There’s no denying that the start of the school year is on the horizon. Whether you’re looking forward to getting back into a routine, or dreading packing bags and battling to get your kids out the door, there’s still plenty of time to squeeze in days of holiday fun.
Here are some great activities that can keep your kids entertained over the summer holidays, while enjoying some quality time together.
Free & General Activities
If you’re not sure where to start looking for activities to keep your kids occupied, free and general activities that suit all ages are the way to go.
Head outdoors and get active down at your local skate park or playground. Pack some of their favourite games and soak up the sun while they can show off their skills. You can also hit-up a new walking trail for a fun day out exploring.
For your younger kiddos (primary school age), head to the library for many free activities, such as storytime, rhyme time and holiday crafts.
Indoor Activities
If you’re looking to get out of the house, while staying cool in the warm weather, there are plenty of indoor activities on offer around Perth.
Latitude Perth provides hours of entertainment with interconnected trampolines, a dodgeball court, and a climbing zone. If your kids love games, you could give Zero Latency Perth a try, which allows them to play virtual reality and classic arcade games. If you’re something a little more educational (but still just as much fun), spend the day at the Aquarium of Western Australia where your kids can go on guided tours and talks to learn about marine life, or spend the day at SciTech, where your kids can watch science in action. There are plenty of places that offer all day-fun for you and the family!
Outdoor Activities
If you’re looking to get the kids out of the house and enjoying some fresh air, there are also plenty of outdoor activities on offer around Perth.
The Kings Park and Botanic Garden is a great outdoor activity starting point, where you can spend a whole day walking around exploring and playing on the playgrounds, as well as join a free guided tour, or have a picnic. Make sure to stay sun-smart for all day-fun without overheating.
Another outdoor activity option that will get you and the kids out-and-about is self-guided walking tours of the city. All you have to do is download the Perth Trails app, which provides maps for six tours, all with their own themes. These tours provide the opportunity for you and your kids to explore the city at your own pace.
If you want to keep the kids entertained and beat the heat, Perth’s Outback Splash is the way to go. You and the kids can keep cool at Splash Island, and also wander around mazes, play a round of mini-golf and see beautiful animals.
Home Activities
Sometimes heading outside might not be an option. Whether it’s a rainy day at home or when it’s too hot to go anywhere, there are plenty to try that will keep them entertained and won’t dent the family budget.
Arts & crafts are an easy way to keep the kids busy. The possibilities are endless! Create a recycling pile that you add to each day, and your kids can use their imagination to create anything. If you’re stuck for ideas, most arts and crafts supplies are budget friendly, with some suppliers even providing ideas for projects online. You can also try an at-home science experiment to really get them excited!
Another great way to keep your kids entertained and spend time as a family is playing board games. Board games are easily available in department stores (if you don’t have some already) and a deck of cards can be purchased for under $10 in a supermarket, and can provide hours of fun. Doing a jigsaw puzzle together can also fill the time on a rainy day.
While baking can leave a bit of mess for you to clean up, the fun that you and the kids will have is definitely worth it. Baking with the kids will not only result in tasty snacks for them to eat, it also provides the opportunity to teach them an important life skill. Making biscuits is an easy way for the kids to learn how to measure out ingredients, with all the fun of decorating at the end.
These are just some fun activities to tick off your list over the summer holidays, before you have to start organising bags, packing lunches, and fighting to get your kids out the door to face the new school year.
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After spending 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie McNichol made the move to Perth in 2010. As the Co-Founder and Editor of Buggybuddys, she has been able to use her experience and passion for helping families to create a trusted online resource for parents across Perth.
Jennie is the proud mother of two daughters, aged 14 & 12 and is a big advocate of the family-friendly lifestyle that Perth has to offer.
