From fairy tales in the park to dinosaurs in the city and even a real-life astronaut, there’s no shortage of ways to keep the whole family entertained these school holidays.
Here are our top 10 suggestions:
1. Perth Royal Show
One of Perth’s most beloved traditions, the Perth Royal Show is set to return to Claremont Showground from September 27 to October 4, bringing with it the familiar buzz of carnival rides and the mouthwatering smell of hot cinnamon doughnuts .
This year’s program is packed with crowd favourites and new attractions including daring stunt shows, extreme motocross demonstrations and sheepdog trials.
Showgoers can dive into the vast sea of show bags before wrapping up the day by watching the fireworks light up Claremont with a riot of colour.
Tickets start at $17.50 for children, with free entry for kids under five, and various family passes and discounted public transport options available.
2. The AWESOME Festival
In the heart of the city, the AWESOME International Arts Festival will once again take over the Perth Cultural Centre from Tuesday, September 30 to Saturday, October 4, transforming the precinct into a vibrant wonderland of creativity, imagination and play.
Designed especially for children the festival is one of the highlights of the spring school holidays, drawing families from across the metro area.
This year’s program is packed with world-class children’s theatre, captivating puppetry performances, live music, and interactive art installations.
Many events are free, and ticketed shows are kept low-cost, making it easy for families to enjoy multiple experiences without breaking the bank.
Food trucks, shaded seating areas and a relaxed, community-focused atmosphere make it a perfect day out for families looking to soak up some spring sunshine.
To view the program and purchase tickets visit this website.
3. The Mandurah Arts Festival
Down in Mandurah, the Mandurah Arts Festival is already in full swing and continues through to October 12, bringing with it a vibrant celebration of creativity and community.
Set against the backdrop of Mandurah’s scenic foreshore, the festival — spanning a full month — features interactive art installations, open-air concerts, pop-up performances, and a wide range of family-friendly workshops and activities.
Visitors can expect to stumble upon giant inflatable sculptures and whimsical public artwork that is scattered through the town centre.
Live music and performances from local indie bands, jazz ensembles, circus acts and dance troupes are all set to wow visitors.
Art markets line the streets on weekends, featuring handmade goods, artisan wares, and food stalls serving up fresh local flavours.
Most events are free, making the Mandurah Arts Festival an ideal day trip or weekend getaway for families looking to escape the city.
View the prgram here.
4. The Everlasting Kings Park Festival
Nature lovers should head to Kings Park, where the beloved Everlasting Kings Park Festival is in its final days.
Now in full bloom, the park has been transformed into a breathtaking showroom of WA’s most iconic wildflowers, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth.
The festival —wrapping up on September 29 — turns one of the world’s largest inner-city parks into a carpet of pink everlastings.
Throughout the festival, families can take part in guided wildflower walks, interactive discovery trails, nature-based craft workshops, and storytelling sessions.
For gardening enthusiasts, there are daily talks from horticultural experts, practical demonstrations, and a bustling native plant sale where you can take home your very own piece of Kings Park.
To add to the atmosphere there is live music, pop-up food trucks, and picnic spots overlooking the city skyline and Swan River.
Best of all, entry is completely free.
5. Bloom light show Joondalup
In the northern suburbs, a spectacular nightly event is set to turn Joondalup’s Central Park into a glowing wonderland: Bloom Joondalup, running from September 26 through to October 26.
At dusk, the park becomes an immersive outdoor canvas of light and sound. Along the trail you’ll pass laser beams, interactive installations and ambient soundscapes that deepen the sensory immersion.
Each night session begins with a low-sensory version at 6:45 pm — perfect for visitors who prefer a gentler, less intense atmosphere — followed by general sessions from 7:00 pm onward.
On Sundays through Thursdays, the last session begins at 9:45 pm; on Fridays and Saturdays, the show extends later, with the final session starting at 10:15 pm.
Bloom’s entrance is located on Grand Boulevard, and the show is conveniently close to Joondalup Train Station, for those opting for public transport.
Adult tickets are priced at $17.50, children aged 3–17 at $12.50, and infants two years and under attend free. A family pass is available for $49.
6. Meet an astronaut
Scitech in West Perth is offering a truly out-of-this-world experience for any child who’s ever looked up at the stars and wondered what it’s like in space.
