Search
Close this search box.
In this guide

In this guide
School Holiday Activities in Brisbane
School Holiday Activities in Sydney
School Holiday Activities in Melbourne

40+ of the Best School Holiday Activities in Perth

Updated 16 January 2023

Our 40+ Perth school activity activities cover indoors, outdoors, underwater and everything else, with free and value-focused fun things for kids aged 3 or 4 to 12 to 13.

Summary

  • Take the stress out of the school holidays with our guide to over 40 activities that will keep you busy for the entire December and January break. We’ve ordered them by activity so you can shortlist what’s close to (and what the kids would like to do) quickly.
  • Many of the ideas we suggest are either free or inexpensive, so you can have fun without breaking the bank. Family passes are offered widely, decreasing the cost. What’s on offer for kids is, arguably, fantastic, and a definite benefit of living in Perth.
  • If you want to save even more, consider purchasing annual passes for certain attractions. These passes often pay for themselves after just a few visits, so your kids can enjoy themselves as often as you allow.
  • This is the first edition of this guide, please contact us if you would like to have a suggestion included – our team would love to hear from you.

Sports and Swimming Pools

  • Surf lessons – One of the local go-to surf schools, Surfing WA has been operating at Trigg Beach for over 35 years and has taught over 7,000 aspiring surfers between 5 and 12 years old. With over 20 coaches, they offer group and private lessons, plus special programs over the school holidays. Prices start at around $200 for four sessions.
  • Collier Park Mini Golf – For aspiring golfers, the Collier Park Golf is home to a mini golf course designed as a miniature version of a world-class, landscaped 18-hole course and features three flags per hole.
  • Hyde Park Water Playground – A great activity for a hot day, the Hyde Park Water Playground in North Perth features a spongy splash pad, tipping buckets, spray guns and plenty of water jets. Note the playground only uses water from November to March between 8am and 8pm .

Explore Perth’s Surroundings

  • Bibra Lake Regional Playground – This playground features an impressive set of equipment, such as a double flying fox, swings, aerial rope walk, in-ground trampolines, sandpit, and pole maze. In addition, the park includes disability-inclusive features, including Australia’s first wheelchair-accessible BBQs, with custom-designed ignition buttons for the visually impaired.
  • Wildlife Encounters – Kids with a passion for animals will love embarking on a ferry tour to the sheltered waters of Rockingham to splash about with over 200 wild bottlenose dolphins. There is also an option to head to Shoalwater Islands Marine Park and Penguin Island to meet penguins, sea lions and sea birds.
  • Whiteman Park Recreation and Conservation Reserve – This unique conservation and recreation reserve covers over 4,300 hectares. It features an impressive array of attractions and facilities, including a vintage train for a scenic ride through the reserve’s protected banksia woodlands. Entry to the park is free.

Perth’s Big Attractions for Kids

  • The Perth Mint – A quintessential Perth experience, the mint offers a unique combination of activities, exhibitions and demonstrations. Families also have the option to join a guided heritage talk, as well as purchase a personally minted coin. Tours are $19 for adults.
  • Perth Observatory – With impressive telescopes and nightly sky tours each month, kids and adults enjoy the observatory. Tours allow participants to gaze through the various telescopes in the collection for a chance to see the moon, planets, nebulas, star clusters, and even satellites and meteors on occasion. Tours are approximately $50 for adults and $25 for kids.
  • Kings Park and Botanic Garden in the CBD – An ideal outdoor activity for a sunny, warm day, the park and garden include a dinosaur-themed playground loved by kids of all ages. There is also a water play space and climbing structures. Don’t miss wildflower season when the park comes to life.
  • Scitech – The science-loving kids will love this science museum, which is home to a planetarium, theatres and a wide range of exhibitions each year. Aspiring scientists aged 12 and under will have the option to join interactive and educational STEM programs. Family tickets are available.

Garden and Harvesting

  • Visit local farmer’s markets – Perth features a variety of farmer’s markets each month, featuring delicacies from local makers, fresh produce from farmers, gardening products and a range of arts and crafts. 
  • Explore Perth’s community gardens – WA Community Gardens give kids a chance to roam and explore in an unstructured natural environment. They’ll develop knowledge of and respect for plants, wildlife and the environment.
  • Perth City Farm – The farm is a 25+ year-old Urban Farm promoting connected, sustainable lives. It offers interactive and educational tours, gardening workshops, and a Farmer’s Market every Saturday with an opportunity to meet the grower.

