Yippee!! It is school holiday time again! And I am SO EXCITED for these school holiday activities in Perth this summer because there so many things to do in the schools holidays with kids! Some of my favourite activities are happening again this December & January 2024 and we have listed them all for your reading pleasure.
Updated every set of school holidays with all the best ideas for school holidays in Perth, we have got your covered! In our article we list a huge selection of free, cheap, fun, educational and local activities to help you plan your activities. Make memories this Christmas, with our list of ideas for the summer school holidays!
When it comes to finding the best school holiday activities in Perth this December & January we have got it all! Because we know it can be tough for parents to continually come up with school holiday ideas with everything else you have to do that sometimes just getting out of the house can be a struggle! So leave the summer school holiday fun to us and you just chose what works best for you and your family. We have found out what’s on in Perth December & January school holidays for you!
Perth is truly a beautiful and vibrant city and has a range of December & January school holiday activities on offer, from beautiful gardens to iconic museums and incredible wildlife! As Perth locals, we are incredibly lucky to have such fabulous beaches and natural wonders on our doorstep and with so many things to do in school holidays in Perth, we really are spoiled for choice.
Kids school holiday activities don’t have to be a chore, even if you stay at home (check out our stay at home ideas included below). So no matter the Perth weather, you will find whats on in Perth to entertain children of all ages with these school holiday activities in Perth.
We have compiled the complete guide to the best school holiday activities in Perth over the December & January school holidays to help make your life so much easier!
TL;DR – in brief.
Here are our picks for the best school holiday activities for the summer school holidays:
But there is a LOT more than that on this summer, so keep reading to get the details including dates and prices!
If you are looking for Perth school holiday programs and/or vacation care, where you can lave your child for a 1/2 or full day of fun while being cared for, read our Perth guide and book your child in now! If you are looking for school holiday ideas for teenagers in Perth we can help!
- Fun things to do school holidays Perth
- 10 fun free school holiday activities
- 10 fun cheap school holiday activities for summer
- 10 BIG days out in Perth these school holidays
- 15 things to do at home these school holidays
- 10 more things to do at home in the school holidays
- Theatres with kids shows on in Perth these school holidays
- Fun activities in Perth at night with kids
- Perth kids holiday ideas
- Even more WA school holiday ideas:
State schools finish on Thursday 14 December 2023 and return to class on Wednesday 31 January 2024.
Summer school holidays in Western Australia are Friday 15 December 2023 to Tuesday 30 January 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.
Fun things to do school holidays Perth
We have broken our list of Perth school holiday activities into sections to help you:
- Fun things to do school holidays Perth
- 10 fun free school holiday activities
- 10 fun cheap school holiday activities for summer
- 10 BIG days out in Perth these school holidays
- 15 things to do at home these school holidays
- 10 more things to do at home in the school holidays
- Theatres with kids shows on in Perth these school holidays
- Fun activities in Perth at night with kids
- Perth kids holiday ideas
- Even more WA school holiday ideas:
10 fun free school holiday activities
Who doesn’t love a free day out during the school holidays (or anytime really!) Perth is so crammed with fun free things to do that it was hard to get it down to just 10! Plane spotting, beaches and days at the park are just some of the best things you can do in Perth without spending a dime. Here we have listed things to do in Perth school holidays this summer. You. Are. Welcome! 🙂
Kings Park
How much do we love Kings Park. A LOT! This iconic park overlooks Perth City and the Swan River and offers a heap of activities for kids including playgrounds, nature and water play areas, taking a walk or having a picnic. And there are always activities planned for families over the holidays.
You can also see this summer:
- Guided walk in the park
Read more about Kings Park here.
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.
Check out the following these December & January school holidays:
Click here for the museum’s website.
Telethon Discovery Centre
This interactive and fun centre will get your kids excited about learning!
- Explore the human body using an ultrasound, X-ray or MRI and discover what researchers are doing to find out more about body organs.
- Get up close with our special microscopes, take a look inside the mouth, ear and skin and find out why our researchers are interested in snot, poo and dust mites.
- Take a tour of the places they do research – in the lab, clinic and community.
- See if you can defeat the cancer cells using immunotherapy or catch the allergens in the airway.
The Discovery Centre provides a unique experience for children aged 7 and up, and you never know – the parents might learn something too! They also run hour long workshops (for a fee), so take a look!
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.
Mettam’s Pool
Spoiler alert: Mettam’s Pool is not a pool – it is a beach! However, Perth is full of beautiful beaches and Mettam’s Pool is perfect for families. This shallow, almost lagoon like beach is less than 2m deep so perfect for young children.
Locals Tip: There are a few shaded tables so bring a picnic lunch.
Hamersley Pool
Right next to Mettam’s Pool is Hamersley Pool. Again, not a pool but a beach. Hamersley Pool is around 300 metres long and is quite a narrow beach that provides good opportunity for snorkling and scuba diving. Summer is a perfect time for scooting along the walkway too!
Find out more about this beach here.
