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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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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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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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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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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My kids think the Catalina Beach Park in Mindarie is AWESOME! The first thing the kids did when we arrived was climb to the top of the 8-metre tall tower, before racing down ‘the steepest slide they have ever seen’! As they raced down one by one they let out terrifying screams… then immediately raced back to the top to go down again and again! The climb to the top of the tower is an easy and safe climb for confident kids. To reach the first platform there is a steel or rope ladder. On this level there is a Read more…
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Don’t let the size fool you—Jack Barlow Park may be on the smaller side, but it still packs in plenty to keep the kids happy. This is the kind of easy, no-fuss local park that works well for a casual play, a quick stop with the kids, or a laid-back catch-up with friends while little ones burn off some energy. One of the best things about Jack Barlow Park is its compact layout. Everything is close together, so it’s especially handy if you’ve got younger children and want to keep them within easy sight without having to follow them from Read more…
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Calleya Grandis Playground in Treeby is an exciting neighbourhood park that packs a lot into its compact space, making it a great destination for families with children of all ages. Tucked inside the Calleya Estate on Hydrangea Road, this cleverly designed Playground caters for little climbers, budding ninjas, sand play enthusiasts and even active teens and adults who want to squeeze in a workout or a hit of tennis. The most eye‑catching feature as you arrive is the giant tower and ropes course. The extensive climbing rope structure is perfect for a “ninja course” or classic “Floor is Lava” challenge, Read more…
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Yanchep Golf Estate Playground is a brilliant little neighbourhood gem tucked between new homes and the rolling fairways of the golf course. Designed as a shipwreck-themed adventure space, it’s ideal for toddlers and primary-aged kids and works really well as a stop on a Yanchep day out or as your local “pop down for a play” park if you live nearby. The first thing that tends to grab kids’ attention is the flying fox. It’s a single cable rather than a dual racing style, but children still love taking turns and seeing who can launch the fastest. Because it runs Read more…
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Located on Pulchella Ramble is a perfect toddler friendly playground. It is fully fenced, which is perfect to stop the little ones escaping. There is a variety of play equipment for the little ones to crawl/walk over, rock on, slide down, swing on etc. As a mum of a 10 month old, my highlight was the bucket swing! There are shade sails above the playground as well as trees for plenty of shade. Located outside the gated area is two picnic tables and seating, as well as BBQs. The playground overlooks a large grassed area, perfect for kicking a ball Read more…
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If you’re looking for a new spot to let the kids burn off some energy while soaking up stunning estuary views, the South East Dawesville Foreshore Playground is well worth a visit. This beautifully designed, fully fenced nature play area is perfect for all ages and abilities, with something to keep everyone entertained. There’s a dedicated wooden climbing structure for the older kids featuring climbing nets, a slide and a fireman’s pole. And a smaller version for the little ones too! South East Dawesville Foreshore Playground includes all types of swings, including a toddler, parent/child, traditional and even a harness Read more…
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Opportunity Playspace at Rotary Park has long been one of Wanneroo’s most loved playgrounds, and after visiting again following the Stage One upgrade completed in July 2024, it’s easy to see why this space continues to draw families back year after year. Originally opened in 1979, the park still carries a sense of history and character, yet it remains well-maintained and thoughtfully updated by the City of Wanneroo. The biggest change is the replacement of the original wooden fort, now a large mostly-metal play structure with some timber elements. While the materials mean it can get warm on hot days, Read more…
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We discovered this great little park just around the corner from Little Banksia Cafe in Kensington. It has a lot of features including a nature play area and playground. The main play area is covered with shade sails and the nature play area is shaded naturally. The afternoon we went was warm so the natural shade and trees around the park were lovely. The playground area is sand based and has a good range of equipment. It has a double swing, one toddler and one normal and a bouncy balance board. There is a monkey bar activity for large older Read more…
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Taarak Park in Allara Estate, Eglinton, is a much-loved local favourite for northern suburbs families, especially those with energetic kids who love to climb and explore. Set within a growing residential area, the park has a modern, vibrant feel and plenty of equipment to keep a mix of ages entertained, all wrapped around a striking central play tower. The star of the park is that tall play tower, which immediately grabs kids’ attention. It’s packed with fun elements such as bridges, tunnels, climbing nets and ropes, and the all-important slides that send children zooming back down to the ground. The Read more…
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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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Tucked between Mulberry Way and Viridian Boulevard in Eglinton, about 38 minutes north of Perth, Viridian Park is a vibrant, family-friendly space that’s worth discovering. While the park is officially signed as Viridian Park, it shows up on maps as Mulberry Park — so keep that in mind when navigating there. This elevated park offers partial ocean views and a glimpse of the iconic lighthouse from the nearby Amberton Beach Lighthouse Park. It’s an ideal spot for relaxed weekends, casual meet-ups, or energetic family catch-ups. The playground is compact yet engaging. It features a rope climbing structure that leads up Read more…
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Tucked away on Bromley Street in Beckenham, Bee Park is a sweet little neighbourhood Playground that’s perfect for toddlers and young children. The entire space is designed around a bee and honeycomb theme, with hexagonal play zones and cute bee details that inquisitive kids will love. The main play area is set within a large hexagon and features a cheerful bee platform with a slide. Children can reach the platform via a wooden bridge or by tackling climbing ropes on either side, offering a bit of a challenge for confident toddlers and preschoolers while still feeling manageable for younger kids Read more…
