Travel & Touring | WA Things To Do
By: Monique Ceccato and Jacob Beattie
Brave the weather and enjoy exploring your city.
No matter the time of year, there are countless activities in and around Perth that are sure to keep kids of all ages entertained.
Whether it’s free or cheap, adventurous or tame, indoors or outdoors – there's an activity on this list that your kids will love.
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16 fun things to do in Perth with kids »
1. Get lost in Mandurah's Winter Maze
Throw on your puffer jackets and take part in Mandurah's Winter Maze with family and friends. This free experience offers a bright and colourful maze to navigate through that kids will love. Opening night on Friday 28 June will feature a Twilight Market, where you'll be able to enjoy warm meals from local food trucks, live music and local market stalls, making an eventful winter evening outdoors! Further operating hours and event details can be found on City of Mandurah's website
RELATED: Ultimate guide to Mandurah »
2. Experience Frozen in Concert
There's no better time than winter to experience the adventure of Elsa, Anna, Olaf and Kristoff as the WA Symphony Orchestra performs live on stage alongside Frozen on the big screen. This immersive experience is a great way to view the film in an experience like never before. With limited sessions available on 12 July and 13 July, family tickets (2 adults, 2 children) start from $133.
3. Visit WA Museum Boola Bardip
If you haven’t yet seen WA Museum Boola Bardip’s tremendous facelift, now is the time. Find some respite from the rain beneath Otto, the blue whale skeleton, and amongst the ancient wildlife fossils in the gallery on level three. If, somehow, that’s not enough to convince you to pay the museum a visit, perhaps the limited-time exhibition of To the Moon will do the trick, with RAC members receiving a limited time 15% discount to the exhibition.
It’s an affordable day out for the family, with a standard entry of $15 per person and free entry for anyone 15 years or younger.
4. School’s Out Winter Fest
Set aside some time during the winter school holidays for snow sliding, ice skating, and dodgem car riding. The best part? You can do it all under one roof. The Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre will be transformed into a winter wonderland for the School’s Out Winter Fest from 29 June -14 July, complete with all your favourite carnival rides.
Tickets start from just $45 (plus booking fee) and include entry for one child and one adult, one ice rink experience, three snow slides, ten rides, and four adult rider passes.
5. Check out Lightscape at Kings Park
Back for 2024, get ready to see Kings Park in a whole new light with Lightscape. Running from Wednesday to Sunday evenings from 5:30pm to 9:30pm, see brand new stunning light installations through the trail, and revisit favourites from last year, providing great photo opportunities and plenty to fire up your imagination. Last year's event sold out, so you'll want to get in quick if you're keen.
6. Join the Green Army to watch West Coast Fever at RAC Arena
Returning in 2024 for an action-packed season, join the West Coast Fever's Green Army at RAC Arena to watch goal shooting powerhouse Jhaniele Fowler and Origin Australian Diamond Sunday Aryang and the team's talented new recruits battle it out for victory on the court. Family passes (2 adults, 2 children) are available from $99, with RAC members being able to take advantage of the RAC Local Lounge before the game, to enjoy a drink or some food on the terrace.
7. Explore ocean animals at AQWA
It might be anything but snorkelling weather outside, but AQWA has made it easy for you to see the wonders of the sea while staying completely warm and dry.
There are mesmerising tanks full of glowing jellyfish and colourful corals and a touch pool where kids can safely hold sea stars, sea cucumbers and other sea life. Arguably, the most exciting exhibit is the underwater sea tunnel, where stingrays larger than a dinner table, turtles and reef sharks glide overhead.
A family of four (two adults and two children) can access AQWA for $94, with a 10 per cent discount given to valid RAC member card holders. Entrance is free for children under three.
8. Scarborough Sunset Markets (winter edition)
It was too hard to say goodbye to the beloved Scarborough Sunset Markets at the end of the summer season, so instead of pausing the wildly popular event, the organisers have tweaked a few things and continued them throughout winter.
The markets have shifted from their usual Thursday night timeslot to a Saturday but will still showcase a varied range of cuisines and creators. Head down between 3.00pm and 8.00pm with the kids for a hearty dinner and some outside time, set against a backdrop of turbulent winter ocean.
9. Explore the Swan Valley Kids in the Valley Trail
Put on your outdoor boots, grab your puffer and head out to the rushing Bells Rapids, offering a sight to behold after plenty of rainfall. They’re just one of your pit stops on a day out on the free Swan Valley Kids in the Valley trail. The rapids join nine other stops on the drive route, starting at Whiteman Park and winding up with chocolate freckles and hot choccies at Whistler’s Chocolate Co, the perfect winter warming treat.
