an indoor arcade with a circus theme, bright colours and bright lights

Looking for the best indoor activities for kids in Perth? Whether it’s to escape a rainy day, intense heat, or simply to enjoy some family time indoors, Perth has a ton of family-friendly activities to choose from.

From free museums, interactive play centres and creative workshops to family-friendly indoor amusement centres, there’s plenty to explore!

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Discover, Learn and Play at Perth’s Museums

Scitech

A must-visit destination for kids who love poking, smashing, pulling and spinning their way to discovering how things work.

The venue is packed full of interactive exhibits and multiple daily science shows, puppet shows, and voyages through the stars in the planetarium.

For locals, the annual memberships are great value for money where you’ll be saving on entry fees with only three visits per year.

four girls in a replica basket of a hot air balloon, one of the interactive exhibits in Scitech Perth, one of the top indoor activities for kids in Perth Western Australia
Image credit: citywest.net.au

WA Museum Boola Bardip

Visit WA Museum to experience the fascinating natural history and cultural heritage of Western Australia through interactive displays, ancient artifacts, and multimedia presentations. An easy day out that both adults and kids can enjoy.

Tickets can be bought on entry, but for locals, the annual membership is definitely worth the money, with ever-changing exhibits and discounts at the museum cafe, shop, and entry to the Special Exhibitions and tours.

WA Maritime Museum

Discover a treasure trove of nautical history and adventure, perfect for families and kids who love the sea and marine vessels.

With hands-on activities and exhibits, energy-filled kids will have plenty to keep them happy. Over 6’s can even go aboard the Cold War-era submarine docked next to the museum on a guided tour (this does cost extra)!

Joined with Boola Bardip, a Superfan annual membership also allows access to this museum (and other rural WA museums across the state). Otherwise, tickets can easily be bought at the door.

The Nostalgia Box

One for the gamers, young, or not so young. There are over 100 consoles on display from the 70’s to the present day – see if you can find the console from your youth!

Be prepared to get your nostalgia on at the interactive gaming area, where you can challenge the kids to beat you at the retro games from your childhood. You knew all those hours would be worth it in the end!

They suggest booking online before your visit to avoid turning up when a private function is on.

Children and their parents around computer game consoles and screens, playing retro computer games indoors at The Nostalgia Box in Perth
Image credit: thenostalgiabox.com.au

Whiteman Park Museums

There are three separate museums on the park grounds; the largest is the Motor Museum of WA, followed by the Tractor Museum, then the Revolutions Transport Museum which displays the history of land transport in WA.

Other ‘indoor’ activities in the area are the vintage train and heritage tram rides. If you have transport-mad offspring then this could be an easy win!

Entry to Whiteman Park is free, but individual museum entry and ride prices vary.

Fremantle Arts Centre

A great option for the school holidays with courses running most days, being split into four different age groups.

They run a diverse range of courses from pot making and clay sculpting to creating manga cartoon strips. Perfect for those creative souls who like to try something new, or just those kids who like making a mess.

Active Indoor Play: Sports and Physical Fun for Kids

Indoor Play Centres

Perth has many indoor play centres from north to south, with a huge range of themes and play equipment. We all know how necessary it can be for kids to blow off steam, and this is an easy option when the weather is too much to handle.

Cockburn Ice Arena

Perth’s biggest ice rink, complete with a choice of session types, including Ice Bykes, all-abilities, and monthly themed dress-up events like pool-party night, and seasonal holiday fun.

Multiple sessions run on most days in term time, with many more in the school holidays. Check online for up-to-date session times and the latest events.

Save on ticket prices by choosing the family pass, or going on a Tuesday or Thursday which are Cheapskate Nights!

Indoor Rock Climbing & Bouldering

Whether you’re brand new to climbing or a bit of a pro, Perth has several great locations to keep you happy.

Don’t let the technical kit put you off if you’re visiting with the kiddos, there are options including lessons, guided sessions, or opting for bouldering where the only kit you need are the shoes (rentals available) – perfect for a beginner, family-friendly active day out.

Glowing Rooms 3D Mini Golf

Have you ever felt that regular mini golf just isn’t quite 3D enough for you? Then it’s time to turn up the vibrancy for 18 holes of INTENSE putting. Choose from 4 different room themes for around an hour of fun.

At the same venue, you can also have a go at one of their VR escape rooms (14+ years), play at the arcade, and relax after it all at the cafe. Check the site for price bundle deals that pop up occasionally.

iFly Perth

Enjoy some family time hurtling around a vertical wind tunnel having the time of your lives! iFly gives you the skydiving experience without the fear of plummeting to your doom. It’s a pricey option for sure, but also an experience you won’t be forgetting any time soon.

a child and an instructor mid-air during an indoor skydiving experience in the vertical wind tunnel at iFly
Image credit: klook.com

Indoor Activities for Nature Lovers

Aquarium of Western Australia (AQWA)

AQWA takes visitors on an underwater journey along the coastline of WA, showcasing the diverse and vibrant marine ecosystems of the region. See many types of marine life from cute and friendly turtles, to poisonous and deadly octopus and stonefish.

