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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FEATUREDPia’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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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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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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Treetop Park is a gorgeous neighbourhood Playground tucked away amongst the trees in the Bushmead estate, in Perth’s foothills. Opened in late 2023, this compact but thoughtfully designed park is perfect for kids who love to climb, explore and feel like they’re playing up in the canopy. Set amongst mature trees, it has a lovely natural feel and plenty of shade, making it a great spot for a relaxed playdate or a low-key weekend adventure. The hero of the Playground is the impressive 6‑metre timber tower, complete with bridge walk and enclosed tube slide, designed to give kids the thrill 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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We have been excitedly watching the brand new Halesworth Park in Butler near completion for weeks and today we finally got the chance to explore this brilliant new addition to Perth’s far northern suburbs! Halesworth Park is a family-friendly spot for all kinds of activities. With 2 huge multi-sports ovals, netball and tennis courts, a dual-use footpath and more, Halesworth Park is the perfect place for your next family outing. The Halesworth Park playground is shaded and features lots of nature play, including logs for climbing, teepees for adventures and a water feature. There is also a table tennis table, 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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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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Tucked away in the heart of old Baldivis, Peckham Boulevard Playground is a lovely little surprise for families. While the play space itself is fairly small, it’s been very thoughtfully designed, with varied equipment and a fantastic, open grassed area that’s perfect for energetic kids. The Playground is built over two terraced levels, which adds a fun sense of exploration. In the upper play area you’ll find a fantastic double cubby house structure, linked by a rope bridge that’s ideal for little climbers building confidence and balance. Ladders on either side provide different ways to access the cubbies, and nearby Read more…
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Leafy Somerly Park in the northern suburb of Clarkson features a bright playground suitable for kids of all ages, including traditional play equipment mixed with some sensory play. On arriving and walking down the path and under a tall gazebo to the playground, the first things to grab Miss 4’s attention was the musical play equipment. A board with different shapes to drum on and chiming pipes of different heights and pitch stand at one end along with two spring rockers and a spinning toy. From here, she began exploring the main play structure, starting with the rubber swinging platforms. Read more…
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Tucked away in Trinity Estate, Alkimos, Fontana Park is a compact yet exciting neighbourhood Playground that’s perfect for a quick play or a relaxed picnic stop. It has a modern coastal feel and rewards families who seek it out with a mix of fun equipment and lovely views from the higher level of the park. The standout feature is the big log swing, which is wide enough for multiple kids to share and tends to be the first thing they run to. Nearby, a rock climbing wall leads adventurous kids up to an impressive slide. The slide is fast and Read more…
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Pioneer Park in Gosnells is one of those parks that feels like a little “secret” the first time you visit. It sits close to the Canning River and, because much of the play and picnic area is tucked below street level, you can arrive nearby and still not immediately see the hub of activity. That hidden-away feeling is part of the charm, and it makes the park feel calmer and more sheltered than you’d expect so close to the town centre. One of the standout features here is the approach. Centennial Pioneer Park has an extensive pathway network and a Read more…
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The Esplanade Playground in Fremantle is a much-loved family stop, perfectly positioned on Marine Terrace opposite the Esplanade Hotel and only a short stroll from Fishing Boat Harbour and the Cappuccino Strip. Set within Esplanade Park’s sweeping lawns and towering Norfolk Island pines, it’s an easy place to base yourself for a few hours in Freo – kids can burn off energy while parents relax in the shade or grab a takeaway coffee nearby. The Playground sits in the middle of Esplanade Park, a large public reserve that’s also home to the Esplanade Youth Plaza skate park and the Fremantle Read more…
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Fee fi fo fum… a giant-themed adventure awaits families at Giant Park in Bushmead. Tucked away in the leafy foothills just minutes from Midland and Kalamunda, this neighbourhood Playground packs in loads of imaginative play, climbing challenges and open space for kids to burn off energy. The first thing little ones will notice is the playful giant theme woven through the park. Kids can go on a “giant hunt”, spotting oversized footprints, noses, eyes, toes and other body parts cleverly hidden around the space. It’s a fun prompt for imaginative games and storytelling, and makes the park feel a bit 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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Tucked into the Saw Avenue Picnic Area on the Subiaco side of Kings Park, Variety Place Playground is a brilliant all-ages nature Playground where kids can climb, balance, crawl and