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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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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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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Keane’s Point Playground in Peppermint Grove is a gorgeous riverside spot that combines classic Playground fun with a real “day out” feel. Set right on the banks of the Swan River next to the Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club, it has that peaceful, leafy Peppermint Grove vibe, with water views and plenty of space for kids to roam and play. The Playground is split into two sand-based play areas, both shaded by large sails. One area is designed with younger children in mind, especially those aged five and under. Here you’ll find lower platforms, gentler slides and play equipment that’s Read more…
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Hawaiian’s Mezz in Mount Hawthorn features a welcoming outdoor Playground that makes shopping with kids much easier. Tucked within the shopping centre’s open-air courtyard, the space has a relaxed community feel, with greenery, shade and nearby cafes creating a comfortable spot for families to pause, play and refuel. The main attraction is the wooden nature play structure, designed to appeal to a broad age range from toddlers through to tweens. Kids can climb up ladders, zip down the slide, or test their bravery on the fireman’s pole. Part of the structure is sheltered under a small roof, which naturally lends 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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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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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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Tucked within Princess Wallington Reserve, Bina Parkland is a vibrant neighbourhood Playground that offers a good mix of traditional equipment and nature play, with plenty to keep energetic kids busy. The space feels open and welcoming, with large mature trees providing natural shade and the play elements spread out so families don’t feel crowded. The main drawcard is the impressive rope climbing structure. Rope ladders lead up to a series of birds nest pods at different heights, connected by ladders and a rope bridge that feeds onto a slide. Confident climbers will love scrambling up high and testing their balance, Read more…
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Kadidjiny Park, affectionately known as the “Dr Seuss Playground”, is a wonderfully quirky community park in the heart of Melville. Spread over almost four hectares and bounded by Curtis and Kitchener Roads, this colourful reserve combines imaginative play spaces, shady picnic spots and community facilities, making it a great all‑round destination for families. The park sits on the former Melville Primary School site, and its name, “Kadidjiny”, is a Noongar word meaning “learning”, which is a lovely nod to its history and its role as a gathering place for local families and school groups. The City of Melville redeveloped the Read more…
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Lake Monger Reserve is a fantastic destination for a family walk in Perth with kids of all ages. There are a few parking spots around Lake Monger Reserve, 3 of which are on Lake Monger Drive. If you use the car park nearest St Vincents Avenue you’ll see a wishing well and the largest playground in the reserve. The larger playground is shaded and partly sand and soft fall based, it is also fully fenced and gated. The playground has disability friendly apparatus including ramps and swing. There’s also a slide, climbing walls, swings and rocker. The playground is Read more…
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Floreat Beach Playspace is a brilliant coastal Playground for families, set just behind the dunes at beautiful Floreat Beach. The nature-inspired playspace makes the most of its seaside setting, with plenty to climb, swing on and splash in before or after a dip in the ocean. The star of the show is the impressive “Kraken” – a giant wooden, cephalopod-style sea creature that wraps around the centre of the Playground. Kids can scramble up, over and through the structure, tackling different climbing challenges before whooshing back down the slide. There’s space to hide in the “belly of the beast”, perfect Read more…
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Riverlinks All Abilities Playground in Clarkson is an innovative playground featuring an impressive array of inclusive play equipment and activities for children of all abilities and age groups. Play Areas Western Zone (Older Children) Large climbing structure with rope climb and rock wall Exciting whirly slide for adventurous kids Thoughtfully placed toddler slide nearby, allowing families to stay together Advanced climbing equipment Eastern Zone (Toddlers) Pirate-themed boat playground with soft flooring Ground-level activities perfect for new walkers: Hammocks Interactive games Binoculars Steering wheel Musical elements Upper deck features: Toddler-friendly climbing stairs Spyglass Safe sliding options Additional Features Activity Zones 