Keeping the kids entertained during the school holidays can be a rather daunting task.
On one hand, spending quality time with your children is important and, more often than not, a lot of fun. But the need for constant entertainment can drive you a little insane and drain the bank balance faster than you can say "Mum, I'm bored".
Luckily there's plenty of things to see and do in Perth these school holidays. We've highlighted 9 activities to explore to keep the boredom away and pack plenty of excitement into the two weeks.
2019 Perth Royal Show
Saturday 28 September - Saturday 5 October, Claremont Showgrounds, Claremont
The Perth Royal Show has been around for more than 185 years so it's fair to say it's part of the DNA of Perth events in the school holidays.
The Claremont Showgrounds is expected to fill with 35,000 excited visitors in 2019, who will be waiting with bated breath for sideshow alley, the spectacular fireworks show and agricultural animals galore at the Animal Nursery, Pigeons & Poultry Pavilion and the Creatures Great and Small Pavilion.
The 2019 show will also see the debut of a brand-new rollercoaster, with people attending the Royal Show being the first in the world to ride it. There's also the debut of a specially commissioned Dreamtime Show with indigenous performers each evening, featuring a 36-metre-long Rainbow Serpent (Wagyl).
Even if you're a Royal Show veteran, it's well worth the annual school holiday visit to Claremont Showgrounds to get in on the action.
Adventures in the Swan Valley
Saturday 28 September - Friday 13 October, various locations across the Swan Valley
Delicious food, thrilling outdoor activities and lots of cuddly animals to meet - those are just some of the activities you can find in the Swan Valley this school holiday period.
The Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm lets you and your children get up close and personal with a variety of farmyard favourites. There's plenty of cute barn animals to pat, snuggle and feed and it will easily fill a leisurely morning.
Oasis Supa Golf and Adventure Putt is like regular golf on easy mode. If you are frustrated with the difficulty of the sport, then you'll enjoy the modified oversized golf clubs and balls, making it easier to hit further. With a 36 hole course, you'll find plenty of value and laughs in Supa Golf.
Whistlers Chocolate Co caters to those who like the sweeter things in life. With many chocolate varieties such as Rocky road, coconut rough and a café to enjoy a luxurious hot chocolate, you'll need to leave a bit of room in your 'dessert stomach' before arriving.
Perth's Outback Splash has 5 Mazes, 9 holes of Mini Golf, a children's playground as well as a Jumping Pillow to tire the kids out. In October the wet attractions open where you can enjoy the Plummet giant inflatable – the Park's brand new inflatable slide – and younger children can splash in the Octopus Bay, catered for those at toddler age.
Whiteman Park boasts a fantastic array of attractions and facilities making it a great destination for families and tourists alike. Best of all, entry to the park is free. Caversham Wildlife Park is also a safe bet for the school holidays. Walk around the large kangaroo enclosure, pat a koala or meet the wombats.
Marine Scientist for a Day at AQWA
Monday 7 October - Friday 11 October, AQWA, Hillarys
AQWA is providing more fun learning for the kids these school holidays with its Marine Scientist for a Day program. The 3 hour workshop will inspire children with a passion for marine animals to learn more about ocean conservation with turtle and fish feeding, slime experiments, a glass bottom boat adventure and much more.
Once you're done with a crash course in Marine Science there’s plenty of opportunity to see giant sharks, stingrays and turtles in Australia's largest underwater tunnel.
Make Believe at Scitech
Saturday 28 September - Friday 13 October, Scitech, West Perth
Scitech always has fantastic events on during the school holidays to keep the kids entertained, and October is no different as Scitech presents 'Make Believe' – an exhibition which showcases the technology and techniques behind making and believing ideas.
What does that mean exactly? It's a series of exhibitions and workstations that bring the 'Make Believe' to life with sound landscapes, animation stations and puppet theatres. The exhibition also looks at the science behind illusions like the bendy mirrors that make your head look really big!
The showpiece of Scitech, the Planetarium, will be showing 'Dream to Fly' - which showcases the evolution of flight and how the dream of flying was brought to life with modern day technology. There's also the 'Voyage of Discovery' which shows how the night sky has made pictures, created stories and communicated cultures for centuries. The exhibition runs all the way through the school holidays so there’s plenty of time to explore the world through wonder.
