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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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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JH Abrahams Reserve in Crawley is a beautiful, riverside Playground and picnic spot that’s ideal for families looking to spend a few relaxed hours outdoors. Overlooking the Swan River and close to Matilda Bay, it combines a shaded play area, big grassy spaces and great facilities, making it an easy option for a play, ride and picnic. Shaded with sail shades and tall mature trees, this playground is on a woodchip play area. Children of all ages can enjoy climbing on the main wooden climbing structure. With different climbing elements on it, even the little ones can find it easy Read more…
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Tucked within Ariella Estate in Brabham, Ariella Adventure Park is a fantastic destination for kids who love to climb, explore and play outdoors. The star of the park is the bright dragonfly-themed play structure, which instantly grabs little ones’ attention as you arrive. The dragonfly’s body is made up of two large rope climbing frames joined by a bridge, leading to a tall enclosed slide that offers a good, speedy ride down. Confident climbers will love making their way right up to the top, traversing across the ropes and then racing each other down the slide again and again. Around Read more…
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Calling all parkour lovers of all ages, this park is for you! The Scramble, located at Omodeo Vista, Hammond Park, features a variety of parkour-style climbing equipment for your ultimate parkour challenge! Parkour is a kind of activity or sport that requires you to move quickly through an environment from Point A to B by running, jumping, climbing, and rolling. This parkour obstacle course consists of multiple climbing blocks, stairs, balance beams, and pull-up bars of various heights. Missy 9 and Missy 6 could quite easily get up on them and try out different manoeuvres, like walking on the beams 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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Lincoln Road Reserve in Forrestfield is a great little neighbourhood park that’s well set up for active kids. The reserve combines traditional play equipment with nature play, a ninja-style obstacle course and a double flying fox, all beside a large open grassed area that’s perfect for running and ball games. The double flying fox is a big highlight for many families. One of the lines has a supportive seat with a harness, which is ideal for younger children or those who need a bit of extra security, while the other has a disc-style seat for more confident riders. The cable 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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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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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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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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Brown Park is a grassy park with shady trees and a playground covered by shade sails set among the leafy streets of Mosman Park. It’s a spot that’s sure to have something to appeal to everyone. The main play structure has lots to offer, with monkey bars, two slides of different sizes and a tunnel to crawl through. There’s a steering wheel and two different climbing walls. One plastic, one wooden. One of Miss almost three’s favourite parts was the wobbly wooden bridge. Smaller children will need to hold on to the ropes to get across, which adds to the Read more…
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Looking for a fresh spot to burn off energy with the kiddos? We checked out the new $9 million Duncraig Adventure Hub at Percy Doyle Reserve with Miss 9 and Master 11, and it’s a big hit! This vibrant community space sits right next to the Duncraig Library, making it ideal for a play-and-library combo. The mega playground has two distinct zones Sensory Monsters Playground and The Lotterywest Bike and Skate Hubs. The brightly coloured Sensory Monsters Playground adds an inclusive touch, offering textures, so many climbing elements and imaginative play for younger kids and sensory seekers. There’s a few Read more…
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Grado Park is one of those local parks that doesn’t try to be flashy, but once you’ve experienced it, you’ll keep coming back. Nestled on the corner of Piazza Link and Grado Way, this hilltop park offers a peaceful, nature-rich space that’s ideal for families with older kids, sunset chasers, and anyone needing a breather from the daily grind. The park is built around a natural rise, and while it’s not a steep mountain, you’ll definitely feel the gentle uphill walk, whether you choose the ramps or stone stairs, it adds a little adventure to the visit. Natural mulch, mature 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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At the new Clementine Estate, in Upper Swan, there’s a new playground to explore. It’s worth a little look, if you happen to be near the northern end of the Swan Valley. Found on Citrus Road, the small but mighty playground is decked out in vibrant citrus colours. There’s a huge lush lawn too, to run about, kick a ball and even take a roll down the hilly embankment. The wood chipped based play area has a distinct nature play feel, with the majority of the equipment being climbing orientated. There’s stepping logs, colourful climbing walls, as well as giant Read more…
