22 Exciting Things To Do In Perth With Kids

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Planning a family trip to Perth? With its mix of beaches, parks, wildlife experiences, and easy day trips, Perth is one of the most family-friendly cities in Australia and one of our favourites!

This guide covers the best things to do in Perth with kids, along with practical tips to help you plan your visit and make the most of your time.

This day tour to Rottness Island is a fun experience for families

Is Perth Good for Families?

Yes — Perth is one of the most family-friendly cities in Australia.

With plenty of outdoor spaces, playgrounds, beaches, and wildlife experiences, it’s an easy destination to explore with kids of all ages.

👉 It’s especially great if your family enjoys being outdoors.

How Many Days Do You Need in Perth With Kids?

We recommend spending 3–5 days in Perth.

This gives you enough time to explore the city, enjoy the beaches, and include a day trip such as Rottnest Island or Fremantle.

👉 If you’re planning to explore further, you can easily extend your stay such as our 5-day Perth to Kalbarri road trip or a long weekend to Margarget River.

Best Time To Visit Perth

Perth is a great year-round destination. We always end up planning our trips in the Summer holidays and it is super hot, but perfect beach weather!

• Summer (Dec–Feb): Best for beaches, but can be very hot
• Spring & Autumn: Ideal weather for exploring
• Winter (Jun–Aug): Significantly cooler, but still mild

👉 Spring is especially popular for wildflowers and whale watching.

Best Things To Do With Kids In Perth

If you’re looking for ideas on what to do in Perth with kids, look no further!

Here is a guide to some of the best places, great Perth activities for kids and attractions that are sure to please the young and the young at heart, in no particular order.

2. Kings Park

One of the largest inner-city parks in the world, Kings Park is a must-visit with kids.

There are playgrounds, walking trails, picnic areas, and great views over the city.

Kings Park hosts many free activities and events throughout the year, with family activities often held within the huge park. There is always something to keep the kids entertained.

3. Visit The Perth Beaches

One of the best things about Perth is its close proximity to gorgeous beaches compared to a lot of big cities. You can find many popular beaches to visit within half an hour of the Perth CBD.

Some of the most popular Perth beaches are Cottesloe, Scarborough, Floreat and City Beach. All of these beaches have great facilities for kids, such as playgrounds, showers and toilets, and nearby cafes and they are a must during Summer in Perth.

Check out the best beaches in Western Australia and start planning your visit!

5. Elizabeth Quay Playground

Located right in the heart of the city, Elizabeth Quay is one of the best places to visit in Perth with kids.

The playground is a real highlight, with climbing structures, slides, and a popular water play area that’s perfect on hot days. There’s plenty of space for kids to run around, plus cafes and restaurants nearby, making it easy to spend a couple of hours here.

There is also a vintage Venetian carousel in Elizabeth Quay that is fun for toddlers!

6. Penguin Island

One unique activity in Perth that kids of all ages will love is Penguin Island! That’s right, you can actually see penguins on an easy day trip from Perth. 

Penguin Island is located just 30 minutes south of Perth. This island is home to many small penguins called Little Penguins or Blue Penguins. These are the smallest penguins in the world.

This island is only 12.5 hectares in size, but it is said to be home to well over 1000 penguins!

During the day, they are often out in the water fishing, so you likely won’t see any on the island when you visit, but if you visit Penguin Island Discovery Centre, you will learn loads and are guaranteed to see penguins. 

To get to Penguin Island, head to Shoalwater and catch the ferry from there. The ferry only is a 5-minute ride. 

7. WA Museum Boola Bardip

Located in Perth’s Cultural Centre, WA Museum Boola Bardip is one of the best indoor attractions for kids — especially on a hot or rainy day in Perth.

WA Museum Boola Bardip reopened in 2020 after a four-year $428 million redevelopment, and it is a fantastic place to explore with kids. 

The museum is modern, interactive, and full of hands-on exhibits that bring Western Australia’s history, culture, and environment to life. Kids will love the wildlife displays, space exhibits, and interactive areas where they can explore and learn through play.

