School holidays can feel like groundhog day when there are long days to fill and whining children to entertain, so here are 10 fabulously fun days out that won’t break the bank.
In fact, every single one is free.
As we can’t rely on the weather in July, there are outdoor and indoor events that the whole family can enjoy, from warming up with hot chocolates by the fire at a magical winter festival in the city to making a pirate ship from recycled materials and hitting Perth’s newest mountain bike trails where kids can burn off all their energy.
Fremantle’s wildly popular LEGO® themed adventure trail returns these school holidays come rain or shine.
This year’s theme is “Films in Fremantle” after WA primary school students were asked to sketch how the port city’s most famous landmarks would look as the settings for their favourite films.
Perth’s best LEGO® builders then turned the winning drawings into playful LEGO® models to be displayed around Fremantle for everyone to discover.
Start at one of two sites — Fremantle Town Hall or WA Maritime Museum — then collect your map and wind your way through the historic city’s charming streets to discover seven playful creations including Disney’s strong-willed Moana arriving by boat at the Fremantle Fishing Boat Harbour.
Choose your favourite build at the end for a chance at a prize and keep the fun going by joining in at the free LEGO® workshops running daily.
Kids who visit the Fremantle Town Hall between 10am and 4pm armed with their map and entry form will also score a free toy.
When: Monday 14 July to Sunday 20 July from 10am to 4pm. Book tickets here.
Turn up the heat with a visit to the Old Perth Central Fire Station where children can enjoy a close-up look at a fire truck and spot the hoses, ladders and other thrilling equipment used by firefighters to battle blazes.
In the historic engine room, they’ll have the chance to dress up as a firefighter and sit in a real fire truck complete with flashing lights.
Those with sensory needs will like the early access sessions on the first Saturday of each month. Lighting and sound levels can be adjusted and there’s a designated quiet area for those needing a break.
In celebration of NAIDOC Week, kids are also invited to participate in a scratch art activity inspired by the Noongar word for fire, ‘Karla’.
When: 9.30am-2pm throughout July on Sat 5, Tue 8, Wed 9, Thu 10, Tue 15, Wed 16, Thu 17, Sat 19 at 25 Murray St, Perth. Early access sessions start at 9am, with more details here.
Needs a few tricks up your sleeve for when the weather lets you down?
Make a beeline for Peppermint Grove where youngsters aged between six and 12 can delve into the ludicrously fun and colourful world of Mario Kart on the Nintendo Switch at The Grove Library which has two large screens.
The Coolbellup Library is also running an action-packed gaming session where kids eight and older can jump into Oculus VR, battle each other on the Nintendo Switch and explore games and apps on iPads.
When: July 15, 2-4pm, The Grove Library, 1 Leake Street, Peppermint Grove. Book using your library card here. The Cooby Gamer Club’s Holiday Gamefest is at 2pm on Monday 14 July. Bookings open July 7 and can be made here.
Children love digging in the garden and just planting a handful of seedlings can blow their little minds.
The City of Cockburn hosts a number of community planting days suitable for families who don’t mind getting dirty together or pitching in with tasks such as digging with hand trowels, erecting tree guards with rubber mallets and transporting mulch throughout the revegetation sites with wheelbarrows and buckets.
When: The next planting day is July 12, 9am-1pm at Coogee Beach Reserve on the grassed area behind the cafe. Register here.
Taking little ones on walks inevitably involves stopping every few steps to pick up fallen sticks, nuts and colourful leaves, so they’re going to relish an opportunity to turn their finds from nature into bush toys.
To celebrate NAIDOC Week, kids aged eight and above can to try their hand at making traditional Noongar-inspired dolls using elements from nature such as banksia seed pods and wool while learning about their rich history and how they were used in play and storytelling.
When: 1pm Saturday July 12 at the Success Library. Bookings open July 5 online here.
Do you love doodling or have an idea for a comic book that you want to bring to life?
Here’s your chance to learn from one of Australia’s leading cartoonists.
New York Times bestseller Gavin Aung Than, creator of Zen Pencils, is sharing how he turned his love of silly drawings into a career, what his creative process looks like, and how to create your own comic strips.
When: Tuesday 15 July 10am to 11.30am or 1pm to 2.30pm at the City of Perth Library for kids aged 6-12. Book here.
Young thrill-seekers will love the Dyoondalup Bike Park in Bicton.
Completed in June last year, the courses are designed for riders of all skill levels.
It has three flow trails, a jump park and pump track.
When you’ve mastered the green coded trails, you can take on the blue or be a dare-devil on the black.
There’s plenty of wintery fun to have in the city.
For three days in July Elizabeth Quay will transform into a winter wonderland and bring the rich cultural warmth of Europe’s spectacular winter festivals to Perth.
Gather with family and friends in the cosy dome or around the crackling fire pits for marshmallow toasting as Viennese dancers swirl under the glittering sky.
When: Cosy @ the Quay I A European Fable runs from 18 – 20 July, midday until 10pm, at Elizabeth Quay.
Break into pirate shanties while you fashion your very own mini pirate ship complete with a swashbuckling flag.
Materials for recycling such as cardboard, tubes, egg cartons and shiny treasures from the Spearwood Library’s craft box will be provided.
What’s a pirate ship without a treasure chest, you say?
The Coolbellup Library, located nearby, has that one covered too.
Be there at 2pm on Thursday July 17 to craft your own treasure box, and delight in discovering a hidden surprise inside.
The tricky concept of circular breathing can make beginners feel pretty silly.
Learn more about this traditional wind instrument by joining Ngalak Nidja for stories and to hear the hypnotic sounds and echoes of animal calls from a didgeridoo.
