10 Fun Things to Do in Perth this School Holidays
With the July school holidays just one week away (July 5-20th, 2014), I have collected together 10 fun out-of-the-house activities to enjoy with the kids this holidays. I’ve aimed to cover a broad range of ages, locations and prices (but was a little disappointed to find quite a few of the activities I had planned to include have already sold out!) and hope you’ll find some ideas to get out and about with the kids this holidays. Enjoy!
1. Perth City Snow Land
Description:
Delight in the charm of real snow as our snow characters lead you on a journey through an enchanted forest under falling snow to a wonderland full of snowy experiences. You’ll be able to build a snowman, throw a snowball and enjoy a thrill seeking ride down the 40 foot snow slide. Journeys take place in 30 minute sessions.
Location: Forrest Place, Murray Street, Perth
Dates & Times: 7-19 July 2014
30 minutes sessions from 10.20-3.00pm daily
Ages: Not specified
Cost: FREE
Bookings: Entry passes can only be collected on the day from the City Playground Pass marquee in Murray Street Mall from 9am onwards. Each session is limited to 90 people. Pre-bookings are not available.
More information: City of Perth Winter Arts website
2. Winterland
Description:
Winterland is Perth’s first inner city outdoor ice skating rink. Catering for kids, parents, grandparents and everyone in between, Winterland will feature a 250sqm ice rink and cafe/bar. Visitors can also pull up a beanbag and watch a series of winter themed programmed films on the big screen in the Perth Cultural Centre. Food stalls will offer tasty treats such as hot pretzels, bratwurst and ginger cookies. Patrons and the general public can observe all the skating action from The Lodge, the bespoke alpine bar and café, with mulled wine, hot chocolate and other winter warmers. And fear not, as toasty warm fires will keep the winter chill at bay.
Location: James Street Ampitheatre, Perth Cultural Centre
Dates & Times: 4-20th July 2014
9am-10pm, 12 x 45 minute sessions daily, beginning on the hour
. The first session of the day is reserved for children aged 3-5 years, with aided skating tools for toddlers. From 10am onwards, the sessions are all ages. After the sun goes down, it’s time for big kids at heart to come out play, with themed nights, DJs and more from 7pm – late.
Ages: 3 years+
Cost: Under 15: $18, 15+: $28, Family: $82 (2 adults, 2 children), Penguin (skating support) hire: $10
Bookings: Book tickets here.
More information: Winterland website
3. Animal Ark – Art Gallery of Western Australia
Description:
Animals are making themselves at home on the walls of AGWA. From paws and claws to wings and things, Animal Ark features works from the State Art Collection that highlight the many ways in which the animal motif has been used by generations of artists. A family activity space and art trails make it a great adventure for the young ones, and the underlying exploration of mythology, symbolism and representation of animals through paintings, sculpture, decorative art and works on paper, will appeal to adults as well.
Pick up an exhibition sheet and make your way through Animal Ark exploring the works and learning a little more about the artists’ intentions. Answer the questions posed by our education team or quiz your family members!
Family Friendly Tours are available at 11am
every day during the school holidays (closed Tuesdays)
Location: Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Cultural Centre
Dates & Times: 10am-5pm (closed Tuesdays)
Ages: Not specified.
Cost: FREE
Bookings: Not required.
More information: Art Gallery of Western Australia website
4. Muppets Most Wanted Workshops
Description:
Kids will adore this free ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ Air Dry Clay Workshop. They will be able to create their very own Miss Piggy or Kermit Frog out of clay and take it home to air dry – no heating necessary.
Locations, Dates & Times:
7-11 July, Westfield Carousel, Centre court area
11am-2pm daily
14-20 July, Westfield Innaloo, Fresh Food Market area
11am-2pm daily
Ages: Not specified
Cost: FREE
Bookings: Not required
5. Dinosaur Discovery Workshops
Description:
Is your child a budding paleontologist? Join us these School Holidays at Westfield Whitford City for our Dinosaur Discovery Workshops. Children will receive their tools of the trade and will chip away at rock to find dinosaur fossils. What dinosaur will they uncover?
Location: Westfield Whitford City, Centre Court area
Dates & Times: 7-11 July 2014
Sessions will run for 25 minutes daily from Monday 7th – Friday 11th July 2014 at the following times: 11am / 11.35am / 12.10pm / 12.45pm / 1.20pm
Sessions are capped at 24 children.
