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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Joseph Banks Gardens in Banksia Grove is a huge, nature-inspired park that offers something for every little adventurer. Whether you’re here for a morning play or making a full day of it with a stop at nearby Pitstop Playground, this spot is definitely worth your time—especially if your kids love space to run, ride, and climb. This park is spread over gentle hills and dips, with bike paths weaving throughout, so don’t forget the bikes or scooters! There are benches placed all around for resting or watching the kids, and shaded picnic tables for snack time. A water fountain is 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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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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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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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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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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Since the opening of Optus Stadium in 2018, the iconic Subiaco Oval, which originally opened in 1908, has undergone a remarkable transformation. Once a bustling hub for AFL games, it has now been reimagined into a vibrant community space. The Subiaco Oval area is a beautiful spot where families, sports lovers, and history enthusiasts can come together to relive old memories and create new ones. The newly revamped site offers a fantastic playground, perfect for younger children. The nature-based playground is fully sheltered and features a range of equipment, including seesaws, a shopfront, a cooking station, a small climbing structure, Read more…
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Enchantment Park in Indi Yanchep promises a truly enchanting experience for adventurous families. From the moment you arrive at the main arched entrance, it feels like stepping into a storybook world. Scan the first QR code, and you’re immediately transported into the Enchantment Park universe, complete with an interactive park book – perfect for families who love reading as much as exploring. The park is cleverly divided into themed zones, each offering unique experiences. In the Magic Meadow, little ones can run, jump, and play alongside Goran the gentle dragon. Fairy Cove is perfect for mini detectives, with hidden 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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Banks Reserve in Mount Lawley is a beautiful riverside park on Joel Terrace, right on the banks of the Swan River. The large, leafy reserve is built around magnificent mature trees, which provide plenty of natural shade and give the area a relaxed, bushy feel. It’s a popular spot for families looking for a Playground, open space and access to the river, all just minutes from the city. The standout feature of the Playground is the impressive treehouse. Built around one of the huge existing trees, it offers loads of climbing opportunities and a sense of adventure for confident kids. 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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The new Tomato Lake all-abilities playground has opened and it appears to be a big hit as it was very busy when we visited. The playground is in front between the cafe and the bbq picnic area. The bbq area has also been refreshed with new picnic tables. The playground has been designed to suit toddlers through to older kids, including those with disabilities. It is bright and colourful with soft fall base The playground features an inclusive seesaw, which is the only one of its kind in WA. There are a number of bench seats along the car park 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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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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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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Perth’s northern suburbs have a fun-tastic destination for outdoor play with the opening of Gumnut Park in Sinagra (July 2026). In my opinion, there’s not enough large playgrounds in this area, so this is a very welcome addition. This thoughtfully designed playground offers a wide variety of activities across a large, landscaped space, making it a fab choice for a family outing in the northern ‘burbs. The most striking feature of the park is the two massive play towers. These are fully enclosed and can be accessed in various ways, including stairs, ramps, and climbing walls, ensuring there is plenty Read more…


























