13 things to do during the school holidays

IF you’re already running out of ideas to keep kids occupied during the school holidays, we’ve got you covered.

Don’t worry about the weekend’s dismal weather forecast, with a long list of family friendly fun in Perth you won’t have time to be down in the dumps.

1. The AWESOME International Arts Festival for Bright Young Things

The AWESOME International Arts Festival will have free and ticketed events taking place at the Perth Cultural Centre and University of Western Australia from October 5-18.

2. Make Believe at Scitech

Explore the world of fascinating science and bring imagination to life by spending a day at Scitech these school holidays.

Running every day of the school holidays from 9am-5pm, Make Believe at Scitech will treat little scientists with their activities, including an immersive film soundscape and teaching hacking skills.

3. Pop-Up Globe Perth

For a limited season, Pop-up Globe will present a spectacular festival of Shakespeare unlike anything Perth has seen before.

The world’s first full-scale temporary working replica of the second Globe has been built on the grounds of Perth at Crown.

This comedic theatrical experience is running from October 9 so get your best medieval costume together and grab your tickets.

4. Spring School Holidays at Optus Stadium

Come spend a day at the award-winning Optus Stadium for the Stadium Tour, including city and Swan river views from the highest vantage point.

Visitors can step behind the scenes and see where sporting stars warm up before games as well as getting the chance to walk onto the playing surface.

Young kids can run amuck in the Stadium Park and enjoy the six nature playgrounds while the adults can sit down and take a coffee break.

All Stadium Tours are pram and wheelchair accessible, running daily at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 3pm for 90 minutes.

5. Little Green Thumb Workshops

Get your gardening prongs and green thumbs on for when the Little Green Thumb Workshops visit the City of Perth this spring season.

Located in Forrest Place this event will feature various garden and spring themed workshops for the little garden gurus to learn about the six Noongar seasons, make their own terrarium gardens and get their hands dirty meeting some garden critters.

Running until October 4, tickets are $10 each and each booking comes with a $10 gift card to spend at your favourite store in the city.

6. School holidays in the Swan Valley

The Swan Valley Cuddly Animal Farm is where you’ll find all the cute and cuddly animals, from bunnies and guinea pigs to miniature donkeys and ponies.

After getting up close and personal with animals, pay a nearby visit to WA’s oldest chocolate company Whistler’s Chocolate Co & Cafe or ride a vintage tram at Whiteman Park.

Swan Valley will also be home to the The Great Valley Rally or the Amazing Valley Chase, two treasure hunts designed for children from 5-12 years old and takes three hours to complete.

7. Planet Shark: Predator or Prey

Enter the dark depths of the ocean with the Planet Shark exhibition, which showcases the ocean’s oldest predator.

This latest exhibition at the WA Maritime Museum includes awe-inspiring models of real sharks which is sure to be enough to have your wits about you.

Produced on a size and scale never seen in Australia before, there is a collection of shark teeth and jaws, a walk-through gallery projecting high definition images and extremely rare fossils, including some up to 370 million years old.

Tickets range from $12-$15 with kids under five years old getting in for free and is on until November 10.

8. School holidays at the WA Shipwreck Museum

Arrghh me hearties! Come aboard the pirate ship and find the hidden Treasure of the Golden Dragon in Fremantle’s Shipwreck Museum.

Craft a pirate’s treasure chest from 10am-2pm, followed by some pesky pirate story tales starting from 11am.

Entry is free but a $5 donation is suggested. Suitable for ages four and over, bookings are essential for groups of more than 10 people.

9. Pixar Putt

Go kick some “putt” with the kids for the remaining school holidays and get them down to Pixar Putt at the RAC Arena.

Sticking around for a five-week season, this mini-golf sensation is inspired from iconic films including Toy Story, Finding Nemo, The Incredibles and Ratatouille.

For the 18-holes course, prices range from $29- $119 but tickets start at $19 for the nine holes game.

Adults and bigger kids in the family can treat themselves to the ‘After Dark’ sessions on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 7pm.

10. Bricktober

Bricktober is an annual event and arrives in Perth from October 12-13 to exhibit Lego models built by fans of the coloured toy bricks.

Curtin University Stadium will be transformed into a temporary Legoland and is sure to satisfy Lego enthusiasts over two days.

Several activities over the two days will keep everyone entertained including a Bricktober Raffle, Guess the Number of Lego Pieces in the Jar and you also have the chance to drive a remote-controlled Lego vehicle.

11. Pancake Decorating

Get into the spring fling at the go-to kid friendly restaurant Ivy & Jack for their kids pancake decorating station, available with the breakfast buffet until 10am.

In addition to the spring activity, kids eat free and can enjoy the breakfast buffet, kids lunch or dinner menu when dining with an adult until October 13.

12. School holidays at the Perth Mint

The home of exceptional natural gold exhibits and the world record one tonne coin worth more than $60 million dollars, can provide some money magic these school holidays.

Kids can take part in The Perth Mint Challenge quiz or the first free virtual reality gold trail, the #heartofgold Discovery Trail.

If you’re interested in the happenings of a working gold mine, The Mine to Mint day tour will give you an insight into Australia’s largest operating gold as well as the Perth Mint itself.

The Perth Mint is open seven days a week from 9am-5pm and is located on Hay Street in East Perth. All bookings can be made through the website.

13. Railfest 2019

Hosted by the Railway Museum in Bassendean, this event will feature multiple visiting displays, exhibits and demonstrations showcasing WA’s railway history.

The collection of diesel locomotives, heavy freight steam trains and the tiny 20 inch gauge mine locomotive is the only one like it in WA and aims to tell the story of all railways across the state.

Taking place on Sunday October 13 from 10am-4pm Railfest will have plenty of activities for the kids.

Admission fees are $9 for adults, $7 for concessions and $4 for children and free entry for under four year olds.