Your HUGE guide to family friendly activities in Oxford this summer – everything you need to get you through, plus some for days when you feel you are all out of inspo. Have a scroll through as some of the events in here require booking in advance.
Activities that are on throughout the summer:
Our Fairy Door Trail is running for the whole of August. Sweet, simple and self-guided. Walk through the beautiful setting of the Trap Grounds Nature Reserve and see what magic you can find…
The Story Museum is open daily during the summer holidays! And whatever age your children are there is something for them. The new Story Arcade gallery has just opened with custom-built arcade machines, dressing up and pixel-themed crafts and activities, alongside Narnia and the Whispering Wood If you have younger children then Small Worlds is the way forward: a huge bed and story themed zones for the very young. A grand day out indeed in a museum which is kinda bonkers!
Waddesdon Manor kids go free this summer! Bring the whole family to enjoy the summer holidays with a range of fun activities for the Summer of Play, included with admission. Until 28th August, children get free admission to the house and grounds at Waddesdon! There’s archery, axe throwing or the climbing wall and a hands-on circus workshop, painting, mini-golf and croquet. Enjoy interactive children’s theatre shows. Create your own paintings play mini golf and croquet.
Waterperry Gardens’ family orienteering sculpture trail runs from the Explore the ornamental gardens, using directions and clues to follow the sculpture trail! £5 per child with a prize (compass supplied). Adult garden entry fee applies. This is in your Gardeners’ World 2-for-1!
South Oxfordshire Adventure Playground (SOAP) is open from 29th July – 29th August. It’s FREE and a lot of fun with a range of activities to suit children with different interests. SOAP is a local charity run by volunteers & paid sessional staff, providing free, inclusive, supervised, adventurous outdoor play and activities.
The Beach at Notcutt’s is running from the 26th July – 30th August. It’s a simple deal: £9.99 for a wristband to go on as many rides as you like all in! It’s open daily from 11am – 5pm (sessions from 11am – 5pm). There’s also a huge sandpit too.
Earth Trust’s Field of Fun looks epic – you may recognise it from the Spring Festival, it was so popular they’ve bought it back for August! Hay bale play, musical wall, mini obstacle course, petal pitch, chill out zone and more. Book in advance for best price.
Thomley, a place for people of all abilities and disabilities, is open throughout summer and offers several focus days which aim to suit children, teenagers and adults of all abilities. They have had some fantastic new additions to the site recently and the new Splash Pad and you can camp there too! Gated and fenced, good for runners.
Didcot Garden Party sees FREE events running across Didcot until the 1st September. These include music workshops, community days, free leisure centre open days, inflatable sessions, playdays and more!
Summer of Skate is running at Skate Parks across South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse on selected dates from the 4th – 27th August. The free sessions are for all ages and abilities and if children don’t have any equipment (scooters, skateboards etc) then they are welcome to borrow from the organisers.
Radley Pool Fun Sessions consist of two large inflatable assault courses, pool toys and two diving boards, the sessions are action-packed and incredibly fun. The age limit for these sessions is 8-12 years old and parents are not permitted in the pool with the children. The sessions are fully lifeguarded.
Dinosaur Trail at Harcourt Arboretum! Follow the ‘living fossils’ trail and discover plants which grew alongside roaming dinosaurs. From Ferns to Wollemi Pines, Giant Redwoods to Monkey Puzzle trees, there are plenty of fascinating species to discover. 👀🌿Purchase from the Welcome Centre (£2), includes a prize.
Oxford Castle and Prison: Knight School is on! Join in the Castleyard for medieval weapons training, jousting and archery – all under the supervision of the Castle’s knights! Once you’ve been trained, you will be knighted and presented with your own sword to take home!
FREE swimming for children under 16 living in Oxford throughout summer. Before you get too excited, Hinksey is not included in this! Grrrrrrrrrr. The pools that are: Barton, Ferry and the Leys. The times are a bit restrictive but I will definitely be taking advantage as sometimes a quick dip can turn a day around! If you haven’t re-registered since Fusion handed over to More then you will have to do that, but after that it’s pretty easy to book.
Monday 28th July
🔍Science Oxford’s Summer Library Tour: Blackbird Leys Library and Littlemore Library
Discover the tiny creatures hiding in plain sight and learn how to become a real-life ‘Observologist’ — a nature detective who spots insects and minibeasts wherever they go. With magnifying glasses you’ll explore, discover, and celebrate the small but mighty creatures that share our world.
📅 Monday 28th July ⏰Blackbird Leys Library 11am-12pm and Littlemore Library 2pm-3pm 💴 Free 🎫 Book via your local library ℹ️ See the Science Oxford website for more details.
😀 Oxford Museum of Natural History: Meet the Scientists
Join the Oxford University Experimental Psychology team to take part in real research. Listen to a story, or have a go a drawing different facial expressions. Taking part in these activities will help scientists discover more about children’s behaviour and how their brains work.
📅 Monday 28th July ⏰10.30am – 3.30pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ More info on the Oxford Museum of Natural History website.
