Travel & Touring | WA Things To Do
Keep the kids entertained with a range of activities during the summer school holidays in Perth.
1. Follow the Christmas Lights Trail
Get the kids into the Christmas spirit by heading to the Rio Tinto Christmas Lights Trail. It features 22 light installations across the Perth CBD and Northbridge. This year there's a new, shorter, family-friendly route, 'The Merry Mile'. It covers 15 of the installations within the Perth CBD and can be completed with an hour-long stroll.
The Christmas Lights Trail runs until 2 January 2024. Download the map from the Visit Perth website to learn more about the light installations, including the Australian animals on display and the Constellation Labyrinth at Cathedral Square.
Date: 17 November – 2 January 2024
Location: Perth CBD and Northbridge
Cost: Free
2. Crack the code at the WA Museum Boola Bardip
Take advantage of the range of school holiday activities on offer at WA Museum Boola Bardip. Codebreakers is part scavenger hunt, part escape room and will take you across galleries and through the museum. Allow two hours to complete the mission. Or meet resident reptiles up close and join a storytelling session in the Ngalang Koort Boodja Wirn exhibition on a Sunday morning.
From January, kids will also be able to drop in to the Tinker Lab to experiment and invent, or book in for an all-day workshop on Minecraft, Art v Science, GarageBand, and more.
Date: December – January 2024
Location: WA Museum Boola Bardip, Perth Cultural Centre
Cost: See the museum's website for activity costs. General Admission: Standard $15, Junior (15 years and under) Free.
3. Watch a film under the stars
Treat the family to a movie under the stars these school holidays at Moonlight Cinema at Kings Park. Pack a picnic or purchase food and drinks onsite before you snuggle up to enjoy new release movies and old favourites, including Barbie, Elf, Home Alone and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Visit Moonlight Cinema for the most up to date program and to book your tickets.
Date: Check programmes
Location: Mayfield Drive Parkland, Kings Park
Cost: General admission - $20pp (family passes available)
4. Create a Monet-inspired artwork
Monet in Paris at Le Grand Palais is a spectacular 360-degree immersion into Monet’s world. Breathtaking paintings are projected on an enormous scale at Crown Perth this summer.
The enchanting exhibition will fill your child with awe through a dynamic display of light, colour and sound. Plus, you can add on a Mini Monet in Paris art class where kids are guided to create a Monet inspired work of their own.
Date: From 16 November
Location: Crown Perth
Cost: Adult - $59, Child (2-17 years) - $49 (RAC members save 20% off all tickets until 13 January)
5. See classic children's books on stage
Adapted from the book by Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton, The 78-Storey Treehouse is being brought to life by CDP Theatre Productions at the Octagon Theatre, located on the University of WA campus. And The Very Hungry Caterpillar show, based on the beloved children's classic, is coming to the Regal Theatre in Subiaco.
The children’s favourites are shown multiple times a day, and run for 50-60 minutes with no intervals. The 78-Storey Treehouse is recommended for children ages 6-12, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar is recommended for children 18 months+. Bookings can be made via the CDP website.
Date: The 78-Storey Treehouse - 4-8 January, Octagon Theatre
Date: The Very Hungry Caterpillar - 10-14 January, Regal Theatre
Location: Octagon Theatre and Regal Theatres
Cost: $39 to $46
6. Head outdoors for an all-day adventure camp
The Swan Valley Adventure Centre school holiday camps have a range of outdoor activities to help your little ones burn some energy.
Think rock climbing and archery for 7-9 year olds, and mountain biking and high ropes for teens (10-14 year olds). The camps are all day, from 8am to 3:45pm (lunch included). See the full itineraries and book via the Swan Valley Adventure Centre website.
Date: 8 - 19 January 2024
Location: Swan Valley Adventure Centre
Cost: $99 plus booking fee
7. Brain training with Minecraft
Run by Mind Buzz, this fun and educational Minecraft camp is being held at various venues across Perth and WA during the summer school holidays. Running from 9:30am to 3:30pm, the workshop will start with basic building and progress through levels of difficulty throughout the day. It’s suitable for ages 6-14 years and each child will receive free access to the Mind Buzz camp world and online courses so they can continue their learning. See the website for locations and dates.
