20 Of The Best Things To Do With Babies And Toddlers In Perth This Winter

Before my little one came along,  my decisions on where to venture next generally just revolved around the dessert menu. Now, with a curious, very busy-handed darling 10-month-old in tow, heading out has become a constant mission in discovering great child-friendly spots that'll keep him stimulated and shake up his senses (as well as keeping us out of the cold). 

So when a couple of girlfriends asked me for my reccos, I thought why not share my findings with those ever-so-patient mamas, papas, grandparents and carers on the hunt for something that doesn't involve wrestling an over-active squealing tot into that overworked cafe IKEA highchair. I'll keep refreshing as I find other great picks—but for now, here are some of the most awe-inducing, sensory-activating, morning-filling, best things to do with babies and toddlers in Perth that I'm loving right now. 

Seasonal Winter Picks:

• Lightscape Perth: Well worth the ticket price in our humble opinions, Kings Park is completely illuminated in the most enchanting displays of light that your bub is guaranteed to be entranced by. Head there as soon as the sun goes down and you'll still make it home in time for bath and bed.
• Dinos Alive: Already swarming with global praise, Northbridge Centre's newest exhibit is bringing Jurassic Park right to our doorstep. Insanely realistic and here for a very limited time, you can grab cheap tickets to this prehistoric trip at around $20 if you book in mid-week. 

Little Play Perth

Maylands And Canning Vale

Image credit: Little Play Perth | Website

Calming neutral interiors and pastel tones—Little Play manages to speak to my pre-mum, pre-over-saturated-colours aesthetic perfectly with a charming space for bubs, crawlers and newbie walkers to conquer. Founded by proud mum, OT and teacher Elli, you can sign up for a term of classes or just pop in for a session during the school holidays and let your tots immerse themselves in bubbles, ball pits, weekly changing themes and plenty of (safe) climbing around the equipment. So many parents have raved to me about this spot, and after watching my own son absolutely love all the soft equipment while I could take a breath with a tea in hand, I now see why too.

Play Dates Kids Cafe

Karrinyup Shopping Centre

Image credit: Play Dates Kids Cafe | Instagram

Owned by another gorgeous local mamma Rachel, Play Dates Kids Cafe perfectly combines a big ol' whimsical play land for the tots alongside a luxe cafe for parents craving a mid-week caffeine fix and a chat. Think big bright ball pits, soft climbable furniture for those wobbly ones, dress up corners, sensory walls for tinkering and just about everything in between. Not your usual loud, sweaty, completely overwhelming play centre, we loved our arvo at this clean, super chic spot. 

Little Oak Tree Nature Play

Banjup

Image credit: Little Oak Tree Nature Play | Facebook

The frosty temps can't keep us away from nature thanks to Little Oak Tree Nature Play. Founded by a mother desperate to pull her darling away from screens and indoors, these soft, slow-paced bush sessions are completely gorgeous highlighting the beauty of the outdoors. These one-off sessions run several times a week, always with new and whimsical themes from fairies to frogs to careers dress ups and all sorts of other adorable ideas I'm always later trying to replicate at home. If you're not already, I'd jump on their Insta for a follow, as Em also posts a ton of simple clever at-home tricks and tips.

Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm

Henley Brook

Image credit: Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm | Facebook

Do I dream of stealing one of the teeny tiny tea cup pigs and making it my own? Yes. Do I wish I could permanently reside with those gorgeous fluffy little lambs? Sure. The selling point is in the title here. Keep cosy snuggling up to some of the most charming animals in town at Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm and watch your babes fall completely head over heels in love. Great for budding little vets, there's also free tractor rides, bouncy castles and merry-go-rounds (as well as a cafe for parents of course) to make the day extra special.

Imagination Haven

Inglewood And Dianella

Image credit: Imagination Haven | Facebook

These very aesthetic, carefully curated creative studios and sessions are all about engaging all five senses, with each month bringing new themes and unique activities to explore. From potion making to small world scenes, nature play and rainbow-inspired art, these play sessions feel super warm, laidback and relaxed for both little and big people to savour. We love that for an extra $5, siblings can also come join in the fun so no one's left behind. Hooray.

Made To Be Messy

Heathridge

Image credit: Made To Be Messy | Website

An absolute mecca for cheeky chaos merchants, Made To Be Messy is a stupidly joyous way to spend a morning for little learners six months and up. All about fostering creativity and freedom of expression, these small classes experiment with everything from glitter to glue and allow you to step outside your comfort zone just being silly with your mini without destroying those freshly painted walls at home. We love the flexibility they offer with single sessions, class passes and even holiday workshops that siblings can always hop into as well (just make sure they don't leave the house in whites).