AQWA offers an interactive touch pool, a 98-meter underwater tunnel, play areas and much more! With daily feedings and informative talks by the staff alongside extras like the Glass Bottom Boat Tour, there is plenty to keep the family entertained on a rainy day.

Whale Watching (Sep – Nov)

Sit back and relax in style for a couple of hours on a luxury catamaran while you and the littles watch the annual humpback whale migration. Either cosy up inside in the heated, purpose-built vessel, or brave the weather using the complimentary blankets and rain ponchos.

Mothers and calves can be seen from October onwards, and you can relax knowing that if no whales are sighted (unlikely), you will be given a free return trip.

a humpback whale leaping out of the ocean with its tummy facing upwards.
Image credit: whalewatchwesternaustralia.com

Shoalwater Islands Marine Park Glass-Bottom Boat Cruise

Take an hour-long guided wildlife-spotting cruise followed by burgers or fish and chips. Wild dolphins, rare Australian sea lions, pelican rookeries, and birds of prey are regularly sighted, and of course, a colourful range of marine life can be seen through the window in the glass-bottomed boat!

This tour only runs during winter and on the hottest summer days (35C+), so take a load off, get on the water and enjoy the ride.

Family-friendly Indoor Amusement Centres

Timezone & Zone Bowling

Spend the whole day here playing tenpin bowling, arcade games, laser tag, and bumper cars, and indulge in some comfort-food classics at the on-site cafe. It’s a perfect spot for families looking to enjoy multiple activities under one roof.

Joondalup is the only location with laser tag and bumper cars. There are three other locations: Cannington, Morley and Rockingham which have bowling and arcade games to keep you busy.

arcade machines with bright lights indoors at Zone Bowling and Timezone in Joondalup, Western Australia
Image credit: Zone Bowling

Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq Karrinyup

An arcade, bowling, mini golf, escape rooms, laser tag, challenge rooms AND karaoke all in one place! It may actually be impossible to be bored here.

The whole place has an intense, vintage circus meets gaming arcade vibe which kids will be into, along with on-theme mega milkshakes, pizzas and burgers.

Escape Rooms

  • Multiple Locations

For older kids, escape rooms can be an amazing way to get the brain working, and get together with the family to work as a team.

There are many to choose from with an array of different room themes and locations, so use our handy guide to choose the best escape room for you!

FREE Indoor Activities for Kids in Perth

State Library of Western Australia

Head to the Mezzanine Level to find ‘The Story Place‘, an area in the library made just for families and kids to run free and discover whatever books (suitable for 0-8 years) and games they like. There is also baby and toddler-specific fun to be had with free weekly Rhyme Time & Play Time Sessions.

For older kids and parents, head to ‘Board at the Library’ on level 2 for a cozy place to enjoy puzzles and board games together.

WA Shipwrecks Museum

This Museum offers a look into the maritime history of Western Australia. Housed in a historic 1850s building, the museum showcases artifacts from shipwrecks along the coast, including treasures from the famous Batavia, and a lifesize replica of a section of the shipwreck itself!

Donations to the museum are appreciated but by no means essential. The staff really love the museum and always seem happy to answer any questions you have!

Inside the Shipwreck Museum in Fremantle showing the inside of the hull of the Bavaria shipwreck from above

Art Gallery of Western Australia – AGWA

There are multiple free art galleries across Perth but AGWA is the most family-friendly free option, with a whole section – Gallery 09 – dedicated to an interactive hands-on approach to art where families (including children of all ages) are encouraged to engage and contribute.

Bunnings

  • Australia Wide

Yes, Bunnings. As well as many stores having free indoor playgrounds, they also have free kids workshops like hula-hoop making, painting, and garden crafts, and in-store events like face painting and glitter tattoos.

It’s necessary to book the workshops online, so go to the webpage of your local store and see what they have on under the ‘Find & book a workshop or activity’ section.

Transperth Buses and Trains

While it’s true that for some kids a ride on the train is a bucket-list-worthy destination in itself, that’s not why they have made the list.

For anyone with a SmartRider pass, Sunday travel is completely free, and if you have children 4 or under, travel is free at any time! More info for other age ranges is available on the Transperth website, but generally, concession fares are available to any student with a Smartrider pass.

The city of Perth also has a Free Transit Zone, so getting to different indoor activities for kids in Perth centre is a breeze!

Combining free public transport with one of these options for free indoor activities for kids in Perth means planning for a budget-friendly day out with the family is easy.

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