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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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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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…
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Colour Block Park, affectionately known as “The LEGO Park”, is a compact but seriously eye-catching neighbourhood Playground tucked into the coastal suburb of Golden Bay. The bright, block-inspired design gives it instant wow factor, and it makes a great stop-off if you’re exploring the southern beaches or visiting nearby Shipwreck Cove and other Golden Bay parks. The hero of the Playground is the colourful climbing structure built to look like giant building blocks. Kids can scramble up the “bricks” to reach a central platform, then choose between crossing a rope bridge or taking the ladder up to the enclosed tunnel Read more…
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Port Coogee Parkside Retreat is a fantastic little neighbourhood Playground tucked away in the Parkside Retreat estate, just a short five-minute walk from Ngarkal Beach and the Port Coogee water park. Its coastal location makes it perfect for combining a park visit with a beach or marina wander, and it has a great community feel despite being a local pocket park. The standout feature of the Playground is the large slide attached to an up-ended sea container. Kids can choose from two different climbing routes to reach the top – either heading around the back to scale the outside up Read more…
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Avondale Park in Mindarie is one of those quietly excellent Playgrounds that’s been doing its job well for years. It may not be the flashiest or most high-tech play space, but if you value shade, space, and practical family-friendly design, this park definitely deserves a spot on your list. Located in a coastal suburb, Avondale Park is easy to combine with a bigger day out. You can start with a play at the park, then head to the nearby beach, or finish off with a coffee or meal at Sistas Mindarie at the Mindarie Marina, just a few minutes’ drive Read more…
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Cilantro Park, nestled in Stockland’s Calleya Estate in Banjup, is a fantastic local Playground that offers a good mix of active play, nature play and space to run around. Previously known as Calleya Playground, this park continues to be a popular spot with families thanks to its variety of equipment and large open grassed area. The main play structure features two slides: a very high twisty slide that will appeal to more adventurous kids, and a smaller hill slide ideal for younger ones or those still building confidence. Kids can climb, explore and race each other down the different slide Read more…
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Now this is what we call a hidden gem! Sanctuary Park Playground in Ridgewood has officially become our favourite discovery of the week — and we’re already planning our return with friends and a pack of sausages for a BBQ catch-up! Located just 30 minutes north of Perth in a quiet suburb, this park is set on its own block with ample street parking all around. What immediately stood out? It’s fully shaded! Shade sails cover the entire play area — a total win for sunny days. There’s a little something for everyone here, making it ideal for kids of 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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Located on the beautiful South Perth foreshore is Hurlingham Rd Park a playground designed for able bodied and less able bodied children. The main play structure can be accessed by a wheelchair ramp. This area is sand based and covered by shade sails in summer. This play structure can also be accessed by different steps, ladders and climbing walls, depending on the ability of your child. There are two slides. One is a standard straight slide, the other is a slightly curved enclosed slide. The play structure has plenty more of room for little ones to play underneath and has Read more…
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Set in the heart of beautiful Perth Hills spot, Roleystone, Borrello Park has something for kids of all ages. Recently, the play area at the much-loved park was replaced. This park is only 15 minutes’ drive from Armadale town center, and yet it feels like you’ve travelled hours down south. It’s close to Araluen Botanic Park too. The leafy park is particularly special during late autumn (May), when the golden leaves of the deciduous tree park begin to fall. The new play structures include an easily accessed walkway, fort and slides. The wood-chip based area is partially shaded by sails. 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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Mojo Park in Cockburn Central is a brilliant suburban Playground and recreation space tucked within the colourful Mojo Urban Living estate. Despite being slightly hidden away in the estate, the park itself feels open and spacious, with a large grassed area, tall gum trees and a good mix of play equipment that suits a range of ages and abilities. The main Playground combines nature play elements with more traditional structures. Underfoot you’ll find a mix of soft fall, sand and wood chips, so kids can run, climb and explore with a bit of variety in textures. The large central play 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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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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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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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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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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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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Manning Park in Spearwood is the perfect spot to take the kids out for a picnic and play in the park. The reserve is huge with four car parks in total and plenty of wide open grassed areas. The playground itself is quite amazing, plenty for all ages, stages and abilities. There are shade sails over each section and plenty of trees to pull up under too. The day we went it was 40 degrees but the shade and grass definitely brought the temp down. The only negative I would have is the placement of the drinking fountain which was Read more…
