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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Coode St Jetty playground is on the South Perth foreshore. It’s the perfect spot for a family picnic, BBQ or just a play as it’s got parking available has plenty of open space, BBQ facilities, shaded picnic tables, is close to the Boatshed Cafe for lunch or coffee and has toilets nearby. The playground is sand based and is fully covered by shade sails in summer months. It is a good playground for different ages as it has separate play equipment for younger children and older children. In a little separate area, there is a set of four swings – two Read more…
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Nestled in the heart of Dianella is the lovely Wake Pola Reserve. This parkland has a good sized playground with shade sails and natural shading. The playground features a large play structure with two slides, a noughts and crosses game, shop front, fireman pole and flying fox. There are stairs to climb, a tunnel to crawl through and an arched bridge to cross. Separately, there are swings, both toddler and regular, and some spring rockers, including a 4-way see-saw rocker. These are mostly under shade, but depending on the time of day, may see some sun. So worth checking before 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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Robert Thompson Reserve is a large grassy park located opposite the Noranda Village Shopping Centre. In the centre of this lovely park is a playground with equipment to suit most children. The ground surrounding the play equipment is a mix of sand and rubbery soft-fall. There are shade sails up in the warmer months, and there are a few small trees shading parts of the playground. At one end of the playground, there is a fenced toddler area with two magnetic gates. The main feature in here is a bus-shaped climbing frame. The bottom level is decked out with seats Read more…
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Dyoondalup Point Walter Playground, set along the stunning Swan River foreshore and next to Walter’s River Café, has been transformed with a beautiful new play space that celebrates Noongar culture and the natural landscape. The centrepiece of the Playground is a striking tower structure, designed in collaboration with Noongar artist Sharyn Egan. It reflects stories of Djunda, a tall female spirit with long flowing white hair, and honours Dyoondalup (Point Walter) as a “place of white sand.” The result is a thoughtfully designed, culturally rich Playground that offers much more than just a run-of-the-mill play experience. This is a very 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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Atwell Reserve Playground on Brenchley Drive in Atwell is a much‑loved local spot for families, set right alongside the large green sports oval. It’s a great option for kids who enjoy climbing, swinging and having plenty of room to run, making it a handy go‑to for both quick after‑school visits and longer weekend play. The main feature is a large spider‑web climbing frame that offers a fun challenge for confident climbers. Kids can test their balance and coordination as they weave their way up and across the ropes. Nearby there’s a smaller spider‑web frame that’s ideal for younger children or 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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Bayswater Riverside Gardens is a much‑loved riverside Playground and parkland that’s especially perfect for toddlers and young children. Stretching along both Milne Street and King William Street in Bayswater, it combines a fully fenced play space with big open lawns, river views and easy paths, making it a spot where families can comfortably spend a whole morning or afternoon. The Playground itself is designed with little ones in mind. It’s fully fenced and gated, with rubber soft fall underfoot and shade sails overhead in the warmer months, giving parents a bit more peace of mind. Inside the fence you’ll find Read more…
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Rossiter Pavilion and Playing Fields in Piara Waters is a compact but very thoughtfully designed community Playground, wrapped around a large sports oval and pavilion. Tucked within the Holland Park Estate, the play space combines nature play, messy play and classic Playground favourites, making it a handy local park for toddlers through to early primary-aged kids. As you walk into the Playground, the first thing many kids spot are the three in-ground trampolines set into the soft fall. These are a real drawcard for energetic children who love to bounce, and they’re spread out enough that a few kids can 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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Mardalup Playground is a popular location in East Perth for family picnics as it’s right on the banks of the Swan River, opposite Optus Stadium. Mardalup is a Nyungar term meaning ‘place of small marsupial’. The playground is on a soft fall surfaces, making it great for toddlers and kids of all ages, though with the river being so close, be mindful of toddlers playing in the area. The play area is only partially fenced. The main piece of equipment is a large metal structure which has a curvy slide with steps, ropes and ladders to climb. It’s great for older children. There’s lots of other Read more…
