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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Shirley Strickland Reserve in Ardross is a fantastic family-friendly spot that combines a nature-inspired Playground with a large, dog-friendly sporting reserve. The space brings together a Sport and Community Pavilion, fitness equipment and a shared walking and cycling path around the ovals, making it a great destination for active kids and parents alike. The hero of the Playground is the huge multilevel wooden climbing structure, topped with a bright lime green slide that kids spot as soon as they arrive. Confident climbers can head up via various ladders and climbing elements, then race each other across the bridge before zooming 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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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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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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Tuckfield Oval is a brilliant spot for families looking for a Playground with a view. Perched high above the Swan River and Fremantle’s busy port, this hillside park in East Fremantle combines big climbing challenges with natural play elements and wide‑open grass – plus you’re just a short stroll from the famous rainbow shipping containers and the George Street café strip. The main drawcard is the huge rope climbing structure, which immediately appeals to confident climbers and school‑aged kids. It’s the kind of piece that invites them to scramble, hang, balance and test their limits, and the elevated position means 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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The $ 6.7 million Youth Entertainment Space (YES) at Sutherlands Park in Huntingdale, and it has quickly become one of the top hotspots for local teens to hang out! This state-of-the-art facility that’s fully sheltered (the first of its kind in Perth Metro area!) is designed closely with local young people to ensure the space is inclusive and inviting, and is the perfect one-stop recreational hub for everyone in the community to enjoy all year round! What we love: Vibrant urban play area with hangout zone that features social swings and platform seatings. Challenging climbing walls and a huge roll-runner 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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Little train lovers can now enjoy a train-themed all-abilities playground at Gosnells Oval that comes with its own train station, locomotives and the resemblance of a railway roundhouse! Located on the eastern side of the Gosnells Oval’s ground at Stalker Road, this steam train-themed playground pays homage to Gosnell’s history and heritage and complements the railway that runs in close proximity (you can also find the Gosnells Railway Markets nearby). Being one of the 10 new All-Abilities playgrounds that the City of Gosnells has committed to delivering to the local community to make play more accessible, children are sure to 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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Meadow Springs Quarry Adventure Park is one of those parks that looks fairly “normal” from the street… until you start walking. What begins as a leafy, family-friendly reserve quickly reveals its real personality: an adventure Playground built into the levels of an old quarry, with play spaces that tumble down the slope and keep confident climbers busy for ages. Up top, the park feels like a classic picnic-and-play setup, with wide lawns, plenty of trees, and a Playground that suits younger kids well. This is where you’ll find the more traditional equipment and a separate toddler-friendly play space mentioned, making Read more…
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Gibbon Park, Mosman Park Gibbon Park is the latest nature playground in Mosman Park. This park includes a mix of nature play elements and traditional play equipment that’s sure to satisfy active children! On arriving Miss 6 raced straight for the traditional play equipment first. What kid can resist a slide? This part of the playground is covered with shade sails, has a soft fall rubber base and is surrounded by grass. Great if you’re not a fan of sand. This playground appears to have been installed in 2012. It features climbing ropes, climbing walls, a tunnel and slide, Read more…
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Perth is now home to an epic new seven‑kilometre “Long Park” that runs beneath the elevated Metronet Armadale train line from Carlisle Station through to Beckenham. What was once an underused corridor has been transformed into 14 vibrant community spaces, linking four new Playgrounds, a nature play area, youth plazas, skate and scooter zones, fitness equipment, courts, dog parks, BBQ spots and picnic areas, all connected by walking and cycling paths and Perth’s longest public art trail. It’s a brilliant spot for families to explore in stages or tackle in one big adventure, and it feels like something new to 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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The City of Gosnells has unveiled its latest inclusive play space at Sutherlands Park in Huntingdale. This exciting development marks the first completed project of the Sutherlands Park Master Plan, with a Youth Entertainment Space still to come. The playground is one of ten all-abilities playgrounds being developed by the City of Gosnells to create more inclusive play spaces throughout the community. This thoughtfully designed, fully-fenced playground features an array of accessible equipment including trampolines, swings, a carousel, and charming pretend play areas complete with a shopfront and petrol kiosk. Built on soft-fall rubber surfacing, the playground offers generous spacing Read more…
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Claughton Reserve in Bayswater is a gorgeous riverside park tucked away at the bottom of Katanning Street, right on the banks of the Swan River. This reserve combines a fun nature play space, a whimsical fairy trail and wide open green spaces, making it a lovely destination for families with kids of all ages. The Playground at Claughton Reserve has been designed to feel adventurous while still being accessible for younger children. Built largely from logs and ropes with a woodchip base, it offers plenty of climbing, balancing and imaginative play without the worry of sand-filled shoes on the way Read more…
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Calista Bike Skills Track Playground is a brilliant spot for scooter and bike-mad kids, purpose-built to help little riders learn road rules in a fun, low-stress way. Opened in 2023 and set amongst shady trees at Calista Oval, the track sits right next to Kwinana Adventure Playground and The Edge Skate Park, making this area a fantastic all-day destination for families. The bike skills track is laid out like a mini road network with smooth flat paths. Kids can follow roundabouts, negotiate speed bumps, stop at traffic lights and stop signs, and practise giving way at pedestrian crossings. There are Read more…
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Nestled within the beautifully revitalised Elizabeth Baillie Park in East Victoria Park, the Mildred Creak Playground is fast becoming one of Perth’s most beloved family destinations. Named in honour of Mildred Creak — a pioneering child psychiatrist whose groundbreaking work helped shape early diagnostic criteria for autism — this Playground has been thoughtfully designed with inclusivity, creativity and community at its heart. It offers a genuinely welcoming space where children of all abilities can come together to play, explore and connect. The Playground sits at the centre of the park’s impressive $8.1 million transformation, which was delivered by the Town Read more…
