Free things to do with toddlers in Perth

A free day with a toddler in Perth works best when you build it around shade, water and a nap. The climate helps: long dry summers mean outdoor play for most of the year, and falls are soft on sand. Start with water. Calm, reef-sheltered beaches such as Cottesloe and City Beach give shallow edges for tiny feet, and Elizabeth Quay Water Park and Bibra Lake Regional Playground give splashing without a wave. Kings Park and its Rio Tinto Naturescape offer shade, lawns and bush play. Chevron Parkland at Burswood and The Adventure Park in Kwinana give big playgrounds with room to run. On cold or wet days, the WA Shipwrecks Museum, Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre, AGWA and the library story spaces give shelter and something to look at. Libraries welcome small visitors and are forgiving of noise. Plan around naps, keep it short and pack double the snacks you think you need. Bring a change of clothes for the toddler and for you. Perth sun is strong, so a hat, a rash vest and sunscreen belong in the bag every time. Check fencing, shade and toilets on the listing first, since they matter more to a toddler than any equipment. One good hour is enough, and a toddler who leaves happy will be keen to come back.

Our picks

  • Scarborough Beach Scarborough Beach Scarborough

    Scarborough Beach is the City of Stirling's most popular beach, on The Esplanade at the end of Scarborough Beach Road, with white sand, big waves and lifeguards all…

    ★ 4.7 (1,717)

  • Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe

    Cottesloe Beach, known as "Cott", is the Town of Cottesloe's main beach, with clear water, white sand and shady Norfolk Island pines.

    Patrolled October – March · All-abilities access · ★ 4.8 (177)

  • Hillarys Boat Harbour Hillarys Boat Harbour Hillarys

    Hillarys Boat Harbour is a marina in Perth's northern suburbs, managed by the WA Department of Transport, that combines boat facilities with shops, cafes, restaurants…

    ★ 4.5 (11,938)

  • Kings Park and Botanic Garden Kings Park and Botanic Garden Perth

    Kings Park and Botanic Garden on Fraser Avenue, Perth, is a large inner-city park with bushland walk trails, the Western Australian Botanic Garden, cafés and several…

    ★ 4.8 (27,779)

  • WA Shipwrecks Museum WA Shipwrecks Museum Fremantle

    The WA Shipwrecks Museum on Cliff Street, Fremantle, is run by the Western Australian Museum and is housed in the historic Commissariat buildings.

    ★ 4.7 (2,507)

  • Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre Perth

    The Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre, run by DFES at 25 Murray Street in Perth's East End, is Perth's first purpose-built fire station, now displaying historic…

    ★ 4.7 (160)

Before you go

Best for which ages

Walking age to around four suits these places, and a baby can lie on a rug in the shade or ride in a carrier. A bigger sibling is usually content at the same beach or playground. A child nearing three can handle more than a one-year-old, so choose for the youngest.

What to bring

Nappies, wipes and a spare outfit go in first, then a sunhat and a rash vest for the Perth glare. Water, snacks, a rug for the grass and a familiar toy come too. A bag for wet clothes and a towel for the car seat save the drive home.

Parking and facilities

Choose places with close parking, toilets and baby change, and check the listing, since not every park has the last of those. Libraries and larger museums usually have a quiet corner to feed a baby. Park as near as you can, because crossing a big car park with a tired toddler and a heavy bag is hard work.

Best time of year

Spring and autumn are gentle for toddlers, with mild days and soft light. In summer, go early and finish before the afternoon heat and sea breeze. Winter suits libraries and museums on wet days. Spring is kind to small skin and short attention spans, with mild days and wildflowers in the parks.

Prams and accessibility

Many Perth parks have paved paths for prams, but beach sand and bark chips are harder going. Libraries and museums have lifts. A carrier is easier than a pram on sandy bush tracks. Wet paving near the water play gets slippery, so hold a hand and pick shoes with grip.

Beaches, rock pools and ocean baths

Swim between the red and yellow flags. Patrol seasons and hours on each listing come from the surf club or council page.

  • Scarborough Beach Scarborough Beach Scarborough

    Scarborough Beach is the City of Stirling's most popular beach, on The Esplanade at the end of Scarborough Beach Road, with white sand, big waves and lifeguards all…

    ★ 4.7 (1,717)

  • Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe

    Cottesloe Beach, known as "Cott", is the Town of Cottesloe's main beach, with clear water, white sand and shady Norfolk Island pines.

