The Buggbuddys guide to parks with shade in Perth! The ultimate guide to the best playgrounds and parks with shade 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, skate are FREE!
Why visit a playground or park with shade?
Why not be Sun Smart? Perth can have some extreme temperatures, and experiences high UV rating regularly. In addition to sun hats and sunscreen, shaded parks protect delicate childhood skin on hot or high UV days. Parks with natural shade or shade sails are perfect for keeping children safer in these conditions.
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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FEATUREDThe Village East Playground at Whiteman Park is a bright, modern play space where toddlers can confidently explore while older children still find plenty of challenges. Shade sails cover much of the main structure, making it a comfortable spot to play even on sunny days. You’ll find the Playground in The Village at Whiteman Park, right across from the Village Cafe and immediately beside the Mini Water Playground, which operates during the warmer months (generally 10am–5pm – always check the Whiteman Park website for current seasonal dates and conditions). With toilets, BBQs and plenty of seating close by, it’s easy Read more…
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Tucked within the Sienna Wood estate in Haynes, Explorer Park is a brilliant all‑rounder park that keeps toddlers, tweens, teens and even adults happily busy. It combines a huge landmark climbing tower, nature play, all‑abilities equipment and serious sports facilities, making it a true destination Playground rather than just a quick stop. The star of the park is the striking “Tree of Life” tower – an 8‑metre high climbing structure with two enclosed tunnel slides spiralling down from different levels. Little adventurers can reach the lower slide via straightforward stairs, which makes that first big climb far less intimidating. To Read more…
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Ahoy sailors! Set within the Sienna Wood estate in Hilbert, Shipwreck Park is a fantastic nautical-themed destination Playground designed with families and inclusivity in mind. Located around 36km south-east of Perth, this big, bright, fully fenced space is ideal for toddlers through to tweens, with plenty to keep everyone busy for hours. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear the park has been thoughtfully planned for families. There’s a generous car park, unisex toilets and a parent room close by, and the entire Playground is fully fenced with multiple entry and exit points, including a push-button gate that’s perfect for 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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Amberton Beach Lighthouse Park located 20km North of Joondalup. The 5 million dollar foreshore playground features an 8.5 metre tall lighthouse with twisting tunnel slides, a ship play structure, sand play, a rope maze, and basketball court – the kids will never want to go home! The bright red and white lighthouse is the centerpiece of the playground, it is only suitable for confident climbers as climbing nets are the only way up! Saying that my fearless 3 year olds were able to climb to the top unassisted. There are two twisting tunnel slides coming off the lighthouse at different Read more…
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Situated in the Shorehaven Estate is Shorehaven Boulevard Playground – a lovely, partially fenced playground that is perfect for toddlers and preschoolers. Shorehaven Boulevard Playground features some play equipment we hadn’t come across before, and Miss 3 had a great time exploring. In the sand area, we found lots of colourful wood and plastic based play equipment. The lowest parts are made up of interconnected stations and feature some sensory play. One part has different knobs, balls and a spinning bullseye you can move around, and a cute owl on top that twirls. Another adjoining section was like a little Read more…
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Tucked into the Village precinct of Whiteman Park, Village West Playground is a fantastic, family-friendly play space that’s ideal for a full day out. The Playground sits just a short stroll (around 200 metres) from the Visitor Information Centre, with the closest parking in Car Park 6, though it’s easily reached from anywhere in the Village area of the park. The Playground is fully fenced, with a single entrance beside the picnic tables. This layout makes it easy to keep track of little ones, even when the Playground is busy. Almost the entire space is shaded by sails and mature Read more…
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Do your kids watch ninja warrior shows and tell you that they want to challenge one? Then you have to bring them down to Radiata Park at Aubin Grove to give them a taste of the ninja warrior-style obstacle course! Not only that, Radiata Park has a pump track, skate park, and even a toddler-friendly playground! This smallish pump track inside the park is great for beginners. The girls had no trouble looping around it with their bicycle and scooter. I like that the trees around it provided some shade onto the track. Next to it is a 3-3 basketball Read more…
