to your itinerary.

The museum sits at Victoria Quay and explores Western Australia’s relationship with the ocean, from sailing and commercial shipping to maritime adventures. Among its major exhibits are Australia II, the yacht that won the America’s Cup in 1983, and Jon Sanders’ Parry Endeavour.

This is different from the WA Shipwrecks Museum, which Alex and I visited and which I’ll include separately in the FREE section. The two museums are actually within walking distance of one another, so keen little history buffs could potentially visit both.

The Maritime Museum is particularly good value for families because children 15 and under currently receive free general admission, while adults pay $15. General admission is also by donation on the second Tuesday of each month.

My tip: I wouldn’t necessarily make this your entire Fremantle day. Combine it with Fremantle Markets, the harbour, the free Shipwrecks Museum or Bathers Beach and make a day of exploring Freo.

Find out more on the Maritime Museum website here

Scitech

Best for: Preschoolers, primary school kids and tweens

If you’ve got curious kids who like pressing buttons, experimenting and figuring out how things work, Scitech is one of Perth’s best-known indoor family attractions.

This isn’t a museum where kids are expected to wander around quietly looking at displays. There are more than 100 hands-on exhibits, plus a Planetarium, Science Theatre, Puppet Theatre and changing feature exhibitions. General admission includes access to all of these areas, so there’s plenty to fill a few hours.

Scitech also puts on additional activities during the school holidays, so it’s worth checking what’s happening before you visit rather than assuming every visit will be exactly the same.

I particularly like this one for primary school kids and tweens, although there’s content for younger children too. If you’re visiting with teenagers, I’d check the current exhibitions and shows first to see whether they’ll appeal to your particular teen.

My tip: Pack some lunch if you want to keep the day inexpensive. Scitech doesn’t have its own permanent café and specifically encourages visitors to bring a packed lunch.

You can find out more and buy tickets on the Scitech website here

Aviation Heritage Museum

Best for: All ages, particularly plane-mad kids

My son is the kind of kid who gets excited whenever a plane flies overhead, so for us, this one was a no-brainer. So if you have aviation mad kids too, then the Aviation Heritage Museum at Bull Creek is worth adding to your Perth list.

The museum has a substantial collection covering both military and civilian aviation, with aircraft and aviation history packed into its hangars. It’s the sort of place where kids who are genuinely interested in planes could happily spend considerably longer than families who are just casually curious.

I’d put this one firmly in the category of choose it because it matches your child’s interests, rather than declaring it a must-do for every family visiting Perth.

That makes it particularly useful in this guide. Not every school holiday activity needs flashing lights, trampolines or a theme park attached to it.

My tip: Check the museum’s current activities before visiting, particularly during the school holidays, as special experiences and events can change.

Check out all the details on the Aviation Heritage Museum website.

Claremont Aquatic Centre

Best for: All ages, particularly younger kids on a hot day

My grandma used to say to me ‘if they are crabby, put them in water’. So a good ol’ fashioned swimming pool (with some fab slides) is just what is needed sometimes! Sometimes you just need somewhere for the kids to get wet for a few hours without paying water-park prices.

Claremont Aquatic Centre has a 50-metre pool, 25-metre pool, dive pool, water playground and splash pad, plus picnic and BBQ areas and a café.

It’s obviously not competing with Adventure World or Outback Splash, but if the kids mainly want to swim and play in the water, you don’t necessarily need to turn that into an expensive full-day attraction.

The water playground and splash pad make this particularly useful for families with younger children, while confident older swimmers have the larger pools.

My tip: Pack lunch and use the picnic area to make a few hours of it without adding much to the cost. If you’ve got young children, note that under-fives need an adult in the water with them and children under 10 need to be actively supervised.

Take a look at the pool website for more info.

Karrinyup indoor fun: Strike, Hijinx Hotel and Archie Brothers

Best for: Primary school kids, tweens and teenagers

This is one I’d keep in reserve for those Perth days when it’s simply too hot to spend another afternoon outside.

