It’s tough to come up with things to do with the kids to keep the kids entertained in the school holidays, and lets face it heading out with the kids each day can get expensive. But it’s possible to still have lots of fun in the school holidays without breaking the bank! That’s why we put together this list of 24 Cheap Things to do in the School Holidays!
Firstly, you’ll need to first make sure you have lots of things in the cupboard you can use to make a picnic lunch, and plenty of healthy snacks to take on the go, then just scroll through the list of free and cheap things to do below and you are on your way!
24 Cheap Things to do in the School Holidays
Here is our list of 24 Cheap Things to do in the School Holidays with your kids! There is so many great adventures and something for everyone! Which one of these 24 Cheap Things to do in the School Holidays will you do these holidays
Ways to Save Money Over Your Child’s School Holidays
With a bit of thought and planning, there are lots of ways you can make your money last throughout the school holidays. Simple activities like exploring nature in nearby national parks can be an exciting experience for your kids.
Discount Play Centres can also be a great way to save money during the school holidays for parents. Not only are these places a lot of fun for children, but you can also get great discounts when you buy tickets in advance.
Alternatively, if you want to do something special with your friends try forgoing expensive activities and instead look for free or low-cost options nearby such as parks or trails that could offer a fun, less expensive alternative.
Cheap Thing #1 Have a meal and a play at IKEA
Kids meals start from $3 and there is a play area within the restaurant. You could even give yourself a break and book the kids (95 – 135cm and toilet trained) into Smaland and wander IKEA or sit down and enjoy a meal or a coffee and cake for an hour while the kids enjoy a play in this big indoor play centre. Find more information in the Kids Around Perth IKEA Review here.
Cheap Kids Activity #2 $9 Play at Inflatable World Mandurah!
Check out all the fun at Inflatable World Mandurah ! A great time for big and small. Thanks to our partners at Boobobutt Kids-Around-Perth readers can get 10% OFF ENTRY TICKETS when they book via Boobobutt! That means $9 play for kids 4 and under!
Activity #3 Free activities at your local shopping centre
Find free shows and activities at your local shopping centre this school holidays here in our list of School Holidays Shopping Centre Activities
Kids Activity #4 Landsdale Farm
At just $10 per person ($8 per person concession) this is a fun, educational and affordable day out. This wonderful little farm has a huge playground, beautiful gardens, gnome hunt, gnome cubby house, aviaries, cafe and more. Your entry fee gives you all day access to the farm and it’s facilities so bring your own food and drinks along there is plenty or room to have a picnic or bbq, or you can buy something to eat or an ice-cream from the Cafe Haystack. Find more information in the Kids Around Perth Landsdale Farm Review.
#5 Visit your local library
Book in for your local libraries school holiday activities or to check out some books to read over the school holidays. Some libraries have fun, educational and interactive area for kids too. Check out our Your Local Library page for some local libraries that hold school holiday activities or have family friendly facitlies.
#5 Ellenbrook Water Playground
This wonderful free water playground is lots of fun for when the weather heats up. There’s lots of grassed area and free BBQs, so bring lunch along and picnic while the kids run around in the water sprays and cannons for hours on end! There is also a bmx track next door so bring the bikes along for some added fun. Read more in the Kids Around Perth Ellenbrook Water Playground Review here.
#6 Explore Rio Tinto NatureScape Kings Park
Entyr to Naturescape is free and you can build a cubby, wade in the water, climb rocks and more! Find more information in the Kids Around Perth Naturescape Kings Park Review here.
#7 Adventure around May Drive Parkland Kings Park
Look for the Australia’s mega fauna dinosaurs, play and run through the mist forest on Lycopod Island and explore the long elevated wooden walkway at the May Drive Parkland. Find more information in the Kids Around Perth May Drive Parkland Review.
#8 The Beach House – 20% OFF Entry Tickets
Come and check out one of the most unique play centres in Perth – The Beach House ! The Beach House has a great combination of fixed play areas and free range toys. Areas for big and small kids, so there is fun ready for kids of all ages! Kids Around Perth readers get 20% OFF Entry when booking via Boobobutt!
#9 Lotterywest Federation Walkway Kings Park
Get a beautiful view of the city an enjoy this short walk along the treetops in Kings Park. Find more information at www.bgpa.wa.gov.au.