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Anthony Waring Park in Clarkson is a brilliant all‑rounder for families needing to “just get everybody out of the house” – fur babies included. Set in a quiet pocket of Somerly, the park combines loads of open space, a much‑loved bike track and two separate play areas that suit both younger and older children, all framed by tall eucalypts that give the whole reserve a calm, bushy feel. Locals often head straight for the bike track, which loops through the trees and makes a fun circuit for confident riders. The surface is quite crumbly and well‑worn, which kids tend to Read more…
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Hobart Street Playground is situated on the corner of Hobart and Auckland Streets in North Perth. Being a small neighbourhood park it doesn’t have fancy play equipment, BBQs, picnic tables or toilets. What makes it popular with many families is that it is fully fenced and gated, has large shade sails over all the play equipment and had a large grassed area perfect for throwing down a picnic blanket or playing ball games. It is right across the road from the Hobart Deli which offers breakfast and lunch and takeaway coffee. There is no car park atHobart Street Playground but 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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Bathers Park at Alkimos Beach has fast become a real destination Playground in Perth’s north. Set on around 2.5 hectares at the ocean end of Leatherback Boulevard, this $2.8 million foreshore park combines big-ticket play equipment with a stunning coastal backdrop and plenty of space for the whole family to spread out and play. The hero of the park is the surf rescue-themed play tower that soars an impressive seven metres into the air. Kids can climb up via a broad staircase or tackle the more challenging rope “wormhole” to reach the higher decks. From the top platforms there are Read more…
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Hinckley Park in Hocking is one of those Playground-and-park combos that can easily fill an entire morning, especially if your kids are the kind who like to keep moving. Set across a big neighbourhood reserve, it’s been designed as a true “destination park” with multiple zones rather than just one main play structure. The standout is how much space there is to spread out, so it works just as well for a relaxed picnic as it does for a high-energy playdate. If you only remember one thing before you go, make it this: bring wheels. The children’s bike circuit is 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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Aviary Creek Park in Aveley is a standout destination Playground set within a beautiful green corridor of lakes and wetlands. Designed as a multi-generational community space, the park stretches around two interconnected lakes and offers a mix of adventurous play areas for kids, fitness and walking paths, and quieter “zen” zones for adults to relax by the water. Inspired by a nearby historic water mill, the centrepiece is a huge three-storey waterwheel climbing structure with bright blue and yellow tube slides that kids spot long before you pull up along Egerton Drive. The giant waterwheel is split across two climbing Read more…
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Grenville Reserve is a hidden gem of a park located in the heart of Tuart Hill. It is located on the corner of Stoneham and Hector Streets, behind Tuart College. This park features a playground that would suit children of various ages and skill levels. It has a toddler swing and a regular swing, two slides, a small flying fox, a 4-way rocker, and a handful of climbing and balancing challenges. Most of the playground is covered by shade sails. The only thing not covered is the rocker, so best to check if it’s hot before little ones jump on Read more…
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Tucked within Calleya Estate in Treeby, Allure North Park is a brilliant combo of junior BMX pump track and adventure Playground, making it a top spot for kids who love to ride, climb and explore. Located on Sapphire Drive, this community park is designed with active families in mind, with plenty to keep both confident riders and younger children entertained. The standout feature at Allure North Park is the junior BMX pump track. This smooth bitumen circuit is popular with BMX riders, kids on regular bikes, skateboarders and scooter riders. The track includes gentle rollers and curved walls that allow Read more…
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Cantwell Park in Pinjarra is a brilliant stop on a road trip to WA’s south west. The massive park is right in the heart of the town, on the banks of the Murray River. We usually grab some freshly baked treats from the yummy Pinjarra Bakery and eat them at the park. You may have passed Cantwell Park and not noticed, as you drove over the South West Highway bridge. Many mature trees provide lots of natural cover from the sun, with plenty of shade sails protecting the main playground. The park has a lot of big features – a Read more…