explore for hours. The space has been redeveloped with the support of Variety WA and the Botanic Gardens and Parks Authority, with a strong focus on nature play and inclusive design so that children of all abilities can play side by side. Set amongst mature trees and open lawns, it’s a fantastic spot to let the kids burn off energy before enjoying a relaxed family picnic. The Playground is packed 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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South Beach Playground in South Fremantle is a brilliant spot for little pirates to run wild, with the bonus of being right on one of Perth’s most family‑friendly beaches. Set on the foreshore of South Beach Reserve, the Playground combines a fun, boat‑themed play space with a huge grassed area, barbecues and easy access to the sand and cafe, making it an easy full‑morning or full‑day outing for families. The main drawcard is the large pirate‑style boat structure. Kids can clamber up to the “deck”, scale ladders and platforms, and take on the role of captain as they climb the Read more…
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Located just around Harrisdale Nature Reserve, Harrisdale Green Sensory Park is the all-new interactive sensory park for children of all abilities at the new Harrisdale Green Estate. When we first drove past, this cute playground caught our attention with its vibrant colours. The scale of this playground is smallish and more suited for younger toddlers. Older kids might find that there is limited play equipment for them here, but don’t worry, there is another bigger playground located at Green Link Park, which is just a few minutes walk away. The highlight of this playground has to be the sensory play Read more…
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Noah’s Playground in South Guildford is a standout neighbourhood park set within the leafy Rosehill Waters estate, just a few minutes from historic Guildford and the Swan Valley. Inspired by the story of Noah’s Ark, it blends imaginative animal-themed details with big, adventurous structures, making it especially appealing for school-aged kids while still offering plenty for confident toddlers and preschoolers. Planes regularly flying overhead add an extra bit of excitement for little plane spotters, and the estate’s peaceful, green setting gives the whole visit a relaxed, “weekend away” feel even though you’re only about 15 minutes from the CBD. The Read more…
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Honeycomb Park in Brabham is a buzzing community Playground that lives up to its name. Tucked within Peet’s Brabham Estate, not far from the Swan Valley and just around the corner from the much-loved Jungle Park, this 1.4 hectare green space is packed with play opportunities for kids of all ages, plus plenty to keep parents comfortable too. The first thing you notice is the huge yellow and black honeycomb tower rising out of the park. The bespoke honeycomb play structure is designed for confident climbers, roughly 4 years and up, with ladders and platforms leading kids up through Read more…
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Karragarup Play Space in Australind is a brilliant family stop-off on the drive down south, and a destination in its own right if you’re holidaying in the Harvey Region. Located on the Ridley Place Foreshore, the Playground overlooks the calm waters of the Leschenault Estuary and has a distinctly coastal Australian feel, celebrating its setting and local Noongar culture. “Karragarup” comes from the local Wardandi Noongar language and means “place of the crabs”, a nod to the bay’s famed blue swimmer crab population, and that theme runs strongly throughout the play space. The hero of the Playground is the enormous Read more…
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Maniana Park is a huge destination Playground in Queens Park, perfect for hours of family fun. You’ll find it on the corner of Whitlock and Gibbs Streets, tucked behind the Sam Kerr Soccer Stadium. Playground highlights A large main play structure with three slides, varied climbing challenges, multi-level platforms, and a bridge connecting zones. Underneath, kids will love the cute role-play café. A great mix of nature play, water play, swings, monkey bars and climbing equipment—something for all ages. A dedicated toddler zone with a small slide and crawl tunnel. Nature play elements including a teepee, balancing and climbing rocks, Read more…
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Bayswater Riverside Gardens is a much‑loved riverside Playground and parkland that’s especially perfect for toddlers and young children. Stretching along both Milne Street and King William Street in Bayswater, it combines a fully fenced play space with big open lawns, river views and easy paths, making it a spot where families can comfortably spend a whole morning or afternoon. The Playground itself is designed with little ones in mind. It’s fully fenced and gated, with rubber soft fall underfoot and shade sails overhead in the warmer months, giving parents a bit more peace of mind. Inside the fence you’ll find Read more…
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Tucked between Mulberry Way and Viridian Boulevard in Eglinton, about 38 minutes north of Perth, Viridian Park is a vibrant, family-friendly space that’s worth discovering. While the park is officially signed as Viridian Park, it shows up on maps as Mulberry Park — so keep that in mind when navigating there. This elevated park offers partial ocean views and a glimpse of the iconic lighthouse from the nearby Amberton Beach Lighthouse Park. It’s an ideal spot for relaxed weekends, casual meet-ups, or energetic family catch-ups. The playground is compact yet engaging. It features a rope climbing structure that leads up Read more…