One of the highlights for me was the free audio tour, which you can access on a handheld device with a screen. It includes videos and audio that add extra context to the exhibits, and I found it made the experience much more engaging as you move through the museum.

8. Yanchep National Park

Just a 45-minute drive from Perth, Yanchep National Park is a great place to spend the day with kids. There are plenty of things to do including walking trails, wildlife spotting and cave tours.

Yanchep National Park has many limestone caves, with the most popular of these being Crystal Cave, which holds daily tours suitable for all ages.

The park is also home to a koala sanctuary where you can observe koalas in the trees along the 140-metre koala boardwalk.

Koalas aren’t actually native to Western Australia as they live on the east coast, so this makes the koala walk extra special to see these beautiful marsupials lazing about in the eucalyptus trees.

There is also an Aboriginal cultural experience, camping grounds and picnic spots in Yanchep.

7. Try The High Ropes Courses

Challenge yourself and your family with a day out at the Climb Zone high ropes course at Kerem Adventure Camp in North Perth.

This thrilling experience is suitable for ages 10 and up for the high ropes. They also have a low ropes course and climbing wall for young children to get involved in the fun.

Or head 45 north of Perth to Treetops Adventure at Yanchep, within beautiful Yanchep National Park. Glide across 16 ziplines and 70+ challenging aerial obstacles as you spot native Australian wildlife, such as grey kangaroos below.

The best part – Treetops has courses for kids as young as 3 to join the fun and enjoy the outdoor activities!

8. Caversham Wildlife Park 

Perth is one of the most isolated cities in the world. Located in Western Australia, it’s 2,000 kilometres away from the next nearest capital city Adelaide.

Hence, Greater Perth is completely surrounded by nature, making it wonderful for families with kids to explore.  

Caversham Wildlife Park is in the north of the city.

The wildlife park is a family-run business, yet it has quite a scale, featuring about 200 different species. Many marsupials and native Australian animals can be seen, from kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, and Tasmanian devils to possums and koalas.  

What’s wonderful about the park is that visitors can get up close and interact with the animals.

Although holding a koala is not allowed, it is possible to observe them from a close distance. Feed a kangaroo in the enclosure, watch a farm show, and take photos with a lot of birds and reptiles at the encounters.

9. Scitech Discovery Centre

The Scitech Discovery Centre, in West Perth, is a science and technology museum located in Perth, Western Australia. The centre consists of an interactive exhibition hall, IMAX theatre, planetarium and cafe.

The museum is Perth’s largest interactive science museum, with more than 250 interactive exhibits on display, making this a great hands-on learning experience that makes science a lot of fun for all ages.

There are regular kid-friendly events throughout the year, especially during school holidays, to keep the younger children entertained and awed.

10. Fremantle

Just a short drive from Perth, Fremantle is a port city with plenty of character. Its historic buildings and streets have been well preserved, and there are many places to explore, including the markets, WA maritime museum, art galleries and more.

There are many things to do in Fremantle with kids for free as well as some popular paid attractions and experiences the whole family will love.

There are also a lot of beautiful beaches in Fremantle, such as Bathers Beach, and between Fremantle and Perth, including Cottesloe Beach and City Beach.

In Fremantle, you will find the old Fremantle Prison, where you can take a guided tour and learn the history. We did this, although it is better suited to older kids.

Or ride the Fremantle Tourist Wheel for a view from above, located just a short walk from Fishing Boat Harbour.

You can find loads more ideas for fun things to do in Fremantle in our guide.

12. Adventure World

Located in South Perth in Bibra Lake, Adventure World is a theme park with something for everyone. It’s especially great for kids who want to get their adrenaline pumping.

There are plenty of rides and attractions, including water slides, a water playground, roller coasters and a petting zoo.

This is perfect if you’re looking for a big day out that the kids will love and with so many different attractions, you’re sure to fill in the full day easily, no matter the time of year.

NOTE: Adventure World is seasonal and closes over the winter period, reopening for the September school holidays.

