The Buggbuddys guide to non-sand based playgrounds in Perth! The ultimate guide to the best playgrounds and parks with no sand in Perth! Kids love burning off energy at parks and playgrounds, and Perth’s got some of the best in the world. Best of all, playgrounds are FREE!
What is great about non-sand playgrounds?
Not all kids love sand, just as not all parents and carers may not love it either. Sometimes it’s a sensory preference. Sometimes it’s that you don’t want your toddler constantly trying to eat the sand. And sometimes it’s just that you don’t want to feel like you’re cleaning half a sandpit out of your car or your kids shoes. 😛
In addition, we’ve added details of where playgrounds are close to local coffee shops, cafes and restaurants. Therefore you can grab a bite to eat before or after your play, or grab a takeaway coffee on the way. Don’t forget your reusable coffee mug! 😉
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FEATUREDFeaturedPia’s Place at Whiteman Park is one of Perth’s most loved all-abilities nature play spaces. Set among mature trees at Mussel Pool East and opposite the dog park, this huge, fully fenced Playground has been designed so that children of all ages and abilities can play side-by-side. It’s also now recognised as Whiteman Park’s biggest Playground and a key family attraction within the park’s four play areas. The first thing kids notice is the striking red-and-white lighthouse rising above the trees. Created in memory of baby Pia Maeve Rudd, who tragically died from SIDS, the lighthouse is a beautiful symbol Read more…
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Located in Mandogalup’s new residential area, Apsley Park combines recreational facilities with open spaces. The park’s centrepiece is its pump track, where children can practice their bike and scooter skills on a circuit of curves and dips. For older kids, the skate park is a highlight, offering the perfect place to show off tricks and master new moves. Those who enjoy a challenge will find the tennis wall irresistible, whether they’re practising volleys or competing with friends to see who can keep the ball in play the longest. The grassed kickabout area is ideal for a friendly game of Read more…
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Tucked within Mirvac’s Iluma Private Estate in Bennett Springs, Luminous Park is a bright, modern community Playground that’s packed with things to do for a wide range of ages. Surrounded by mature trees and generous lawn areas, it feels like a sprawling neighbourhood hub where kids can easily spend hours exploring different zones of play without everything being crammed together. It’s worth noting up front that there are no toilets on site, so plan ahead before you arrive or pair your visit with a stop at nearby venues that do have facilities. The standout feature is the impressive blue climbing Read more…
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Mariala Vista Park is located in Jindowie, Yanchep. So many of the new parks that have been built recently have a problem with serious lack of shade, where the developer has planted trees but they won’t provide any shade until they mature in years to come. Mariala Vista Park is distinctly different. The park has been developed in an area packed full of mature beautiful tall trees that provide a large amount of shade over the whole play area. Mariala Vista Park caters for both older and younger children. There is a large enclosed twisting slide that looks like great Read more…
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The Malabar Park BMX & Community Facility in Bibra Lake is home to the Cockburn BMX Club. This $8.9m redevelopment project is set to welcome national-level BMX events for all local and interstate riders with its new Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) accredited track! Whether you have a BMX enthusiast or beginners looking for a new place to try some BMX racing and training, Malabar Park BMX & Community Facility is the exciting place for the whole family to have a ball in community riding while enjoying the other fantastic facilities like the pump track, playground, clubhouse and BBQ facilities. Riders Read more…
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In amongst all the shiny office buildings in West Perth is Totterdell Park. The leafy inner city park is made up of a soft fall play area with a large metal play frame that features two slides, “shop” window, climbing nets, ramps, monkey bars, a climbing wall and more. There is also a see-saw and fun nest swing too. This play area isn’t covered by shade sails, though the park is surrounded by mature trees, giving a little afternoon shade. The quiet park is not fenced and runs alongside Thomas Street, so you’ll want to keep an eye on little escape artists if you choose to take younger children. There is ample space Read more…
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Karda Way Nature Playspace at OneOneFive Hamilton Hill is a fantastic blend of nature play, history and thoughtful design, set on the former Hamilton Hill Senior High School site. The redevelopment has transformed the area into a family‑friendly precinct with walking paths through native landscaping, layered play opportunities and a strong focus on accessibility. The hero of the playspace is the impressive three‑tower fort, cleverly constructed from repurposed materials salvaged from the old high school. Kids can climb timber steps, tackle a mini climbing wall, test their nerve on hand and foot holds, cross the connecting bridge and whiz down Read more…