    Patrolled October – March · All-abilities access · ★ 4.8 (177)

  • Hillarys Boat Harbour Hillarys Boat Harbour Hillarys

    Hillarys Boat Harbour is a marina in Perth's northern suburbs, managed by the WA Department of Transport, that combines boat facilities with shops, cafes, restaurants…

    ★ 4.5 (11,938)

  • City Beach City Beach City Beach

    City Beach is a Town of Cambridge white sandy beach on Challenger Parade that the Town says is patrolled and lit into the night and early in the morning.

    Patrolled From 10 October 2026 · ★ 4.8 (121)

  • Watermans Bay Watermans Bay Watermans Bay

    Watermans Bay, on the corner of Beach Road and West Coast Drive, is a small cove with a playground.

    Patrolled October – April

  • Mettams Pool Mettams Pool North Beach

    Mettams Pool, off West Coast Drive north of Trigg Beach, is a natural rock pool protected by a surrounding reef.

    Patrolled October to March; seven days a week in April

  • Ngarkal Beach Ngarkal Beach North Coogee

    Ngarkal (Seagull) Beach is an all-ages swimming beach inside the Port Coogee marina waterways.

    All-abilities access

  • Trigg Beach Trigg Beach Trigg

    Trigg Beach, between Karrinyup Road and South West Coast Highway, is popular with body boarders, kite surfers and surfers, according to the City of Stirling.

    Patrolled October to end of March (volunteers)

  • Rockingham Beach Rockingham Beach Rockingham

    Rockingham Beach faces north and is sheltered from the prevailing coastal winds; the City of Rockingham describes safe, calm, clear water for most of the year, a short…

    All-abilities access

  • Safety Bay / Shoalwater Safety Bay / Shoalwater Safety Bay

    Safety Bay and Shoalwater are among the beaches the City of Rockingham names when it describes its safe, calm, shallow-water swimming.

    All-abilities access

  • South Beach South Beach South Fremantle

    South Beach in South Fremantle is described by the City of Fremantle as a family-friendly beach and the perfect place to enjoy a swim, a picnic or a barbecue, with…

    All-abilities access

  • Port Kennedy / Kennedy Bay Port Kennedy / Kennedy Bay Port Kennedy

    The City of Rockingham describes the newly revitalised Port Kennedy / Kennedy Bay coastal precinct as having landscaped bushland, calm beaches and easy access to…

  • Bathers Beach swimming enclosure Bathers Beach swimming enclosure Fremantle

    Seasonal City of Fremantle swimming enclosure at Bathers Beach in the centre of Fremantle, giving a protected area to swim in the sea.

  • Palm Beach Palm Beach Rockingham

    Palm Beach, close to Rockingham Beach, is a north-facing beach that the City of Rockingham says has calm waters ideal for paddling, swimming, snorkelling and fishing,…

    All-abilities access

  • Yanchep Lagoon Yanchep Lagoon Yanchep

    The City of Wanneroo calls Yanchep Lagoon such a popular beach, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

  • Mangles Bay / Point Peron Mangles Bay / Point Peron Peron

    Point Peron has sheltered limestone cliffs and many rock pools, and the City of Rockingham calls it a favourite with snorkellers looking for colourful fish, seals and…

  • Floreat Beach Floreat Beach City Beach

    Floreat Surf Life Saving Club volunteers patrol the beach on weekends during the October to March patrol season.

    Patrolled October to March

  • Bicton Baths Bicton Baths Bicton

    Bicton Baths is a river swimming spot on the Swan River, first developed in 1926 by the Melville Amateur Swimming Club using the old quarantine station jetty as a…

  • Quinns Beach Quinns Beach Quinns Rocks

    Quinns Beach in Quinns Rocks has an 85 x 300 metre swimming enclosure.

    Patrolled October – April · All-abilities access

  • Port Beach Port Beach North Fremantle

    Port Beach in North Fremantle, near the City's working port, has views out to Rottnest Island and a cafe next to an enclosed playground, according to the City of…

    Patrolled 8 November 2026 to 14 March 2027

  • Matilda Bay Reserve Matilda Bay Reserve Crawley

    Matilda Bay Reserve is a grassy, shady riverside reserve on the Swan River in Crawley with views to the city.