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If you have a little one obsessed with wheels, you need to pack the car and head to Hossack Playground. This park has recently leveled up with a fantastic bike park that feels like a miniature city, with a new playground as well, this spot ticks all the boxes for a fun day out. The bike park is the star of the show. It features a fresh asphalt track complete with roundabouts, give way signs, stop signs and pedestrian crossings. It’s the perfect environment for kids to practice their steering and learn road awareness. My son loved the little details 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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Tucked within the Kingsford estate in Bullsbrook, Brookbank Park is an impressive community Playground blends nature play with more traditional equipment to create a brilliant all‑ages destination. Set against a backdrop of rolling hills and a tree‑lined brook, it’s the sort of park where you can easily settle in for a few hours while the kids explore, climb, splash and play. If you have an aeroplane-loving child, this playground is absolutely worth adding to your list. Planes regularly fly overhead throughout the day, and the aeroplane-themed rocker rides scattered through the playground make the whole space even more exciting for 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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Located in Eglinton, about 38 minutes north of Perth, Leeward Park is a hidden gem tucked within a peaceful residential area. With no direct street parking, the most convenient place to park is along Charleston Road. This nature-based playground features a gentle grassy hill or dip that’s perfect for picnics, games of chase, or simply rolling around with laughter. It’s a great spot to bring a picnic rug and let the kids enjoy free, open play. The play space itself is thoughtfully designed. It includes a dome-shaped rope climbing structure with colourful attachments, each offering a different level of challenge Read more…
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Gingin Outdoor Activity Space is a fantastic family-friendly destination in the heart of this small, historic township, offering a huge variety of play opportunities for children of all ages. Set in a picturesque, country-town setting, the Playground combines nature play, active play and community facilities, making it well worth the drive from Perth for a day out. The centrepiece of the space is the impressive Gingin Tower, a nature-inspired climbing structure that immediately catches the eye. Kids can climb up using rope ladders and bridges before choosing from two different slides to zoom back down. Surrounding the main tower are Read more…
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Tucked away in the suburbs of Karrinyup, Jackson Wilding Reserve is a brilliant spot if you’re looking for something a little different from the usual Playground. Set alongside Newborough Primary School, this reserve offers both a fantastic nature play space and a more traditional Playground, making it a great choice for families with children of different ages and interests. The nature play area is the star of the show and is a real contrast to the more sanitised Playgrounds many kids are used to. Built largely from recycled timber and old tree branches, some of which are painted in bright, Read more…
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Coventry Village in Morley is home to a bright, modern outdoor Playground that’s perfect for kids who love to climb, balance and burn off energy while you grab a coffee or tackle the grocery shop. Set just outside Coventry Village Shopping Centre and close to the cafes and restaurants at the front of the complex, it’s an easy add‑on to a family meal or quick shopping trip. The Playground is fully fenced with a solid metal barrier and a mag‑lock gate, providing peace of mind with the nearby car park and road. Inside, the ground is covered in rubber softfall, Read more…
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Hidden in Aveley is a scenic park, wondering footpaths, an adventure playground and a café just metres away. Aveley Central Park and Vale Adventure Playground, located just off Gnangara Road, is a beautiful park that offers a stunning walk around its picturesque water features. Offering an adventure playground, dog park, and small skate park will please all members of the family. The Adventure playground features play spaces for varying abilities, including a flying fox, slides, swings, climbing pieces, stepping stumps, and many other nature-themed items. There are plenty of shade sails and seating for parents to sit and watch. It 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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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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Tucked away in a quiet residential pocket of Alkimos, Fairgrounds Park is a charming little spot for a low-key playdate or a relaxed morning out with the kids. It’s very much a “neighbourhood gem” style park – small, peaceful and ideal for families with younger children who prefer a slower pace over big, busy Playgrounds. The play area is set entirely within a generous sandpit, so it’s perfect for barefoot play and sandcastle building. Be sure to bring along buckets, spades and other sand toys, as they really help stretch out your visit. The play equipment is simple but engaging: Read more…
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The $ 6.7 million Youth Entertainment Space (YES) at Sutherlands Park in Huntingdale, and it has quickly become one of the top hotspots for local teens to hang out! This state-of-the-art facility that’s fully sheltered (the first of its kind in Perth Metro area!) is designed closely with local young people to ensure the space is inclusive and inviting, and is the perfect one-stop recreational hub for everyone in the community to enjoy all year round! What we love: Vibrant urban play area with hangout zone that features social swings and platform seatings. Challenging climbing walls and a huge roll-runner Read more…
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Tucked away in Trinity Estate, Alkimos, Fontana Park is a compact yet exciting neighbourhood Playground that’s perfect for a quick play or a relaxed picnic stop. It has a modern coastal feel and rewards families who seek it out with a mix of fun equipment and lovely views from the higher level of the park. The standout feature is the big log swing, which is wide enough for multiple kids to share and tends to be the first thing they run to. Nearby, a rock climbing wall leads adventurous kids up to an impressive slide. The slide is fast and Read more…
