School holiday activities present *exciting* challenges for parents. How to keep the kids occupied for two whole weeks?
Lucky for us, the City of Perth has plenty of options to keep them happy and engaged… and some of them are even FREE!!
#140Kids at 140 Perth
Elizabeth Quay Mini Adventure Gold
Everyday 10am-9pm, Friday & Sunday 10am-10pm | Western Promenade, Elizabeth Quay, The Esplanade, Perth | PRICE: Children $12, Adults $15, Family Pass $45
This new 18 Hole Mini Golf Course is fun for everyone! It’s perfect to challenge the kids, practice your putting, or have a good old laugh. If you’re looking for a more exciting experience head down to the course in the evening. The course lights up at night with coloured lighting effects and you can add to the light show by purchasing a glow golf ball.
Not only is it fun for the whole family it’s located at Perth’s most scenic location; the beautiful Elizabeth Quay. You can also enjoy some delicious refreshments or nibblies whilst putting your way through the course or after once you’re ready to sit down and watch the other golfers.
The Elizabeth Quay Carousel
Everyday 10am-5:30pm | The Precinct, Elizabeth Quay, Perth | PRICE: $5 per ride or $12 for three rides
If you’re down in Elizabeth Quay you must experience the wonder and joy of a traditional Venetian Carousel right here in Perth. The Carousel is beautifully designed with the overarching vision to bring what activates areas of the world such as San Sebastian in Spain, Paris under the Eiffel Tower, Central Park and Brooklyn in New York – to Elizabeth Quay, Western Australia.
The Elizabeth Quay Carousel is a piece of art that will be loved and enjoyed by generations of Perth families’. The kids can jump on a horse for just $5 and watch their faces light up to the traditional carousel music.
Free Chocolate Masterclass
Thursday 26 April | 2pm | Yagan Square | PRICE: FREE
Bring the kids for an afternoon of chocolate education. Sue Lewis Chocolatier will take you through the chocolate making process from bean to bar, you’ll taste different types of chocolate from around the world, and even watch chocolate being tempered.
No need to register, just look for the demonstration kitchen in the dining area of the Market Hall and join in the fun.
Choooooocolate!!
Free Flicks for Kids: Despicable Me 3
Saturday 28 April | 5.30pm – 7pm | Northbridge Piazza | PRICE: FREE
Grab a bean bag and enjoy a free movie every Saturday with Free Flicks For Kids at the Northbridge Outdoor Movies. There are plenty of places to grab some dinner or an ice cream, or just bring a picnic and settle in for a cool outdoor movie experience.
Be early to nab one of the beanbags…
Captain Cook Cruises – Kids Cruise Free
14 April – 29 April | 10:30am – 5:00pm | Varying Locations | PRICE: FREE
Jump onboard… Captain Cook Cruises are celebrating these school holidays with FREE cruising for kids. For every full paying adult fare, you’ll receive one child fare free of charge. I actually think this is a very cool cruise up the river and definitely one of those school holiday activities that qualifies you as being a ‘tourist in your own City’ – the boys had a blast!
Valid on the following cruises:
– Perth/Fremantle Explorer
– One way Fremantle/Perth Cruises
– Fremantle Lunch Cruise
Be sure to quote ‘KIDSAPR18’ at the time of booking and you’ll grab yourself a new way to experience Perth with the nuggets by your side. To book your cruise or to find out more CLICK HERE.
Nuggets ahoy!
Surge Fitness – Free Kids Classes
14 April – 30 April | Monday – Saturday | Level 3, KS3 Building, 10 Telethon Avenue,
Perth | PRICE: FREE
Get your kiddies into a gym class and wear them out REAL GOOD while you go off and take in some shopping (YAY! Or a quiet coffee… or even a massage) – Ohhhh the luxury of TIME!
At Surge Fitness in Perth City, they have complimentary structured programs for kids aged four to 13, with different time slots throughout the week.
Not only is it fun and engaging… they’ll learn a thing or two about exercise and healthy lifestyles. But more importantly – it’s wear the little nuggets out and you can have one hour of sweet, sweet freedom in the City.
For more info on the Surge Fitness Free Kids School Holiday Activities: CLICK HERE
Three outta four aint bad… #nothappyjan
The Cunning Little Vixen
21, 24, 26 and 28th April | His Majesty’s Theatre, 825 Hay Street, Perth | PRICE: Adults from $40, Children/Students from $30 | Suitable for ages 9+
These school holidays the passionate and vibrant music of Janáček comes to West Australian Opera with The Cunning Little Vixen – an enchanting experience to be enjoyed by the whole family.
You’ll get to see the touching tale of SharpEars the vixen living her life from youth to adulthood while also feeling like you’re in the forest. This opera reflects on the nature of life, the cycle of birth and death and the connection between the world of humans and animals.
Make sure you don’t miss out on this slice of forest life at His Majesty’s Theatre. To book your tickets CLICK HERE.