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I don’t know about you but I am hanging out for these summer days to arrive and take advantage of the long warm days! However, as a family, it can be hard to find a spot which ticks all the boxes for everyone, so look no further than this hidden little gem located in Mandurah. Named McLennan Park, it is a 15-minute car ride from Mandurah located in the suburb of Madora Bay, which also has the added bonus of having a bus stop right at the park if you will be arriving by public transport. Located one side of Read more…
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Shorehaven’s Treasure Island Adventure Playground in Alkimos is one of those rare parks where the theming is so good that it genuinely feels like you’ve stepped onto a storybook pirate island. Perched above the coast and looking out towards the Alkimos shipwreck, this large, ocean‑themed Playground combines big, exciting play equipment with an imaginative treasure hunt that keeps kids exploring long after they’ve tired themselves out on the slides. The star attraction is the deconstructed “shipwreck” play structure. Kids can scramble up the 8‑metre climbing frame, weave through rope nets and platforms, and then whoosh back down via a long 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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Found by the Mandurah Ocean Marina Keith Holmes Reserve is a popular spot for families in Mandurah. Whether you’re here for the day, or a local of this coastal town, it’s a leafy spot for a picnic or BBQ. Throw in the man-made Lido beach and the markets and cafes of Dolphin Quay, and you’ve got yourself a fun day out! Kids will love pretending to be a pirate in the boat play structure. I can imagine this would be great for a child’s pirate-themed birthday party. There’s also a small shady playground. There’s enough equipment to keep most Read more…
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Joe Saunders Park in Champion Lakes is a great place to take the kids with plenty on offer for all ages. Set amongst the backdrop of the very impressive purpose built/man-made lake and close to the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre – which hosts rowing, canoeing, dragon boating and triathlon events throughout the year. The playground itself is set on white sand with plenty of wooden structures including a great climbing fort with slides. swing setplay kitchenbalancing and climbing logs and rocksrope bridge and shade sails for warmer days. It does get hot and the UV seems to be high any time Read more…
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Heathcote Reserve in Applecross is one of Perth’s original “super Playgrounds” and it still feels like a proper day-out destination rather than just a quick local park stop. Perched high above the Swan River, it offers sweeping views across to the city skyline, big lawns for picnics and play, and loads of space for kids to burn energy while adults actually relax for a moment. Being part of the broader Goolugatup Heathcote cultural precinct means there’s more to explore here than “just” a Playground, so it’s a spot that works well for repeat visits and for impressing out-of-town visitors. The Read more…
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Birdwood Square in the City of Vincent has had a major upgrade, transforming it into an inner-city gem for families. The new playground, nestled beside the parkour area, offers an exciting mix of activities for kids of all ages. The play space boasts swings (including a basket swing), slides, climbing nets, a flying fox, a rock wall, and a timber-and-rope bridge. Other fun features include a fire pole, monkey bars, steppers, and talk tubes to keep little adventurers engaged for hours. The shade sails provide excellent cover, making it a go-to spot even on sunny days. Parents will love the Read more…
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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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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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Dayton Neighbourhood Park on Arthur Street is a brilliant community Playground that caters for a wide range of ages and abilities, making it a great option for families with mixed-age kids. Set back from the road with a large grassed area, it has plenty of space to play, run and relax. The main Playground is split across two primary structures. The first is geared more towards older or more confident children who love to climb. This structure is built around rope elements, with rope bridges and monkey bars encouraging kids to test their strength, balance and coordination. There’s a tunnel 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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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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Alston Park is tucked away in a relaxed, leafy pocket of Butler. This beautifully designed neighbourhood playspace combines nature-inspired aesthetics with plenty of fun for kids of all ages. As part of the City of Wanneroo’s 2019/2020 Playground Renewal Program, the park received a thoughtful upgrade that blends seamlessly into its tranquil, tree-lined surrounds, creating a welcoming community space for local families. The entire play area is set on sand, providing a soft, natural base that’s ideal for climbing and jumping. Shade sails cover much of the Playground, helping to keep the equipment cooler on warmer days, and there are Read more…
