The 10 best things to do with kids in Perth

If you grew up in Perth anytime after 1982, you’d know that Adventure World is as good as it gets when it comes to fun-filled times. To this day, the Bibra Lake theme park continues to facilitate the making of core memories with its roller coasters and rides, water attractions and slides, Grand Prix karting race track and 25 other activities to get amongst. Not to mention the longest, tallest and steepest funnel water slide in the world. Whether it’s thrill-seeking or lagoon-basking that’s on your mind, Adventure World never fails to top the amusement list for the kids of Perth.

This one goes out to the daredevil children – Matagarup Zip Climb – a merrymaking venture for those partaking and a heart attack moment for onlooking guardians. This sky-high activity in Burswood sees visitors zoom over the Swan River from the top of Matagarup Bridge – that’s an elevation of 72 metres! The descent to the eastern side of the foreshore spans 400 metres and whizzes participants through the air at speeds that reach 75 kilometres per hour. Now, it’s mostly fun and games, the only kicker is that kids must be at least eight years old to have a go at Matagarup Zip Climb – along with a few height and weight requirements. But if everyone passes the vibe check, then it’ll be sure to provide a full dose of adrenaline for the day.

Whether you’re trying to diversify the kids’ palate by introducing them to the many cuisines of the world or simply sourcing some sweet entertainment, Fremantle Markets is a huge hit. With more than 150 stalls, igniting excitement should be a breeze – there’s the old-fashioned Candy Store, The Baby Shop complete with characters like Bluey and Mario, roving buskers with their daring moves and comedic disposition, occasional face painters who never fail to brighten the day, a rainbow-themed piano that welcomes public practice, along with holiday activities such as Easter egg hunts. And if all that doesn’t cut the mustard, head down the road to Esplanade Park and take to the sky atop the 36-metre-tall Fremantle Tourist Wheel.

3,700 hectares of bushland paradise awaits at Whiteman Park – just 22 kilometres north of Perth within the famed Swan Valley. This isn’t any ordinary park either, inside the grounds you’ll find Western Australia’s only operational heritage electric tram that takes riders on a 40-minute adventure through farmland and picnic environs – there’s also a steam train, too! But if that isn’t enough to entice the not-so-locomotive-forward minds, Caversham Wildlife Park awaits for native petting needs, the Children’s Forest is scattered with enchanting fairy doors, while the seasonal mini-pool playground invites a splash around – to name a few of the park’s highlights.

In the Noongar language, ‘boola bardip’ means ‘many stories’, and that’s precisely what to expect at WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth Cultural Centre. The brand new-ish museum opened its doors back in late 2020 and has since done a mighty fine job of sharing natural history, cultural heritage and a touch of science too – all while keeping the youngins entertained and inspired. For those aged five and under, WA Museum Boola Bardip’s Early Years Program is the way to go with three different, educator-led sessions across the week of dinosaur discoveries, story-telling and captivating learning experiences. While the one-hour, Family Tour: WA Dinosaurs takes you into a wild, prehistoric world where life-sized models spark fascination among all ages. The museum also plays host to temporary, multisensory installations throughout the year, which are more than suitable for engaging inquisitive minds.

The magic of a day at the aquarium is almost unbeatable as a child – unless sharks are a big no-no, that is. But if finned friends aren’t the cause of fever dreams, The Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA) serves as both an educational and imaginative day out. The Hillarys Boat Harbour marine museum is home to Australia's largest single aquarium, containing three million litres of flowing seawater and featuring a 100-metre-long underwater tunnel, complete with a conveyor belt for locked-in focusing purposes. Come face to face with stingrays, turtles and grey nurse sharks as they glide across the coral reef, along with a plethora of Western Australian sea creatures across 45 exhibitions. Get hands-on at the Touch Pool, have a laugh with the clownfish, dream of a tea party at the Octopus Garden, and explore 12,000 kilometres of the Indian Ocean coastline in a matter of hours at the AQWA.

Local and fresh – it doesn’t get much better than that when it comes to juicy, juicy strawberries. Wait, no, it does get better, and Kien’s Strawberry Farm is the answer. Sitting on the outskirts of Perth’s urban sprawl in Gnangara – a 28-minute drive north of the city centre – Kein’s family-run farm takes a practical approach and welcomes one and all to pick their very own strawberries. At just $15 for a three-kilogram tray, it’s a pretty sweet deal for a screen-free activity that also encourages the kids to prioritise fruit – they’re tastier if you meticulously select them yourself, right? With more than 20 years in the business, Kien’s Strawberry Farm is still kicking it old-school, so remember to bring along the small change that’s waiting for its big moment. Perth’s prime strawberry-picking months are usually between September and late December, but the seasons can be precarious these days, so it’s best to stay up to date with Kien’s Facebook announcements. Happy harvesting!

With a mission to ‘inspire the entire state's collective curiosity’, West Perth’s science and technological centre, Scitech, has succeeded in doing just that since 1988. The interactive emporium invites kids of all ages to put their thinking caps on and delve into the world of STEM with head-scratching contraptions, hands-on workshops, mesmerising planetarium shows and expert-led experiments in the gasp-worthy theatre – we certainly have a collection of our own Scitech childhood memories that aren’t going anywhere anytime soon! And not to worry if you’re accompanying kids aged six and under, the Discoverland instalment is designed to foster playful learning minus the crash-bang chaos. Rotating exhibits that are both visually and mentally stimulating are a Scitech staple too, and you’d be puzzled to come across a bored child at the mind-boggling funhouse.

It’s all hands on deck for the sporty kids of Perth at Wildlife and Eco Kayak Tours. The family-run, watery business invites children aged nine and above to explore the calm Swan River banks while afloat their very own kayak. As well as learning the basics, spotting native wildlife and having a squiz of the habitats around Ascot and Ashfield are on the cards too. Although the two-hour tour will test physical strength, the experienced and qualified guides are never too far out of sight in case the sea legs slip up. 

Just a 50-minute drive south of Perth City in Barragup you’ll find yourself in the otherworldly, Amaze Miniature Park – and that’s exactly what that sounds like – an amazing park spread across four acres that houses a detailed miniature world. 70 wee buildings modelled from historic properties of Abingdon Village – the oldest, continually inhabited township in England – are the ground’s main attraction, along with some other notable European architecture. The cherry on top at Amaze Miniature Park are the controllable model trains, mega hedge maze, mini golf course, secret rose garden, wishing ponds, pedal carts and playgrounds, as well as the beautifully maintained allotments. Pack a picnic and chill out in one of the many shaded nooks or snack in style at the 1940s tea house. It’s a divine outing for both the young and the longevous folk.