Perth’s spring school holidays are right around the corner, which means one thing: endless energy, curious questions, and the constant hum of “I’m bored” echoing through your house.
But there's no need to panic just yet. I’ve rounded up the best ways to keep kids entertained (and parents sane) this September, with activities that spark imagination, get them moving, and maybe even teach them a thing or two, without anyone needing to beg for screen time.
Buckle up, because these school holidays are about to get seriously fun.
Family-Friendly Restaurants To Keep Everyone Happy
In need of a last-minute dinner spot that won’t end in a meltdown? Check out this list of kid-friendly restaurants. Think of places that offer the coolest playgrounds, sandpits and kids' menus so that both old and young can settle in for a good time. Whether you’re chasing a cruisy pub lunch or a cafe with space for the little ones to run wild, these choices will keep both tiny humans and tired grown-ups happy.
Coffee, Play, Repeat
Image credit: City of Vincent | Website
Sun’s out, energy’s high, and it’s the perfect excuse to get the kids outside. Slip into your sneakers, grab the hats and set off on a mini adventure that will keep the little ones smiling (and, with a bit of luck, wear them out enough for a nap on the car ride home).
Start at one of Perth’s best kid-friendly cafes, sip a steaming cup of Joe while they enjoy a frothy babychino before wandering off to explore parks, playgrounds and nature play areas. My pick is Ginga in Mt Hawthorn for the caffeine hit, then a short stroll to Brathwaite Park, a local fave where kids young and old can enjoy the two seperate playgrounds.
Rain, Hail Or Shine, These Indoor Play Centres Will Save Your Sanity
Image credit: Vitaland | Instagram
Despite winter being well and truly behind us, there are often a few wet and dreary days during the September school holidays. Luckily, Perth is stacked with epic indoor play areas where the little ones can burn off energy (without destroying your living room).
Top of my list is the dreamy Vitaland, perfect for pocket-rockets aged 2-5. With locations all across Perth, these pastel play paradises are packed with climbing zones, slides and hidden nooks to explore. Plus, there’s a lovely cafe (with great coffee to boot) for the adults to relax in while the kids go wild. There's also newcomer Chuck E. Cheese— a full-on fun factory with arcade games, rides and pizza that's just opened in Joondalup. These spots are perfect for keeping the little ones entertained when you need a low-key indoor breather, all while still soaking up that spring energy.
Funlab Is Bringing The Good Times These School Hols
Image credit: Hijinx Hotel | Supplied
If you’re a veteran of looking after kids, chances are you’ve already stumbled into the glorious chaos that is Funlab. The ultimate chaos HQ is home to Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq, Holey Moley Golf Club, Strike Bowling and Hijinx Hotel, equipped with a crew that is professional at keeping the boredom at bay.
Spring school holidays mean Funlab is rolling out family deals and fun passes designed to keep energy levels high and parental supervision… optional. Whether your little one fancies themselves a mini golf prodigy, an arcade wizard or a bowling champ in the making, there’s something here to keep them buzzing while you sneak in some well-earned downtime.
You might also like:
- Perth's Best Kid-Friendly Cafes
- Perth's Best Family-Friendly Restaurants
- Perth's Best Kid-Friendly Beaches
Glide Into School Holiday Fun With Ice Skating
Image credit: Cockburn Ice Arena | Facebook
Glide into some serious fun at Cockburn Ice Arena this school holidays. Their sessions are stepping up a notch with extra session times, Learn to Skate demos and ice marshals ready to steady the wobbly beginners. A DJ spins tunes, runs games, hands out prizes, takes song requests and even does birthday shout-outs. It’s a sparkling ice party for the whole family, no skills required.
Museums, Dino Trails And Code Cracking
Image credit: WA Museum Boola Bardip | Instagram
Museums have evolved from the hush-hush, look-but-don’t-touch spots I remember. They’re now becoming full-blown adventure zones. Right now, the WA Museum Boola Bardip has a bunch of awesome adventures to take the kids on, such as the Dinosaur Trail, Terracotta Warriors and an epic Codebreakers Scavenger Hunt.
But don’t stop there. WA Museum Boola Bardip might be the first museum that comes to mind when thinking up things to do with kids in Perth, but it’s not the only one. For more history-meets-adventure vibes, hit up the WA Maritime Museum, explore the eerie cells in the Fremantle Prison, or swing by the Perth Mint to see real gold pouring demos. Who said learning can’t be fun?
Science Meets Play At Scitech
Image credit: Scitech | Facebook
Little minds buzzing with questions? Scitech has you covered this spring, serving up a lineup of hands-on experiments, brain-teasing exhibits and interactive activities to keep the tiny explorers busy for hours.
Blast off on a journey through the Solar System in the planetarium, join a Q&A with an astronaut (grown-ups welcome to geek out too), and dive into a program of spring adventures that prove learning can be seriously fun. Check out the full list here.