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Tucked in among the high-rise apartments of Burswood, Promenade Park is a compact but well-equipped neighbourhood Playground that’s ideal for younger children. It offers a good mix of physical play, sensory experiences and quieter activities, all against a lovely backdrop of city and stadium views. The main Playground area is built on soft fall, making it a safer space for little ones to explore. There are two main structures. The smaller one is perfect for toddlers, featuring a noughts-and-crosses game, a rainmaker, a music maker and a small tunnel to crawl through. The larger structure caters to more confident climbers, Read more…
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Wow! If your kids are into riding bikes – whatever age they are, John Dunn Challenge Park in Kelmscott is amazing. There are four bike tracks, plus a trainer track, mini track, intermediate track and advanced track – meaning there is a level to suit everyone here. The bike challenge park caters for all things on two wheels – specifically mountain bikes and BMXs. If your kiddos love to ride their bike, be sure to bring them here. The John Dunn Challenge Park is ideal for little ones on balance bikes and training wheels, right up to experienced teens and Read more…
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Manning Park in Spearwood is the perfect spot to take the kids out for a picnic and play in the park. The reserve is huge with four car parks in total and plenty of wide open grassed areas. The playground itself is quite amazing, plenty for all ages, stages and abilities. There are shade sails over each section and plenty of trees to pull up under too. The day we went it was 40 degrees but the shade and grass definitely brought the temp down. The only negative I would have is the placement of the drinking fountain which was Read more…
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Tucked within the Piara Waters development, Explorer Park is a bright, compact and very active little Playground that’s ideal for families who love to be outdoors and on the move. Located at the opposite end of the reserve from the popular Madox Playground and Pump Track, this park works perfectly as part of a longer play outing, or as a handy local spot to burn off energy after school. The Playground itself may be small, but it’s cleverly designed and packed with things to climb, jump and bounce on. One of the standout features is the wavy climbing wall, which Read more…
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Set within the newly developing Alkimos Trinity Estate, Habsburg Park is a fantastic find for active families, teens, and anyone who loves to work out in the fresh air. With much of the surrounding land still under development and many homes yet to be built, the park already feels like a destination in its own right – thoughtfully designed around movement, inclusivity, and outdoor fitness rather than just traditional play. The standout feature of this space is the impressive Proludic Acti’Fun equipment, which takes it well beyond a standard suburban Playground. The Acti’Ninja course is all about agility, balance, and Read more…
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Tucked off Montreal Street, Booyeembara Park is one of those Fremantle gems that feels bigger once you’re actually inside it. It’s a wide, open stretch of parkland with bushy edges, walking circuits and a central man‑made lake that gives the whole space a calm, “exhale” vibe—great when you want to get the kids outdoors without committing to a full day trip. The Playground here is small but memorable, and it suits older kids best. The standout is the quirky five‑way swing set, designed for ages 6–12. It’s a fun, social piece of equipment that feels a bit different to your Read more…
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Glen Iris Estate Playground in Jandakot is a lovely nature-inspired spot for families, set where the old Glen Iris golf course once was. Tucked just off Dean Road in the new Glen Iris housing estate, the Playground is framed by beautifully landscaped gardens, leafy trees and plenty of open grass, making it feel like a green retreat in the middle of suburbia. There’s loads of room for kids to kick a ball, run around or for families to roll out a picnic rug and enjoy the peaceful surrounds. The main play area has a strong nature-play feel, with timber elements Read more…
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Located in the heart of the new community at Mandogalup, Florence Estate Park is A playground that beautifully incorporates wooden beams for its play equipment. This spacious playground is nested beside rows of mature trees, providing scenic greenery, and playing in the park feels like you’re right next to nature. My girls headed straight to the main play area, where the big slide is. The tall climbing structure features various climbing wall panels for kids to use. Missy 6 had no trouble climbing onto all of them, but younger toddlers might find the tallest one daunting. The flooring of this Read more…
