5 cheap school holiday activities in Perth

Sure, the kids love them, but school holidays can be a stressful time for parents. As well as other responsibilities, we have the extra burden of looking after our delightful, sometimes easily bored, children.

As much as we’d sometimes like to plop them in front of their favourite babysitter, Uncle Television, we know that they should actually get out and about.

Some activities in Perth can be pricey when you’re on a budget, so we’ve compiled a list of 5 cheap and fun school holiday activities. Whether you live in Perth or are popping up for a visit, these activities are sure to keep you sane and the kids entertained.

1. Synergy Parkland

King’s Park is Perth’s most valuable natural asset. Where else in Australia can you find native bush and animals in the heart of the city?

You might not have thought there was a reason to visit King’s Park, but think again—King’s Park is the perfect place for kids and parents alike!

On the western side of King’s Park is Synergy Parkland. It’s a great place for kids to explore and learn about nature.

A long elevated walkway, large scale replicas of extinct Australian mega fauna (the crocodile is particularly impressive) and an island fort make Synergy Parkland a kid’s wonderland.

Best of all, it’s absolutely free! Take some food with you and fire up one of the free electric barbeques, or just have a nice picnic on the well-kept lawn.

Cost: Free!

2. Scitech

It’s hard to explain how crazy kids go for Scitech without comparing it to the relationship cats have with catnip.

Who knew you could get kids so excited about science? Designed for children up to the age of 12, Scitech has a great display of interactive exhibits, puppet shows and a planetarium.

It’s also very reasonably priced, compared to many other family outings.

Cost: For $48, you can get a “mini pass” that will allow entry for: 2 adults + 2 children or 1 adult + 3 children

3. Western Australian Museum

It’s important to teach kids about our natural, social and cultural history. That is why places like the Western Australian Museum are so essential, particularly in our digital age.

With just a gold coin donation, you can gain access to a wide variety of exhibits including natural fauna, meteorites, indigenous culture and dinosaurs.

During the school holidays, the museum holds events and activities for the little ones and their parents.

Check out what’s on for a very cheap way to keep your darlings occupied and delighted!

Costs: Gold coin donation.

4. Shoalwater Islands Marine Park

Located just off the coast of Rockingham, less than an hour’s drive south of Perth, is the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. If your children are a bit older, this is a great place to take them.

While there may be a cost to do some activities, entry to the marine park is free. The reefs surrounding the islands are perfect for snorkeling, as they are filled with sea stars, molluscs, urchins and many different species of fish.

SS_shoalwater_islands_marine_park — Source: Shutterstock.com

If you’re lucky, you’ll also see a pod of bottlenose dolphins, sea lions or penguins.

Costs: Entry to the park is free but some activities do cost money.

5. Cottesloe Beach

Perth is home to some of the best beaches in Australia, if not the world.

In 2009, Cottlesoe Beach was voted as the second best beach for families by Lonely Planet. Now that’s saying something.

With clear blue water, pristine white sand and a variety of cafes, restaurants and pubs (to keep the adults happy), Cottesloe Beach is the perfect place for the family.

Costs: Free

Hopefully this list has given you some good ideas about where to take your kids over the school break.

Remember to keep an eye on the weather forecast (however Perth has the highest number of sunny days out of every Australian metropolitan city), pack some snacks and have fun!

Do you have any other special spots to add to this list? Please share in the comments below.

Image courtesy of Shutterstock.com

28 Comments

- - mom165081 said
  - 31 Oct 2015
    3:20 am
Nice to have some WA ideas. Thanks.

- - 4littlemunchkins said
  - 23 Oct 2015
    6:20 pm
Some of these look lovely, will have to remember if we are ever in Perth.

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 20 Oct 2015
    10:35 pm
Wow this all looks amazing. It’s been a dream of mine for years to make it to the west

- - mom113055 said
  - 20 Oct 2015
    4:06 pm
During the school holidays, the museum holds events and activities for the little ones and their parents.

Check out what’s on for a very cheap way to keep your darlings occupied and delighted!

Costs: Gold coin donation.

4. Shoalwater Islands Marine Park

Located just off the coast of Rockingham, less than an hour’s drive south of Perth, is the Shoalwater Islands Marine Park. If your children are a bit older, this is a great place to take them.
Some activities in Perth can be pricey when you’re on a budget, so we’ve compiled a list of 5 cheap and fun school holiday activities. Whether you live in Perth or are popping up for a visit, these activities are sure to keep you sane and the kids entertained.
While there may be a cost to do some activities, entry to the marine park is free. The reefs surrounding the islands are perfect for snorkeling, as they are filled with sea stars, molluscs, urchins and many On the western side of King’s Park is Synergy Parkland. It’s a great place for kids to explore and learn about nature.,
- hopefullyheidi replied
  
  26 Oct 2015 , 9:16 pm
  Thanks for the extra wonderful advice
  - meedee replied
    
    08 Jun 2022 , 10:45 am
    
    She has just copied and pasted from above with no new info …hhmm
- - mom94125 said
  - 18 Oct 2015
    5:15 pm
that park with the water around it is the coolest park that i have ever seen but watch the kids there

- - mom113055 said
  - 15 Oct 2015
    10:00 pm
in perth nice

- - mom113055 said
  - 11 Oct 2015
    1:54 pm
kids love them

- - mom113055 said
  - 07 Oct 2015
    10:32 pm
cheap school activities

- - Missey Grace said
  - 03 Oct 2015
    7:33 pm
Good to see the museum is in the list too. Usually it’s a must on our holiday.

- - Melanie said
  - 02 Oct 2015
    10:18 pm
Great ideas. I love Perth.

- - jodiev1980 said
  - 30 Sep 2015
    11:18 pm
Thanks for this list. I had never even heard of the Shoalwater Marine Park!

- - ella12 said
  - 23 Sep 2015
    3:03 pm
Lots of great and exciting places to go.

- - caland10 said
  - 22 Sep 2015
    11:39 pm
Thanks a lot for this list Emma- we will definitely give the Shoalwater Islands a visit these holidays, the boys would love it! They might also get their very first trip to The Perth Royal Show (not a budget holiday idea though unfortunately…)

- - mom113055 said
  - 21 Sep 2015
    1:02 pm
stresstful time

- - rovermum said
  - 21 Sep 2015
    11:37 am
I went to Perth many years ago and particularly loved our trip out to Fremantle. The market there was fantastic. I love Perth as a destination and one day hope to get back there.

- - aliceou said
  - 19 Sep 2015
    7:59 am
Thank you for the useful info.

- - mom101628 said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    9:18 pm
Wonderful place for holidays – usually any beach will do though.

- - mom100085 said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    8:30 pm
Wow thanks, anything like this for Melbourne?

- - Gorgeybee said
  - 18 Sep 2015
    8:17 pm
I love Perth, but sadly live in Melbourne so can only visit these places if we are lucky enough to visit. “Little Melbourne” is a great resource for school holiday activities in Victoria – both free and those involving costs. I have used their information so many times to do things with our children.

- - mom81879 said
  - 16 Sep 2015
    5:19 pm
I’ve taken the kids to Scitech, awesome, they loved it and so did I…..not to mention my mum! Also been to Kings Park, so beautiful, great for them to run free and play. Don’t get to WA anywhere near often enough
- Emma Kent replied
  
  16 Sep 2015 , 9:45 pm
  Glad you liked the ideas and yes, come over to Perth again soon!