  • Mullaloo Beach Mullaloo Beach Mullaloo

    Mullaloo Surf Life Saving Club patrols on weekends and public holidays from 8:15am to 12:30pm in October and November and from 8:15am to 4:30pm between December and 29…

    Patrolled October – 29 Mar 2027

  • Alkimos Beach Alkimos Beach Alkimos

    Alkimos Surf Life Saving Club last published Sunday patrols from 8am to 1pm (plus some public holidays) between late October and late March; 2026-27 times are not yet…

    All-abilities access

  • Coogee Beach Coogee Beach Coogee

    Coogee Beach Reserve, part of Woodman Point Regional Park, has a swimming enclosure next to Coogee Jetty, about 300 metres long and 75 metres wide, which the City of…

    Patrolled 18 October 2026 to 21 March 2027

  • North Cottesloe Beach North Cottesloe Beach Cottesloe

    North Cottesloe Beach, north of Cottesloe Beach, is described by the Town of Cottesloe as a more serene and less crowded beach, popular for swimming, sunbathing and…

    Patrolled 17 October 2026 to 4 April 2027

  • San Remo Beach San Remo Beach San Remo

    San Remo Beach, by Eros Reserve on Orestes Street, has Surf Life Saving beach patrols according to the City of Mandurah's guide, which does not list patrol hours.

  • Leighton Beach Leighton Beach North Fremantle

    Leighton Beach, close to Port Beach in North Fremantle, is described by the City of Fremantle as a white sand spot for swimming and watching the sunset.

    Patrolled 4 Oct 2026 – 29 Mar 2027 · All-abilities access

  • Waikiki and Warnbro Beach Waikiki and Warnbro Beach Waikiki

    The City of Rockingham says the secluded, largely untouched sand and wide coastal views make Waikiki and Warnbro beaches popular with families, and lists Warnbro and…

  • Sorrento Beach Sorrento Beach Sorrento

    Sorrento Beach is one of two City of Joondalup beaches, with Mullaloo, that the council calls local favourites for swimming.

    Patrolled October to April

  • North Beach North Beach North Beach

    North Beach lies on West Coast Drive between Waterman's Bay and Trigg Beach.

    Patrolled October to March; seven days a week in April

  • Secret Harbour Beach Secret Harbour Beach Secret Harbour

    Volunteers from Secret Harbour Surf Life Saving Club patrol on weekends and public holidays from 8:30am to 1pm in summer, and lifeguards cover weekdays from 6am to 11am.

    Patrolled October – end of March

All beaches and rock pools in Perth, free and paid

Botanic gardens and big parklands

Open lawns, shaded paths and room to run, with toilets and a picnic spot close by.

  • Kings Park and Botanic Garden Kings Park and Botanic Garden Perth

    Kings Park and Botanic Garden on Fraser Avenue, Perth, is a large inner-city park with bushland walk trails, the Western Australian Botanic Garden, cafés and several…

    ★ 4.8 (27,779)

All gardens and parklands in Perth, free and paid

Free museums, galleries and science

Permanent collections with free entry. Special exhibitions can be ticketed; the listing says so.

  • WA Shipwrecks Museum WA Shipwrecks Museum Fremantle

    The WA Shipwrecks Museum on Cliff Street, Fremantle, is run by the Western Australian Museum and is housed in the historic Commissariat buildings.

    ★ 4.7 (2,507)

  • Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre Perth

    The Old Central Fire Station Heritage Centre, run by DFES at 25 Murray Street in Perth's East End, is Perth's first purpose-built fire station, now displaying historic…

    ★ 4.7 (160)

  • The Art Gallery of Western Australia | AGWA The Art Gallery of Western Australia | AGWA Perth

    The Art Gallery of Western Australia (AGWA) is the state art gallery in the Perth Cultural Centre, a short walk from Perth train station.

    ★ 4.4 (2,842)

  • Old Court House Law Museum Old Court House Law Museum Perth

    The Old Court House Law Museum is in the 1836 Court House in Stirling Gardens, on the corner of Barrack Street and St Georges Terrace, Perth, next to the Supreme Court…

    ★ 4.7 (58)

  • Museum of Perth Museum of Perth Perth

    The Museum of Perth chronicles the social, cultural, political and architectural history of Perth.

    ★ 3.7 (335)

Playgrounds and adventure parks

The destination playgrounds and nature play spaces worth a trip across town.

  • Chevron Parkland Chevron Parkland Burswood

    Chevron Parkland is part of Stadium Park, the parkland surrounding Optus Stadium in Burswood on the Swan River.

    ★ 4.5 (462)

  • Galup Reserve SW Adventure Playground Galup Reserve SW Adventure Playground Wembley

    Galup Reserve (Lake Monger) is a Town of Cambridge reserve on Lake Monger Drive, bordered by Powis Street, Gregory Street and the Mitchell Freeway.

    ★ 4.7 (42)

  • Mokare Reserve Adventure Playground Mokare Reserve Adventure Playground Mandogalup

    Mokare Reserve in the Apsley estate, Mandogalup, has an adventure playground built by the estate's developer, featuring a 12-metre treehouse and slide along with a…

    ★ 4.5 (85)

  • Hyde Park Hyde Park Perth

    Hyde Park is a City of Vincent heritage-listed park bounded by Vincent, Glendower, Throssell and William Streets.