Karrinyup Shopping Centre has several family entertainment venues together in the same precinct, so rather than locking yourself into one activity, you can choose what suits your kids.

At Strike Bowling Karrinyup you can go bowling, while Hijinx Hotel Karrinyup is an immersive game experience where you work your way through a series of quirky challenge rooms.

Next door, Archie Brothers Karrinyup is the arcade option, with arcade and redemption games plus activities including laser tag. The precinct also includes Holey Moley if mini golf is more your family’s thing.

I’ve done Hijinx Hotel in Brisbane with teenagers and they loved the competitive challenges, and we’ve visited Archie Brothers in both Brisbane and Melbourne, so I know the concepts work well with older kids. I haven’t personally tried the Perth versions, though, so I’ll report back once I’ve successfully bribed my Perth research team with air conditioning!

My tip: You don’t need to do everything. Pick one main activity, then you can always add some arcade games or food afterwards if everyone is still going strong.

We have tickets for Hijinx here and Archie Brothers here and find your closest Holey Moley here

Free things to do in Perth with kids

School holidays don’t have to cost a fortune. Perth has some brilliant free things to do with kids, from beaches and playgrounds to museums, walking trails and some of the city’s best-known attractions. We’ve tried quite a few of these ourselves, so here are my picks when you want a great day out without reaching for your wallet.

Kings Park and Botanic Garden

Best for: All ages

Kings Park is one of my favourite free things to do in Perth with kids, and it’s somewhere we explored ourselves during our Perth trip.

Sitting above the city and Swan River, it’s enormous, so don’t think of Kings Park as simply a nice garden where you’ll wander around looking at plants. There are walking trails, huge open spaces, fantastic views and several areas designed specifically for families.

If you’ve got younger children, seek out the playgrounds rather than expecting them to be entertained by the Botanic Garden alone. Older kids and teenagers may be happier exploring the walking trails and viewpoints.

I’ve actually written a separate guide to the Kings Park playgrounds and attractions, with more detail on what you’ll find and which areas are worth seeking out.

My tip: Don’t just type “Kings Park” into your maps and assume you’ll magically arrive at the best spot for your family. It’s huge. Decide what you want to see before you go and navigate to that particular area.

We loved our free walking tour at Kings Park when we visited

Whale Playground at Scarborough Beach

Best for: Toddlers and primary school kids

We visited the Whale Playground at Scarborough Beach and it’s an easy free addition to a beach day, particularly if you’ve got younger children.

The playground takes its name from the enormous whale skeleton climbing structure at its centre, with plenty of opportunities for kids to climb, scramble and play.

But the real reason I’d recommend it is the location. You’re right at Scarborough Beach, so you can combine playground time with a walk along the foreshore, a swim and something to eat without needing to plan an elaborate day.

Older kids and teenagers probably aren’t going to get excited about the playground itself, but Scarborough is still worth visiting as a family.

My tip: Don’t make a special trip across Perth solely for the playground. Make Scarborough Beach your destination and treat the Whale Playground as part of the day.

Mettam’s Pool and Hamersley Pool

Best for: All ages, particularly families who love the beach

We visited both Mettam’s Pool and Hamersley Pool, and despite their names, these are beaches rather than swimming pools.

Mettam’s Pool is the one I’d choose if you’re looking for a sheltered family swimming spot. The reef creates a shallow, lagoon-like area that’s particularly lovely for an easy swim.

Hamersley Pool has a different feel. You’ll find a longer, narrow stretch of beach and opportunities for snorkelling, so it’s a good option if your kids want to do a little more exploring in the water.

You can also explore the coastal path around and between the two, which is what makes this more than simply stopping for a quick swim.

My tip: If you’ve got younger kids and mainly want calm water, start with Mettam’s. If you’ve got confident older kids or teenagers who’d rather snorkel and explore, I’d look at Hamersley too.

Hillarys Boat Harbour

Best for: All ages

We spent time at Hillarys Boat Harbour during our Perth trip and this is another place where you can have a perfectly good family outing without actually spending much money.