Ages: 3+ years
Cost: FREE
Bookings: Not required
6. Nick Jr’s Dora’s Dance Party
Description: Put your dancing shoes on for Nick Jr’s Dora’s Dance Party because Dora needs you to spin, shake, wiggle, jump and clap your hands with her. This is a dance-filled adventure as we march past ants, wiggle around spiders, slither through snakes, dance like a fish, move like you have ants in your pants and do our favourite pirate dance.
Location: Karrinyup Shopping Centre
Dates & Times: 14 Jul – 20 Jul 2014
Show times: Centre Court, Mon to Sat: 9:30am & 11:30am, Sun: 11:30am & 1:30pm
Meet & Greet times: Level 1, near Funky Kids
, Mon to Sat: 10:30am & 12:30pm. Sun: 12:30pm & 2:30pm.
Ages: Not specified
Cost: FREE
Bookings: Not required
More information: Karrinyup Shopping Centre website
7. See a family friendly movie
Description: New family friendly movies showing this school holidays include;
Rio 2 Rated G
It’s a jungle out there for Blu, Jewel and their three kids in RIO 2, after they venture from that magical city into the wilds of the Amazon for a family reunion. Out of his element in a land he doesn’t know, Blu must face his most fearsome adversary – his father in law – while evading Nigel’s fiendish plans for revenge.
TinkerBell: The Pirate Fairy Rated G
When a misunderstood dust-keeper fairy named Zarina steals Pixie Hollow’’s all-important Blue Pixie Dust and flies away to join forces with the pirates of Skull Rock, Tinker Bell and her fairy friends must embark on the adventure of a lifetime to return it to its rightful place. However, in the midst of their pursuit of Zarina, Tink’’s world is turned upside down. She and her friends find that their respective talents have been switched and they have to race against time to retrieve the Blue Pixie Dust and return home to save Pixie Hollow.
How to Train a Dragon 2 Rated PG
The thrilling second chapter of the epic How to Train Your Dragon trilogy returns to the fantastical world of the heroic Viking Hiccup and his faithful dragon Toothless. The inseparable duo must protect the peace – and save the future of men and dragons from the power-hungry Drago.
Locations, Dates & Times: Contact your local cinema for session dates and times.
Ages: G and PG ratings as listed
Cost: Contact your local cinema for more information
Bookings: Contact your local cinema for more information
8. The Rockingham Regional Environment Centre Naragebup
Description: This holidays the centre is offering a range of nature inspired creative activities including;
• Nature’s art
• Bird feeders from recycled plastic drink bottles
• Pond dipping
• Handprint pictures
• Fossil making
• Plasticine snake making
• Painted frogs
• Blow painted aliens
• Cutlery monsters
Location: 49 Safety Bay Road, Peron, 6169
Dates & Times: Various dates and times, see schedule for more information.
Ages: Not specified.
Cost: $5 per activity + $5 per accompanying adult
Bookings: Book online
More information: Visit the Rockingham Regional Environment Centre Naragebup website
9. What’s 2 Eat Cooking Classes
Description: Learn heaps about good food while having fun in the kitchen. Develop a range of cooking skills while making yummy, healthy food. All classes are nut free.
Location: What’s 2 Eat Kitchen, 10 Scenic Drive
, Wanneroo
Dates & Times: Classes run Monday to Friday, check website for full schedule. Each class lasts a minimum of 90 minutes.
Ages: 3 years and up.
Cost: From $19.50 per child.
Bookings: Bookings essential, contact Derrin on 6201 5054.
More information: What’s 2 Eat website
10. Barking Gecko Theatre Company Workshops
Description: Barking Gecko Holiday Workshops take children on a fun and creative journey, working with industry specialists – from directors to stage combat choreographers, to build their skills in a social and fun environment. This winter Barking Gecko is offering both playmaker (2 days) and filmmaker workshops (3 days).
Location: 180 Hamersley Road, Subiaco
Dates & Times: 7-11 July 2014
Ages: 7+ years
Cost: $250 two day workshop, $350 three day workshop
Bookings: Contact Christie Sistrunk (Education Manager) on (08) 9380 3085 / (08) 9380 3080 or complete booking online here
More information: Visit the Barking Gecko website
What do you have planned for your family this school holidays?
See also our fabulous free printable school holiday planner and 50+ at-home activity ideas.