    All-abilities · ★ 4.7 (4,685)

  • Mandurah Eastern Foreshore Mandurah Eastern Foreshore Mandurah

    Mandurah's Eastern Foreshore runs along the estuary on Mandurah Terrace, about an hour's drive south of Perth.

    ★ 4.7 (564)

  • Riverside Gardens Riverside Gardens Bayswater

    Riverside Gardens is a City of Bayswater park on the Swan River foreshore, reached from Milne Street and King William Street, Bayswater.

    ★ 4.6 (1,427)

  • Neil Hawkins Park Neil Hawkins Park Joondalup

    Neil Hawkins Park is a 5.5 hectare landscaped park on Boas Avenue, Joondalup, on the western shore of Lake Joondalup within Yellagonga Regional Park.

    ★ 4.6 (1,256)

  • Woodbridge Riverside Park Woodbridge Riverside Park Woodbridge

    Woodbridge Riverside Park on First Avenue, Woodbridge, is a City of Swan park beside the Swan River with a large fenced playground.

    ★ 4.6 (1,583)

  • Mundaring Community Sculpture Park Mundaring Community Sculpture Park Mundaring

    Mundaring Community Sculpture Park is a Shire of Mundaring park on the corner of Maddock Street and Jacoby Street in Mundaring, in the Perth Hills.

    ★ 4.6 (809)

  • Bardon Park Bardon Park Maylands

    Bardon Park, at 18 Fourth Avenue, Maylands, is a City of Bayswater reserve on the Swan River with views of Optus Stadium and Belmont Racecourse.

    ★ 4.6 (804)

  • Neil McDougall Park Neil McDougall Park Como

    Neil McDougall Park is a City of South Perth park on Ley Street, Como.

    ★ 4.6 (732)

  • Harold Boas Gardens Harold Boas Gardens West Perth

    Harold Boas Gardens is a City of Perth public garden on the corner of Wellington Street and Delhi Street in West Perth.

    ★ 4.6 (569)

  • Mardalup Park Mardalup Park East Perth

    Mardalup Park is a City of Perth park on Brown Street, East Perth, overlooking the Swan River and across from Optus Stadium.

    ★ 4.6 (516)

  • Whale Playground Whale Playground Scarborough

    The Whale Playground is a City of Stirling playground on the Scarborough Beach foreshore, just north of Sunset Hill.

    ★ 4.7 (255)

  • Stirling Gardens Stirling Gardens Perth

    Stirling Gardens, on the corner of St Georges Terrace and Barrack Street in the Perth CBD, is the oldest garden in the city, first used in the 1830s and officially…

    ★ 4.5 (659)

  • Stirk Park Stirk Park Kalamunda

    Stirk Park is a City of Kalamunda park on Kalamunda Road, Kalamunda.

    ★ 4.4 (801)

  • Russell Brown Adventure Park Russell Brown Adventure Park Mosman Park

    Russell Brown Adventure Park is a large naturescape adventure playground inside Minim Cove Park in Mosman Park, run by the Town of Mosman Park.

    ★ 4.6 (144)

  • Burswood Park Playground Burswood Park Playground Burswood

    Burswood Park Playground is the fenced children's playground in Burswood Park, a WA Government-owned park on the Burswood Peninsula beside the Swan River, managed by…

    ★ 4.5 (234)

  • Quarry Adventure Park Quarry Adventure Park Meadow Springs

    Quarry Adventure Park is a City of Mandurah park on Pebble Beach Boulevard in Meadow Springs.

    ★ 4.4 (354)

  • Mawson Park Mawson Park Hillarys

    Mawson Park is a City of Joondalup park in Hillarys.

    ★ 4.4 (343)

  • Amberton Beach Lighthouse Park Amberton Beach Lighthouse Park Eglinton

    Amberton Beach Lighthouse Park is a coastal-themed playground at Idyllic View, Amberton Beach, in Eglinton.

    ★ 4.6 (67)

  • Ozone Reserve Ozone Reserve East Perth

    Ozone Reserve is a City of Perth park at the eastern end of Riverside Drive in East Perth, surrounded by Lake Vasto.

    ★ 4.4 (237)

  • Langley Park Playground Langley Park Playground East Perth

    Langley Park is a City of Perth park stretching almost a kilometre along Riverside Drive beside the Swan River, and its listed attractions include a children's…

    ★ 4.5 (112)

  • Island Playground Island Playground Perth

    The Island Playground is a public playground on The Island at Elizabeth Quay in the Perth CBD, managed as part of the Elizabeth Quay precinct by DevelopmentWA.