Hillarys Boat Harbour
Hillarys Boat Harbour has a number of free activities . There is also a beach nearby, Sorrento Beach, which is a popular spot for swimming and sunbathing as well as a selection of great playgrounds! We love the little playground which is surprisingly quiet in the morning! Trust me on this one! 😉
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
Perth Airport Viewing Platform
If your kids are like mine, they love, love, love to fly – one even hopes to be a pilot one day. If that is your kids, 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!
Locals 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.
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.
Editor’s note: We wrote about 30 fun free things to do in Perth on the school holidays here.
If you are keen on seeing the Giants of Mandurah, check out our school holiday activities Mandurah article too!
10 fun cheap school holiday activities for summer
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 December & January school holidays.
Code Camp – for the best school holidays ever!
Let Code Camp inspire your children to get creative with technology these holidays, learn some valuable new skills, have fun and make new friends. With a wide range of in-person camps and online programs available, there really is something for everyone. Choose from beginner to advanced coding camps, robotics, stop-motion animation, DJing, video production and so much more!
What’s New? Code Camp is launching brand new camps this summer!
Kids can learn to code with DreamWorks Trolls! At Little Coders: Trolls Edition, 5-7 year olds will take their first steps on their coding journey banding together with their favourite characters. At Spark and Ignite, kids 7-12 years can code and create an adventure game with Poppy, Viva, and Branch.
Plus, AI Camp where kids embark on an exciting journey into the world of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the most important technology of a generation. Young minds discover the wonders of AI and its fun and practical applications in our everyday lives and create their own comic book using AI!
Your favourites are also back this season including Minecraft Engineers (for kids 7-12), Minecraft Minis (for kids 5-7), and Roblox Legends (for kids 7-10). Robotics Camp and Drone Camp are also running this summer, offering the coolest few days of STEM learning and fun.
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 – wahoo – school holiday fun!
The Aquarium WA
Fun gets mixed with education at the Aquarium WA. See incredible exhibits with beautiful sea creatures, snorkel with sharks or become a marine biologist for the day. There really is something for all the family.
Take a look at what’s on offer these school holidays.
WA Maritime Museum
What could be more exciting than getting inside a real submarine these holidays! The WA Maritime Museum is a chance to explore the rich history of the ocean and its inhabitants.
These December & January school holidays these programs are running:
Take a look at what’s on these holidays.
Bounce now have 3 locations!
Bounce trampoline parks are expanding – again. Here you can bounce, climb, skate or play the day away! These action packed activity centres has something for kids of all ages and abilities. Grab a group of friends and have a blast at this giant aerial playground.
Locations now open:
Adrenaline Vault
Are the kids climbing the walls with boredom? Get them climbing something else at Adrenaline Vault. Climbing and bouldering is available for all ages and skill levels and all climbers are harnessed for safety. Get your adrenaline pumping these school holidays.
Check the Adrenalin website for more info.
Bilya Koort Boodja
Bilya Koort Boodja, located in Perth, is a significant cultural site that holds deep spiritual and historical importance to the Noongar people, the traditional owners of the land. It is a place where visitors can connect with the rich Indigenous heritage through immersive experiences, including guided tours, traditional storytelling, and cultural workshops.
The breathtaking landscapes, filled with ancient trees, serene rivers, and diverse flora and fauna, provide a serene and educational setting for learning about the traditions, values, and spirituality of the Noongar people.
Read about the Bilya Koort Boodja Centre.
The Perth Mint
Give the kids a ‘golden’ experience these holidays and explore the Perth Mint. Situated on the original site, you can watch real gold get poured, work out your weight in gold and see a real one tonne gold coin!
Why not go on a Perth Mint guided tour!
Minigolf at Wanneroo Botanical Gardens
Have you been to the beautiful Wanneroo Botanical Gardens lately? There are two mini-golf courses, uniquely created to challenge the whole family. You can play day or night, then wander through the garden to catch a glimpse of the animals that live there.
Insiders Tip: We loved the cafe, which is surprisingly affordable!
Visit the website to find out more.
Aviation Heritage Museum
This is the place for all the want-to-be pilot kids! With civilian and military aircraft on display kids can get up close to a tiger moth, a spitfire, helicopters and even climb inside a cockpit.
Claremont Aquatic Centre
When the days are hot or the kids are grumpy, just add water! The Claremont Aquatic Centre is a family friendly space with a water playground, splashpad, tipping bucket and more. The water is heated by underground geothermal activity meaning it is a great destination all year round.
Take a look at the pool website for more info.
The Perth Bell Tower
If you look at the Perth skyline, you will see the Bell Tower. Unlike any other bell tower, this unique shape is the result of an architectural competition and holds 18 of the city’s specially cast bells. It is right in the centre of city and near where the ferries leave for Rottnest Island (which we talk about below).
Insiders tip: Time your visit for when they bells are being rung.
Read more on this famous landmark here.
10 BIG days out in Perth these school holidays
Need to make an impression these school holidays? Choose something that they won’t forget in a hurry. These brag-worthy activities are sure to hit the mark when they return to school.