Pixar Putt
Friday 27 September - Sunday 3 November, RAC Arena, Perth
Love kid's movies and a bit of mini golf? You'll be in heaven at Pixar Putt - an 18-hole course inspired by the ever popular and timeless classic Pixar films of the last three decades, which will bring the front of RAC Arena to life. The nine and eighteen hole themed putting greens kicked up a storm in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane earlier this year, with more than 60,000 players taking part.
Family favourite themes will be recreated in mini golf form such as Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Monsters, Inc, A Bug's Life and much more.
Prices start from $19.90 for a junior ticket on the nine hole course, and as the course is only here for five weeks, it is well worth a visit during the school holidays for those looking for something a little bit different in the Perth CBD. Advanced bookings are advised. For 'grown ups' there are After Dark sessions after 7pm from Thursday-Sunday to ramp up the competitiveness and fun.
Little Green Thumb Workshops
Saturday 28 September – Friday 4 October, Forrest Place, Perth CBD
If your kids love making a mess in the garden during the big spring clean, they'll be in their element at the City of Perth's Little Green Thumb Workshops in Forrest Place.
The kids will be able to take part in several different spring themed workshops, learn more about the six Noongar seasons, get up close to the critters and bugs that help a garden’s eco system and they'll even get to create their own pet bug rock!
Tickets are only $10 and as a parent, you'll have that warm fuzzy feeling knowing your kids are learning through play, and who knows, maybe they'll be more inclined to help around the garden more in the school holidays!
Saturday 5 & Sunday 6 October and Tuesday 8 October, The Bibbulmun Track
The Bibbulmum Track is 1,000km of glorious trails that stretch right across the south west of WA and there’s plenty going on in the school holidays for Perth families that relish in a bit of adventure.
On the weekend of the 5 & 6 of October, the Walking with Dad Weekend encourages dads to bring their children on a hike through the magnificent Jarrah Forest and camp overnight at a Bibbulmun Track campsite. No smartphones, no laptops and no tablets required. Here you will learn bush and camping skills from the experienced guides and perhaps enjoy some marshmallows roasted over the fire.
The Bibbulmum Track Camp Cooking For Kids will equip the little ones on the best way to cook up some grub in the bush. There’'s a 4km mini-trek to and from the campsite and upon arrival there will be a hands on cooking experience in the beautiful surrounds of Mundaring Weir. It all takes place on Tuesday 8 October, split into morning and afternoon sessions so make sure you book in advance.
School Holidays at The Perth Mint
Saturday 28 September - Friday 13 October, The Perth Mint, East Perth
What child doesn't love gold? Whether it's in the form of hidden treasure, pocket money or sports carnival medals, the wonders of gold have captured the imaginations of generations of children and 'grown ups' across Australia.
At The Perth Mint, you can bask in the glow of a world record one tonne coin worth over $60 million, witness a live gold pour and take a look at a dazzling display of natural gold nuggets.
Kids can receive a free medal if they take part in the Perth Mint Challenge Quiz, which will engage young minds through the information-packed Gold Exhibition. If they pay enough attention they'll realise the answers are right in front of their eyes!
Western Australia was a gold rush state in the last 1800's and visitors will learn more about the gold mining legends and events that have shaped the state as well as those which continue to contribute to its prosperity.
Explore the WA Museums
Saturday 28 September - Friday 13 October, Fremantle
Both the WA Maritime Museum and the WA Shipwrecks Museum have school holiday activities that include adventures on the high seas, treasure chests and hilarious shark show performances.
The WA Maritime Museum will be exploring the wonderful world of sharks. There's the Planet Shark Exhibition, a screening of Shark Tale: The Movie and an opportunity to 'meet the scientist' to learn more about the role sharks play in the environment and how they interact with other ocean creatures.
At the WA Shipwrecks Museum, it’' all about hidden treasure and scary looking pirates with funny accents! Can you find the treasure of the golden dragon that the pesky pirates have hidden in the museum? If your successful a pirate's share of the loot be yours, me hearties.
For more ways to keep the kids entertained this school holiday, go to: School Holidays in Perth.
