Perth

Perth Family

From free rhymetime in the city to inclusive camps, local playgroups and specialist family support, Perth offers practical ways for children, young people and carers to play, learn and connect. Explore options across the metropolitan area, checking each provider’s location, age range and access arrangements before you set out.

✨ Play, stories and family outings

City of Perth Library – Children’s Programs

Families with children aged 0–11 can visit the library’s dedicated children’s floor and join free Baby Rhymetime, Toddler Rhymetime and Storytime sessions. School-holiday activities add variety during the breaks, although bookings apply to some sessions. Children aged 11 and under must be accompanied by a responsible guardian, while those aged five and under need to remain within the guardian’s sight.

Moort-ak Waadiny / Wellington Square

For an active day outdoors in East Perth, Koolangka Koolangka Waabiny children’s playground combines nature play, water play, slides, climbing towers and a flying fox. Older or more confident movers can use the pump track, skate and parkour areas or basketball courts. Shaded picnic areas and paths make it easier for families to pause between activities.

WA Museum Boola Bardip – Family and School Holiday Programs

At the Perth Cultural Centre, children can take part in daily Curious Kids Storytime, follow the Little Big Dinosaur Trail or borrow a self-guided Codebreakers kit. Sensory backpacks are available for hire, and the museum runs changing workshops during school holidays. Drop-and-leave programs are restricted to children aged eight and over, with a parent or guardian required to sign each participant in and out.

🌈 Early-years connection and parenting help

Playgroup WA – Find a Playgroup

Parents and carers can search for independently run playgroups across metropolitan Perth and elsewhere in Western Australia. Choices include general community and baby groups, cultural-language groups, low-sensory sessions and PlayConnect+ options for children with developmental delay or disability. Playgroups are generally for children aged 0–5 attending with a parent or carer. Ask the individual group about a trial, membership charges and session fees.

Ngala – Parenting & Playtime Group

Held in Kensington during school terms, these clinician-led sessions give parents and children time to play while adults discuss child temperament, self-regulation, social and emotional development, and parenting approaches. Each session runs for 1.5 hours. Registration is required, and families may be waitlisted when places are full.

Ngala Parenting Line

Parents, grandparents and carers of children aged 0–18 anywhere in WA can seek support with parent–child relationships, behaviour, parenting strategies and service referrals. Access is available through a call-back service, web requests and limited live chat. The line operates from 8 am to 8 pm, seven days a week: metropolitan and mobile callers can phone 08 9368 9368, while regional landline callers can use 1800 111 546.

Communicare – Parenting Support Service (SEMPSS)

Free assistance is available to eligible parents and carers raising children from birth to 18 in Armadale, Belmont, Canning, Gosnells, Kalamunda, Serpentine-Jarrahdale, South Perth and Victoria Park. Families can access individual support, workshops, information sessions, peer groups and specialist referrals. Topics include behaviour, emotional regulation, sleep, feeding, toileting, play, development and parent–child relationships. No referral is needed; phone 08 9251 5777 to enquire.

Anglicare WA – Young Parent Support Service

Young parents aged up to 25 in Perth’s south-eastern suburbs can access free parental support, advocacy and resources. Depending on the arrangement, help may be provided through home visits, mobile and community programs, or Anglicare WA locations in the service area, including Gosnells. Call the organisation’s general service line on 1300 11 44 46 to discuss access.

🧩 Disability, development and inclusive participation

Autism WA – First Steps for Autism Therapy

Autistic children aged seven and under can access individualised early-intervention therapy through metropolitan hubs in Shenton Park, Midland, Fremantle and Joondalup. Supports include one-to-one therapy, school-readiness sessions, parent training, workshops and consultation. Autism WA is a registered NDIS provider; families can enquire directly about access and suitable supports.

SensesWA – School-Aged Therapy Services

Children and young people aged 9–18 can receive allied health and disability support at home, school, community venues or recreation settings around Perth. Depending on individual needs, the team may involve occupational therapists, physiotherapists, speech pathologists, social workers, dietitians and other specialists. Access may be funded through the NDIS or private fees, with Telethon New Buds funding also available for some children up to age 11.

Cahoots – Inclusive Camps and Community Supports

Cahoots provides day and overnight opportunities for people aged five and over who live with disability or face exceptional challenges. Its metropolitan Perth options include children’s programs for ages 5–11, teen activities for ages 12–17 and programs for participants requiring higher support. Activities are designed around social connection, independence and life skills. Cahoots is a registered NDIS provider.

Carers WA – Young Carers

Free statewide support is available to people under 25 who help care for someone in their household living with disability, mental health challenges, a long-term health condition, substance dependency or frailty. Young carers can self-refer, while parents and schools may also make referrals. Phone 1300 227 377 for access information. The program is not an emergency or crisis service.

💛 Relationships and specialist family support

Communicare – Building a Balance

Young people aged 12–18 and their parents or carers can access free counselling when relationship or personal difficulties are affecting family life. The program offers up to 15 individual therapy sessions over a period of up to six months and serves listed south-eastern Perth localities, including South Perth, Victoria Park, Willetton, Piara Waters, Roleystone and Serpentine. A referral is required; enquiries can be made on 08 9251 5777.

Relationships Australia WA – Child Contact Service

Following separation, families may use child-focused supervised contact visits and changeovers at Fremantle, Gosnells, Midland or Mandurah. Both parents must contact the service, and each completes a separate assessment interview when a place becomes available. Waiting periods may apply. Phone 08 6164 0620 about the listed metropolitan locations.

Centrecare – Brighter Pathways

Children from birth to 12 who live in the City of Swan and have experienced or been affected by family and domestic violence can receive confidential support. Options include child counselling, play therapy, joint sessions with a parent or carer, parent information and connections to other services. Sessions may take place in the community, at school or in another private setting. Contact Centrecare’s Midland office on 08 9436 0600.

Parkerville Children and Youth Care – Family and Domestic Violence Specialist Program

Specialised psychological support is available to children, young people and families affected by family and domestic violence in parts of Perth’s east and south metropolitan areas, including Armadale and Rockingham. The program accepts self-referrals and referrals from WA Police, the Department of Communities and other agencies. Phone Parkerville on 08 9391 1900 to discuss the current catchment and referral process.

📌 Before booking or attending

• Check the age range: activities and supports vary from baby sessions to programs for teenagers and young adults.
• Confirm access arrangements: ask whether registration, a referral, an assessment, NDIS funding or another eligibility condition applies.
• Plan for supervision: clarify whether an adult must remain with the child, particularly at libraries, playgroups and holiday activities.
• Ask about accessibility: discuss sensory, mobility, communication or higher-support requirements directly with the provider before attending.
• Recheck practical details: session availability, bookings, fees, waitlists and holiday schedules can change.

🌟 If you run a family-focused business, service, activity or community group serving Perth or the surrounding metropolitan area, you are warmly invited to add a listing or update your existing details so local families can find accurate, useful information.

⚠️ Accuracy Note: We do our best to keep this information useful and up to date, however details can change over time. If you notice anything that appears incorrect or out of date, please let us know and we will review it. Local business owners and community leaders can also help keep local information accurate by logging in and creating or managing their own listing and useful content on perth.place.