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Wanneroo Showgrounds Playground is a lovely little spot tucked inside the secure grounds of Wanneroo Showgrounds, making it a great option if you’ve got speedy little runners who like to explore. Accessed via Ariti Avenue, the Playground shares the space with the long-established skate park and community tennis courts, so there’s plenty here to keep a mix of ages entertained. The Playground itself is compact but engaging, with a fun green and purple colour scheme and equipment that suits younger children. Kids will love zooming down the curved slide, having a go on the swings or climbing aboard the rowboat Read more…
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The UFO-inspired Bob Gordon Reserve Play Space is out-of-this-world fun! The fully fenced playground features everything from UFOs, swings, flying foxes, slides, and water play to all the essentials like toilets, BBQs, picnic shelters, shade and ample parking. The main feature and the inspiration for the playground is the replica of the old Leach Highway Spaceship, Futuro House, which I’m sure parents and grandparents from the 70s and 80s will remember fondly! The new Futuro features a small slide, fireman pole and is fully wheelchair accessible. Inside, you’ll find control panels, speaking tubes, finger mazes, and alien noughts and crosses. Read more…
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If you’re looking for a peaceful playground surrounded by trees and birds singing, then playground at Ian Robbins Park is for you. Situated at the centre of the park is a great playground, which has recently been upgraded with new equipment and fresh white sand. This is covered with shade sails for much of day and has a few bench seats located close by. The play structure is suitable for toddlers and upwards, though young children may require some assistance with some of the equipment. This is a great playground for kids who love to climb. The top of the 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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Tucked into a cosy little dip in Alkimos Aura, Kaiser Park is the perfect hideaway for young families. When we stumbled across it 8 months ago, it didn’t even have a name. Now, it proudly sports its shiny nameplate—but trust us, it’s more than just a name. What sets Kaiser Park apart? For starters, the sand here is so clean you’d think it had been personally sifted by angels. If you’ve ever worried about where to let your crawler roam free, this sand is the game changer you didn’t know you needed. My almost one-year-old happily crawls around like a Read more…
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Langley Park Playground is an ideal playground if you’re visiting the city on a family day trip as it’s conveniently located in East Perth. The playground is suitable for kids age 3yrs plus (despite the sign saying 4yrs) and there are toilets directly next to the park. The park is covered with shade sails and is partially fenced. Bear in mind this playground is located on a main road and although it is fenced facing towards the road the other side of the park is open. The park appears to be split in two with play equipment more suited to Read more…
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The Busselton Foreshore Toddler Playground is a charming, low-key play space designed especially for little ones right on the Busselton Jetty foreshore. Tucked on the opposite side of the Busselton Foreshore Adventure “Sea Play on the Bay” Playground, is perfectly placed for families to enjoy a relaxed play with beautiful ocean views and easy access to cafés and the jetty precinct. This is a sand-based nature Playground with shade sails over parts of the play area, making it more comfortable on warm days. Soft sand underfoot invites barefoot play, digging and pottering, while the surrounding grassy areas are ideal for Read more…
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Just around the corner from the Alexander Heights IGA, is Lemongrass Park, a lovely shaded playground with traditional equipment and some nature play elements. One of the main features that caught our eye was the rope equipment. The curved slide has a rope web to climb up instead of stairs, and there are various rope webs or swinging ropes with a balancing rope below to cross. Miss 3 enjoyed having a go on all of these. Attached the rope structure is a small rock climbing wall, shaped like a sail, to go up and over. Nearby in the sandpit is Read more…
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Set right on the Scarborough foreshore, Whale Playground is one of those parks where you can easily spend hours while the kids disappear into imaginative play. Inspired by Noongar culture and the form of a blue whale skeleton, this $1.4 million Lotterywest‑funded Playground is a real hero of the Scarborough Reserve redevelopment and a must‑do on a family day at the beach. The centrepiece is the giant whale structure. Little ones usually start at the whale’s head, which doubles as a small concrete slide – it’s perfectly sized for toddlers and younger children, but it is quite fast, so a Read more…