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Beecroft Park is found opposite Empire Village Shopping Centre in City Beach and is popular with local families. The playground is sand fall based and naturally shaded by mature trees, as well as shade sails. The sand is littered with a lot of leaf and sticks, so little ones may prefer to keep their shoes on. There is a variety of steel framed play equipment for children of all ages. They will find slides, a fireman’s pole, flying fox, swings, see saw, climbing obstacles and more. Beyond the playground, you’ll find a basketball and netball court. There are footy goals too and lots of space to kick a ball, fly a 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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Clarko Reserve is a coastal reserve located at Trigg Beach at the end of Karrinyup Road. The jewel colours of the verdant green grass and shimmering blue sea beyond the dunes is a feast for the eyes. At a sheltered end of the reserve, near the beach car park, is a good sized playground with equipment to suit a range of children. I feel toddlers through to six year olds would probably enjoy this one most. The playground has three slides, including a tall corkscrew slide, noughts and crosses blocks, a coloured ball abacus, and a fireman pole. Soft sand surrounds Read more…
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Tucked in among the high-rise apartments of Burswood, Promenade Park is a compact but well-equipped neighbourhood Playground that’s ideal for younger children. It offers a good mix of physical play, sensory experiences and quieter activities, all against a lovely backdrop of city and stadium views. The main Playground area is built on soft fall, making it a safer space for little ones to explore. There are two main structures. The smaller one is perfect for toddlers, featuring a noughts-and-crosses game, a rainmaker, a music maker and a small tunnel to crawl through. The larger structure caters to more confident climbers, Read more…
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Tucked away in suburban Balcatta, Grindleford Reserve is a lovely option if you’re looking for a quieter, neighbourhood-style Playground with plenty of space to run and play. The park enjoys a mix of natural shade from mature trees and shade sails over the sandpit, making it a good choice for warmer days. The Playground offers modern equipment and clean white sand, and is set well back from the road. A small car park sits between the street and the play area, adding an extra buffer for little wanderers. Families will find a mix of equipment that caters to both younger Read more…
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Hillarys Beach Park at Whitfords Nodes has grown into one of the northern suburbs’ best all‑round coastal parks – a big, shady picnic spot with a great all‑abilities Playground, direct beach access and the added bonus of the famous exercise stairway and ninja warrior‑style fitness course just a short walk away. The Playground itself is large and thoughtfully laid out, with a mix of traditional and nature play spread through soft white sand and rubber softfall. Younger children are drawn straight to the main climbing structure, which you can access via a gentle ramp. Along the way there are musical 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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South Perth Esplanade Playground is set within the Sir James Mitchell Park and is a short walk from the Mends Street Jetty making this an ideal playground to visit on public transport. The playground is sand based and covered with shade sails. South Perth Esplanade Playground overlooks the River Swan and is surrounded by mature trees, large grassy areas, a cycle path, picnic shelters and BBQs. Making this a great playground and park for birthday parties, picnics and playdates. There is a great selection of play equipment for toddlers including this fun bus. There are also lots of climbing nets, 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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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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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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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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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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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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The newly redeveloped East Fremantle Oval area has been transformed into a fantastic family-friendly space, featuring a nature playground located in front of the Carnaby Cafe. The fort-style playground boasts multiple levels, a climbing rope, fireman poles, a slide, and a climbing wall. Children can also enjoy a wooden stepping stone and rope agility course. The playground features an all-abilities birdnest swing, free gas BBQs, seating, and water fountains, all under shade cloth for sun protection. Adjacent to the playground is a large grass area, perfect for picnics and ball games. Don’t forget to bring skateboards, scooters, bikes, and basketballs 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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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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Picasso Park in Alkimos Vista is a striking, art-inspired Playground that really stands out in Perth’s northern corridor. Spread over 2.5 hectares of green space, the park has been thoughtfully designed so families of all ages can play, explore and relax together. Magenta slides, bold structures and shady spaces tie into Alkimos Vista’s colourful streetscape and make the whole area feel vibrant and modern. The hero of the park is the impressive two-storey undercover play structure. Its fully roofed design means kids can play here in the heat of summer or on drizzly winter days, and the top level sits Read more…
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Playtime at Walter Padbury Park is wonderfully inclusive, with an all-abilities Playground set within the large district reserve in the heart of Thornlie. The reserve itself features three expansive sporting ovals catering for soccer, cricket and AFL, complete with practice cricket nets and club facilities, making it a brilliant destination for both active kids and families who want space to spread out. The fully fenced all-abilities Playground sits on soft-fall rubber flooring, creating a safe, comfortable surface for wheels and little feet. A standout feature is the ground-level, seated flying fox, designed so that children of all abilities can join 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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Set in the heart of family-friendly Landsdale, Hardcastle Park is a welcoming neighbourhood Playground that offers a lovely mix of traditional and nature play. With a big open grass area, sand play, climbing equipment and a peaceful suburban setting, it’s an easy spot for local families to burn off energy, enjoy a casual catch up and let the kids play for ages. One of the first things you notice on arrival is the large grassed space that sweeps out beside the play equipment. It’s ideal for laying out a picnic rug, kicking a footy or soccer ball, or letting the Read more…
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Mullaloo Beach Pirate Playground is a brilliant little spot for seaside play, especially for younger kids who love to imagine they’re sailing the high seas. Set on the Mullaloo Beach foreshore along Mullaloo Drive, just south of the Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club and Mullaloo Beach Hotel, this sand-based Playground combines ocean views with plenty of shade and space to run around. The star of the show is the timber pirate ship and wooden boat, both set in soft sand. Kids can scramble aboard, “sail” out to sea, walk the plank, and create endless pirate adventures. There’s a bit of 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…