Capture Little Imaginations With The Biggest Creatures
Image credit: Dinos Alive | Supplied
If you've got a pint-sized paleontologist, Dinos Alive is going to guarantee you're the favourite parent. We're talking more than 80 life-size, interactive dino installations that your little one can meet and greet. The global success immersive exhibition is a chance to step back in time 140 million years or so, and get up close and personal with the creatures that used to roam our land.
Fun and educational? You've just hit the parenting motherload. The exhibition even includes a virtual aquarium for a close-up look at marine predators, and interactive zones where the kids can search for fossils (and fun). Secure your tickets to this once-in-140-million-years opportunity now.
This Bold Art Exhibition Is Reigniting The Joy Of Play
Image credit: The Art Gallery Of WA | Website
Running from 5 July to 2 February, this fresh, free exhibition is a sensory call to unplug, reconnect and just play. Re-PLAY is a technicolour, hands-on wonderland for kids (and let's be honest, adults too). Expect immersive installations, interactive play zones, tactile experiences and all the joyful chaos of creative expression. It's about celebrating connection, pushing back on screen-time overload and re-awakening the power of imagination.
In need of some zen? Swing by Re-PLAY during the quiet hour from 3pm to 4pm for soft sounds, slow movement and a lower-sensory environment.
A Teddy Bear's Picnic and Family Fun On Tap
BrewDog isn’t just about craft beers and buzzing bars—they’ve got kids covered, too. Every Sunday from 12pm to 2pm, kids can get stuck into a heap of fun activities while adults kick back with a pint.
On Saturday 29 November, things get extra cute with a Teddy Bears Picnic. Little ones can design and decorate a custom t-shirt for their favourite teddy to take home, get their face painted and spend the afternoon in beary fun springtime shenanigans. Live music kicks off from 7pm, so the whole family can soak up the tunes once the teddies are tucked in.
Adventureland in Basso
The Basso is bringing the fun this school holidays with Adventureland 2025, a whirlwind of kids’ activities guaranteed to tire out even the most energetic mini humans. Every Saturday, kids can dive into a kaleidoscope of bubbles, balloon twisting, face painting, arts & crafts and even a tiny animal farm.
There’s more magic tucked into the mix, too—think jewellery and bath bomb making, wonderland tea parties, silent discos, little chef classes and a sprinkle of actual magic tricks. It’s the ultimate way to keep the kids busy, laughing, and crafting memories while you sit back with a pint in nursed firmly in hand.
Life Of A Marine Scientist
Image credit: AQWA | Facebook
For the ocean-obsessed mini explorers, AQWA’s Marine Program is a hands-on holiday dream. Packed into a three-hour whirlwind from 8:45am to 12pm, kids aged six to twelve can dive into shark-focused science, explore fossils and get up close with fascinating marine life.
The program includes a glass-bottom boat ride, guided tours, basic biology lessons, shark artefacts, fossil exploration and even some arts and crafts. By the end, kids will walk away with their very own course completion certificate, proof they survived (and thrived) in the ocean adventures.
Kids Cooking For A Cause
Image credit: OzHarvest | Supplied
Bring the kids along for a hands-on school holiday session with OzHarvest, where cooking meets doing good. Children aged eight and up team up with a parent or guardian to transform rescued ingredients into delicious meals while learning about zero-waste cooking and helping provide food to people in need.
It’s hands-on, wholesome, and full of school holiday magic. Expect laughter, learning and a bit of flour on the face. Spots fill fast, so lock in your place for Thursday 9 October 2025, 1pm 'til 3:30pm, and get ready to cook up a storm for a good cause.
Wander Through The Markets
Sprinkle a little adventure into the school holidays and take the kids on a wander through the markets. Market stalls all across Perth are packed with treasures, tasty treats and hands-on fun that will keep little hands busy and curious eyes wide. From homemade goodies to quirky finds, these markets are a playground for the senses. Check out the full list of springtime market gems and make a morning (or afternoon) of it with the whole crew.
Explore The Heart Of Freo
Image credit: Fremantle Markets | Instagram
Maybe it’s the heritage-listed charm, the live tunes echoing through the halls or the constant whiff of something delicious wafting your way. This iconic spot has been winning hearts since 1897 and it’s still one of the best ways to kill a few hours with the kids in tow. It’s busy, it’s loud and it can be chaotic (but so are your kids, so really it’s a match made in heaven). For a little bit of magic, be sure to pop into The Pickled Fairy, and if you’re making a day out of it and sticking around for dinner, here’s a guide to the best places to wind down from the market-madness.
Looking for more ways to keep busy with kids? Check out:
- Perth's Best Kid-Friendly Bush Walks
- Perth's Best Kid-Friendly Pubs
- Free Things To Do With Kids In Perth
Main image credit: School's Out Winter Fest | Supplied
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