🔨 Museum of Oxford: Digging Deep
Complete five archaeological themed activities including creating a Saxon bracelet, object handling and a gallery trail. This event is part of The Council for British Archaeology’s Festival of Archaeology.
📅 Monday 28th July ⏰Two sessions: 10.30am – 12.00 noon and 1pm – 2.30pm 💴 £1.50 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Book via Museum of Oxford website.
Tuesday 29th July
🔬Science in the Park
Science-focussed activities in University Parks. All welcome to come along with your children, parents and grandparents! Free activities for all ages, including testing your balance, learning about your brain, discovering how medicines are created, and much more!
📅 Tuesday 29th July ⏰10am – 3pm💴 Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ See the University Parks website for more details.
🔍Science Oxford’s Summer Library Tour: Carteton Library and Bicester Library
Discover the tiny creatures hiding in plain sight and learn how to become a real-life ‘Observologist’ — a nature detective who spots insects and minibeasts wherever they go. With magnifying glasses you’ll explore, discover, and celebrate the small but mighty creatures that share our world.
📅 Tuesday 29th July ⏰Carterton Library 11am-12pm and Bicester Library 2pm-3pm 💴 Free 🎫 Book via your local library ℹ️ See the Science Oxford website for more details.
🐟 The Oxfordshire Museum: Something fishy
Thinking about how Ice Age people got their food. Create a fishing game and book marks!
📅 Tuesday 29th July ⏰ 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See The Oxfordshire Museum website for more info.
🔎Abingdon Museum: Archaeological Finds Identification Session
Parents – this is your time! The stones in the car, the ‘special finds’ in your bag after a walk, bring them henceforth to Abingdon Museum and meet Edward Caswell, the Portable Antiquities Scheme Finds Liaison Officer for Oxfordshire, who will take a closer look at your objects for identification and recording.
📅 Tuesday 29th July ⏰Session 1: 10.30am to 12:30 Session 2: 1:30pm to 3:30pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See Abingdon Museum website for more info.
Wednesday 30th July
🌿Harcourt Arboretum: Go wild for Wildlife Family Day
A day of seasonal activities and find out about what the trees, plants and animals are doing in summer. Natural crafts – colour changing butterflies, meadow seed bombs and pinecone bugs – sensory activities and messy play.
📅 Wednesday 30th July ⏰11 – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Read more on the Harcourt Arboretum website.
💦Hinksey Splash Pad and Hinksey Open Air Pool – SEN Family Swim sessions
Did you know that every Wednesday from 10am – 12pm at Hinksey are SEN Family Swim sessions. Same facilities, but in a quieter environment with no music and lowered communication. Book ahead via the website. The newly revamped splash pad next door is also worth a visit.
📅 Hinksey open 7 days a week for the season ⏰Monday – Friday: 6.30am – 8pm, Saturday & Sunday: 7.30am – 6pm 💴 Adult: £5.70, Junior £3.60, Under 5: Free. Different length sessions with different prices 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ More details on the Oxford City Leisure website and check out our visit here.
🛝OPA Playday: Henley
The second only Playday ever for Henley! Get ready for FREE zorbing, go-karts, chemistry, zorbing, giant bubbles, junk modelling, toddler ride-on toys and more.
📅 Wednesday 30th July ⏰11 – 3pm 💴 Free🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Read more on the OPA Facebook page.
🐟 The Oxfordshire Museum: Ice Age Hut model making
As part of the Ice Age Exhibition, join Finds Liaison Officer Ed Caswell to make an Ice Age Hut model.
📅 Wednesday 30th July ⏰ 10.30am – 12.30pm and 2pm – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See The Oxfordshire Museum website for more info.
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Miniature railway experience – numerous playgrounds – huge sandpit – free splash park – crazy golf – tennis courts – wildlife area – duck pond – beach volleyball court – café and more!
📅 Wednesday 30th July⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Cutteslowe Miniature Railway website for more details. See one of our many visits here.
Thursday 31st July
📚Weston Library Summer Family Fun: Treasured
What do you treasure most? Discover precious and unexpected treasures of the Bodleian and enjoy exhibition trails, stories, crafts, and keepsake printing. Craft activities are most suitable for children aged 4–11, but all are welcome.
📅Thursday 31st July ⏰11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Read more on the Weston Library website.
🔍Science Oxford’s Summer Library Tour: Headington Library and Woodstock Library
Discover the tiny creatures hiding in plain sight and learn how to become a real-life ‘Observologist’ — a nature detective who spots insects and minibeasts wherever they go. With magnifying glasses you’ll explore, discover, and celebrate the small but mighty creatures that share our world.
📅 Thursday 31st July ⏰Headington Library 11am-12pm and Woodstock Library 2pm-3pm💴 Free 🎫 Book via your local library ℹ️ See the Science Oxford website for more details.
🤖Oxford Westgate Library: Robot Maze (ages 7 – 13)
Test your skills navigating robots through a challenging maze at the Oxford Westgate Library Makerspace. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this event is perfect for kids between 7-13. Showcase your robot-handling abilities and compete with fellow enthusiasts.