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Set right in the middle of the new, vibrant dining and entertainment precinct at Westfield Whitford City is a beautifully unique play area for children. Overlooked by many of the restaurants and sheltered underneath shade sails, the play area is unlike any I’ve ever seen before. Forgoing traditional play equipment, which tends to be age specific, the mix of wooden stepping stones, ceramic arches and decorative metal poles appeared to appeal to children of all ages. Throughout the evening I saw all age groups from toddlers to preteens climbing and jumping and running, all thoroughly engaged and having plenty of Read more…
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The Jo Wheatley All Abilities Play Space is an amazing park purpose-built for all ages and abilities. Carefully built around and under existing trees, covering 10,000sqm with wheelchair access throughout, a sensory garden, flying fox, climbing obstacles, slides, swings, picnic areas, water play, toilet facilities and fully fenced… it certainly ticks all the boxes!!! The main wooden structure has ramp and stair access, decks, two slides, and a balancing beam. Underneath there is a cubby house with a shop window and fun coloured glass blocks. There is a nature play area that backs onto the wooden structure, it is step Read more…
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Cilantro Park, nestled in Stockland’s Calleya Estate in Banjup, is a fantastic local Playground that offers a good mix of active play, nature play and space to run around. Previously known as Calleya Playground, this park continues to be a popular spot with families thanks to its variety of equipment and large open grassed area. The main play structure features two slides: a very high twisty slide that will appeal to more adventurous kids, and a smaller hill slide ideal for younger ones or those still building confidence. Kids can climb, explore and race each other down the different slide Read more…
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William Henry Oval Caversham is situated nearby to Caversham Community Centre, and close to Suffolk Street before Colorino Avenue. The oval itself hosts a lot of community sports and also has two playgrounds that are worth a visit. The first play area is suitable for older children, ages 3 and up, depending on your child’s climbing ability. The play area is sand-based, featuring a variety of equipment for the children to use. There are rock climbing walls, slides, assorted monkey bars, fireman pole, ladders, spider web climbing frame and balancing poles. The second playground is connected to the community centre. Read more…
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Walyalup Koort Play Space is a vibrant inner-city Playground in the very heart of Fremantle, set within the redeveloped Kings Square precinct now known as Walyalup Koort. Inspired by Freo’s industrial and maritime history, the design cleverly weaves in miniature cranes, bridges, railway tracks and shipping containers, softened with trees, water elements and plenty of colour. It’s a fun, busy space that suits toddlers through to primary school-aged children, and makes a brilliant stop on a family day out in Fremantle. The main crane-themed fort is the first thing most kids run to. It features climbing opportunities, platforms to explore Read more…
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Found besides the waters of Lake Claremont is a small, but lovely nature playground. The play area has been designed for primary school aged kids, though little ones will love the sand play! The main fort structure is suitable for older kids, as it is made up of wooden steps and rope to climb up to the top. Once you’re at the top, the “floor” is also made out of rope, so there’s no solid surface to stand and play on. There’s a large concrete sand-play table, with a tyre to scoop up the course red sand, attached to a Read more…
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Tucked within the leafy Byford on the Scarp estate, Ridge Park Byford stretches over 1.7 hectares and feels wonderfully “bushy” despite being in the suburbs. Mature trees, big open lawns and two separate Playground areas make this a great destination for families with kids of different ages, especially if you’ve got both little toddlers and more adventurous big kids to keep happy. The lower Playground, accessed from Military Pass, is ideal for younger children. The centrepiece is an adorable train-themed play structure made up of several “carriages”, each with its own style of imaginative play. Toddlers can “drive” the train Read more…
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Coventry Village in Morley is home to a bright, modern outdoor Playground that’s perfect for kids who love to climb, balance and burn off energy while you grab a coffee or tackle the grocery shop. Set just outside Coventry Village Shopping Centre and close to the cafes and restaurants at the front of the complex, it’s an easy add‑on to a family meal or quick shopping trip. The Playground is fully fenced with a solid metal barrier and a mag‑lock gate, providing peace of mind with the nearby car park and road. Inside, the ground is covered in rubber softfall, Read more…
