Keeping Cool at the Claremont Pool

The Claremont Pool was one of our favorite hang outs this summer, especially on those sunny, hot days. We loved that there was plenty of grassy areas covered by shade, a deep pool with diving boards, a splash pool and a playground.

There was plenty of shade covering the pools and grassy areas.

The toddler splash pool was lovely, and completely covered by shade. It was situated conveniently by the playground.

The area set aside for "leisure" swimming was quite small. Most of the two large pools were reserved for lap swimming and swimming lessons.

Luckily, the deep pool was available for leisure swimming. My three kids LOVED jumping off the sides and diving off the edge. They were disappointed that the diving boards were closed most days we visited.

All three of my kids participated in VacSwim during the January school holidays. It was well run, organized, and all three of them passed their levels and gained better swimming skills. Vac Swim is available to all children ages 5 and up during school holidays. Swimming lessons cost just $1 a day plus pool entry fee. Claremont pool offers a special entry fee price for Vac Swim students and spectators.

The kiosk at Claremont Pool had a good selection of coffee, hot foods, cold drinks and ice cream. There was also a nice selection of merchandise to choose from including Turkish towels and after swimming robes.

Entry fees for Claremont pool vary depending on age. There are punch cards available for frequent visitors at a discounted price. Children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult swimmer at all times. Children 8 and under must be supervised by an adult at all times. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult at the pool.

Claremont Pool offers learn to swim classes, lap swimming, squad swimming, water aerobics and more.

Facilities at Claremont pool include change rooms/toilets available with showers, free Wi-Fi, free to use BBQ and picnic areas, and club room facilities with air conditioning.

Claremont pool had a pool hoist for those in wheel chairs or others that may need assistance getting in and out of the pool. The pools also had steps with handrails for easier access.

There are some family fun days scheduled at the Claremont pool including:

• Kickin Back Pool Party 13 February 2014

• Movie Night 28 February 2014 (Despicable Me 2)

• Splash Down Fun Day 8 March 2014

Claremont Pool is located at 12 Davies Road, Claremont.

Top 13 Australia Day Activities for Families in Perth 2015

Australia Day is a day to gather with family and friends to celebrate this beautiful country.  There are so many choices for Australia Day activities this year in Perth that it's going to be a tough decision for our family to decide.  I'm thinking we will have to fit in several from my Top Thirteen List!

 Top Thirteen Australia Day Family Events for 2015:

1. City of Perth Skyworks & Laser Show- 


2. Australia Day at The Fremantle Esplanade-

Giveaways, live music, and activities for the kids!

Perth Mermaids at Bathers Beach


Then stay for The Indian Ocean Fireworks starting at 8pm!

These are the best vantage points to watch the fireworks:

• Esplanade Reserve
• Bathers Bay
• Round house
• Monument Hill
• Fishing Boat Harbour
• South Beach

3.  Celebration Zone, South Perth-


4.  Langley Park Entertainment Zone-
100 FREE activites for all ages from 3pm!

LANGLEY PARK ENTERTAINMENT ZONE TIMES:

• Amusement Zone, 3pm - 7.45pm
• Water Playground, 3pm - 7.45pm
• Circus Joseph Ashton, 4.30pm - 5.05pm, 6.30pm – 7.05pm, 7.15pm - 7.50pm
• Freestyle Motocross,   4pm - 4.20pm,   5pm - 5.20pm,  6pm - 6.20pm and 7pm - 7.20pm
• Scitech Live Science Shows, 3:15pm – 3:45pm, 4pm – 4:30pm, 4:45 – 5:15pm, 5:30 - 6:00pm, 6:15 - 6:45pm, 7pm - 7:30pm
• The Amazing Mr Jim Children’s Entertainer, 3.15pm and 5.30pm
• Sand Sculpture Artist, Live all day
• Twilight Hawkers Market, 3pm - 8pm
• Rotary Big BBQ, 3pm to 8pm
• Fireworks & Laser Show, 8pm - 8.30pm

5.  City of Perth Air Show-
View the airshow from Langley Park from 3:30-7:45 pm before the fireworks!



6.  Water Regatta on the Swan River-  
Catch the action of the river including float planes, water skiers, and boats from 5:00-7:30 pm.


7.  Australia Day at King's Park-
The traditional 21 Gun Salute fires at noon on Australia Day from the State War Memorial.
Fraser Avenue precinct offers an excellent viewing opportunity during the Australia Day Skyworks. See map below for the BYO picnic zone.  Entry is by gold coin donation.



8.  Rockingham Australia Day Carnival-


9.  Australia Day in Bassendean-


10. Spend Australia Day Poolside-

Claremont Pool:


Outback Splash:


11. Australia Day BBQ Brekkie at Coogee Beach Reserve-
Start the day's celebrations early with Brekkie and fun activities for the whole family!

Roller Ball * Gladiator * Bouncy Joust * Bucking Bull * Aussie Animal Farm * Sandcastles * FREE Sausage Sizzle (with healthy option) and FREE ice-cream and so much more!!! 

12.  Australia Day Armadale-
Family entertainment from 5pm including: carnival rides, live music, delicious food, and Fireworks at 8:30 pm.

13. Australia Day at Rollerdome, Morley-

Scitech Backyard Adventures

We visited Scitech to check out the new exhibit, Backyard Adventures.

  

It was great fun for each of my kids from age 5 to 13 years of age.

My 5 year old especially enjoyed the imaginative play area with the dress up clothes, and the hands on backyard animal "pets" in their perspective habitats.



He also liked seeing what the world looked like through the eyes of the bugs and dog's view.


Both of my boys loved the "walk through the seasons" exhibit where they were able to run on a treadmill and watch the seasons change on the screen in front of them.




My 11 year old loved all of the video game type interactive exhibits that educated him about various "backyard" animals and their habitats.


I found him exercising his tangram skills by putting together some "backyard" pavers.


He also loved the exhibit that displayed various nocturnal creatures, and we were able to use night vision to view them in their dark "habitats".


My thirteen year old daughter's favorite exhibit was the skipping rope.  We had great fun watching her take her turn jumping to the various speeds.

I'm not gonna lie, I loved it too!


There was a hands on area where the kids could participate in different activities throughout the day including making their very own insect feeder.


Or you could take insturctions home with you to make your own birdhouse!


The miniature golf was a hit with all of  the kids.  They spent the most time in this area trying to get their balls in each hole.  It was fun to watch them all in there together having a ball!



The Backyard Adventure exhibit at Scitech was a big hit with our entire family!