📅Thursday 31st July ⏰2 – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ Book via Eventbrite.
Friday 1st August
🔍Science Oxford’s Summer Library Tour: Didcot and Wallingford Library
Discover the tiny creatures hiding in plain sight and learn how to become a real-life ‘Observologist’ — a nature detective who spots insects and minibeasts wherever they go. With magnifying glasses you’ll explore, discover, and celebrate the small but mighty creatures that share our world.
📅 Friday 1st August ⏰Didcot 11am-12pm and Wallingford Library 2pm-3pm💴 Free 🎫 Book via your local library ℹ️ See the Science Oxford website for more details.
🐟 The Oxfordshire Museum: Cosy Art
A fun and friendly session. Create ice crystal mobiles using a variety of materials and techniques, with inspiration taken from the Ice Age Exhibition.
📅 Friday 1st August ⏰ 10.30am – 12.30pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See The Oxfordshire Museum website for more info.
🛝OPA Playday: Faringdon
Faringdon, let’s go! Get ready for FREE zorbing, bubbles, chemistry, go-karts, junk modelling, nerf guns, toddler ride-on toys, arts and crafts and more. What a FREE day for the family!
📅 Friday 1st August ⏰11 – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Read more on the OPA Facebook page.
🦁 Flo’s – The Place in the Park: World Lion Day
Celebrate with a ROAR! Arts and crafts from 5pm, including the chance to make your own lion mask! Fancy dress is encouraged too! As usual, you can make your own pizza with the Pizza Midwife and there will be hot food on offer. Flo’s Cafe will be open late with the usual range of snacks as well as hot and cold drinks for all the family to enjoy.
📅Friday 1st August⏰4pm – 7pm💴Free 🎫 No pre-booking required ℹ️ More info on Flo’s Facebook page.
Saturday 2nd August
✨Modern Art Oxford: Make Play
Don’t forget that you can enjoy Make Play sessions at the weekend. These sessions are pretty special and offer a sensory, creative space for children aged between 6 months and 5 years to explore with their parent and/or carer. You can book one to see how your little one takes to it, or book up the whole series.
📅Saturday 2nd August⏰11am – 12 noon💴 £4.50 (includes parent) 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ Book via the Modern Art Oxford website.
🛝OPA Playday: Bicester Garrison / Ambrosden
Let’s go Bicester! Get ready for FREE go-karts, junk modelling, bubbles, toddler ride-on toys arts and crafts and more!
📅 Saturday 2nd August ⏰11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Read more on the OPA Facebook page.
🐏 Oxford City Farm: Family Friendly Day
Lots of new animal friends to meet: chicks, pigs and kids. There’s also old favourites: goats, sheep and chickens. Walk the Wildlife Walk amongst the chickens and peep at the beehives. There’s also an area for free play and much to learn about farm to fork in the vegetable patch.
📅 Open every Friday and Saturday⏰ 10am – 1pm 💴 Free 🎫 Booking only needed for parties over 10 ℹ️ Visit the Oxford City Farm website for more info. Never been to the farm? Check out our recent visit here.
Sunday 3rd August
🚀The Market Tap at the Covered Market: Crafty Kids do Space
It’s a takeover! The Space Store are taking over Crafty Kids the first Sunday of every month. Expect space themed crafts and colouring with different themed activities every month. Out of this world!
📅 Sunday 3rd August⏰ 10am – 12noon 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Check out the Tap Social calendar of events here.
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Such a lovely miniature railway experience and with the track extension it’s great value for money too. There is SO much to do at Cutteslowe park: numerous playgrounds, huge sandpit, free splash park (now open!), crazy golf, tennis courts, wildlife area, duck pond, beach volleyball court, café and more! It’s easily a whole day adventure!
📅 Sunday 3rd August⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the website for more details and more pictures from our visit here.
Monday 4th August
🐷Cogges Farm: Giant Bouncy Obstacle Course
There’s loads going on at Cogges over summer, check out the full itinerary here. We’re particularly interested in this bouncy obstacle course (£3), my boys do love a tear around on a bouncy castle. With entry you can also enjoy the nature trail through the meadows, visit the new den building area at the back of the adventure playground, play with mini ride-on tractors in the sandpit and meet the meet the farmyard animals everyday at 11am and 2pm. This is in your Gardener’s World 2-for-1.
📅Bouncy castle from Monday 4th – Thursday 7th August ⏰ Open daily: 9.30am – 5pm 💴Adults: £10.50, Children: £11.50 Under 3: Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See Cogges website for further details.
🎨 University Church of St Mary the Virgin: Drop in arts activities
Visit the chancel (area around the altar) for craft activities inspired by the history of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Explore the church building in more depth and have a go at your own artistic creations.
📅Monday 4th – Wednesday 6th August ⏰ 10am – 11.30am 💴Free, suggested donation £5 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See church website for further details.