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Highland Range Playground in Jane Brook is a fantastic little spot for families looking to combine fresh air, nature play and active fun. Nestled in the foothills of the Darling Ranges, the Playground sits within the Highland Range estate and is surrounded by bushland and hillside views, making it feel a bit like a mini escape from suburbia. The Playground has a strong focus on nature play, with woodchip surfacing and lots of timber elements for kids to explore. Little adventurers will love testing their balance and coordination on the stepping logs, stepping poles and balancing beams. These features are Read more…
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Dyoondalup Point Walter Playground, set along the stunning Swan River foreshore and next to Walter’s River Café, has been transformed with a beautiful new play space that celebrates Noongar culture and the natural landscape. The centrepiece of the Playground is a striking tower structure, designed in collaboration with Noongar artist Sharyn Egan. It reflects stories of Djunda, a tall female spirit with long flowing white hair, and honours Dyoondalup (Point Walter) as a “place of white sand.” The result is a thoughtfully designed, culturally rich Playground that offers much more than just a run-of-the-mill play experience. This is a very Read more…
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The Village at Wellard Playground is a leafy, community-focused play space that genuinely offers something for all ages. Set within The Village at Wellard and bordered by a skate park and BMX track, it’s the kind of spot where active kids can easily spend a couple of hours climbing, jumping, riding and exploring, while parents relax under the shade of the mature trees. The standout feature is the large rope climbing frame that forms the heart of the Playground. Kids can clamber up through the ropes, choosing to come down via the slide at the middle level or keep climbing Read more…
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Tucked between the CBD and Northbridge, right opposite WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Perth Cultural Centre Playspace is a compact, quirky Playground that’s perfect for breaking up a day in the city. Set within the wider Perth Cultural Centre precinct – home to the Museum, Art Gallery, State Library and more – it’s an easy stop for families travelling by train or exploring on foot from Perth Station or the surrounding streets. The space has a strong sensory and nature play focus, making it a great option for kids who love to touch, balance, spin and explore. The playspace is Read more…
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Lake Leschenaultia, found close to Mundaring, is a top day out in the Perth Hills for families. There’s swimming, bike riding, bushwalking, picnicking and now there’s even more reason to visit. The tired old metal boat play equipment has gone – replaced by a beautifully crafted timber train playground! Found next to the campsite office, the new playground (opened December 2023) features a train and slide, as well as many nature play elements, like stepping logs. The lake was constructed over a century ago to provide water for the passing steam trains. It’s lovely to see a train, station and Read more…
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If you’re looking for a Playground that combines open space, beautiful river views, adventure, movement, imaginative play and plenty of room for kids to explore, Mardalup Park in East Perth is well worth a visit. Located alongside the Swan River, close to Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge, this recently upgraded Playground offers a fantastic setting for a family outing. The park is surrounded by scenic views, walking paths and wide-open grassed areas, making it a great spot for kids to run around and burn off some energy. The upgraded play space has a lovely nature-inspired design, with timber-look structures, soft Read more…
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Dunnell Park is a great little neighbourhood Playground that really ticks the boxes for younger kids and families looking for a shaded, low‑mess place to play. Tucked within a residential area, it feels safe, contained and very family-friendly, making it a handy option for a quick play after school or a relaxed weekend visit. One of the standout features is the excellent shade. Large shade sails cover the main play structure, helping to keep equipment cool and protecting little ones from the harsh sun. The entire Playground sits on soft-fall rubber rather than sand, which is a big plus if Read more…
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Taarak Park in Allara Estate, Eglinton, is a much-loved local favourite for northern suburbs families, especially those with energetic kids who love to climb and explore. Set within a growing residential area, the park has a modern, vibrant feel and plenty of equipment to keep a mix of ages entertained, all wrapped around a striking central play tower. The star of the park is that tall play tower, which immediately grabs kids’ attention. It’s packed with fun elements such as bridges, tunnels, climbing nets and ropes, and the all-important slides that send children zooming back down to the ground. The Read more…
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Did you know that the May Drive Parklands located in Kings Park and Botanic Garden was the very first environmental playground and community area of its kind in Australia? Previously known as the Synergy Parklands, this fun spot with golf course green-worthy lawns, is still a BIG hit with families in Perth. The park is fondly known as “The Dinosaur Playground”, since it’s home to many climbable dinosaur sculptures. May Drive Parklands features a 75m-long elevated walkway, a two-tiered island fort, life sized replicas of dinosaurs and extinct Australian Fauna (like the giant croc!), a timber boardwalk and an interactive Read more…