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Did you know that there’s a nature play area in the Perth foothills suburb of Bushmead. While it’s much smaller than the estate’s “Giant Park”, the simple Ridge Hill Green Nature Playground can provide plenty of entertainment for children that love to be in the great outdoors and love to climb. The beautifully made timber play structure features a double slide – perfect for kids to race siblings or friends. Image: Bushmead Estate Very small children may have trouble reaching this, as there’s a flat net to climb to get to it, as well as big logs to climb. On Read more…
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Need to do groceries? Kids need a play? Combine them both at Forrestfield Forum. The Junction is the new community space at Forrestfield Forum and includes a nature playground and alfresco area. The play area is under shade sale and partly fenced along the side that is close to the car park. The whole area is on soft fall rubber. There are benches around the area. There are a number of play areas including balancing logs, climbing frame and a fort with fireman’s pole and slide. There is also a bouncy rabbit and a spinning top. You could grab a Read more…
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Alkimos Beach has a thrilling new addition—the Leatherback Plaza Ninja Warrior Course, the third of its kind in Western Australia! Located right next to the Leatherback Pavilion, this obstacle course is designed for teens and adults (ages 12 and up) looking to test their agility, strength, and speed in a fun and challenging way. The course kicks off with the classic Quintuple Steps, challenging your coordination right from the start. Next, you navigate the Rock Hop, requiring balance and precision, before tackling the Inside Out Bars, a true test of upper body strength. From there, you climb an elevated cargo Read more…
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Willespie Park is a great little playground located in Pearsall, the playground isn’t fenced but is situated away from any roads. Willespie Park includes a good sized playground with equipment to suit a range of children. Unfortunately, the playground isn’t shaded so bring along sunscreen and a hat. The play equipment includes a tall corkscrew slide, a smaller wavy slide, noughts and crosses, a coloured ball Abacus, crawling tunnel, monkey bars, flying fox, balancing beam, ladders and a wooden bridge. Rubber softfall flooring is around the playground, perfect for any little falls and means no sand in shoes! There is 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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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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At our weekly shop on Saturday we were very excited to see that Floreat Forum shopping centre has just opened a new playground in the outdoor area by the cafes/restaurants. Previously there had just been a couple of small things for toddlers to play on but now there is a proper playground complete with shade sails. Features of Floreat Forum playground include a little ‘café’ with a table and chairs and a counter, complete with prices on a board at the front. There are a couple of noughts and crosses games build in and the playground comes with a wobbly Read more…
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Lake Treeby Adventure Playground has settled in as one of the go-to adventure Playgrounds south of the river. Set in the scenic suburb of Treeby, it offers a mix of nature play, big climbing structures and lakeside paths the whole family can enjoy. Parking is available along Torwood Avenue. As the name suggests, this playground is situated beside a beautiful man made lake and surrounded by large shady trees which are perfect as we enter the warmer months! The playground has many exciting areas, there are two slides, one tall slide for the big kids and a smaller slide 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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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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Maylands Waterland is WA’s premier outdoor water playground, beautifully situated on the Maylands Peninsula overlooking the Swan River. This FREE family-friendly facility operates seasonally from September until April, with water features running daily from 9am to 5pm. The park features a water feature stream flowing into a variable depth splash pool, nature playgrounds, and extensive grassed areas perfect for picnics. Facilities include free accessible BBQs, picnic shelters, toilet and shower amenities, and a dedicated party space with kitchenette available for hire. While the water features are seasonal, the parklands, playground, BBQs, toilets, and picnic areas remain open year-round during daylight Read more…
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Marri Park is a great little spot to take the kids to burn off some extra energy. This park is also dog-friendly, so you could even bring your fur baby along. There is a large grass oval with soccer goals at the top end of the park, so don’t forget your ball for a kick around. There are footpaths that run around the outside, as well as through the middle of the playground. Miss 4 loved riding her bike around with her friends. One thing I do appreciate when going to a park, is having toilets available. Nothing worse than 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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Perched high above the Indian Ocean at the western end of Reflection Boulevard, Eden Beach Lookout and Play Space in Jindalee is made for older kids who love to move. This modern coastal park combines parkour-style equipment, scooter and skate ramps, and a half basketball court with sweeping ocean views, making it a brilliant spot for active families to hang out, especially later in the day when the sun begins to set. The heart of the space is the concrete scooter and skate area. Here you’ll find low and medium ramps and banks that are perfect for scooters, skateboards and 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…