🪻Kingston Bagpuize House
In full bloom! Sharp borders and green, green grass. Tea and refreshments available…and it’s all homemade! This is in your Gardeners’ World 2 for 1 offer so do bring your card along.
📅Monday 4th August ⏰ 2pm – 5pm 💴 Adult: £8, 12-21 year olds: £4.50, Primary aged children: Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See website for further details and our previous visit here.
Tuesday 5th August
🖼️ Modern Art Oxford: Movement for Staying Alive
It’s like a huge playground! An exhibition which encourages participants to engage with artworks through their body. Surely the best antidote to ‘don’t touch!’ I love this for us, our children and anyone else who values movement and motion. Interactive artworks that inspire creativity, playfulness and freedom. We’ve been and it was really good – stayed for a good two hours and could’ve stayed longer! It’s on until September 7th. Don’t forget to pick up a sensory backpack and visit the Creative Space for free activities and Rave café!
📅 Exhibition on until 7th September⏰ Tuesday – Saturday: 11am – 6pm (Thursday until 9pm), Sunday: 11am – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See Modern Art Oxford for further details.
🛝OPA Playday: Berinsfield
A great success every year! Get ready for FREE go-karting, body zorbing, chemistry, ride on vehicles, giant bubbles, junk modelling, upcycling, smoothie bike and more!
📅 Tuesday 5th August ⏰11 – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Read more on the OPA Facebook page.
🎨 University Church of St Mary the Virgin: Drop in arts activities
Visit the chancel (area around the altar) for craft activities inspired by the history of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Explore the church building in more depth and have a go at your own artistic creations.
📅Monday 4th – Wednesday 6th August ⏰ 10am – 11.30am 💴Free, suggested donation £5 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See church website for further details.
Wednesday 6th August
🐰 History of Science Museum: Find the white rabbit
Help Alice find the White Rabbit in a fun gallery-based game. Get the answer right at each museum object to move your figure on the board game and unlock the next question. Answering all the questions leads to finding the White Rabbit and a sticker!
📅Wednesday 6th August⏰ 1pm – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the History Of Science website for more info.
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Such a lovely miniature railway experience and with the track extension it’s great value for money too. There is SO much to do at Cutteslowe park: numerous playgrounds, huge sandpit, free splash park (open!), crazy golf, tennis courts, wildlife area, duck pond, beach volleyball court, café and more! It’s easily a whole day adventure!
📅 Wednesday 6th August⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the website for more details and more pictures from our visit here.
🎨 University Church of St Mary the Virgin: Drop in arts activities
Visit the chancel (area around the altar) for craft activities inspired by the history of the University Church of St Mary the Virgin. Explore the church building in more depth and have a go at your own artistic creations.
📅Monday 4th – Wednesday 6th August ⏰ 10am – 11.30am 💴Free, suggested donation £5 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See church website for further details.
Thursday 7th August
🐴 Family Day at Sawcliffe Barn
A day packed with creative activities. You can: make a movable teddy puppet, storytelling, Sawcliffe Teddy Trail, bring your teddy along and join us for a teddy bears picnic. There’s also colouring and wordsearches. The barn is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is one of the finest 15th century half-cruck barns in England.
📅 Thursday 7th August⏰ Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Oxfordshire County Council website for more info.
Friday 8th August
🐐 Cogges Farm: Pygmy Goats
Pygmy Goat Week runs from the 4th – 6th August and you can meet three baby pygmy goats who will be joining the Cogges farmyard family for free. With entry you can also enjoy the nature trail through the meadows, new den building area at the back of the adventure playground, play with mini ride-on tractors in the sandpit and meet the meet the farmyard animals everyday at 11am and 2pm. This is in your Gardener’s World 2-for-1.
📅Pygmy Goat Week: 4th – 6th August⏰ Open daily: 9.30am – 5pm 💴Adults: £10.50, Children: £11.50 Under 3: Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See Cogges website for further details.
🐏 Oxford City Farm: Family Friendly Day
Lots of new animals at the farm including chicks, pigs and kids. There’s also old favourites: goats, sheep and chickens. Walk the Wildlife Walk amongst the chickens and peep at the beehives. There’s also an area for free play and much to learn about farm to fork in the vegetable patch. Community farming – we love you!
📅 Open every Friday and Saturday⏰ 10am – 1pm 💴 Free 🎫 Booking only needed for parties over 10 ℹ️ Visit the Oxford City Farm website for more info. Never been to the farm? Check out our recent visit here.
Saturday 9th August
🚌Oxford Bus Museum
Did you know that the Oxford Bus Museum is open on Saturdays in July and August? The museum houses a collection of historic buses, coaches and trams plus a model railway too. You can watch buses and cars being restored in the workshop and learn all about the history of Oxfordshire Transport. There’s a dedicated play area for children which includes Ernie the play bus plus activities and toys. Super fun and interesting for the whole family!
📅 Saturday 9th August ⏰10am – 4pm 💴Adults: £8, Children £5, Under 5: Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the website for more details.