Just some chickens and a rooster…
The Nostalgia Box
14 April – 30 April | 10:30am – 5:00pm | Shop 3, 16 Aberdeen Street, Perth | PRICE: Prices start from $10 per child for 1 hour (20 pax or less). Or $12 per child for 1.5 hour hire (more than 20 pax).
Located in Northbridge, The Nostalgia Box is Australia’s first interactive Video Game Console Museum. The Nostalgia Box can take your kids (YOU!!) on a trip down memory lane giving them hands-on experience with some of the all time great games in gaming history… including Pong, Space Invaders and Super Mario Bros. There’s something for all kids no matter their age!
The fun doesn’t end there either…. Each child will also receive a FREE robot kit to take home and build. Perfect for encouraging their problem solving and motor skills and creating something awesome for them to keep!
To find out more CLICK HERE.
Image: The Nostalgia Box
West Coast Fever Netball Clinics
Mondays & Tuesdays, 16th – 24th April | 11:30am – 1:00pm | Cathedral Square (Corner Cathedral Avenue & St. Georges Terrace, | PRICE: FREE
If your kids love playing sport and being social at the same time these West Coast Fever Netball ‘Come and Try’ Clinics are just the place for them these school holidays! Held at Cathedral Square (Cathedral Square is where Como The Treasury, Perth Library and St George’s Cathedral are) …a verrrrry pretty spot in the City.
140 Kids
Everyday between 17th – 29th April | Various Locations around Perth City | PRICE: FREE
School holiday activities galore!
Camel West Camel Rides in the City
Looking for a unique and cool school holiday activity? Camel West can take you on a 30 minute camel ride from Barrack Square, along Riverside Drive and through Elizabeth Quay to see Perth City from a totally different perspective. Charlie was a little freaked out at first, but luckily I could ride with him and he ended up loving it! Max was of course in his element. They loved feeding the camels a thank you carrot at the end too… Great fun!
For more information and to book your ride, visit: http://www.camelwest.com.au/
Camels in the City!
Water Labyrinth Forrest Place
Open all year round | Forrest Place, Perth City (just down from the Murray St Train Station) | PRICE: FREE
Have you taken your kids on the Water Labyrinth in Forrest Place? My kids absolutely LOVED it – they got to interact with the artwork and cooled off in the heat of the city at the same time (granted – it can get a bit chilly this time of year – but it can also get hot! Four seasons in one day…). Designed in a grid of nine squares, jets of water shooting up into the air randomly rise and fall making it a playful game for the energy filled kids.
For the parents and grandparents, there’s a great little cafe right alongside the water labyrinth with tables and chairs so you can can enjoy a coffee or lunch while the kids go for it.
Just make sure you bring a towel and some spare clothes for the soggy nuggets!
Water!! Image: City of Perth
Gondolas On The Swan
All year round from Wednesday – Sunday (dependent on weather conditions) | 11am – 5pm | Book Online | PRICE: Fifteen Minute Cruises $15 Adults, $10 Children, Half Hour Cruises $30 Adults, $15 Children, One Hour Cruises from $250
Are you looking to show your kids Elizabeth Quay from a different view? Safe to say it would be pretty cool to see Perth’s Elizabeth Quay from a majestic traditional Venetian Gondola. I’m sure it’d be like a Disney movie the entire time with the velvet interior, Venetian drapes, Mandolin music playing in the background and a Gondolier in traditional Venetian costume at the helm. We are yet to try this… but it’s definitely on the list!!
The ride takes you to see South Perth, Kings Park and the Elizabeth Quay bridge.
To book your journey visit their website https://www.gondolasontheswan.com.au/.
Image: Gondolas On The Swan Webpage
Roc Candy
5 July to 12 July Forrest Place | 10am – 3pm | No bookings required + all ages | PRICE: $12 each or $10 in groups of 4 +
My little nuggets had the BEST time last school holidays at Roc Candy’s ‘Make Your Own Pop’ workshops in Piccadilly Arcade. This is your kids chance to get behind the counter with Candy Andy and create your own delicious lolly pop! The lollypops my boys made were massive – they were like Willy Wonkers Never Ending Gobstopper – and *nearly* lasted the whole school holidays.
To visit their Facebook page CLICK HERE.
Check out the video below to see what it’s all about…
Video: City of Perth
See what I mean? GINORMOUS CANDY!
Perth Mint
Open daily 9am – 5pm | 310 Hay Street East Perth | PRICE: Tickets start from $18 Adults, $8 Children (4-15 years) Children 3 and under FREE
My boys love the Perth Mint. They get to see an actual hot pour of a gold bar, buy a personalised ‘gold’ coin made with their name on it and see what their weight is worth in gold. Just as a side note, Charlie is for sale at the cool price of $1 Million plus some small change…
For tickets and more information CLICK HERE.