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Garvey Park is a great local park just at the end of Fauntleroy Avenue on the river’s edge in Ascot. The kids love the playground as it has something to suit both my sensible 5 year old and my adventurous almost 3 year old! The play equipment is all on sand with a large sail shade over most of the equipment which is great in the warmer months. There’s a toddler section with a small slide, lots for the bigger kids to climb on and the large spinning wheel is always a hit! We’ve had a few picnics here over the Read more…
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Lake Treeby Adventure Playground has settled in as one of the go-to adventure Playgrounds south of the river. Set in the scenic suburb of Treeby, it offers a mix of nature play, big climbing structures and lakeside paths the whole family can enjoy. Parking is available along Torwood Avenue. As the name suggests, this playground is situated beside a beautiful man made lake and surrounded by large shady trees which are perfect as we enter the warmer months! The playground has many exciting areas, there are two slides, one tall slide for the big kids and a smaller slide Read more…
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Tucked inside Kings Park’s Poolgarla Family Area, Ivey Watson Playground is purpose‑built for little ones, with play equipment designed specifically for children aged six and under Poolgarla Family Area – Kings Park. The Playground is set within a large fenced precinct, but there are a couple of open entry points and access via the café, so it’s very much a “shoes on, eyes open” kind of outing if you have speedy toddlers or mini escape artists. Access is via Kings Park Road, opposite Outram Street, with plenty of parking in the Poolgarla Family Area carpark and along Kulunga Grove. Pram‑friendly 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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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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The beautiful Lake Jualbup playground is located in the leafy suburb of Shenton Park, and is surrounded by a lovely well-kept park with rolling green lawns. “Jualbup” is an aboriginal term meaning ‘a place where water rises in the season of spring’. The lake can dry up during the summer months, but when we visited it was full and had a variety of pretty birdlife including Black Swans and assorted ducks. Under the trees, there is an older small playground that is suitable for toddlers, as well as two sets of conventional swings. But the most exciting part of Lake 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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Stirling Civic Gardens Stirling Civic Gardens is a hidden gem. Concealed from the road, it is a lovely park with manicured gardens and plenty of shade provided by the large trees. The playground area has recently undergone an upgrade, and there is now more play equipment than ever for your children to enjoy. The park features small lakes and water features, home to ducks and other water birds. There are paved paths winding their way through the gardens. These are perfect for gentle walks and help make the park more pram and wheelchair friendly. On the other hand, Stirling 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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The Manning Community Hub in Manning is a fantastic family destination, combining great Playgrounds, wide open spaces and handy community facilities in one spot. Located beside James Miller Oval on Bradshaw Crescent, it’s an easy place to spend a whole morning playing, exploring and even popping into the library. The Hub features two separate Playgrounds positioned on opposite sides of the oval, so kids get the best of both worlds. The first, larger Playground is best suited to children around three and over. Here you’ll find a big climbing structure with ropes, climbing walls and monkey bars, plus two slides Read more…
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Set in the heart of Manjimup, around three hours’ drive south of Perth, Manjimup Timber and Heritage Park is an absolute must‑visit for families exploring the Southern Forests. Spread over 12 hectares of landscaped parkland and natural bush, it combines one of WA’s most impressive regional adventure Playgrounds with museums, heritage buildings and tranquil picnic spots, making it very easy to spend a whole day here. The adventure Playground is the big drawcard and it truly offers something for all ages. Little ones are well catered for with a shaded toddler and pre‑school area featuring a small climbing structure and Read more…
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Lake Monger (now officially Galup Reserve) has long been a favourite spot for Perth families to walk, scoot and enjoy the open space, and the South West Playground adds a big dose of adventure especially for older kids. Designed with children aged 5 and over in mind, this is a brilliant option if your bigger kids have outgrown the toddler Playgrounds elsewhere around the lake and are ready for more of a challenge. As you arrive, the striking ninja-style rope obstacle course immediately grabs attention. My five-year-old couldn’t wait to jump on and declared it a real-life “Roblox obby”. The 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 new Shelley Beach playground is a great playground to visit. It’s right on the river, and around the enclosed playground is plenty of grass to kick a ball on, BBQs and gazebos and, of course, the beautiful river. My 10-year-old was impressed with the park, especially the X-park obstacle course. The course is set up with a starting point and different obstacles throughout, including climbing, balancing and swinging. Many of the older kids seemed to enjoy the challenge of this part of the playground. As we entered the playground, we saw a mini trampoline and a swing set with Read more…