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Stretton Way Reserve, situated behind Kenwick Village and is one of the shadiest parks I have seen. Shade sails cover the climbing equipment as well as the BBQ area making it good for summer outings. The play equipment has an excellent variety of play equipment including three slides, monkey bars, balancing equipment, various levels of climbing structures, and a basketball hoop. The BBQ area has picnic tables and seats to go with the two free BBQs. It is very well shaded and sits alongside a grassed area perfect for kicking a ball or playing cricket. Unfortunately, there are no toilets 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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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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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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Tucked into the north‑west corner of Leatherback Oval in Alkimos Beach, the Bike Safety Course is a fantastic little spot for kids to learn road rules in a fun, low‑pressure way. Designed as a miniature version of Perth’s streets, it’s perfect for children on bikes, balance bikes, trikes or scooters, and especially handy for kids who are just getting confident to ride beyond the backyard. The course is laid out as a realistic road network with a two‑way path, zebra crossings, roundabouts and plenty of signs, including Stop and Give Way, just like they’ll see on real roads. There are 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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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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Jubilee Reserve, Eden Hill Jubilee Reserve is a multi-use reserve with a great playground located in Eden Hill. With play equipment suitable for toddlers to tweens, this shaded, sand-free playground is sure to be a hit. On arrival, Miss 4.5 bolted straight for the climbing ropes. A large arched climbing structure with rope ladders, a climbing wall and rubbery platforms with a huge winner with my Miss and a 7 year old girl. A metal ladder also runs up the side of this structure, connecting it to a second climbing structure. This second structure features swinging ropes, a rope web, and 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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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…
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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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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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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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Heading to Collie to checkout the AMAZING Wellington Dam wall mural? Well, you may also find yourself in the town itself, looking for a bite to eat, or place for the kids to play. Collie’s Central Park and Water Play Space is a fab spot for children to roam and explore the many mini blue hills and bumps. The playground features both soft fall and nature play areas – packing a lot into a relatively small area. There are spinners, rope bridges, a nest swing, and more, with much of the equipment found under shade sails. And there’s also this Read more…
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If you’ve explored your fair share of shopping centre playgrounds, you’ll know they can often feel a little repetitive. Ocean Keys Shopping Centre in Clarkson has taken a completely different approach — creating a space that is intentional, inclusive and genuinely engaging for children and their caregivers. This isn’t just somewhere to pass the time. It’s a place where children can move, explore, regulate and connect — and where parents and caregivers can actually enjoy the experience too. Inspired by WA’s Coastline The design is one of the first things that stands out. Inspired by the Western Australian coastline and Read more…
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Hillcrest Park in Bayswater is a great spot for families looking for a fresh, non-sand Playground with loads of space to run and play. Set along Coode Street between the Jamison-Frame Pavilion and the cricket practice nets, the newer Playground sits on the edge of the oval and is an easy after-school stop if you’re coming from Hillcrest Primary nearby. One of the first things families will appreciate is that the main play area is not sand based, which is ideal if you’re not keen on taking half the park home in your car. The main multi-level climbing structure offers 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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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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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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Avondale Park in Mindarie is one of those quietly excellent Playgrounds that’s been doing its job well for years. It may not be the flashiest or most high-tech play space, but if you value shade, space, and practical family-friendly design, this park definitely deserves a spot on your list. Located in a coastal suburb, Avondale Park is easy to combine with a bigger day out. You can start with a play at the park, then head to the nearby beach, or finish off with a coffee or meal at Sistas Mindarie at the Mindarie Marina, just a few minutes’ drive 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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Carlindie Park is a fairly new park snuggled in between Glenburg Drive and Carlindie Parkway, Golden Bay. There are plenty of open spaces and nature for your little ones to discover. It is the perfect after school hangout for kids! There are two undercover seating areas with one containing a free use BBQ. Artistically designed play features include: Swing Seesaw Balancing boards For the sports fan there are AFL goals to practice your kicking and a half basketball court. For those who love to ride their bike or scooter, there is plenty of paving all around the park to have 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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Strive Park, Girrawheen Strive Park is a small park located in the Blackmore Park Estate, in Girrawheen. The playground here features nature play elements, some traditional play elements, and a bike and scooter track. It’s sure to be a hit with the kids! Miss 6 loved the traditional part of the playground first. She headed straight for the swings and climbing equipment. There are three swings available. Two regular swings and a birds nest swing. Adjacent to the swing are wooden climbing poles with foot hold pegs. These are quite tall and great for kids who enjoy climbing. On 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…
