Kids often look like they’re having a whole heap of fun, so why not join them and embrace being a kidult—a grown up that acts like a kid sometimes. After all, Peter Pan seemed to have a pretty good life in Neverland.
Here are 15 fun things to do in Perth where you can let your inner child free.
Ice Sledding
Ice sleds are basically a giant block of ice with a steering rope and ice sledding is the closest thing you can get to tobogganing in Perth. We may not have snow but we sure do have lots of grass. Buy an ice sled from your local ice supplier (like this one from Balcatta Ice), find a nearby park with a decent grass slope and start sliding.
Water Slides
The Cockburn ARC has three colourful 18-metre high water slides—the Rocket, the Pipeline and the Tumbler. The Rocket is over 69 metres in length and starts with a drop in a glass-enclosed rocket launcher then a plunge through a loop. Check it out for some rocket slide action. And then there's obviously Adventure World in Bibra Lake and Outback Splash in Bullsbrook—which just quietly, also has a Gage Roads bar now—for your outdoor waterslide action. Just note they are only open across the warmer months.
Go Karting
Feel the need for speed? Have your own Grand Prix and be a winner for the day at go karting tracks such as Kart World in Belmont, Indoor Kart Hire in O’Connor, Mega Fast Karts in Wanneroo and Cockburn.
Arcades
When it’s too hot out, head to your nearest arcade and spend a day battling it out on all the games. There are plenty of Timezones around Perth, but honestly why brave hoards of kids when you can hit up some of Perth's coolest arcade bars? We recommend hitting up Palace Arcade in Northbridge, Vic Park and Freo for retro arcade games with a side of boss-level cocktails and NYC-style pizzas or Planet Royale in Northbridge for pinball machines galore, boozy shakes and epic burgers.
Indoor Skydiving
If you don't have the bladder control for the real deal but are still kind of intrigued by skydiving hit up iFLY in Rivervale. It’s basically like being in a big vertical wind tunnel where you float upwards and your cheeks puff out just as much as they do at 12,000 feet.
Mini Golf
Real golf is hard and boring, which is why we prefer its easier little cousin, mini golf. Smash a hole in one at Glowing Rooms, Perth's first 3D AND glow in the dark mini golf joint, or hit up Holey Moley for a hit of nostalgia with a side of burgers and sugary cocktails.
Trampolining
Remember the good old days of bouncing into those huge metal springs on your backyard tramper and scoring the ultimate wedgies? Well, trampolines are much more user-friendly these days. Get your bounce on safely at one of the many trampolining places in Perth such as Just Jump in Wanneroo (where they also do parkour) and Bounce in Cannington.
Ice Skating
Have you ever wanted to be an amazing figure skater like Chazz Michael Michaels or Jimmy MacElroy in Blades of Glory? Well now’s your chance. Pop on those ice skates and let rip with your jumps, spins, steps, spirals and more at the Perth Ice Arena in Malaga, Xtreme Ice Arena in Mirrabooka, or Cockburn Ice Arena in Bibra Lake.
Roller Skating
If you've always secretly wanted to be a kick-arse roller derby skater head to one of Perth's trusty 80s style skating venues instead. Visit the Morley Rollerdrome, Rollerzone in Malaga or Rolloways in O’Connor to practice your speed skating, backwards skating and waltz jumps.
Tenpin Bowling
Channel the dude from the Big Lebowski and get a crew together for some tenpin bowling action. There are plenty of tenpin bowling alleys in Perth but for retro vibes, it's got to be Rosemount Bowl in North Perth. It’s a licensed venue and is also across the road from the Rosemount Hotel, which is handy to kick on for after bowling drinks.
Archery
Some days you just want to rob from the rich and give to the poor like Robin Hood. Unfortunately, this is against the law so the next closest thing could be to have a go at shooting with a bow and arrow. See if you can hit the target at the WA Archery Centre in Whiteman Park.
Laser Tag Games
Playing laser tag is like a combination of going to a disco with funky music, lights and a fog machine and being a character in a computer game. You are assigned to a team and have to shoot the other team with lasers while running around a dimly lit space with ramps, stairs, obstacles and mazes. It’s exciting and scary all at once. There are numerous laser tag places in Perth such as Darklight Laser Games in Joondalup and Lazer Blaze in Malaga, Willeton and Port Kennedy.
Paintballing
Paintballing is another good way to pretend you’re a character in a computer game. Round up the troops and get ready to duck, weave, defend and attack your opponents in a custom-made paintball field. A few paintballing venues around Perth include Paintball Skirmish in Henley Brook; WASP Paintball in Joondalup, Wanneroo, Baldivis or Clackline; and Delta Force Paintball Perth in Muchea or Baldivis.
Rock Climbing
Indoor rock climbing and bouldering is a great way to have a bit of fun while doing an all-body workout. Check out Adrenaline Vault in Belmont, Portside Boulders in O'Connor and The Hangout in Bayswater.
Escape Room Experience
Get locked in a room with a couple of mates for an hour and see if you can escape by finding clues and solving puzzles just like Sherlock Holmes. Visit escape rooms in Perth such as Time’s Up in Wanneroo, Ultimate Roomscape in Malaga, Realmz Escape Game in Morley, Mystic Clue in Cannington and Escape Hunt in Fremantle.
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Image credit: Palace Arcade