Music Together In Harmony

Scarborough, Leederville and Cottesloe

Image credit: Music Together In Harmony | Facebook

This is one for those with budding musicians in their midst. Music Together In Harmony consists of wonderful weekly music and movement-based classes that allow babies all the way to pre-schoolers to simply make noise, learn about rhythm and have a ton of fun in the process. Better still, the classes are backed by a load of research around the endless benefits around singing, melody and language acquisition. The best part? You can trial your first class for free, making it completely budget-friendly and a unique way to spend a morning or arvo.

The Story Place At The State Library

Northbridge

Image credit: The State Library | Facebook

Perched in the mezzanine level of The State Library, The Story Place is a magically illuminated haven brimming with songs, stories and books safe for busy little hands that love to rip and ramage (just my son?!) With all sorts of rhyme times, guest storytellers and games to play throughout the year all completely free, this is such a peaceful lovely spot to bring a mat and spend a rainy afternoon exploring. The State Library keeps you posted on fun upcoming events via socials, so make sure to follow along here.

Baby Sensory

Various Locations Around Perth

Image credit: Renee Ardon-Coppinger | Supplied

Super popular within my Mother's Group chats back in the early days, Baby Sensory has term-long programs scattered on both sides of the river and is one of the OGs when it comes to enrichment programs for the teeny tinys. Run by an expert team of brilliant educators with an insane amount of energy and passion, you can expect fabulous weekly themes (think Into The Jungle, Under The Sea, Around Oz etc.) that involves all sorts of fun light shows, interactive tents, dance parties and just about everything in between. Most people opt to sign up term by term, but they also offer trial passes so that you can give it a try with one or two classes first. 

Wiggly Woo

Mount Hawthorn

Image credit: Wiggly Woo | Facebook

Another excellent community-based music and movement group for 0 - 4 year olds, Wiggly Woo based at Mounty Baptist Church in Mount Hawthorn is great for those on a shoestring budget with just an $8 fee for the whole family per class, meaning you can just head along for weekly singing and dancing 'craziness' as they call it. The team also string together a myriad of whole community family BBQs and brunches with coffee vans, outdoor movie nights, slip and slides (in summer obviously) and storytimes if you're local to the area.

The Acai Corner

South Perth, Lake Monger, Scarborough And Applecross

Image credit: Renee Ardon-Coppinger | Supplied

Although not technically a learning experience directly for the bubs per se, The Acai Corner has been a lifesaver for throwing down a rug, letting the babes crawl and watching the ducks while my best friend and I furiously work through our agenda of things to discuss for the week. Each location provides rugs, sweet little baby deck chairs, games and plenty of shade at some of Perth's most beautiful natural beauties, while slinging some of the best (and biggest!) peanut butter açai bowls in town too. So good.

Other Honourable Mentions:

• Art Gallery Of Western Australia: Grab a coffee while you browse through the gift store (hot tip - there are a ton of gorgeous sensory sets and gifts to be found for little ones) then head to the front desk and ask for the most colourful exhibits. Completely free, completely delightful.
• AQWA: There's no way your bub won't love wandering through the underwater tunnels with sharks, sting rays and schools of Nemos floating right on by overhead. If it's a sunny day, drop by Hillarys Boat Harbour for a gelato or some fish and chippies by the water after too.
• WA Museum Boola Bardip: There's always some facinating exhibit to check out at Boola Bardip (right now we're loving the Terracotta Warriors) on top of all the classics like our cult fave the gigantic whale skeleton and the bright and beautiful First Nations wing. Our little man can't get enough of all the neon lights and anything to do with the planets.
• Scitech: Easily the coolest excursion we ever ventured on in primary school, Scitech's still got it and has really beefed out their options for babies and toddlers as of late. From the Planetarium and its glimmering galaxy of stars to the shape-shifting mirrors and yearly Winter Todderfest coming up, this one's always great for shaking out all that energy.
• Perth Zoo or Caversham Wildlife Park: Check the forecast then make the most of those chilly but gorgeous sunny days wandering around these majestic creatures big and small. 
• Your local library rhyme time: One of the most underrated resources at our disposal, libraries are truly the most wholesome places rain or shine. We *love* our weekly Tuesday rhyme time (and the big worn out nap that follows) so check local council website for your own and get those pipes warmed up for some serious nursery rhymes.