Wander around the marina, let the kids play, head to the beach and grab an ice cream or something to eat if the budget allows.

It’s also home to AQWA, which we’ve included in our cheap days out. That means you can easily turn an AQWA visit into a much bigger day without buying tickets to another attraction.

If you don’t want to spend anything at all, though, you don’t have to visit AQWA. Hillarys works perfectly well as a free outing in its own right.

My tip: This is a particularly useful one when different family members want different things. You can combine a wander, playground time and the beach rather than expecting everyone to enjoy one attraction.

Take a free walking tour of Perth

Best for: Primary school kids, tweens and teenagers who don’t mind walking

Alex and I did one of the free walking tours in Perth and it’s a really good way to explore the city without spending anything.

Rather than simply wandering around the CBD wondering what you’re looking at, a walking tour gives you some context and points out places you might otherwise walk straight past.

This worked well for us with Alex at 15 because he was old enough to enjoy exploring the city on foot. I wouldn’t necessarily choose a long walking tour as my first activity with a tired toddler, but with older kids and teenagers it’s an easy addition to your Perth itinerary.

My tip: Wear comfortable shoes, take water and check the current tour program before setting off. Free walking tours and routes can change, so choose one that suits the ages and interests of your kids.

WA Shipwrecks Museum

Best for: Primary school kids, tweens and teenagers

We visited the WA Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle and this is an excellent little freebie to add while you’re exploring Freo.

Don’t confuse it with the WA Maritime Museum nearby. They’re two separate museums. The Shipwrecks Museum focuses on Western Australia’s early maritime history and the ships that came to grief along its coastline.

One of the major exhibits is the reconstructed remains of the Batavia, which was wrecked off the WA coast in 1629. That story alone gives older kids and teenagers something considerably more dramatic to sink their teeth into than simply looking at old objects in glass cases.

Because entry is free, you don’t need to feel obliged to spend hours here to get your money’s worth. Drop in while you’re exploring Fremantle and stay for as long as your kids remain interested.

My tip: This fits beautifully into the Fremantle day I’ve suggested above. Combine the museum with Fremantle Markets, Fishing Boat Harbour and Bathers Beach rather than making a separate journey just for this.

Check out what’s on at the Shipwrecks Museum here

Elizabeth Quay

Best for: All ages

We explored Elizabeth Quay during our Perth trip and this is one of the easiest free places to add to a day in the CBD.

You can wander along the Swan River, cross the pedestrian bridge, enjoy the city and river views and simply give everyone a bit of breathing space between paid attractions.

This is also where I’d combine your visit with the Bell Tower, which we did and have included in our cheap days out (above). You don’t need to pay for the Bell Tower to enjoy Elizabeth Quay itself, though.

With younger children, look for the play areas and open spaces. With older kids and teenagers, I’d use Elizabeth Quay as part of exploring central Perth rather than presenting it as an attraction they need to get excited about.

My tip: Elizabeth Quay works best as part of a CBD day. Pair it with the Bell Tower, a city walk or another nearby attraction rather than driving into Perth just to walk around the quay.

Perth Airport Viewing Platform

Best for: Toddlers and primary school kids who love planes

If you’ve got a plane-mad child, here’s a wonderfully simple school holiday outing that costs absolutely nothing.

Perth Airport has a dedicated outdoor viewing area where families can watch aircraft arriving and departing. It’s not an elaborate attraction, and that’s really the point. Pack some snacks, let the kids watch the planes and you’ve got an inexpensive outing without having to book anything.

This is obviously quite a niche recommendation. If your children couldn’t care less about aircraft, skip it. If you’ve got a four-year-old who loses their mind every time they see a plane, it could be the highlight of their day.

My tip: This is an outdoor viewing area rather than a staffed attraction, so take water, hats and anything else you’ll need rather than expecting café and visitor facilities. Check parking costs at the airport, it might not end up being a free activity!

Bibra Lake Regional Playground

Best for: Toddlers and primary school kids

For younger kids who simply want a really good playground, Bibra Lake Regional Playground is an easy free school holiday option.