14. Perth Zoo

Take a walk on the wild side at Perth Zoo. With over a thousand animals from across the globe, this is one of Perth’s most popular wildlife parks.

In addition to their seasonal, water-based activities and waterslides that operate from September to April, there is plenty of other year-round family fun and for school holiday fun.

You will find mini-golf, mazes, sensory play activities, a playground, Australian animal encounters and onsite food and beverage outlets.

15. Lake Leschenaultia

Lake Leschenaultia is a beautiful freshwater lake located just under an hour from Perth. This family-friendly water attraction was initially built as a dam to replenish steam engines in the late 1800s.

Lake Leschenaultia is a great spot for a hot day, popular for swimming, kayaking and canoeing. There is seasonal hire available for canoes and stand-up paddleboards.

There is a playground for kids as well as picnic areas and BBQ facilities, making it the perfect spot for a day out with friends or family. You can even book a grassed area for your exclusive day use.

16. Perth Observatory

The Perth Observatory is a must-visit for budding astronomers or anyone with an interest in space.

This is Western Australia’s oldest observatory, located 25 km east of Perth in Bickley, in the Perth Hills area.

You can take guided day tours of the facility, with talks and demonstrations on various aspects of astronomy. They hold night tours too, where you can view the stars and planets through their telescopes, making it a great experience for older children with an interest in space.

17. Swan Valley

Swan Valley is most famous for being one of Western Australia’s well-known wine regions, but there is plenty to do in Swan Valley with kids. It’s just a short drive from Perth city, and here you will also find chocolate factories, a nougat shop and other fun stops along the way.

Most of the wineries and breweries are family-friendly, with activities for the kids or full playgrounds. One of the best is Bailey Brewing Co., with a huge playground with repurposed old trucks.

Another must-visit is Swan Valley Station. There are farm animals, a playground, a sculpture walk and a cafe. It gets very busy, but a fun place for kids to explore.

18. Whiteman Park

If you’re looking for a place where you can easily spend a full day with kids, Whiteman Park is hard to beat.

Located about 30 minutes from Perth, this huge park is home to playgrounds, picnic areas, walking trails, and several family-friendly attractions all in one place.

You’ll also find museums, vintage train rides, and easy access to Caversham Wildlife Park nearby.

19. Swan River & Foreshore Activities

The Swan River runs through the heart of Perth and offers plenty of easy, family-friendly activities.

You can walk or cycle along the foreshore paths, stop at playgrounds along the way, or simply enjoy a picnic by the water.

There are also spots where you can hire bikes or kayaks if you’re feeling a bit more active.

20. Giants of Mandurah

If you’re looking for something a little different, the Giants of Mandurah is a fun and unique experience for families.

Created by artist Thomas Dambo, this outdoor trail features a series of large wooden sculptures hidden throughout bushland and park areas around Mandurah and the Peel region.

While most of the giants are located about an hour south of Perth, there is one closer to the city, making it possible to include as part of a day trip.

Kids will love the treasure-hunt feel of searching for each giant, and it’s a great way to get outdoors and explore nature at the same time.

Visit just one giant or turn it into a full-day trip to see them all.

22. Glowing Rooms 3D Mini Golf

If you’re looking for a fun, unique and affordable day out, look no further than Glowing Rooms. This Glow in the Dark Mini Golf is one of Perth’s hidden gems.

With two 18-hole courses, this is mini golf like you’ve never seen before.

Play indoors in air-conditioned comfort, even if it’s a rainy day in Perth, under ultraviolet light and surrounded by mind-blowing 800-square metres of hand-painted glowing artwork.

Glowing Rooms was a first in Australia as this popular mini-golf trend has grown across Europe, USA and America in recent years.

Find more Perth day trip Ideas and weekend trip inspiration.

Perth is an easy and enjoyable destination for families, with a great mix of outdoor adventures, wildlife experiences, and relaxed city attractions. Whether you’re visiting for a few days or using it as a base for exploring Western Australia, there’s plenty to keep kids of all ages entertained.

Which of these fun things to do in Perth for families are you most looking forward to?