Date: 18 December – 29 January
Location: Various - Perth and Regional WA
Cost: $89
8. Head to a fun fair
Create memories at the Elizabeth Quay Fun Fair with entertainment for adults and kids alike. Fireworks are scheduled at 8pm and 9pm across the weekends - check the schedule for dates.
Then there are the carnival rides, carousel, showbags, sideshow games and more. Falling snow occurs every half hour from 5:30pm until close (weather-dependent) out the front of the Luna Glow Shop.
Date: 1 December to 6 January 2024
Location: Elizabeth Quay
Cost: Entry is free. Purchase tokens for the attractions online or from the ticket boxes, starting from $39 (plus booking fee).
9. Catch the latest movie releases
Starring Rowan Atkinson and Timothée Chalamet, Wonka is showing in cinemas from 14 December, based on Roald Dahl's iconic character from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. There are some scenes that may scare young children, so if your little ones are a bit too little, the next instalment in the Trolls franchise has you covered.
Trolls Band Together is in cinemas from 30 November, starring favourites Poppy (Anna Kendrick) and Branch (Justin Timberlake) who are now officially a couple - uncovering Branch's secret past.
The creators of Minions, Despicable Me, Sing, and The Secret Life of Pets introduce a new original comedy, Migration, opening at Perth cinemas on Boxing Day. Join the Mallard duck family getting out of their rut and opening themselves up to new friends and new experiences as they fly South for the winter.
Walt Disney Animation Studios presents Wish, a new musical-comedy, where a powerful wish made in a magical kingdom is answered by a cosmic force. See these new movie releases and other family favourites at Event Cinemas, where RAC members receive a discount.
Date: From 26 December
Location: Various
Cost: See Event Cinemas website (save with your RAC membership)
10. Visit the Zoo at twilight
Enjoy the zoo with the kids these school holidays after-hours to beat the heat. Open until 7:30pm every Saturday in January, you can explore all the zoo’s wonders at sunset.
There’s also live music on the Main Lawn from 5pm, so bring a picnic or grab something from one of the food trucks. For more information on the Summer Sundowners, visit the Perth Zoo website.
Date: Every Saturday in January
Location: Perth Zoo
Cost: Free to Perth Zoo members, Adult - $36.30, Child (4 –15 years) - $18.15, Mini Group (2 adults + 2 children) – $95.60
11. Experience puppet mastery
Spare Parts Puppet Theatre is bringing to life the tale of an argument sparked by the discovery of Great Grandma’s broken biscuit barrel. You'll step into the childhood bedroom of Nadia and Shane, where bunk beds become portals to fantastical worlds and toys morph into weapons. The show is suitable for children aged 5+, with a runtime of 50 minutes plus 10 minutes Q&A. Book your tickets at the Spare Parts Puppet Theatre website.
Date: 9 - 26 January 2024
Location: Ellie Eaton Theatre, Claremont Showground
Cost: From $26
12. See the Giants of Mandurah
The Giants arrived in Mandurah just over a year ago - have you visited them yet? This spectacular outdoor installation with a powerful message will enthral kids of all ages. Standing five metres tall, the Giants were crafted by world-renowned Danish artists Thomas Dambo from recycled timber and are placed in secret locations around Mandurah to be discovered and explored as part of an interactive game.
Download the Traveller's Companion or head to the Mandurah Visitor Centre to pick up a map.
Date: From November 2022
Location: Mandurah and surrounds
Cost: Free
13. Experience the magic of Fringe World
Growing every year, Fringe World features many events suitable for children. Join mad scientist, Magnus Danger Magnus, for a high voltage science lesson in Kaboom! Explosive Science Show, recommended for children aged 4-12. The show combines science, comedy and magic for an electrifying STEM spectacle.
Date: 19 January – 11 February 2024
Location: The Gold Digger at The Pleasure Garden
Cost: $26
Chasing more amazing experiences in Perth? RAC members save from 10% off a variety of experiences in and around Perth. Swim with dolphins, fly a seaplane to Rottnest, and more.* *Terms and conditions apply. Visit https://rac.clubconnect.com.au/en for more details.