Along the way, kids can meet native wildlife at Caversham Wildlife Park, where RAC members can save up to 18% off e-vouchers, and WA Reptile Park (stops two and five, respectively), and parents can indulge in a hearty lunch while the kids play at stop number three, The Henley Brook. Download the trail map online.
10. Visit the animals at WA Wildlife
Meet some of WA's native wildlife and explore behind-the-scenes of a busy animal rescue hospital at WA Wildlife. Take a tour of their expansive not-for-profit facility, where you'll get a chance to see native animals including emus, dingoes, parrots, and even their rescue wombat, Vinnie.
Tours are educational in nature, and ideal for ages 7 and above. Find out the latest news by visiting WA Wildlife's Facebook page.
11. See the Giants of Mandurah
Having five of the Danish recycling artist Thomas Dambo’s Giants dotted around Mandurah is a major coup for Perth, bringing people from all over the state to discover the artworks and the southern city at the same time.
To begin the self-guided trail of sculptures, first head to the Mandurah Visitor’s Centre and pick up a traveller’s companion. Then, once you’ve found Vivi Cirkelstone and its giant friends, collate all the symbols from along the way and enter them into the code generator machine back in the heart of Mandurah, which will spit out the location of the final giant, Jyttes Hytte.
12. Junior Chocolatier Class at Margaret River Chocolate Factory
Learn, taste and discover chocolate at the Margaret River Chocolate Factory in the Swan Valley with an unforgettable chocolate making adventure for the kids. Running as a one-hour class, kids will enjoy the chance to make a chocolate creation ready to take home, all while having fun! Finish your session with a free hot chocolate or ice-cream at the cafe.
Sessions are offered at $58.50 per person, and are suitable for ages 5 and above. Head online to find out dates and book your session.
13. Indoor skydiving at iFLY
Fulfill your dream of skydiving, without having to step foot in an aircraft. Take part in a session at iFLY and Feel the exhilaration and receive pre-flight training and gear rental. RAC Members save 9% off family and friends packages (2 to 5 guests).
14. Go ice skating
With Perth’s mild winters, strapping on your skates and gliding across a frozen lake seems as foreign as seeing snow-dusted trees. But it doesn’t mean you should abandon the thought of ice skating in Perth completely.
Head to Cockburn Ice Arena, where you can rent a pair of skates to slide and spin your way across one of their two large ice rinks. Follow up a session on the ice with a warming hot chocolate at the cafe or a bowl of wings at Cabin 401 Bar and Grill.
RAC members can save on platinum ice skating vouchers when pre-purchased online.
15. See a movie
Rainy days are the perfect time to cosy up with some fresh popcorn or a choc-bomb at movies. Get out of the elements for a few hours and settle in to watch the latest blockbuster from the comfort of the heated cinema.
The good news? RAC members can access discounted tickets to Hoyts, Ace Cinemas, Palace Cinemas, Grand Cinemas, and Event Cinemas.
16. Tour the Perth Mint
There's only one place you can see the world's largest coin, watch a live gold pour and learn all about the gold rush in Western Australia, and that's Perth Mint. Take your little ones on a one-hour guided tour, bringing the history of the gold industry to life as you shelter from the cold outdoors. Small group tickets (2 adults, 2 children) are available for $65.
17. Go indoor rock climbing
Burn off some of that pent-up energy from staying indoors with a lengthy session on a rock wall. There are plenty of indoor climbing centres around the metro area, including Portside Boulders and Adrenaline Vault, which have ample support for beginners to the sport. Harness up the kids, clip on a helmet, and join them or watch them as they scramble up the wall with seemingly no fear.
18. Tee off at mini golf or go bowling
You don’t have to be the next Tiger Woods to enjoy swinging a golf club, though you may want to start smaller than your local golf course. Instead, tackle a specially designed indoor mini golf course, like Northbridge’s extravagantly-themed Holey Moley. Putt your way through Hogwarts with ‘Harry Putter’ and take your photo on the Nine Iron Throne before changing tack and heading into the city to knock down a few pins at Strike.
RAC members can access discounted packages including a round of mini-golf (nine holes) at Holey Moley and a game of bowling at Strike.
RELATED: 10 Best Mini Golf Courses in WA »
19. Drop in at iPlay
Shelter indoors and keep the family entertained for hours at the ultimate amusement centre — iPlay. Laser tag, ten pin bowling, dodgem cars, pool tables and a shooting gallery are just some of the games available all in the one venue. RAC members save 14% off packages for arcade games and entertainment at iPlay.
20. Head to the Morley Rollerdrome
Roller skating is having a retro resurgence, and the Morley Rollerdrome is one of the best places in Perth to dip your toes into the pastime. There’s a half-hour session run at 9.30am each Saturday to familiarise newbies with the art of skating, followed by a morning ‘free skate’ session, where there’s music, games, and plenty of friendly staff roaming around to assist should you need. At just $15 for entry and skate hire, it’s an affordable activity for the whole family to join in on.