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Located in the growing coastal suburb of Yanchep, around 47 minutes north of Perth, Viridis Park is a small, rope-focused playground that’s best suited for older kids who love to climb, swing, and test their balance. It’s not a main attraction on its own, but it makes a fun stop during a day out in Yanchep, especially for families doing a bike loop or casual drive through the area. Set right against a quiet residential street, the park is still road-adjacent, so keep an eye on younger children. The good news is, it has its own small designated parking area, Read more…
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Curtis Park in Girrawheen is a lovely, naturally shaded neighbourhood park tucked between Curtis Way and Hatfield Way, just off Marangaroo Drive. With its mix of play equipment, climbing challenges, scooter-friendly paths and unique, life-sized maths board games, it’s a great spot for kids to burn off energy and sneak in some learning at the same time. The main Playground is bright and inviting, with three different slides to suit a range of ages and confidence levels – a straight slide, a curved slide and a fun corkscrew slide. The structure is spread over several levels and linked by ladders Read more…
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Birdwood Square in the City of Vincent has had a major upgrade, transforming it into an inner-city gem for families. The new playground, nestled beside the parkour area, offers an exciting mix of activities for kids of all ages. The play space boasts swings (including a basket swing), slides, climbing nets, a flying fox, a rock wall, and a timber-and-rope bridge. Other fun features include a fire pole, monkey bars, steppers, and talk tubes to keep little adventurers engaged for hours. The shade sails provide excellent cover, making it a go-to spot even on sunny days. Parents will love the Read more…
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Now this is what we call a hidden gem! Sanctuary Park Playground in Ridgewood has officially become our favourite discovery of the week — and we’re already planning our return with friends and a pack of sausages for a BBQ catch-up! Located just 30 minutes north of Perth in a quiet suburb, this park is set on its own block with ample street parking all around. What immediately stood out? It’s fully shaded! Shade sails cover the entire play area — a total win for sunny days. There’s a little something for everyone here, making it ideal for kids of Read more…
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Cracknell Park in Rivervale is a compact neighbourhood park that makes the most of its beautiful riverside setting. Tucked along Riversdale Road, it combines upgraded play equipment with brilliant Swan River views, making it a lovely spot for families to stop, play and unwind. The main Playground area features a modern play structure with plenty to keep kids of different ages busy. There are monkey bars for little monkeys to test their strength, two slides including a smaller slide that’s great for younger children, and a tunnel slide that proves especially popular with older kids. A flying fox adds a Read more…
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Seldon Street Playground is located in a small park on Eton Street, North Perth. The street is fairly quiet, with plenty of roadside parking available. The playground area is fenced with two Maglock gates, and the equipment is surrounded by rubbery softfall. Shade sails cover most of the playground, with shady trees outside the fence helping to increase the shaded area. The main play structure features a tall twisty slide, ladders and a bridge to climb, as well as a rope web and two different sized climbing walls. At one end is a fireman pole, monkey bars and a flying Read more…
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Russell Square Playground features a free-standing birds-nest swing, two slides of different sizes, monkey bars, a balancing bridge, and a climbing. There is plenty to climb and bridges to run across,… as well as some grassed area next to the playground. The base is rubbery soft fall decorated with cute ladybugs. The playground isn’t fully fenced but it’s fenced enough to keep kids away from the busy Northbridge Streets. Based on the equipment, this playground would probably best suit toddlers and onwards. There isn’t a lot of shade over the playground. Depending on the time of day it may get Read more…
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Revolution Park -previously Kinkuna Adventure Playground, sits at the heart of Allara Estate in Eglinton, forming part of the broader Revolution Park precinct. It’s a big, modern “super park” that blends adventure play, nature play and a fantastic seasonal water play area, making it an easy full‑day outing for families in Perth’s northern suburbs. The main drawcard is the impressive timber fort in the centre of the park. A series of large wooden towers are linked by ladders, climbing ropes, tunnels and rope bridges, with two slides of different sizes shooting off the structure. There are climbing walls and rope Read more…
