Oxford is a great destination for a city break with kids. Packed with family friendly attractions, it’s small enough to be able to get around easily with direct train and bus links from London.
Genuine reviews from a local Oxford mum blogger, there’s something for all ages. This article also contains affiliate links. For lots more ideas of things to do with kids in Oxford, check out all the days out with kids reviews.
Top 10 Things To Do in Oxford with Kids
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is very family friendly. It’s bright and airy with lovely wide aisles which means younger kids are happy to wonder up and down while older kids will enjoy the exhibits. My boys call it the dinosaur museum but there’s a huge amount more that will grab the interest of all ages. There are also free family trails you can pick up at the Natural History Museum in Oxford and it’s warm inside! With free entry, it makes a great value day out with the kids.
Oxford University Natural History Museum Review
The Story Museum
Prepare to be enchanted as you step into The Story Museum in Oxford’s city centre. The galleries at the The Story Museum are not what you would ever imagine from a museum! My boys and I love The Story Museum both from our visit to Small Worlds which is perfect for pre schoolers to the Whispering Woods and immersive galleries for bigger kids.
Small Worlds at The Story Museum review
Science Oxford
The Science Oxford Centre is the UK’s first indoor–outdoor primary science education centre with a hands-on Exploration Zone and 15 acres woodland and ponds. They have regular Saturday family days as well as extra days running during the school holidays. With their engaging hands on science, outdoor water lab and woodland to explore you can’t go wrong.
Science Oxford Centre family days review
Oxford Treasure Hunt Trail
Treasure Hunt family walking trail is an ideal way to be able to discover Oxford with kids and keep them motivated to walk around! Use cryptic clues sent to you on your mobile phone to and it will take you past all the amazing and famous sights in Oxford.
Treasure Hunt Oxford family walking trail review
A really good value alternative is a Treasure Map Trail and you can get 10% off with the code REDKITEDAYS
Hinksey Heated Outdoor Pool
It doesn’t have to be a hot and sunny day to go swimming outdoors as Hinksey outdoor pool in Oxford is heated. Great for kids and there’s a play park next to it too.
Punting
Quintessentially Oxford and a wonderful experience for kids who can sit still, see a different side to Oxford from the river. There are a few places you can go punting from in Oxford. Magdalen Bridge Boathouse is located the end of Oxford’s High Street. If you’re looking for easier parking then try hiring punts from Cherwell Boathouse.
If punting feels a little risky with younger kids, book onto an Oxford River Thames cruise.
Oxford Botanic Gardens
Children under 16 go free with a paying adult at the Oxford Botanic Gardens. They have trails suited to different age groups and often have family friendly events running. The glasshouses are full of amazing plants with different atmosphere too from rainforest to arid.
University Parks
Oxford has some wonderful open spaces to enjoy with kids and University Parks has got to be one of the best. Just a few minutes walk from the Oxford Natural History Museum, there are great paths if you’re going for a run or have a pushchair, little wooded areas to explore, wonderful snowdrops at the start of the year and it’s worth making your way down to the river walk to see the ducks.
Open Top Bus Tour
Enjoy discovering Oxford with the novelty of an open top bus tour. Hop on and off the bus as often as you like which is perfect for little legs and gives you the chance to see all the sights.
Harry Potter Locations
Fans of Harry Potter won’t want to miss some of the great locations in Oxford that have featured in the movies. There are Harry Potter walking tours that you can book or just set off on your own to pick your favourites to visit. The most popular places to visit include the Bodleian Library, Christ Church College and New College. If you’re up for venturing a little further out of Oxford, head to Blenheim Palace where you can find the Harry Potter tree.