21. See the WA Maritime Museum exhibitions
When one museum visit isn’t enough this winter, add a stop at the WA Maritime Museum to the hitlist, too. You’ll get to explore hundreds of significant historical objects that showcase WA’s maritime heritage, including the America’s Cup-winning yacht, Australia II. There are free activities for kids to enjoy too, including colouring in, Titanic dress up and workshops.
Entry is $15 per person and free for anyone 15 years or younger.
22. Go to Scitech
Whoever said that learning couldn’t be fun has obviously never spent a few hours at Scitech. Through interaction with more than 40 playful displays, kids can learn all about some of the more fundamental theories of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics — it’s a cheeky way to get a little bit of education in on school break.
Tickets to Scitech are $15 for children aged between 4 and 17 and $24 for adults. Or, you can get a ‘mini group’ pass (two adults, two children/one adult, three children) for $63. RAC members can save 10 per cent on pre-purchased tickets online.
23. Dive into the world of VR
Forget about the cold wet winter weather by entering a new world with a virtual reality experience. Explore virtual worlds, fight off the zombie apocalypse together and share mind-blowing experiences at VR-Arrival or Zero Latency. Both have a range of experiences and are suitable for most ages, with 16% off at VR Arrival and 9% off at Zero Latency available for RAC Members.
24. Head to the Pottery Playroom
When the weather starts to turn, the arts and crafts box certainly gets a good run for its money. Take the creative time, and any associated mess, outside of the house and book a session at Joondalup’s Pottery Playroom. Not only will the kids get to paint their very own plate or mug to take home, but they can also burn off a bit of energy in the soft play centre and ball pit.
25. Get hands on at Pasta in the Valley
Learn what it takes to become a pasta master at Swan Valley's Pasta in the Valley. The Mini Chef Experience is where every child receives 300gms of fresh pasta to create their own fettuccini or spaghetti. Available from Tuesday to Sunday, 9am - 11am and 2pm - 4pm, expect to pay from $8 per child, no bookings required.
26. Jump in to Bounce
Though jumping and rolling through the puddles on the backyard trampoline sounds like fun, a whole world of (dry) fun is waiting to be explored at Bounce. It’s part trampoline park and part play centre, suitable for adults and children of all ages. Little ones can work on their agility in the multi-sensory soft play area, while anyone with slightly more advanced skills can tackle the free-jump arena, an area of 50 interconnected trampolines, tumble tracks, and banked walls.
27. Take a family-friendly bike trail
Make the most of those beautiful blue-sky winter days that Perth so regularly has with a cycle through nature. It’s a free activity, it’s healthy, and it’s the perfect excuse to get out of the house. Bundle the family and the bikes up and head to Herdsman Lake for an easy ride, or gear up for a lengthier 12km trail out in the Swan Valley. For a gentler family trail by foot, visit Swan Valley Station and stroll the 700 metre sculpture trail, explore the kid's playground and grab a coffee at the station's cafe.
RELATED: Best family bike rides in Perth »
28. Go on a family-friendly waterfall walk
After lashings of rain, Perth’s waterfalls are at their best so save your attempt at finding them for late in the season. You might also see wildflowers starting to line the trails, too. If you’re stuck on where to go to find these natural wonders, there any plenty of waterfalls only a short drive from the city.
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6 waterfalls within an hour's drive of the Perth CBD »
29. Free craft at Perth City Library
Shelter from a rainy day with the kids and enjoy free holiday crafts at Perth City Library. Head up to the Children’s Floor located on Level Four of the Library, where you'll find specialised collections for ages zero to 11 years, dedicated presentation spaces, the Tree of Knowledge outdoor play space, bathrooms equipped with baby changing tables and many comfy spots to curl up away from the cold with a good book.
Suitable for ages 2 - 12 and available during library open hours. To find out what's on, visit the City of Perth website.
30. See a puppet show
Enjoy an hour session at the Spare Parts Puppet theatre, with Hare Brain showing these school holidays. Telling the tale of Harry and Toulouse, who are in a slapstick race against time to find the perfect story that will fit the perfect toy. Dates and show times run across the entire school holidays, with a special relaxed show and Auslan interpreted show available too. General admission starts from $28, with tickets available online.
Last updated: June 2024
Need inspiration for your next family day out? RAC members save up to 32% on a range of ice skating packages at Cockburn Ice Arena.* *1.5% credit card processing fee applies to purchases via the RAC Online Shop. Platinum Ice Arena passes must be pre-purchased via the RAC Online Shop and are valid for 3 months from date of purchase. Member cards cannot be shown at entry, pre-purchased passes must be presented.