The large all-abilities playground has been designed with children of different ages and abilities in mind, with plenty of opportunities for climbing, swinging, balancing and imaginative play.

You can combine the playground with a walk around the lake or bring a picnic and turn it into a relaxed few hours without spending anything.

This is another recommendation I wouldn’t oversell for families with teenagers. It’s here because a genuinely useful school holiday guide needs options for little kids too.

My tip: Pack a picnic and make this your deliberately low-key school holiday day between some of the more expensive BIG outings.

Lake Leschenaultia

Best for: All ages and outdoorsy families

If your family would rather spend the school holidays outside than inside another attraction, Lake Leschenaultia gives you a very different kind of free Perth day.

Located in the Perth Hills, the lake and surrounding bushland are popular for swimming, walking, cycling and picnics. You can keep the outing completely free by bringing your own food and spending the day enjoying the lake and trails.

This one is particularly appealing if you’ve already done plenty of city attractions and everyone needs some space and fresh air.

My tip: Treat this as an outdoor nature day rather than another attraction to tick off. Pack plenty of water and food and check current swimming and park conditions before making the trip.

Want more ideas that won’t cost a cent? I’ve got a separate guide to 30 free things to do in Perth with kids with even more playgrounds, beaches, museums and outdoor activities.

Theatres with kids shows on in Perth these school holidays

If you are looking for something a little different, take a look at these venues who all offer family friendly kids shows and programs over the school holidays.

His Majesty’s Theatre

Conveniently located in the Perth CBD, this historic theatre offers tours and family shows year round. Families tip: Take the free Central Area Transport RED CAT route to get to the theatre.

Take a look at their website for what’s on these school holidays.

State Theatre Centre of WA

This modern theatre has a number of different spaces for performances, music and drama, with family shows featured during the school holidays.

Click here for the theatre’s website.  

Subiaco Arts Centre

The Subiaco Arts Centre actively caters to families, providing them with a multitude of engaging and enriching cultural experiences. Through its vibrant performances, interactive workshops, and family-friendly programming, it fosters a space where parents and children can bond, explore, and appreciate the arts together.

Find out what’s on at the Subiaco Arts Centre here

The RAC Arena

The RAC Arena is home to entertainment and sport in a futuristic looking venue. Whilst it is mainly used for basketball matches, there is some fabulous school holiday entertainment on offer.

Take a look at the website for more info.

Fun activities in Perth at night with kids

We have a whole article dedicated to things to do in Perth at night have broken the list into toddler, younger kids and teens to help you plan your school holidays.

Things to do at home these school holidays

When you just can’t leave the house, these stay at home activities will be crowd pleasers with the kids. Sometimes the best memories are made in your own home.

Go on a treasure hunt

Make a list of things you can easily find in your backyard and send the kids out to find them. Make it even more interesting by getting them to draw some things as well.

Build a cubby house with sheets

Building a cubby never gets old. Grab some sheets, towels and their favourite toys and make a cubby under the kitchen table.

Put on a show

Give the kids a theme and ask them to put on a show. Let them raid your wardrobe for costumes. You might be amazed with what they perform.

Plant a veggie garden

Getting kids outside is always a great idea. Grab some seeds from your local nursery or hardware store and start a veggie patch. It is a great way for kids to interact with nature and see where food comes from.

Make your own jigsaw puzzle

Ask you kids to do a drawing and then cut it into shapes. Watch them enjoy trying to put it all back together again.

Insiders Tip: Glue the picture onto cardboard first to give it a solid backing before cutting it out.

Perth kids holiday ideas

If you’re looking for more things to do in Western Australia, click here.

Soooo…. what do you think? Plenty of Perth days out ideas here to keep you and the kids entertained for the whole school holidays? These Perth holiday ideas are updated every term, so remember to bookmark this page.

Let us know if we missed your favourite or if you would like us to add your venue or event!

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:

• Mandurah school holiday activities
• Bunbury school holiday activities
• Geraldton school holiday activities
• Margaret River school holiday activities

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