5 Nature Play Outings Kids Will Love
Today Caprice of Perth Kidz joins us to share five great nature play outings that your kids will love…with hand-picked suggestions that Perth-based families will love.
1. Visit a nature based playground
Jump online and research nature based playgrounds in your local area. Look for playgrounds featuring natural elements, such as opportunities for water and sand play, wooden climbing equipment (or great climbing trees!) and living plants.
Perth councils have recently started to see the value in building nature based playgrounds and we now have some fantastic parks to visit. One of our favourites is Russell Brown Adventure Park in Mosman Park. With a stream running from the top to the bottom you can make dams, race leaves, create mud pies and find tadpoles at the bottom. There are ropes to swing from the trees, logs to climb and teepees to build. So. Much. Fun.
Some other great ones around the Perth metro area include include Naturescape and Variety Place in Kings Park, Carawatha Park in Willagee, Braithwaite Park Mount Hawthorn, Dianella Regional Playground and Woodbridge Riverside Park.
2. Enjoy an animal encounter
Take time to visit attractions that teach children about animal conservation. Zoos and aquariums with a strong conservation focus, animal sanctuaries and environmental education centres are a great place to start.
For Perth families, try a visit to the Naragebup Environment Centre in Rockingham or take the ferry across to Penguin Island.
3. Learn where your food comes from
Farm tours, farm stays and pick-your-own farms all provide an opportunity for children to connect with food sources.
North of Perth is the Bullsbrook Strawberry Farm. For $10 a box (includes entry for one person) plus $2 for each extra person, you can eat as many strawberries as you like while you pick and the box ends up being around 4-5kgs! Open September-November.
Also, not far from the strawberry farm, is Golden Grove Orchard where you can pick citrus fruits. Call to book this one.
4. Join a community nature program
Check out opportunities to connect with nature through local organisations that encourage children and families to spend time outdoors.
In Perth, Nature Play WA offers community nature programs for children. Visit the website for more information. You can also head out to the Perth Hills Discovery Centre where there are different activites aimed at different ages.
5. Discover your national parks
Spring is a fabulous time to explore your regional national parks and there are many within a short drive from the Perth city.
Head out to Lesmurdie Falls where the water is flowing down 50 metres and can be viewed from a number of platforms. You can also spot native wildlife like quendas, lizards and birds plus numerous wildflowers. At Yalgorup National Park (just south of Mandurah) you can find the interesting looking thromolites. To the north is Yanchep National Park which is one of the state’s oldest national parks. Take a tour through one of the caves.
Play, Eat, Sleep Perth! Caprice is a Mum of 4 who loves Perth. She does a spectacular job of finding the best playgrounds and events Perth has to offer, where to eat with kids in tow and where to stay in WA. If you’re in Perth, be sure to check out the Perth Kidz weekend events list every Friday to find out what is happening near you. And be sure to follow Perth Kidz on Facebook.