Top 10 Things to do in Oxford with Kids

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.

things to do in oxford, family attractions oxford, oxford with kids, weekend break to oxford

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

story museum oxford review

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

science oxford Easter 2022

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

oxford walking tours, family day out oxford, bridge of sighs oxford, places to visit oxford

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

hinksey pool, hinksey outdoor pool, hinksey outdoor heated pool, outdoor pool oxfordshire, swimming pool oxfordshire, outdoor swimming pool oxfordshire, where to swim oxfordshire, splash park oxfordshire

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.

Hinksey outdoor pool review

Punting

punting oxford, extra curricular activities private school oxford

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

oxford walking tours, family day out oxford, bridge of sighs oxford, places to visit oxford

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.

days out with kids oxford, weekend away with kids oxford, oxford city break

 

Our partners