On Saturday, September 27, visitors will have the chance to meet a real-life NASA astronaut.
This one-day-only event is part of Scitech’s mission to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and explorers.
The visiting astronaut will share firsthand stories of what it’s like to launch aboard a rocket, live aboard the International Space Station, and look down at Earth from orbit.
Children will have the opportunity to ask question and connect with one of humanity’s few true space travellers.
The astronaut talk is included with general entry to Scitech, which also gives visitors full access to the centre’s hands-on science exhibits, interactive zones, and the planetarium.
Entry costs $14 for children and $19 for adults, with discounted family passes available.
7. Dinos Alive
The past is roaring loudly once again as the Dinos Alive exhibition continues to thrill visitors at the Northbridge Centre until November 23.
This immersive experience brings prehistoric creatures back to life with jaw-dropping realism, offering a fascinating glimpse into the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods.
Step into a walk-through Jurassic jungle, where towering life-sized animatronic dinosaurs — from the ferocious Tyrannosaurus rex to the gentle herbivorous Brachiosaurus — move, roar, and even blink, creating an incredibly lifelike encounter.
The exhibition includes interactive fossil digs, where kids can get hands-on experience uncovering dinnosaur bones, learning about how fossils are discovered and studied.
Visitors can explore virtual reality adventures that transport them back in time to walk alongside dinosaurs in their natural habitats.
Entry starts at $22, and with its popularity soaring, it’s highly recommended to book tickets ahead to secure your preferred session.
8. Railfest
All aboard — families will want to make tracks to the Railfest 2025, a one-day celebration of all thing trains.
Taking place on October 5 at the Railway Museum in Bassendean, the beloved event offers an impressive array of model railway displays.
These displays provide hours of fascination and are often interactive, allowing kids to control the trains or trigger special effects.
A highlight for families is the chance to ride on miniature trains that circle the museum grounds — a perfect way to experience the thrill of train travel in a fun way.
Historic railway carriages are also on show, some of which visitors can board to get a sense of the travel experience in decades past.
Railfest is more than just a display of trains; it’s a hands-on, immersive experience designed to connect generations and celebrate the vital role railways have played in shaping Western Australia’s development. There are food stalls, souvenir vendors, and plenty of photo opportunities to capture memories of the day.
Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children, with a family pass available for $25.
9. Fairy Tales in the Park
Hyde Park in North Perth is set to come alive with magic, music and make-believe for Fairy Tales in the Park on Saturday, October 11.
For one special day, the leafy green grounds of Hyde Park will be transformed into a storybook setting, complete with wandering fairy-tale characters, live storytelling, whimsical music, and interactive craft stations tucked beneath the shade of the park’s majestic old trees.
Whether your child dreams of being a brave knight, a forest fairy, or a cheeky pirate, this is the perfect event to let imaginations run wild.
At the heart of the event is a series of storytelling sessions, where talented performers bring classic and modern tales to life with humour, heart and a touch of theatrical flair.
From mischievous goblins to gentle giants, the stories unfold in cosy outdoor “reading circles” where children can sit on picnic rugs and be swept away by the magic of words.
Woven between the stories are plenty of hands-on activities to keep little fingers busy — from crown-making and wand-decorating, to face painting and interactive games. There’ll also be live acoustic music and singalongs.
Children are encouraged to come dressed as their favourite storybook characters, whether that’s a princess, a dragon or a superhero.
The event goes from 1-4pm and while it is free you must register your child’s attendance.
10. Bricktober
Lego lovers of all ages won’t want to miss the much-anticipated Bricktober event, making its exciting return to Curtin Stadium in Bentley on October 11 and 12.
This popular festival showcased hundreds of incredible Lego creations meticulously built by passionate local enthusiasts.
Visitors can marvel at detailed cityscapes that bring miniature urban environments to life, explore enchanting fantasy worlds filled with dragons and castles, and witness cutting-edge robotics built entirely from Lego bricks.
There are dedicated hands-on building zones where attendees can let their creativity run wild and build their own Lego masterpieces.
The event features thrilling competitions where participants of all skill levels can test their building prowess and win exciting prizes.
Tickets for Bricktober start from $10.
https://thewest.com.au/news/education/perth-school-holiday-activities-10-of-the-best-things-to-do-with-the-whole-family-this-spring-c-20051990