🐨Oxford Playhouse: The Koala Who Could
Excited for this! We’ve booked in as this is one of our absolutely favourite books! Based on the award-winning book by Rachel Bright and Jim Field with a really positive message for children about giving it a go. There’s loads on at the Playhouse over the summer including Dinosaur World Live which we’ve also seen and is brilliant!
📅 Saturday 9th August ⏰ Show times: 1.30pm and 4pm 💴 £18 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ Details on the Oxford Playhouse website.
Sunday 10th August
💨Wheatley Windmill Open Day
A lovely local windmill experience! One of only two working windmills in Oxfordshire – don’t miss this opportunity to climb to the top and savour the views! The mill is dated to at least 1671 and was left in various states of ruin before being restored by a dedicated group of volunteers: Wheatley Windmill Restoration, then Preservation, Society. Come hungry because fundraising coffee, tea and cakes are on offer!
📅 Sunday 10th August ⏰ 2pm – 6pm 💴 No entry fee but donations welcome 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Details on the Wheatley Windmill website.
🚌Oxford Bus Museum
So family friendly! A dedicated play area for children which includes Ernie the play bus plus activities and toys. Super fun and interesting for the whole family. The museum houses a collection of historic buses, coaches and trams plus a model railway too. You can watch buses and cars being restored in the workshop and learn all about the history of Oxfordshire Transport. Don’t forget that the museum is open on Saturdays in July and August.
📅 Sunday 10th August ⏰10am – 4pm 💴Adults: £8, Children £5, Under 5: Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the website for more details.
Monday 11th August
💦 Museum of Oxford: Canal Crafts
Be inspired by the history of Oxford’s canals and try your hand at a unique traditional craft! Decorate a wooden spoon in the famous ‘Roses and Castles’, or come up with your own design. This runs the whole day; book a ticket and drop into the Museum Makerspace at any time.
📅 Monday 11th August ⏰Event runs from 10.30am – 3.30pm 💴 £1.50 per child (includes accompanying adult) 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ Book via the Museum of Oxford website.
🧱Banbury Museum: Brick Madness
A WHOLE Lego collection for a massive pile in, free-play session this summer holiday. Loads of dates over the school holidays!
📅 Monday 11th August ⏰10.30am – 12 noon 💴 £3 per child 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ Book on the Banbury Museum website.
Tuesday 12th August
🏠Bekonscot Model Village
Have you booked your ticket to the world’s oldest model village? It’s the perfect summer outing! So quaint, and the perfect place for the little ones to feel like giants. There’s a miniature magic show every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until the 22nd August and craft activities every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
📅 Open daily ⏰10am – 5.30pm 💴 Adult: £13.20, Children: £8.40 🎫 Booking recommended ℹ️ Book via the Bekonscot website and see all the (very sweet!) pics and info here.
Wednesday 13th August
🦖Banbury Museum: Dino Day!
To celebrate Dinosaurs landing in Banbury this summer, join for all things DINO! There will be free events available all day, drop in anytime for dinosaur craft events, dinosaur trail and activity sheets, fossil dig, volcano experiments, pop up dinosaur photo opportunity and a dinosaur colouring competition-to take home.
📅 Wednesday 13th August ⏰ 10.30am – 5pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Banbury Museum website for more info.
☀️Banbury Summerfest at Princess Diana Park
Another year, another Summerfest! Tricky biking trails, body zorbing, chemistry, shire horses, Museum of Natural History, sandpit playzone, circus play and more!
📅 Wednesday 13th August ⏰ 11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Oxford Play Association Facebook page for the poster and more details.
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Miniature railway experience – numerous playgrounds – huge sandpit – free splash park – crazy golf – tennis courts – wildlife area – duck pond – beach volleyball court – café and more!
📅 Wednesday 13th August ⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Cutteslowe Miniature Railway website for more details. See one of our many visits here.
Thursday 14th August
😵💫Oxford Illusion Museum
When things aren’t quite what they seem! Set over four floors, this place is an absolute trip! Here’s our fave bits: an upside-down room, mirror maze (hilarious!), infinity dodecahedron, glowing wands, upside-down glasses and more! This is brilliant fun for the kids and something a bit different!
📅 Open 7 days a week⏰11am – 4pm 💴 £14 adults, £7 children/ students 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See Oxford Illusion Museum for more info and our visit here.
Friday 15th August
📚Weston Library Summer Family Fun: Treasured
Discover precious and unexpected treasures of the Bodleian and enjoy exhibition trails, stories, crafts, and keepsake printing. Craft activities are most suitable for children aged 4–11, but all are welcome. For the youngest visitors there’s the Toddleian Library with a soft mat, baby toys and board books.
📅Thursday 15th August ⏰11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Read more on the Weston Library website.
🍓Rectory Farm strawberry picking
Is there anything more quintessentially British than fruit picking? Nice little play area for the children too. And good news, it’s even easier to get to Rectory Farm now as it has its very own bus stop! It’s joined the 108 route from Oxford – Bicester and it stops right inside the car park! No service Mondays, Sundays and Public Holidays. Remember that you don’t have to book and pay for weekday PYO visits in the summer holidays, just the weekends.