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Mills Park in Beckenham has long been a favourite with Perth families, and the newer all-abilities Playground has made it an even better spot for kids of all ages and needs. Tucked beside the BBQs and grassed picnic areas and only a short stroll from the main nature play space and skate plaza, this fenced Playground is a great “base camp” for families who want a safer, more contained area without missing out on all the action. The all-abilities Playground is fully fenced and double gated, which is especially reassuring for families with toddlers, runners or children who need a 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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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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John Oldham Park is one of those Perth spots that surprises you every time you visit. Hidden between the freeway and the Swan River off Mounts Bay Road, it feels a world away from the city traffic just metres above. Once you’ve pulled into the small paid car park and wandered over the footbridge, you’re suddenly surrounded by tall trees, birdsong and water views – it’s a real little bush escape on the edge of the CBD. The main Playground sits right by the bridge and is ideal for a relaxed play while you set up a picnic. The equipment Read more…
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Tucked away in a quiet pocket of Bassendean, Palmerston Square Playground is a charming neighbourhood park that’s been transformed with beautiful wooden play equipment and loads of natural charm. Surrounded by a lovely green outlook and shaded by a mix of new plantings and established trees, it’s the kind of local Playground that invites you to linger while the kids explore. The main play area is set on wood chips and has been thoughtfully designed with different zones for active and imaginative play. Kids can test their balance on low balancing logs, a wobbly balancing log and a timber balancing 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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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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Tucked within Princess Wallington Reserve, Bina Parkland is a vibrant neighbourhood Playground that offers a good mix of traditional equipment and nature play, with plenty to keep energetic kids busy. The space feels open and welcoming, with large mature trees providing natural shade and the play elements spread out so families don’t feel crowded. The main drawcard is the impressive rope climbing structure. Rope ladders lead up to a series of birds nest pods at different heights, connected by ladders and a rope bridge that feeds onto a slide. Confident climbers will love scrambling up high and testing their balance, 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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If you’ve ducked into Woolies at the Banksia Grove Shopping Centre recently, you’ll have probably noticed a new play area near the entrance. The bright and colourful play space has something to amuse most kids. The first thing we noticed was the slide. The ladder for this is built inside what looks like colourful metal crates. There is a rope net in the bottom and mid-level to climb over to get to the ladder. Littler children may need some assistance to climb up, as we found Miss 3.5 did. Our friend’s 12 year old daughter helped her and made sure Read more…
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Whitfords Nodes Ninja Warrior Course is a brilliant spot for active kids, teens and adults who love a challenge. Set within the Whitfords Nodes Health and Wellbeing Hub in Hillarys, this coastal park combines a serious ninja-style obstacle course with running tracks, outdoor gym equipment, Playgrounds and beach access, making it easy to turn a quick play into a full family day out. The ninja course itself feels like stepping onto the set of an obstacle TV show. You’ll spot familiar elements like the quintuple steps right at the starting line, followed by obstacles such as the spin cycle, cargo 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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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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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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Ashfield Reserve Play Space Ashfield Reserve Play Space in Perth’s eastern suburbs is a hidden gem. Sharing the parkland with Ashfield Oval, this spot has something for all ages. We dropped in for a play during school holidays to burn off some energy. This was a great spot for it, too! Miss 5 enjoyed that there is lots to climb at Ashfield Reserve Play Space. This playground is packed with climbing ropes, climbing walls and ladders. The rope web was a particular favourite. The playground also features a curly slide and two regular slides, a wobbly bridge, and a 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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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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We all know shopping with kids isn’t easy, but the kids will be begging to go to Mandurah Forum’s beach-inspired playground! The state-of-the-art playground is part of the $350 million redevelopment, completed in March 2018 the two fully enclosed play areas are the perfect place to take a break while the kids burn off some energy. The main feature is an 8-metre high climbing structure in the shape of a cray pot with internal climbing nets and two twisting tunnel slides, it is great for adventurous kids who are confident climbers. Dotted on the softfall are different sea creatures to Read more…
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Harbour View Park in Hillarys is a lovely local Playground that’s especially suited to toddlers and young children, with the bonus of exercise facilities for adults and free community tennis courts alongside. Tucked within the quiet suburban streets, it’s an easy park to visit for a quick play, a longer hang-out with friends, or a scooter ride around the surrounding paths. The main play area is boat-themed, which is always a winner with little ones who love to pretend they’re the captain at sea. The compact climbing frame includes small ladders that are easy for younger children to manage, a Read more…
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Leisure Park Playground near Yanchep Lagoon is a fantastic spot for families who enjoy a relaxed, coastal day out with plenty of play opportunities. It’s easy to combine a visit with a swim at the lagoon or a beach walk, making it well worth the drive for a full family day trip. The Playground itself has a laid-back, open layout that feels welcoming while still offering lots to do. It is not fenced, so you’ll need to keep a close eye on younger children, especially with nearby roads and the general openness of the area. Shade sails cover sections of 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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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…