    ★ 4.5 (95)

  • Mueller Park Play Space Mueller Park Play Space Subiaco

    Mueller Park Play Space is a City of Subiaco playground at Mueller Park, on the corner of Coghlan Road and Subiaco Road in Subiaco.

  • Cracknell Park Cracknell Park Rivervale

    Cracknell Park is a City of Belmont park at 52 Riversdale Road, Rivervale, on the Swan River.

    ★ 4.4 (130)

  • Mount Hawthorn Community Centre Naturescape Mount Hawthorn Community Centre Naturescape Mount Hawthorn

    Braithwaite Park is the fully fenced park beside the Mount Hawthorn Community Centre on Scarborough Beach Road.

    ★ 4.6 (25)

  • Pitstop Playground Pitstop Playground Banksia Grove

    With a variety of play equipment, it encourages both physical activity and creative play, making it a hit with families.

    ★ 4.2 (218)

  • Millars Landing Steamrail Adventure Playground Millars Landing Steamrail Adventure Playground Baldivis

    Millars Landing Steamrail Adventure Playground on Heartwood Boulevard is a train-themed City of Kwinana destination park celebrating the area's timber and rail history.

  • Birdwood Square Playground Birdwood Square Playground Perth

    Birdwood Square is a City of Vincent park and sportsground at 301 Beaufort Street, Perth, opposite the Brisbane Hotel and next to Highgate Primary School.

  • Long Park Long Park East Victoria Park

    Long Park is a seven-kilometre linear park under the elevated Armadale Line, running from Carlisle Station to Beckenham Station through Victoria Park, Carlisle, Queens…

  • Totterdell Park Totterdell Park West Perth

    Totterdell Park is a small City of Perth park on the corner of Thomas Street and Prowse Street, West Perth, just before the Wellington Street intersection.

    ★ 4.2 (87)

  • Stadium Park Sensory Playground Stadium Park Sensory Playground Burswood

    The Sensory Playground is one of the playgrounds in Stadium Park, the parkland surrounding Optus Stadium in Burswood.

    ★ 4.3 (28)

  • Altone Park Altone Park Beechboro

    Altone Park is a lakeside parkland at 332 Benara Road, Beechboro, with a children's playground and picnic area, barbecues, picnic tables and park seating.

    All-abilities

  • Wireless Hill Park Nature Playspace Wireless Hill Park Nature Playspace Booragoon

    Wireless Hill Park in Booragoon is one of the City of Melville's premier parks, with a nature playspace accessible for all abilities.

    All-abilities

  • Singleton Beach (accessible beach, City of Rockingham) Singleton Beach (accessible beach, City of Rockingham) Singleton

    Singleton Beach, in the City of Rockingham, has barbecue and playground facilities.

  • Joondanna Reserve Playground Joondanna Reserve Playground Joondanna

    Joondanna Reserve Playground is one of the City of Stirling's listed destination playgrounds.

  • Jackadder Lake Playground Jackadder Lake Playground Woodlands

    Jackadder Lake Reserve is one of the City of Stirling's destination playgrounds, a family park beside the lake that the council describes as ideal for playing, scooting…

    All-abilities

All parks and playgrounds in Perth, free and paid

Splash pads and water play

Free water play the council runs, usually in the warmer months. The listing says when the water is on.

All water play spots in Perth, free and paid

Waterfalls, lookouts and forest walks

Walks the park service or council describes with a length and grade. Each listing says how far, how hard, and what is at the start.

All walks, waterfalls and lookouts in Perth, free and paid

More free days out

Community farms, wildlife spots and other places that cost nothing to get into.

Libraries, story time and rhyme time

Free sessions for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, usually in school term.

Questions parents ask

Where can I take a toddler in Perth for free on a hot day?
Water play areas and calm beaches are the best choices, such as Elizabeth Quay Water Park, Bibra Lake and sheltered beaches. Go before the day heats up, with a hat and a rash vest, and check the listing for shade near the water.
What free indoor things are there for toddlers in Perth?
Libraries with story time, the Story Place at the State Library and the Shipwrecks Museum are good choices. Story time days and times vary, so confirm them before you go.
How long should a toddler outing in Perth last?
Shorter is better. Plan to be home before the sea breeze and the afternoon heat, and leave while the mood is still good.
Are Perth free places safe for toddlers?
Many are, but the beach, the river and nearby roads mean fencing varies. Stay within arm's reach near any water.

Other kinds of free day in Perth

For toddlers in other cities