📅Closed Mondays ⏰Tuesday – Saturday: 8.30am – 5pm, Sunday: 9am – 4pm 💴 No bookings needed in the week, only weekends (£1.25 pp) 🎫 Booking required only at weekends ℹ️ More info on Rectory Farm website.
Saturday 16th August
🚂Pendon Museum: Summer Craft Festival
Join us for a family friendly day of culture with craft workshops (rag rug, weaving & wool, herbalism &
folklore), Pendon Passport trail, teddy bear hospital & more. The Pendon Museum is such an interesting place! It’s a glimpse of rural life through extraordinary display scale models and large scenes of the rural countryside. We absolutely love following the railway around; especially as it passes so many places that we recognise!
📅 Saturday 16th August ⏰11am – 4pm 💴 Adults: £8, Children: £6, Under 5: Free 🎫 Booking recommended ℹ️ Visit the Pendon website to see what it’s all about.
🔬Science Oxford: Family Day
The UK’s first indoor-outdoor primary science education centre with a hands-on Exploration Zone and 15 acres of woodland and ponds. Create fun animations at the new ‘Animate Science’ activity, from astronauts exploring space to dinosaurs in a Jurassic world, or design and make your own! such fun, we have been SO many times!
📅 Every Saturday throughout August ⏰Session times: 10am – 12noon/ 12.30pm – 2.30pm/ 3pm – 5pm 💴 £8 per ticket, Under 3s Free 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Book via the Science Oxford website and check out our previous visit here.
Sunday 17th August
🐻SENDsational Morning at Tring
Have you ever been to Tring Natural History Museum? It’s a very unique experience! Their SEND morning gives an opportunity for neurodiverse children to enjoy the museum at a quieter time. Visitors have access to a few activities including specimen handling, crafting and a gallery trail and all these activities are supported by experienced, autism-aware facilitators. A sensory space will also be available for children needing a quieter and calmer space.
📅 Sunday 17th August ⏰ 10am – 12 noon 💴Free 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Book via the Tring Natural History Museum website. Check out our last visit here.
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Such a lovely miniature railway experience and with the track extension it’s great value for money too. There is SO much to do at Cutteslowe park: numerous playgrounds, huge sandpit, free splash park (now open!), crazy golf, tennis courts, wildlife area, duck pond, beach volleyball court, café and more! It’s easily a whole day adventure!
📅 Sunday 17th August⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the website for more details and more pictures from our visit here.
Monday 18th August
⚔️Museum of Oxford: Ancient Games
Ever wondered what games people played across the centuries? Head to MOX to create and play board games based on archaeological finds. Create paper board games and tokens based on those found by archaeologists. Take your games away with you to play at home!
📅 Monday 18th August⏰ 11am – 1pm 💴 £1.50 (includes adult) 🎫 Pre-booking required ℹ️ See the MOX website for more details.
Tuesday 19th August
🦖Museum of Natural History: Autism Friendly opening
A relaxed morning opening to explore the Museum collections in a quiet environment for families with members on the autism spectrum.
📅 Tuesday 19th August ⏰ 9am – 10am 💴 Free 🎫 Booking essential via email: [email protected] ℹ️ More details on their website. Never visited the museum? See one of our many visits here.
Wednesday 20th August
🚂 Pendon Museum: Junior Model Making
The Pendon Museum is such an interesting place with lots on for families. This hands-on model-making session (11am – 3pm) is run by expert modellers who create and maintain Pendon’s world-famous models. Each participant will work on their own small diorama to take home.
📅 Wednesday 20th August ⏰11am – 4pm 💴 Adults: £8, Children: £6, Under 5: Free 🎫 Drop-in session is free ℹ️ Visit the Pendon website to see what it’s all about.
🐰 History of Science Museum: Find the white rabbit
Help Alice find the White Rabbit in a fun gallery-based game. Get the answer right at each museum object to move your figure on the board game and unlock the next question. Answering all the questions leads to finding the White Rabbit and a sticker!
📅Wednesday 20th August⏰ 1pm – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the History Of Science website for more info.
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Such a lovely miniature railway experience and with the track extension it’s great value for money too. There is SO much to do at Cutteslowe park: numerous playgrounds, huge sandpit, free splash park (now open!), crazy golf, tennis courts, wildlife area, duck pond, beach volleyball court, café and more! It’s easily a whole day adventure!
📅 Wednesday 20th August⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the website for more details and more pictures from our visit here.
Thursday 21st August
🪩 Museum Of Oxford: FamJam
Are you asking? Cos I’m dancing! A rave up like no other! Bubbles, magic carpets, stormy seas and beautiful butterflies. Great tunes and total freedom for little dancing feet. This is so popular that there is two on the same day: 11am and 2pm.
📅 Thursday 21st August⏰11am – 12 noon and 2pm – 3pm 💴 £3 plus booking fee (one child ticket includes accompanying adult) 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Details on the MOX website.
🏊🏼♀️ Radley Pool Fun Sessions
Two large inflatable assault courses, pool toys and two diving boards, these sessions are action-packed and incredibly fun. The age limit for these sessions is 8-12 years old and parents are not permitted in the pool with the children. The sessions are fully lifeguarded.
📅 Thursday 21st August⏰ 2.30pm – 4pm 💴 £8 per session 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Details on the Radley website.
Friday 22nd August
📚Weston Library Summer Family Fun: Treasured
Discover precious and unexpected treasures of the Bodleian and enjoy exhibition trails, stories, crafts, and keepsake printing. Craft activities are most suitable for children aged 4–11, but all are welcome. For the youngest visitors there’s the Toddleian Library with a soft mat, baby toys and board books.
📅Thursday 22nd August ⏰11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Read more on the Weston Library website.
🏠Bekonscot Model Village
Have you booked your ticket to the world’s oldest model village? It’s the perfect summer outing! So quaint, and the perfect place for the little ones to feel like giants. I used to go as a child and love bringing my children back there too. Book tickets 48 hours in advance and save 10%. There’s loads of additional activities for children throughout summer, check them out on the website.
📅 Open daily ⏰10am – 5.30pm 💴 Adult: £14, Children: £9 🎫 Booking recommended ℹ️ Book via the website and take a look at all the (very sweet!) pics and info here.
Saturday 23rd August
💦Hinksey Splash Pad and Hinksey Open Air Pool
Sun shining? Get yourself to Hinksey! The heated open air pool does 2 hour sessions and the brand spanking new Splash Park and Mini Wheels Track next door is free and doesn’t require booking.
📅 Hinksey open 7 days a week for the season ⏰Monday – Friday: 6.30am – 8pm, Saturday & Sunday: 7.30am – 6pm 💴 Adult: £5.70, Junior £3.60, Under 5: Free. Different session lengths cost different amounts. 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ More details on the Oxford City Leisure website and check out our visit here.
Sunday 24th August
🦖Oxford Natural History Museum: Family Friendly Sunday
A Sunday afternoon of nature-themed activity backpacks, crafts, family-friendly trails, and more! One of our favourite museums which should definitely be on your summer hotlist.
📅 Monday 24th August⏰ 💴Free🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the museum website for more details and one of our previous visits here.
Monday 25th August
🚗Cowley Classic Car Show and Family Fun Day
Love this, we go most years and it’s really interesting to look at all the classic cars. You can join the convoy too which leave from the mini plant to go to Notcutts, it’s great to be a part of! There’s a fun dog show and children’s activities, trade stands and refreshments. All the monies from the event goes to charity.
📅 Monday 25th August⏰9.30am – 4pm 💴Adults: £7, Under 12: Free, Family ticket: £19 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Cowley Classic Car Show Facebook page for poster and more details.
🚌Oxford Bus Museum: Heritage Skills Day and FREE heritage bus rides
Bank Holiday special! Demos of heritage skills and FREE heritage bus rides at 12.15pm and 2.15pm. The museum houses a collection of historic buses, coaches and trams plus a model railway too. Very family-friendly with a dedicated play area for children. Super fun and interesting for the whole family!
📅 Monday 25th August⏰10am – 4pm 💴Adults: £8, Children £5, Under 5: Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the website for more details.
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Miniature railway experience – numerous playgrounds – huge sandpit – free splash park – crazy golf – tennis courts – wildlife area – duck pond – beach volleyball court – café and more!
📅 Monday 25th August ⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Cutteslowe Miniature Railway website for more details. See one of our many visits here.
Tuesday 26th August
🌾Earth Trust : Field of Fun
The last few days of Earth Trust’s Field of Fun! Hay bale play, musical wall, mini obstacle course, petal pitch, chill out zone and more. Book in advance for best prices.
📅 Open until 29th August ⏰ 10am – 3.30pm 💴 Adult: £3, Children: £5, U2: Free (advance booking prices) 🎫 Advance booking for best prices ℹ️ See Earth Trust website for more info and booking.
Wednesday 27th August
🦕Harcourt Arboretum: Dinosaur Plants Family Day
A day of fun activities and find out about the trees and plants that grew alongside the dinosaurs. Explore palaeobotany, ancient plants and their fossils, and take a look at mosses, ferns, ginkgo and conifers. You can also see some very special plant fossils from the OUMNH Earth Collections, have a go at dino-themed arts and crafts and try making a giant willow dragonfly. Adult entrance fee applies.
📅Wednesday 27th August⏰ 1pm – 3pm 💴 Adults: £7.20, £3 per child for event, U2: Free. 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Harcourt Arboretum website for more info.
🐰 History of Science Museum: Find the white rabbit
Help Alice find the White Rabbit in a fun gallery-based game. Get the answer right at each museum object to move your figure on the board game and unlock the next question. Answering all the questions leads to finding the White Rabbit and a sticker!
📅Wednesday 27th August⏰ 1pm – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the History Of Science website for more info.
