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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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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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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Avon Park in York, also known locally as Pioneer Avon Park, has been extensively redeveloped and is now one of the Avon Valley’s standout family Playground destinations. Set along the banks of the Avon River on Lowe Street, it combines a big, grassy riverside park with a brilliant nature play space, skate park and plenty of facilities, making it an ideal stop on a York day trip or overnighter. The nature-based Playground uses lots of timber, stone and natural elements, and there’s a good amount of shade from both trees and shelters. Families will find multiple sheltered picnic tables, free Read more…
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Thomas Moore Park in Wilson is the kind of local gem that makes family outings feel easy. Just under 20 minutes south of Perth, this upgraded park (redeveloped in June 2021) combines a bright, modern Playground with great sports facilities and all the practical extras parents hope to find, all in one convenient place. From the moment you arrive, it’s clear how well set up this park is for families. There’s a dedicated car park so you’re not battling for verge space, a water fountain to refill bottles, and clean public toilets complete with soap – such a bonus when Read more…
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Tucked along the western end of Wordsworth Avenue, Yokine Reserve Playground is a brilliant all‑rounder for families, with something to suit toddlers through to tweens. The fully fenced, double‑gated play space feels safe and contained, making it ideal for busy little explorers and a popular choice for birthday parties and weekend catch‑ups. The Playground combines traditional equipment with nature and sensory play. As you enter from the main car park, kids are usually drawn straight to the big, flat roundabout – perfect for spinning while standing, sitting or running around the edge. Nearby, a smaller roundabout wrapped in rope netting 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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Ashfield Reserve Play Space Ashfield Reserve Play Space in Perth’s eastern suburbs is a hidden gem. Sharing the parkland with Ashfield Oval, this spot has something for all ages. We dropped in for a play during school holidays to burn off some energy. This was a great spot for it, too! Miss 5 enjoyed that there is lots to climb at Ashfield Reserve Play Space. This playground is packed with climbing ropes, climbing walls and ladders. The rope web was a particular favourite. The playground also features a curly slide and two regular slides, a wobbly bridge, and a 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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Situated on the site of the old quarantine station, on the hill above the Bicton Baths with an awesome view of the river, Bicton Quarantine Park is a picturesque spot for a family barbecue or picnic. Bicton Quarantine Park features a playground with a fence and shade sails. The main playground structure here has two slides of different sizes, climbing ladders, monkey bars, a tunnel, a rope bridge, and a climbing wall. Separate, there is a spring rocker, and two swings, a toddler swing and a regular swing. There are a number of paths running through the park and down Read more…
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Located in the heart of the new community at Mandogalup, Florence Estate Park is A playground that beautifully incorporates wooden beams for its play equipment. This spacious playground is nested beside rows of mature trees, providing scenic greenery, and playing in the park feels like you’re right next to nature. My girls headed straight to the main play area, where the big slide is. The tall climbing structure features various climbing wall panels for kids to use. Missy 6 had no trouble climbing onto all of them, but younger toddlers might find the tallest one daunting. The flooring of this 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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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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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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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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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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Ahoy, Mateys! It is time to set sail for Roebuck Park, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of Eglinton! This shipwreck-themed playground offers a modest yet enchanting escape for families in search of outdoor adventure. At the heart of Roebuck Park stands the towering lookout, commanding a bird’s eye view of the playground and its surroundings. It’s the perfect perch for young buccaneers to survey their surroundings before plunging down two thrilling tunnel slides, accessible by stairs or cargo net. But the real treasure lies in the wooden shipwreck, igniting imaginations and sparking epic adventures. Who knows? You might 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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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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If you’re looking for a playground that truly caters to everyone—from toddlers to grandparents—Ballajura Intergenerational Playspace – Weitj Park is a must-visit. This $6.5 million playspace on Oxleigh Drive, Ballajura, is thoughtfully designed to encourage active play, creativity and social connection across all generations. With three distinct play areas—Parkland, Industrial Vibe and Nature Play—Weitj Park offers shared play experiences that set it apart from other Perth playgrounds. Whether it’s grandparents swinging their grandkids, parents and children racing through the ninja course or toddlers making new friends while building a cubby, this space brings families and the community together in a Read more…
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If you’re looking for a Playground that combines open space, beautiful river views, adventure, movement, imaginative play and plenty of room for kids to explore, Mardalup Park in East Perth is well worth a visit. Located alongside the Swan River, close to Optus Stadium and Matagarup Bridge, this recently upgraded Playground offers a fantastic setting for a family outing. The park is surrounded by scenic views, walking paths and wide-open grassed areas, making it a great spot for kids to run around and burn off some energy. The upgraded play space has a lovely nature-inspired design, with timber-look structures, soft 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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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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Tucked into the New Junction redevelopment in the heart of Midland, Weeip Park has quickly grown from a “new” Playground into a much-loved community hub. Just a short stroll from Midland Gate Shopping Centre and the Cale Street café strip, this large public open space combines a nature-inspired Playground, youth zone, kick-about oval and public art celebrating local history and culture, all in one spot. The park is named in honour of Weeip, the traditional leader of the Boora clan (Boya Ngura people), who was responsible for much of the City of Swan area during early European settlement. In 1834 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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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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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…
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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…