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Currambine Central Shopping Centre has unveiled an exciting new playground! This vibrant play area is covered by shade sails and features soft-fall surfacing, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for kids to have a blast. From the captivating honeycomb slide to the thrilling busy bee flying fox, there’s a wide range of entertaining attractions to keep the little ones engaged. Young adventurers can also take on the challenge of climbing the giant watermelon, adding an extra element of excitement to their playtime. Adding to the charm, the playground includes two adorable rockers named Lily the Ladybug and Betsy the Bumblebee. 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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Coodanup Foreshore Park, tucked along Peel Parade to the south east of Mandurah town centre, is a lovely estuary-side spot that has been steadily evolving thanks to major upgrades from the City of Mandurah. The reserve stretches along the northern edge of the Peel‑Harvey Estuary, offering families a mix of traditional Playground equipment, nature play, open space and shallow water access, all with that relaxed “by the water” Mandurah feel. The foreshore features two distinct Playground areas. One is designed with younger children in mind, with equipment suited to toddlers and early primary-aged kids. The second focuses more on climbing Read more…
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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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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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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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Joondalup Square Playground is a small but very handy fenced play space set within Joondalup Square shopping complex on the corner of Joondalup Drive and Sundew Rise. Tucked opposite the large Bunnings Warehouse and surrounded by casual eateries, it’s a super convenient stop for families needing a coffee break, a bite to eat or a quick play while running errands. The Playground is fully fenced and gated, with two separate gates. One opens to a pram-friendly ramp with railings, and the other has a couple of steps down, as the play area itself is slightly sunken. This layout helps keep Read more…
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The playground at Vista Estate Park on Majorelle Way in Karnup is a fantastic spot for kids to let off steam or enjoy a picnic. It offers a variety of play equipment, including nature-themed and steel structures, catering to different play preferences. The playground is located prominently by the road without a fence, so it’s important to keep a close eye on active children. The play equipment features slides, swings, a musical xylophone, climbing logs, a mini climbing frame, and a sand/wet play table. In addition, there’s a spacious grassy area, a half basketball court, exercise equipment, picnic tables, barbecues, Read more…
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Rickman Delawney Reserve in leafy Balcatta is a brilliant all‑rounder for families, with something to suit toddlers through to sporty teens. The park sits within a large green reserve with mature trees and wide open spaces. It is an accessible Playground with sail‑shaded play areas, picnic shelters and public toilets, making it an easy choice for a relaxed morning or afternoon out with kids of different ages and abilities. The star attraction is the impressive rope tower and tube slide. Children climb a web of ropes up to a high, covered pod, then cross a rope bridge to reach the 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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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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A fresh new play space has opened in the heart of Subiaco, and 1909 Subi East Play Space is already proving to be a lovely spot for families to explore. Built within the former Princess Margaret Hospital precinct, this thoughtfully designed Playground is part of the wider Subi East redevelopment, bringing together play, public art, green space and a lovely nod to the area’s history. The precinct is still evolving, with future apartments and restoration works continuing around the site, but the public open spaces are now open and ready to enjoy. It already feels like a welcoming family destination, 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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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 in the middle of the new, vibrant dining and entertainment precinct at Westfield Whitford City is a beautifully unique play area for children. Overlooked by many of the restaurants and sheltered underneath shade sails, the play area is unlike any I’ve ever seen before. Forgoing traditional play equipment, which tends to be age specific, the mix of wooden stepping stones, ceramic arches and decorative metal poles appeared to appeal to children of all ages. Throughout the evening I saw all age groups from toddlers to preteens climbing and jumping and running, all thoroughly engaged and having plenty of Read more…
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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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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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Carine Open Space Playground remains a much‑loved local gem for families, dog walkers and young riders, with plenty of space to explore and play. Set within the broader Carine Open Space reserve on Davallia Road, it’s the kind of place where you can easily spend a whole morning or afternoon, especially if you bring scooters, bikes and the family dog. A big drawcard is the network of paths that loop around the main Playground area and wetlands. The paved pedestrian path is smooth and flat, making it great for prams, scooters and little kids gaining confidence on their bikes. Read more…
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Tucked within the leafy Byford on the Scarp estate, Ridge Park Byford stretches over 1.7 hectares and feels wonderfully “bushy” despite being in the suburbs. Mature trees, big open lawns and two separate Playground areas make this a great destination for families with kids of different ages, especially if you’ve got both little toddlers and more adventurous big kids to keep happy. The lower Playground, accessed from Military Pass, is ideal for younger children. The centrepiece is an adorable train-themed play structure made up of several “carriages”, each with its own style of imaginative play. Toddlers can “drive” the train Read more…
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Need to do groceries? Kids need a play? Combine them both at Forrestfield Forum. The Junction is the new community space at Forrestfield Forum and includes a nature playground and alfresco area. The play area is under shade sale and partly fenced along the side that is close to the car park. The whole area is on soft fall rubber. There are benches around the area. There are a number of play areas including balancing logs, climbing frame and a fort with fireman’s pole and slide. There is also a bouncy rabbit and a spinning top. You could grab a Read more…