#10 Play at Ivey Watson Lotterywest Family Area Kings Park
Large play area for kids 5 years and under. Mostly enclosed with perimeter fencing. Bring a picnic lunch or buy lunch or a coffee at Sticky Beaks Cafe located within the play area. Read more in the Kids Around Perth Ivey Watson Lotterywest Family Area Review here.
#11 Subiaco Tram
The Subicao Tram is a free Hop On Hop Off service that runs around Subiaco and Shenton Park and makes a stop in King’s Park. It operates during the day Tuesday to Friday and Saturday mornings. Find more information at the website.
#12 Galaxy Drive In Kingsley
Take a step back in time! Family movies usually show over the school holidays and Tuesday night is cheap car night too! Find more information in the Kids Around Perth Galaxy Drive In Review here.
Keep going! There are still another 12 ideas for our 24 Cheap Things to do in the School Holidays!
#13 Watch the planes at the Perth Airport Viewing Platform
Take a packed lunch and spend a couple of hours watching planes take off and land or spot a bandicoot on the walking trail a the Perth Airport Viewing Platform. Find more information in the Kids Around Perth, Perth Airport Viewing Platform Review .
#14 DFES Education and Heritage Centre Perth
Entry is free and it’s open Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays. They sometimes run school holiday activities and kids can dress up like a fire fighter and have their photo taken. Find more information in the Kids Around Perth DFES Education and Heritage Centre Review.
#15 Visit Odyssey Playcentre – 10% OFF Entry for Over 5’s
Odyssey Playcentre is a truly unique experience! Odyssey is a great play centre and has a great games area and games shop. Stop in for a play, a bite to eat and for some unmissable memories! What’s more, Kids Around Perth Readers can get 10% OFF Entry for Over 5’s when they book via Boobobutt!
#16 Visit the WA Maritime Museum
The WA Maritime Museum is symbolic of Fremantle’s past, present and future as a coastal city and port. Kids enter free and there are activities on during the school holidays. Find more information at their website.
#17 Wander the Treetop Walk at Centennial Pioneer Park Gosnells
Beautiful long boardwalk leads to a little piece of nature paradise with shaded playground below. Find more information in the Kids Around Perth Centennial Pioneer Park Gosnells Review.
#18 Perth City Farm
Perth City Farm in East Perth teaches kids about sustainable living. Visit the farm and check out the gardens and see how this once industrial site has been completely rehabilitated and enjoy a coffee and light meal at the cafe too. Why not catch the train (hop off at Claisebrook Station) or catch the Yellow Cat Bus! Find more information in the Kids Around Perth, Perth City Farm Review.
#19 Spend the day at Whiteman Park
Entry to Whiteman Park is free and there is so much to do. Play at one of the many playgrounds, splash at the free water playground (open seasonally), ride the bus, trams and trains (small fees may apply) or visit one or all of the museums (small entry fees may apply). Find more information in the Kids Around Perth Whiteman Park Review.
#20 Complete the Amazing Valley Chase
The rally starts at the Swan Valley Visitors Centre, where Taylor Tortoise will then guide you around the attractions of the Swan Valley, by following a set of clues. The Amazing Valley Chase is free, self guided and takes you to various locations around the Swan Valley many of which you may never have visited. Find more information the Kids Around Perth Great Valley Rally Review here.
#21 Watch the planes at Jandakot Airport
Take a picnic lunch or grab something from Aviators Cafe (cafe closed Sundays) while you watch the planes land and take off at Jandakot Airport. Find more information in the Kids Around Perth Jandakot Airport Review.
#22 Visit Yanchep National Park
Take a packed lunch, go for a bush walk and check out the koalas, just one fee per car to enter. Find more information on Yanchep National Park at www.dpwa.wa.gov.au.
#23 Explore John Forrest National Park
Ride or walk the trails, explore the waterfalls, wade through the creeks and play at the nature playground. Picnic and BBQ facilities available. Find more information n the Kids Around Perth John Forrest National Park Review.
#24 Discover a new playground
Pack a lunch and jump in the car and drive (or catch a bus or train) to a new undiscovered playground. Check our list of Perth Playgrounds for some ideas!
What do you think? Did you find a great adventure amongst the 24 Cheap Things to do in the school holidays? Happy Exploring!
Posted by Lauren, April 6th 2012. Reviewed by Lauren 7th December 2020
We make every effort to ensure all this information is up to date but should be used as a guide only. Events do get cancelled or changed and venues can close without notice. Always follow the links provided for up to date information on an event or activity. If you know of a change or cancellation we’ve missed then please contact us to let us know.