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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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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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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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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Frye Park or Pirate Park in Kelmscott is a great park which features a large pirate ship but also has a fenced toddler playground and picnic tables in the same area. The toddler area and picnic tables are covered with shade sails in summer. The pirate ship has plenty to do with three slides, climbing challenges and treasure hunts. The pirate ship has seats underneath and the area is high enough that my Miss 3.5 could walk around with no problem. She liked the idea of having her snacks where the pirates have lunch. Up on top deck is quite 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 behind the Victoria Park Library, John MacMillan Park is a brilliant little green hub that combines nature play, community events and plenty of open space. The park offers a welcoming mix of shady trees, clever play zones and amenities that make it easy for families to linger. The nature Playground blends beautifully with the mature trees, using mostly wooden structures with both natural shade and shade sails overhead. The play areas are broken up into smaller “pockets” linked by pathways, so kids can wander from one activity to the next while adults keep an eye on them from nearby 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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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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Robinson Reserve in Tuart Hill is a brilliant all-round community park, offering something for everyone from toddlers through to tweens and teens. Tucked alongside a big green sports oval and Osborne Park Library, the main Playground is fully fenced and shaded, making it a relaxed choice for local families and a handy stop if you’re in the area. The central Playground is set over soft white sand and fresh turf, with generous shade sails overhead. Younger kids are drawn straight to the wooden “shop” cubby, perfect for imaginative games of cafés, ice-cream stands or even a pretend jail. The sand Read more…
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Tucked just off Charles Riley Road beside the North Beach Community Centre and sports fields, Charles Riley Reserve is a welcoming, leafy spot for a relaxed play. Manicured lawns and landscaped gardens surround a small war memorial, and behind this you’ll find the sand-based Playground, shaded by blue shade sails and bordered by young trees and garden beds. It has a friendly, local feel and is especially popular with toddlers and grandparents on weekday mornings. The Playground surface is mostly clean white sand with some purple soft-fall areas, so it’s ideal for little ones who are still finding their feet. 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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Harborne Ruislip Playground, Wembley Harborne Ruislip Playground is a neat fenced park in Wembley. It may be small, but it’s packed with features kids will enjoy! The first thing that grabbed Miss 8’s attention was the wooden play structure. The main feature of the playground, it has a baby swing and a birds nest style swing. There’s a climbing wall and stairs made of logs of various heights. There’s a bridge to cross over, and a slide or fireman pole to come down. In the sandpit, there is a recycled tree stump. The stump has been set into the Read more…
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If you’re in the stunning Southern Forest town of Manjimup, no doubt you will have taken the kids along to the amazing Timber Park You know, the one with the ginormous slide and beautiful carved wooden birds hiding in the play area? Well, there’s another playground in Manji that’s well worth a visit – The Manjin Playground and Skate Park! If you find yourself in the more central area of Manjimup town, The Manjin Playground and Skate Park is a great spot for children of all ages to scoot, play explore. The Park boasts many quality facilities including a children’s playground, Read more…
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Jackadder Lake Playground is a picturesque park just north west of the city. This lovely lakeside spot features a shaded children’s playground, exercise equipment and paths perfect for bikes and scooters. As of the beginning of August 2023, the playground has been refreshed with new climbing equipment, a new and improved juniors area, and new picnic facilities. Miss 9 was excited to check out the new play equipment. Gone is the crumbling soft fall rubber, and in place there is soft white sand. In place of the old stained slide, there is now a longer colourful tube slide. There are Read more…
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Set in reclaimed parkland alongside Railway Street in Cottesloe, you can find a one of Perth’s newest nature playgrounds, East Cottesloe Nature Play Trail. Including a scooter track, a fenced toddler park and wooden climbing equipment, this nature playground has something to suit kids from tiny tots to teens. Opening in September 2023, this new nature trail replaces an older pre-existing playground, known as the Purple Dinosaur Park. The parkland has since been extended, running a number of blocks. The new play area now includes a fenced toddler park at the Perth Street end – What we thought of as Read more…
