Perth school holiday ideas

Perth School Holiday Activities

Looking for Perth school holiday activities? This guide helps families find practical ideas for the school holidays, including free outings, indoor activities, museums, parks, school holiday programs, Perth attractions and day trips.

Activities and events change every school holiday period, so use this page as a planning guide and check each venue or organiser before booking or heading out.

School holiday activities in Perth

Perth has a strong mix of school holiday options, from free parks and libraries through to major attractions, science activities, museums, indoor play centres, sport programs and day trips around the Swan River, Fremantle, the coast and the hills.

Quick answer: What are the best Perth school holiday activities?

Popular Perth school holiday activities include WA Museum Boola Bardip, Scitech, Perth Zoo, Kings Park, Fremantle attractions, local libraries, beach outings, indoor play centres, school holiday workshops, council events and family day trips around Perth.

Free and low-cost Perth ideas

Free and low-cost activities are ideal when you need several outings across a two-week school holiday break.

  • Kings Park walks and playgrounds
  • Local libraries and council events
  • Beach walks and picnic areas
  • Playgrounds and skate parks
  • Free museum and gallery programs

Indoor Perth activities

Indoor activities are useful for wet winter days, very hot days or when you want a structured activity.

  • Scitech and STEM workshops
  • WA Museum Boola Bardip
  • Cinemas and theatres
  • Indoor play centres
  • Art, craft and library programs

Outdoor Perth activities

Outdoor days are great when the weather is settled and you want the kids to burn energy.

  • Perth Zoo
  • Kings Park and Botanic Garden
  • Swan River walks and ferry trips
  • Coastal playgrounds and beaches
  • Whiteman Park and nature trails

Where to find current Perth school holiday events

These trusted sources are useful places to check for current Perth school holiday programs, workshops and family-friendly events.

Destination Perth

Destination Perth publishes school holiday activities, events, offers and family-friendly ideas across the Perth region.

Visit Destination Perth

WA Museum

WA Museum lists school holiday activities across its Perth and WA museum locations, including WA Museum Boola Bardip.

Visit WA Museum school holidays

Scitech

Scitech runs science-based school holiday activities, workshops and hands-on learning programs for children and families.

Visit Scitech school holidays

Perth Zoo

Perth Zoo offers family visits, animal experiences and kids’ programs, with some school holiday sessions requiring bookings.

Visit Perth Zoo programs

City of Perth

City of Perth libraries and city venues often run school holiday creativity, workshops and family activities.

Visit City of Perth school holiday ideas

Local councils

Local councils across Perth often run library programs, youth events, sport clinics, craft activities and community workshops.

Check your local council website before each school holiday break.

Tip: Always check event dates, booking rules, age limits, costs and cancellation policies before you go. School holiday programs can sell out quickly.

Perth school holiday ideas by age

Matching activities to the age of your children makes the school holidays easier to plan.

Age group Good Perth activity ideas Planning tip
Toddlers and preschoolers Playgrounds, libraries, storytime, short zoo visits, toddler-friendly indoor play and simple beach walks. Keep sessions short and check toilets, shade, pram access and parking.
Primary school children Scitech, WA Museum, Perth Zoo, craft workshops, sport clinics, parks, nature trails and school holiday programs. Book structured programs early and keep a few free outdoor options ready.
Tweens STEM workshops, escape-room style activities, cinemas, mini golf, skate parks, day trips, outdoor adventure and creative programs. Let them help choose a few activities so the break feels less forced.
Teenagers Beach trips, galleries, live events, sport, cinema, food outings, Fremantle, city activities and active day trips. Look for activities with flexibility, friends, food nearby and public transport options.

Perth school holiday ideas by weather

Perth school holidays can include hot days, wet winter weather and plenty of mild outdoor days. Having a backup plan helps.

Sunny days

Try Kings Park, coastal walks, riverside picnics, Perth Zoo, playgrounds, nature trails, beaches and outdoor family attractions.

Rainy days

Choose WA Museum, Scitech, libraries, indoor play, cinemas, shopping centre programs, craft workshops and at-home activity days.

Hot days

Start early, choose shaded parks or beaches, or switch to air-conditioned options such as museums, cinemas and indoor centres.

Perth day trip ideas during the school holidays

If you have a full day available, Perth has several easy family day trip options that do not always require a long drive.

Fremantle

Good for museums, markets, playgrounds, maritime attractions, fish and chips, street life and a change of scenery from the city.

Swan Valley

Good for family-friendly food stops, mini golf, animal encounters, chocolate, ice cream, picnic areas and short scenic drives.

Perth Hills

Good for nature walks, lookouts, picnic spots, orchards, dams, local cafes and a cooler-feeling escape from the city.

Perth school holiday activities FAQs

These answers cover common questions Perth families ask when planning school holiday activities.

What are good school holiday activities in Perth?

Good Perth school holiday activities include WA Museum Boola Bardip, Scitech, Perth Zoo, Kings Park, Fremantle, libraries, playgrounds, beaches, indoor play centres, school holiday workshops and council-run programs.

Where can I find free Perth school holiday activities?

Look at local libraries, council events, playgrounds, parks, beaches, galleries, free museum events and family-friendly community programs. Always check dates and booking requirements before attending.

Do Perth school holiday activities need to be booked?

Some activities require bookings, especially workshops, paid attractions, sport clinics, childcare programs and timed sessions. Parks, playgrounds and beaches usually do not require bookings.

What can families do in Perth on rainy school holiday days?

Rainy day ideas include WA Museum, Scitech, libraries, cinemas, indoor play centres, craft workshops, shopping centre programs and at-home activity days.

How early should I plan Perth school holiday activities?

For popular workshops, childcare, sport programs and ticketed attractions, start checking several weeks before the break. For casual outings, you can plan closer to the day.

Need the next WA school holiday dates?

Use the WA School Holiday Calculator to choose a holiday period and see the next matching school holiday break.

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