10 budget-friendly activities for the fam these school holidays

School holidays are almost here, and we’re sure you can already feel the anticipation amongst the kids for a couple of activity-filled autumn weeks.

If you’re like most of us, you may be feeling the pressure building on your bank account, especially as you start to figure out how to keep the rugrats entertained.

As always, we’re here to help, linking up with customer-owned, proudly WA-based, P&N Bank, to help you find some of the budget-friendly activities for the family over these school holidays.

A genuine banking alternative to the ‘Big Four’, P&N Bank have a couple of handy online tools to help you get on top of budgeting or improve your financial wellbeing: Take a look at their easy-to-use mymo by P&N Bank budgeting app, or register for the free Your Financial Wellness tool to help build the financial future you want for you and your family.

And keep things a little lighter on the wallet with these 10 budget-friendly activities you can do with the fam over the Easter school holidays:

Fremantle Street Arts Festival

One epic way to start the Easter holidays is to head down to the Fremantle International Street Arts Festival, transforming Freo’s historic streets into an open-air theatre of amazement that is completely free to attend! There’ll be live music, street theatre, roving performers and loads more. If you’re worried about parking why not get public transport, it’s free on Sundays for all SmartRider holders!

Cockburn Easter Fair

Sticking with the Easter theme, Aubin Grove Reserve in Cockburn will become an eggstraordinary Easter playground full of free family entertainment on Saturday 30 March. We’re talking ball pits, hopping balls, tunnel rolling, musical walls, carnival games, a soft play zone, roaming stilt walkers, market stalls and food trucks. The Jandakot Bush Fire Brigade will also be in attendance. It’s running from 3pm-8pm, and you can get more details here.

Luminous Street Festival

Mark the halfway point of the April school holidays with an illuminating night of fun in the Claremont Town Centre. There’ll be a range of immersive, interactive activities for the kids, including illuminated stilt walkers, entertainers, street artists, light projections and installations, a silent disco, face painting and more. It’s running from 5:30pm-8:30pm on April 12 and 13, and you can get more details here.

Telethon Community Cinemas

We’re certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to outdoor cinemas around Perth, and while plenty of them remain open into the Easter school holidays, Telethon Community Cinemas is one of the best around for value. They operate across several locations in Perth and have an excellent lineup of family-friendly films including some old favourites and new animated movies. There’s even a couple of double features over the holidays!

WAFL Wonderland

If you’re a family of footy fans, then we’ve got a fantastic new option for you with this brand-new game-day experience making WAFL games fun for the whole community. WAFL Wonderland will be happening at three WAFL games over the April school holidays, turning the games into a vibrant festival-like atmosphere with kids’ activities, DJs, food trucks, giveaways and loads more. The best part? Entry is free for under 16s! Find out more and check the dates and locations here.

Museum adventures

You’ve got three fantastic options for museums around Perth and Fremantle, all of which offer something a little different, and most importantly, all offer free entry for kids under the age of 15! You’re going to need at least a day to conquer the WA Museum Boola Bardip, which has just launched its new exhibition To The Moon, while you could probably tackle Shipwrecks and Maritime down in Freo as part of a nice little day trip south of the city. Shipwrecks is also running a free daily interactive trail every day from 10am-2pm over the holidays.

Fairy Door Trail, Kalamunda

Now for something a little quirky and for the more curious minds out there; the Kalamunda Fairy Door Trail is a fun trip up into the Perth Hills. You can find these gorgeous – and tiny – fairy doors hiding near business entrances around town, making for a fun little trail. Try and find them all while also meeting and exploring some of the many lovely businesses and communities up in the hills. Download this free map from the City of Kalamunda to catch ‘em all!

Wanneroo Botanic Gardens

Did you know there’s a botanic garden oasis that’s only 30 minutes north of the Perth CBD? One filled with an incredible array of flower and plant displays, rockeries, waterfalls, bird life and last but certainly not least, a beautiful 36-hole mini golf course. Wanneroo Botanic Gardens make for a magical day out with the whole family, whether it’s a bit of fun on the golf course, a relaxing picnic amongst the gardens (which are free to enter), or exploring the unique and wonderfully-designed surrounds.

Playground playdates

You may not be aware, but over the years Perth’s playground game has levelled up! From nature playgrounds to playgrounds with volcanos and even giant koala structures, there are dozens to explore around Perth and its surrounds. We’ve done a bit of the legwork for you, and found 20 of Perth’s best playgrounds, plus Perth’s best nature playgrounds, so why not make a little list to tick as many off as you can over the next couple of weeks? They’re also a great place for kids to socialise with others their age, and who knows, you might even make some new parent pals while you’re there.

Family-friendly hikes

Last but not least, we’re sticking with family-friendly, fresh-air filled fun with some of Perth’s best kid-friendly walking and hiking trails. Obviously, they’re free to get amongst, they’re a great way to get out into the sunshine, and potentially link up with other like-minded families who love getting out into nature and the environment. Here’s a great list to get you started thanks to Kate from The Hike Collective.

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