Zoo and Animal Park Deals, and Children’s Farms

  • AQWA – The Aquarium of Western Australia– Families can discover a world of giant sharks, stingrays and turtles located in Hillarys Boat Harbour. They can also meet rare and unusual sea creatures like sea dragons and explore a living Coral Reef. Entry starts at $18 for individual general admission.
  • Perth Zoo – A Perth classic, the zoo is open every day of the year and just five minutes from the Perth CBD, accessible by bus, ferry, taxi, train, bike or even walking. A full day is ideal if you have it to explore. Tickets for two adults and two children are $89; kids under 4 are free.
  • Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm – The animals aren’t as exotic as those at the zoo, but kids can get “up close and personal” with these farmyard animals. There are also free merry-go-round rides, tractor-train rides and bouncy castles. 

Arts & Crafts

  • Museum of Perth – For kids who like art, or those looking for an activity on a rainy day, the Museum of Perth features a mix of permanent and rotating exhibitions, including a permanent exhibit on the history of Perth. The museum also contains a micro-cinema. Entry to the museum is free.
  • Tour Perth’s public artworks – With towering painted walls and oversized sculptures, and digital installations, Perth features some of the most interesting outdoor art installations. Some highlights include First Contact, a massive polished aluminium sculpture at Elizabeth Quay and Council House, a stunning, multi-coloured light-up building. 

General Fun Stuff

  1. Try DIY science experiments at home
  2. Play basketball at a local court
  3. Go rollerblading or skateboarding in a local park 
  4. Learn a dance from YouTube
  5. Movie marathon with homemade popcorn 
  6. Bake cookies and deliver them to neighbours
  7. Learn to solve a Rubik’s cube
  8. Have a picnic in the backyard
  9. Create a scavenger hunt at home
  10. Make friendship bracelets.

Competitions

  1. Cupcake decorating competition – bake or purchase plain cupcakes and a variety of lollies and icing for decoration
  2. Build a tower – using old papers and some masking tape, create the tallest tower possible
  3. Collecting shells at the beach – see who can find the greatest number of shells or a unique shell at the beach 
  4. Play board games – countless to choose from: Monopoly, Snakes and Ladders, Battleship, Guess Who, to name a few
  5. Cardboard house decorating contest – use large leftover cardboard boxes to design and decorate cardboard homes 

School Holiday Programs

  • Camp Australia – The Camp Australia school holiday program is called Rocketeers, an action-packed program that ranges from getting active with sports and cooking up a storm to unleashing creativity and relaxing with meditation. Days are divided by activities; check out their website for more info.
  • Australian Sports Camps – This camp is held across several venues and features sports such as soccer, netball, basketball, AFL and rugby league. The three-day intensive camps allow kids to form new skills and friendships.
  • ​​RSPCA School Holiday Program – A favourite for all ages, the RSPCA programs are one-day activities that educate kids about the work of the RSPCA and how they rescue and rehabilitate animals.
  • Perth Academy of Performing Arts – With an ever-changing list of workshops across acting, dancing and filmmaking, the Perth Academy of Performing Arts will keep kids entertained. Workshops are broken down by age and span different lengths.
  • Creative Kids Art Club – Kids can develop their artistic skills in these classes and make new friends. Art ranges from craft to painting and printing across four Perth locations. All materials are provided, so kids only need to arrive with their creativity.
  • Code Camp – A program with increasing popularity, Code Camp provides kids with an opportunity to create their own game, app or animated movie, to name a few. Groups are divided by age and ability, so kids can join even if they have no coding or technology experience.
  • YMCA Vacation Care – Perth and the surrounding areas feature countless local YMCAs with YMCA school holiday camps. Physical activity and curious minds are key ingredients for any YMCA vacation care program so take a look at what’s on offer.

Baking and Cooking

Create some kitchen classics with the kids; we’ve listed some easy Australian favourites to try out: