Welcome to the Secret List. A list of fun things to do with your kids in Perth each month. Why is it a secret? Because if you kids find out about all the things on this list: they will beg you to do everything on it.
This month we can breathe a sigh of relief as school goes back but there is still plenty to do with kids of all ages this month.
My first day of school, back in the 1980s
Kids may drag their feet at the thought of returning to school, but no one can resist a back to school party.
Click here for some great party ideas plus lunchbox and breakfast recipes, back-to-school crafts such as personalised notebooks and a homework station and pintable's including book-covers and a homework calendar.
Of course, you can just wait for them to go back to school and then throw a party with the other parents. Champagne anyone?
When: Monday 1st February
Fringe World FairgroundWhile it's fair to say a lot of the Fringe Festival is suitable for adults only, the Fringe World Fairground located in the new Elizabeth Quay is family friendly and will be open until February 21st.
There is plenty to see and do, even if you're not going to a Fringe show, with rides suitable for toddlers all the way up to thrill seekers. Attractions include a dance floor and roller rink. There is also carnival amusements and food and drink to purchase.
When: Open February 1st to 21st, weekdays 3-10.30pm, weekends noon-10.30pm
Where: Elizabeth Quay, Perth City
Cost: free to enter, rides cost varies
Click for more information.
DolliciousIf you (or your child) loves dolls, then you need to see the Dollicious exhibition at Garden City Shopping Centre. Fifty couture, high end dolls will be displayed, dressed by one of the world's great stylists, Jason Wu.
When: daily until February 18ths
Where: Fashion Mall (near Dome), Garden City Shopping Centre
Cost: Free
Click for more information.
The Brookfield Bunnies
Also part of the Fringe Festival are enormous pink bunnies, the brainchild of Perth artist Stormie Mills, who will be appearing in and around Brookfield Place during the Festival. Kids will love spotting the enormous pink rabbits and adults might enjoy the range of food available.
When: Open February 1st to 21st
Where: Brookfield Place, Perth City
Cost: free
Click for more information.
Mermaids are real, image courtesy FringeWorld
If your children are desperate to find out if mermaids are real or not, take them along during February to see the live mermaids swimming merrily in tanks at The Pleasure Garden. With various start times each day starting at 4pm on weekends and 6pm on weekdays, your children (and perhaps even you) will be convinced these creatures are real. Shows last for 30 minutes.
When: Open February 1st to 21st
Where: Pleasure Garden, James Street, Northbridge
Cost: free
Click for more information.
See the Lion King's Underpants
Even if you weren't able to see the stage show, you can still take the kids along to Galleria Shopping Centre in Morley to see a display of the costumes, sets and the journey of how the Lion King went from being a cartoon to a stage show.
When: daily until February 8th, 11am-4pm
Where: Galleria Morley, upstairs in the food court
Cost: Free
Kids Yoga on the Beach
For kids between 6 and 10 years, this invigorating yoga session on Scarborough Beach is just the way to start the weekend. Run by rainbow Yogis, the hour long class is free but places are limited. Bring a mat and water bottle.
When: Saturday 6th February, 8am-9am
Where: Sunset Verandah, Scarborough Beach
Cost: Free
Click for more information.
It's ToddlerFest at Scitech
Kids (and parents) love Scitech any time of the year but there are two weeks of the year that this bastion of scientific scholarship puts its size sixes forward as the defender of toddler amusement and education. Welcome to Toddlerfest at Scitech.
Designed especially for 0-5 year olds in addition to the normal exhibits there will be farm animals, a glow room, space station and more, baby zone, as well as displays for parents from Ngala, Playgroup WA, Better Beginnings and Kidsafe.
When: Saturday 6th February to Sunday 21st February
Open: 9.30am-4pm weekdays, 10am-5pm weekends
Cost: normal admission fees apply
Where: Scitech, Sutherland St West Perth
Click for more info.
Free Singing Lessons for (Little) Girls
If you're sick of hearing 'Let It Go' for the millionth time, but secretly think your young daughter might have a real talent, then take her along to a free class with the Australian Girls Choir.
Girls aged between PP and year 2 are invited to come along to a complimentary class on Saturday 13, 20 or 27th of February. PP to Grade 1 9.15am and Grade 2 from 10.30am.
When: February 13th to 27th
Where: rehearsal venues in Duncraig, Murdoch and Subiaco
Cost: Free, but bookings are essential – call (08) 6365 2100 to make a booking
Click for more info.
Capture your child in a pportrait mini session, image courtesy WeekednNotes.com
You know how everyone thinks their kids look gorgeous when they're sleeping? It's the same with a decent photograph, but most parents are ill-equipped to capture their offspring looking natural without a half naked toddler in the background, or someone inevitably picking their nose.
Save yourself the headache and head along to a professional mini portrait session – they are 30 minutes long (long enough to get some decent photos and short enough for the kids not to get feral) and your studio fee includes 15 digital images to keep.
When: Saturday February 13th
Where: Manning Park, Spearwood
Cost: $165 includes prints
Click for more information.
Chinese New Year
Monday the 8th marks the start of the Year of the Monkey, which means all kids will prosper this year. Put your best new clothes on and head to the Northbridge Piazza for an all-day celebration with over 100 stalls including a Chinese snake, food stalls, dancing, martial arts and singing.
Other traditions including visiting family, and giving little red envelopes with money. Have a prosperous year List Readers.
When: Sunday 14th February, 10am-9pm
Where: Northbridge Piazza, corner James and Lake St
Click for more info.
Guess How Much I Love You
Valentine's Day. Did you know that St Valentine was actually a Christian martyr who was beheaded on 14th of February? So forget the hot date (if you have kids, it's unlikely to happen anyway) or the red roses and candy hearts, and simply use it as an opportunity to express your gratitude for each other.
Get your kids to make a card for a friend or relative. Have a family picnic with a red theme (tomato bruschetta, sausages in buns with tomato sauce, beetroot and feta salad, watermelon, red velvet cake, red creaming soda).
When: Sunday 14th February
Click here for some Martha Stewart Valentine's Day Craft for kids.
Kids Day at the Writers Festival
If your kid is a bookworm or has aspirations to draw comics then take them along to family day at the Perth Writers Festival. With readings by some Australian and international authors and great displays on Maisie the Mouse, Diagon Alley from Harry Potter and Andy Griffith's Treehouse books, kids of all ages will find someone to be inspired by.
There will also be kids' activities, games, face painting, workshops and talks by other authors and illustrators.
When: Sunday 21st February
Where: University of Western Australia, Crawley
Cost: Free admission, workshops $12
Click for more info.
Take your friends to the Teddy Bears Picnic
If you go down to the zoo today, you're in for a big surprise. All the bears have been stuffed!
Not to worry, it's the annual Teddy Bear's Picnic, and a fabulous morning for the whole family. First of all, kids can visit the zoo for the low price of $2 and secondly, bears are free! Bring a picnic and stay for the all-day entertainment including jungle sports, inflatables, face painting, story-telling and more. There will even be a first aid tent for your teddy bear!
When: Sunday 28th February, 9am-4pm
Where: Perth Zoo, South Perth
Cost: $2 for kids, normal entry prices for adults
Click for more information.
