Toddler Activities In Perth (With Something Special For Parents)
Words by Jenny Miraudo.
When it comes to parenting, we’re told, “the days are long, but the years are short.” Point taken, but when the zoo doesn’t quite cut it, your toddler has exhausted the slide at your local park and you don’t feel like you could withstand another replay of Paw-Don Me, this old adage is of little comfort. Don’t despair, we’ve compiled a list of developmentally approved, energy-burning activities to delight (and tire out) the spriteliest of two-year-olds. Each mention comes with an added sensory bonus for sleep-deprived and under-nourished parents!
The toddler room at Scitech followed by a stop at Forklore
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that Scitech has a great toddler space. This room boasts an interactive water table; a cute construction site for bubs working on the transfer schema; and wonder-inducing experiments in gravity, wind and light refraction. We strongly suggest following your epic play session with a cheeky treat from the cabinet at Forklore on the opposite end of the City West arcade.
Jackadder Lake Reserve in Woodlands with a Paris Brest from Harvest Boulangerie
It sometimes seems the perfect park for toddlers doesn’t exist; they are mostly geared towards older children (or extreme toddlers who come with their own carabiner). We’ll go out on a limb and say
Jackadder Lake Reserve in Woodlands has it all. With three carefully designed stages of play equipment, there really is something for every toddler. The lap around the lake is small enough for little legs to manage and, when the weather is nice, there’s the bonus of seeing some model yacht racing. Stop at Harvest Boulangerie in Scarborough on the way for a life-changing Paris Brest or one of their renowned ham and cheese croissants.
Photo by @mareerattray
A Kindermusik class at Grow Music Studio in Osborne Park followed by a flat white from Micrology Coffee Roasters
A morning spent singing and dancing is a morning spent well. The highly skilled experts at a Kindermusik class will not disappoint. There is no “wheels on the bus” here: just thoughtfully constructed sessions that delight the senses. Kindermusik classes are renowned for summoning a long and restful nap for weary toddlers, so quickly duck into Micrology Coffee Roasters for an expertly brewed flat white.
Photo by @pixi__lane
A Jungle Sports Class at ECU Mt Lawley followed by a parmi from Deli’s Continental
Get those gross motor skills humming in a Jungle Sports Class. Run by highly trained educators, each weekly session focuses on a different sport and skillset as well as routine-building stretches, sprints and obstacle courses. Don’t forget your toddler’s water bottle as this is bound to be a legitimate sweat sesh! Follow it up with an indulgent parmi sandwich from the delightful folk at Deli’s Continental.
A session at Little Land Balcatta followed by a bánh mì from Munch Box two doors down
The friendly faces at Little Land have captured the essence of imaginative play in their transformed Balcatta warehouse. Partitioned into several make-believe settings, your toddler will revel in mowing the lawn, cooking a BBQ, doing the weekly shop (complete with shopping trolleys and environmentally friendly shopping bags), or working to a deadline in their office. With immaculate attention to detail, there is a reason Little Land sessions book up fast. Two doors up is Munch Box, specialising in delectable crispy pork bánh mì made to order.
A trip to Mason Garden Park in Dalkeith followed by a trip to Daisies Cottesloe
There is no denying fresh air and open spaces are good for everyone, perhaps none more so than a cranky toddler. Mason Garden Park in Dalkeith is nothing short of a sensory feast. Come for the art
walking trail and the all abilities playground, but stay for the turtles! You can pick up some turtle food from the City of Nedlands Council office, and once you’ve nourished the local wildlife, pop over to Daisies for a smoky baked bean jaffle.
The John Deere showroom in South Guildford followed by a stop at the Margaret River Providore
The folks at John Deere are no fools. This is the official AFGRI showroom for serious buyers of farming and industry machinery but feel free to walk through with your truck-obsessed toddler. The showroom is fenced, meaning it’s safe to cheer on the many trucks that will hurtle past along Great Eastern Highway. A word of warning though: you might feel compelled to exit through the gift shop here. There is a swag of John Deere toys and miniatures for sale if your child falls in love with the bulldozer out the front. Drive a little further into the Swan Valley and stop in at the Margaret River Providore. Treat yourself to a jar of their divine barbecue relish or their delectable Massaman curry spice mix.
S&R Orchard Walliston with a picnic from home
Bundle the kids into the car at nap time and head out to S&R Orchard in Walliston. For a small fee, you can trawl the orchards for all the seasonal fruit you can carry (or eat as you go). Designed with Instagram in mind, there are key locations to stop for that perfect family snap and the Massey Ferguson tractor ride is pretty darn enchanting. There’s coffee, fresh juice and food trucks on site, and also plenty of space to stretch out and indulge in a picnic from home, or a plum or two.
Looking for more things to do with your kids? Try:
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Header Image: S&R Orchard