Matagarup Zip+Climb
That is us in the photos above! I am not going to lie, it was a bit scary… but oh, so fun!! After an initial induction talk, you take a 314-step trek up the Matagarup bridge’s main arch, ascending 72 metres to the ‘skyview’ platform.
The average gradient of the climb is 45 degrees and to reach the top, we had to climb, crawl, shimmy and squeeze through some very tight spaces. You can choose from the Express Zip, the Zip+Climb or the Climb only. We loved it and reckon you will too! 5 stars highly recommend!
Climb Zone
Climb through beautiful native Australian trees on the high ropes course at Climb Zone. If the kids aren’t quite brave enough for a high ropes course, there is always a low ropes course, climbing wall and a climbing tower.
Take a look at which Climb Zone adventure is right for you.
Rottnest Island
If you haven’t been for a while, why not head back over to Rottnest Island. And if you are a visitor reading this, you really can’t see Perth without experiencing Rottnest Island. Catch glimpses of the smiley faced quokkas as you cycle around the island, stopping to swim or snorkel at beautiful beaches along the way. Located just off the coast and accessible by ferry, this island is must see over the school holidays.
Find out all about Rottnest Island.
Perth Zoo
Need to occupy a full day? Perth Zoo is the place to go. With over 40 acres of animals and plants, you will need the day to enjoy it! There are a range of programs run over the holidays letting kids help care for the animals and get up close to learn about them. Highly recommend this as a school holiday activity in Perth!
Be sure to check out the wonderful range of school holiday programs! Where your children can immerse themselves amongst the animals. There is something for all ages:
- Keeper Kids (Pre-Primary to Year Three)
- Zoo Crew (Year Four to Year Eight)
- Keeper Careers or Wild Vets (Year 9 to 12).
Read up on the Perth Zoo here.
Educated by Nature
Join one of Educated by Nature’s school holiday programs these holidays, and reconnect with our natural environment. Discover the pure joy of being outside and build your child’s resilience, confidence and curiosity.
These school holidays, be sure to check out Educated by Nature’s KIN Village, which is a ‘drop and leave’ school holiday program for 6-12 year olds, where they spend the day being immersed in nature and developing resilience, nature awareness and play skills. Each program runs from 9am – 4pm.
Find out what’s on offer these school holidays.
Perth’s Outback Splash – year round attractions
Perth’s Outback Splash is more than just a waterpark. It has year round activities including mini-golf, hedge maze, timber maze, tractor tyre maze, a playground and animals! In warmer weather you can cool off at Splash Island where you will find waterslides, tipping buckets, spray cannons and much more.
The Orchard Perth
Escape the hustle and bustle of the city with this country experience. At about an hour drive, North East, from Perth CBD, here you can ride a tractor, pick fruit, pat an animal or indulge in one of the interactive school holiday activities at The Orchard Perth.
Adventure World
Do you have a thrill seeker in the family too? If so, take them to Adventure World. With rides like the Goliath (a massive pendulum swing), the Abyss (Perth’s only rollercoaster) and Rocky Mountain Rapids (a bumpy white water adventure) they will walk away satisfied.
Take a look at all the thrilling rides on offer.
Optus Stadium
Take the family through Australia’s newest and most advanced sporting stadium for a behind the scenes tour. Home to many sporting legends and massive music concerts, if you have an AFL, rugby or music fan, then this tour is a must.
Insiders tip: Check out the stadium after you have done the Matagarup Zip+Climb as they are right next door!
iFLY
Get your adrenaline pumping these school holidays by doing some skydiving! iFLY lets you re-enact the experience of a skydive from 12,000 feet from the safety of glass tunnel.
Explore Fremantle
Just outside Perth is the historic city of Fremantle, home to markets, restaurants, beaches and more. The streets of Fremantle buzz with energy and excitement and are definitely worthy of a day trip.
Insiders Tip: ride the ferris wheel and play in the playground and grab a coffee from the nearby cafe
Why not explore Fremantle on this convicts and colonials walking tour!
15 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.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
10 more things to do at home in the school holidays
- Have a movie marathon
- Bake or cook together
- Set up a craft station with paper, scissors, glue, and colorful materials
- Have an indoor picnic
- Science experiments
- Family game night
- Virtual museum tours
- Storytelling and reading
- Create a family photo album or scrapbook
- Build an indoor obstacle course
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.
Their school holiday theatre program this December & January includes:
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.
Check out what’s on for your family this summer:
Albany Entertainment Centre
With family shows on during the day and early evening, The Albany Entertainment Centre has you covered these holidays.
These school holidays you can see:
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.
These school holidays check out these shows:
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 have broken the list into toddler, younger kids and teens to help you plan your school holidays.
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:
Wonderful website, with so many great suggestions; just what I was looking for to plan the upcoming holidays with my granddaughters. Thanks!
Sue B
Great ideas with plenty of information to make choices. Thanks. Have teenager grandsons (10-14) staying soon & didn’t want to let them sit around playing on iPads all day.
Very helpful, Things to do, it’s going to be a great
With my grand kids and neice and nephew .
Thankyou
Thank you for your research and hard work to provide heaps of ideas to entertain the kids during school holidays.