🚂 Pendon Museum: Junior Model Making
The Pendon Museum is such an interesting place with lots on for families. This hands-on model-making session (11am – 3pm) is run by expert modellers who create and maintain Pendon’s world-famous models. Each participant will work on their own small diorama to take home.
📅 Wednesday 27th August ⏰11am – 4pm 💴 Adults: £8, Children: £6, Under 5: Free 🎫 Drop-in session is free ℹ️ Visit the Pendon website to see what it’s all about.
Thursday 28th August
🔢 History of Science Museum: Count me in
Hands-on with objects and activities exploring maths in the real world. Find out how and why things were measured in the past, try out the amazing lightning adding machines, and unravel the mysteries of Napier’s bones.
📅 Thursday 28th August ⏰1pm – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 No pre-booking essential ℹ️ More info on the History of Science Museum website.
📚Weston Library Summer Family Fun: Treasured
The last session of the Summer Family Fun series. Discover precious and unexpected treasures of the Bodleian and enjoy exhibition trails, stories, crafts, and keepsake printing. Craft activities are most suitable for children aged 4–11, but all are welcome.
📅Thursday 28th August ⏰11am – 3pm 💴 Free 🎫 No booking required ℹ️ Read more on the Weston Library website.
🧱Banbury Museum: Brick Madness
A WHOLE Lego collection for a massive pile in, free-play session this summer holiday. Loads of dates over the school holidays!
📅 Thursday 28th August ⏰10.30am – 12 noon 💴 £3 per child 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ Book on the Banbury Museum website.
🤖Oxford Westgate Library Makerspace: Robot Endurance Competition (ages 7 – 13)
Test your coding mindset by, given limited coloured tiles and limited space, build a track that allows the Robot Car to run the longest. Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this event is perfect for kids between 7-13.
📅Thursday 28th August ⏰2 – 4pm 💴 Free 🎫 Booking essential ℹ️ Book via Eventbrite.
Friday 29th August
🥳Bunkfest
A free-access, community festival which has been going for 23 years on the banks of the River Thames in Wallingford. There’s loads of family-friendly entertainment and the option to camp too. There’s also a fringe festival taking place across Wallingford with lots more events, some ticketed.
📅Friday 29th – Sunday 31st August⏰ All day 💴 Free 🎫 Some fringe events require booking ℹ️ More info on the Bunkfest website.
🎨Banbury Museum: Fabric painting
Get inspired by the latest dinosaur exhibition at the museum and paint and print your favourite colourful dinosaurs onto tote bags.
📅Friday 29th August ⏰ 10.30am 💴 £5 per ticket 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Book via the Banbury Museum website.
Saturday 30th August
🔬History of Science Museum: Autism Friendly Opening
A relaxed morning opening to enjoy the Museum displays and collections in a quiet environment for families with members on the autism spectrum. SEND-friendly Light and Space backpacks to borrow and ear defenders at the front desk. There’s also social stories to read before your visit.
📅Saturday 30th August⏰10.45am – 11.45am 💴 Free 🎫 Email Helen at [email protected] ℹ️ More info on the History of Science Museum website.
🔬Science Oxford: Family Day
The UK’s first indoor-outdoor primary science education centre with a hands-on Exploration Zone, outdoor and 15 acres of woodland and ponds. This is STEM on another level and the fun factor is off the wall! We’ve been here so many times for school trips and days out and there is always something new to learn.
📅 Saturday 30th August ⏰10am – 12noon/ 12.30pm – 2.30pm/ 3pm – 5pm 💴 £8 per ticket, Under 3s Free 🎫 Booking required ℹ️ Book via the Science Oxford website and check out our previous visit here.
🥳Bunkfest
A free-access, community festival which has been going for 23 years on the banks of the River Thames in Wallingford. There’s loads of family-friendly entertainment and the option to camp too. There’s also a fringe festival taking place across Wallingford with lots more events, some ticketed.
📅Friday 29th – Sunday 31st August⏰ All day 💴 Free 🎫 Some fringe events require booking ℹ️ More info on the Bunkfest website.
Sunday 31st August
🚂 Cutteslowe Miniature Railway
Miniature railway experience – numerous playgrounds – huge sandpit – free splash park – crazy golf – tennis courts – wildlife area – duck pond – beach volleyball court – café and more!
📅 Wednesday 31st August ⏰ 1pm – 4.30pm 💴 £2 per ticket, Under 2’s free with fare paying adult🎫 No booking required ℹ️ See the Cutteslowe Miniature Railway website for more details. See one of our many visits here.
🥳Bunkfest
Last day of this free-access, community festival which has been going for 23 years on the banks of the River Thames in Wallingford. There’s loads of family-friendly entertainment and the option to camp too. There’s also a fringe festival taking place across Wallingford with lots more events, some ticketed.
📅Friday 29th – Sunday 31st August⏰ All day 💴 Free 🎫 Some fringe events require booking ℹ️ More info on the Bunkfest website.
You have survived the summer holidays! Congrats!