For sale… ONE MILLION DOLLARS… (joking obviously… all offers considered)
Scitech
Open weekdays 9.30am – 4pm & weekends 10am – 5pm |City West Centre, West Perth | PRICE: Adults $19 | Kids $12 | Kids under 4 FREE
Who can forget good old Scitech? Always there when the weather is absolutely FOUL… my favourite for when it’s really belting down because it has a protected car park underneath (dry arrival!) and it means my little rocket scientists can get their noggins filled during the school holidays…
My must-see is Planet Pioneers, their new feature exhibition that will challenge visitors to emigrate to a new world to explore, adapt, survive and colonise a brand-new planet. The boys (amongst plenty of other things) virtually drove a space buggy, took a space explorer test, virtually flew a drone, experienced G-Force in a spinning capsule, tested climates and launched a home made rocket ship.
Plus there are all the usual faves such as maths and explosions in the Science Theatre, Puppet Theatre, CSIRO Lab Workshops and the Planetarium.
For tickets and more information CLICK HERE.
Yep… Special…
Planet Pioneers
DFES Education and Heritage Centre
Open 10am – 3pm Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays | 25 Murray Street Perth | PRICE: FREE
We haven’t been to this activity yet, so it’s on our hit-list for these school holidays. The Department of Fire and Emergency Services (DFES) Education and Heritage Centre is located in the original Perth Central Fire Station that was commissioned in 1899. It’s a great spot to help your kids learn about different hazards, what emergency services do in WA, get up close to the trucks and even dress up!
Over the school holidays, the Centre holds a special drawing competition for children who can demonstrate what they’ve learned about safety. The winning entry is awarded a prize pack to the value of $100.
For more information CLICK HERE.
Image: Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA Facebook Page
Bell Tower
Open Monday to Saturday 10.30am – 2.30pm | PRICE: Adults $18 | Kids (5 – 14 years) $9 | Kids under 4 FREE
We haven’t been to the Bell Tower yet – but the boys ask me EVERY SINGLE TIME we are in the City… so I guess I better get organised. See the famous bells from St. Martins in the Fields London, interpretative displays documenting the history of the bells and the Bell Tower’s construction, awesome views and of course the bells chiming.
Chiming demonstrations are conducted Monday to Saturday every half an hour* 10.30am -2.30pm (*The bell ringers ring every Monday and Thursday 12pm-1pm so no chiming demonstrations take place during these times).
For tickets and more information CLICK HERE.
Image: @davidashleyphotos
Little Ferry Co.
Open daily 9.30am – 5.30pm | PRICE: Family return tickets start from $58 (2 x adults, 2 x kids)
Did you know we have a cute little ferry in the City that takes you from Elizabeth Quay to Claisebrook Cove? Take a tour of the Swan River around our beautiful City in the peaceful silence of a solar electric ferry. The kids will love the ye olde style boat and the skippers will fill their little minds with lots of interesting sights to spot and slices of Perth history. Take a return trip, one way, special personalised tour or open charter.
For tickets and more information CLICK HERE.
Image: Little Ferry Co.
Peddle Perth
Friday 6pm – 1am, Saturday 3pm – 2am, Sunday 2pm – 10pm | PRICE: Varies based on trip
We really have sooooooo many cool ways to get around the City at the moment. And if your kids are anything like mine they want to be on as many forms of transport as possible. Obviously I’ve used up the Uber, Taxi, Bus, Train, Cat options early – but lucky these guys are giving me more ways to take my kids for a ‘rickshaw’ ride… Perth Peddle Taxis’ five rickshaws are peddling around Perth city every weekend until their toes start to freeze. So to hail one down just give a whistle or wave your arm or to book or order a pedicab call: 0411 448 724.
For pick up locations and more information CLICK HERE.
Image @peddleperth
Kids Eating in Perth
And if you’re hungry, there are a few specials which means the kids are kept occupied or eat cheap or even FREE!!
My second favourite four letter word…
Ivy & Jack 14 April – 30 April | 7.30am -10pm | 788 Hay Street, Perth | PRICE: FREE
Not sure where to take your kids out for breakfast, lunch OR dinner? Ivy & Jack are delivering their great offers once again these school holidays with their Kids Eat Free special! All you need is at least one adult dining per two kids and they can eat FREE from the buffet breakfast or from their kids menus only for lunch and dinner. There’s a meal that’ll please even the fussiest of kids including, chicken nuggets, the crowd favourite spag bol, fish and chips, soup and pizza!
Not only are they offering Kids Eat Free, your kids will get a free colouring in book with stickers, colour pencils and recipes which can be enjoyed in the funky chill out area. Also not to be missed is the Disney movies on the big screen EVERY DAY from 12pm.
For more information CLICK HERE.
Fuel for after all the kid activities. Image: Ivy & Jack.
More important fuel for after all the kid activities. Image: Ivy & Jack.
I hope you enjoy these school holiday activities as much as we did – and if I’ve missed any that you think MUST BE ADDED, please leave us a message in the comments below!! I think all of us parents need as many options as we can get our hands on…
And a bottle of wine…
A really BIG one.
Nic… xxx
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Nicole
Nicole is a rare mix of glitz and pragmatism. She loves redefining her style and has an unhealthy obsession with lipgloss, Rag & Bone and champagne. She makes party planning look effortless and when she's not blogging or researching something she's spending time with two rather rambunctious redheads, Max & Charlie.
