Living and working in Oxford for years as a family photographer, I’m constantly asked the same question: “Where should we take the kids?” I’ve compiled a list of some of my favorite things to do in Oxford with kids. I’ve explored these places with friends, family, and clients in every season. We enjoyed muddy winter walks and golden summer evenings. While many are within walking distance of the city centre, some are only accessible by public transport or car. Nevertheless, I’ve only included activities that are definitely worth the visit.
Discover the Best Things to Do in Oxford with Kids
Oxford Illusion Museum
Oxford Illusion Museum offers an interactive experience that works well as an indoor family stop. Young visitors explore rooms filled with optical illusions, perspective tricks, and photo-friendly puzzles that spark laughter. Each space encourages hands-on participation and posing, keeping kids actively engaged. The layout guides visitors through zones that feel like a maze of surprises. Even short visits feel high-impact.
The museum suits a wide age range. That said, it works best for primary-age children and up due to the visual focus. Tickets are typically around £14 for adult visitors and £7 for young visitors, with other options listed online. Opening hours are usually around 10:00 to 17:00 daily, but check the website before visiting. Its High Street location makes it easy to combine with cafés, shops, or other nearby attractions.
The Story Museum
Located in Oxford’s city centre, the Story Museum enjoys a strong reputation among families across the UK. Many families travel long distances to visit, and many return because both children and adults love it. It is recommended as one of the most fun things to do in Oxford with kids.
The Small Worlds Gallery offers guided sessions for under-fives with songs, storytelling, and interactive play. The main galleries immerse visitors in four hands-on storytelling environments. Seasonal workshops, performances, and family programmes add even more reasons to visit. The Story Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10:00-16:30. Tickets range from £7-14 depending on age.
Millets Farm
Millets Farm Centre offers a fun family-friendly farm day with lots to see and do. You can roam freely, watch animals on the Animal Walkway, and explore Phoebe Woods at no cost. Paid activities include the Sprouts Play Barn, adventure golf, traditional fairground rides, and seasonal events like a maize maze. The carousel and Ferris wheel add extra excitement for little ones. Millets Farm should definitely be high on your list of things to do in Oxford with kids.
The site stays open daily from about 9:00 until 18:00 (gates shut by 18:30) and the farm shop generally sits open 9:00 – 17:30. By car, it’s about a 20 minute drive from Oxford’s city centre. There is a bus from Oxford that takes about an hour. Basic park entry and parking are free, but individual attractions cost extra (book ahead for cheaper rates and guaranteed entry).
Didcot Railway Centre
Didcot Railway Centre offers a hands-on day out for train fans and curious kids of all ages. Children can explore real steam engines, vintage carriages, workshops, and signal boxes spread across the working heritage site. Visitors enjoy short train rides pulled by steam or diesel locomotives on selected open days. This experience gives young guests a taste of classic railway travel. Volunteers share stories and demonstrations that bring railway history to life without feeling dull or static. Special event days add themed activities such as Santa specials and family workshops.
Admission prices vary by event and date. Standard entry is usually around £12 for adults and £8 for children, and under-5s free; check the centre’s website for current pricing. The centre typically opens 10:30 to 16:00 on scheduled open days, with last admission around 14:30. Didcot Parkway station is nearby, which makes it easy for visitors to arrive by train and walk through the underpass.
Oxford Playhouse
Oxford Playhouse brings live theatre to local families with shows designed to delight children and young audiences. The program regularly features plays, musicals, storytelling performances, and holiday shows that make theatre enjoyable for kids. Productions include interactive storytelling, puppetry, and colorful adaptations of classic tales. Kids have many opportunities to laugh, sing, and engage with live performances. The venue is centrally located in Oxford, so people can easily visit a park or museum before or after the matinee.
Ticket prices differ depending on the production. Family and children’s tickets are usually affordable, and concessions are available for under-25s. Performances typically occur on weekends and school holidays. Matinee shows start at 14:00, while early evening performances follow later. Check the Oxford Playhouse website for current shows, times, and ticket information. Live theatre helps develop imagination and listening skills, and it offers a memorable cultural outing for families visiting or living in Oxford.
Cutteslowe & Sunnymeade Park
Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park offers an easy, low-stress outdoor day for families in north Oxford. Children can enjoy large playgrounds with swings, slides, climbing frames, and plenty of open space to run. In warmer months, the splash pad becomes a huge highlight, giving kids safe, supervised water play to cool off. Wide lawns make it ideal for picnics, ball games, bikes, and scooters.
On selected days, the miniature railway runs through the park and gives children a short scenic ride. The paths are buggy-friendly and simple to navigate with younger children. The park is open during daylight hours year-round. As entry is free, this makes it another top contender for great things to do in Oxford with kids. You can reach it easily by car with nearby parking or by bus from Oxford city centre. It’s a reliable choice when kids need space, movement, and fresh air.
Flo’s – The Place in the Park
Flo’s – The Place in the Park is a vibrant community café and hub located in Florence Park, perfect for family fun days. It is not a typical children’s attraction, but it provides a friendly space where families can eat and relax. Children can play nearby. The café serves brunch, snacks, and treats, with outdoor seating that overlooks the park. Families can easily combine coffee with playground time.
Flo’s regularly hosts stay-and-play sessions, seasonal events, storytelling, crafts, and nature-based activities that suit preschool and primary-age children. Opening hours are generally morning through afternoon, often around 09:30 to 17:00, though times vary. Entry is free, and many activities are free or donation-based, with some ticketed sessions. It’s a friendly, low-pressure stop that fits naturally into a day outdoors.
Oxford Ice Rink
Oxford Ice Rink provides families with an exciting and energetic activity, perfect for cold days or when children seek thrilling fun. Children of all ages can skate, improve their balance, and increase confidence on the ice. Beginners have support aids available. The rink runs public sessions throughout the week, and includes skate hire in most ticket prices.
Sessions usually run from morning until evening, often from 10:30 to 21:00. Therefore, verify the timetable before visiting. Prices vary by age and session, with junior tickets generally lower than adult rates. The rink sits indoors near Oxford train station, making it easy to combine with other city plans. It’s a strong choice when you want movement, laughter, and a weather-proof family activity.
Oxford Punting
Oxford punting on the River Cherwell offers an exciting, scenic family activity that feels quintessentially Oxford. It deserves a place high on your list of things to do in Oxford with kids. Children enjoy sitting low in the punt, spotting ducks, fish, and riverside gardens as you glide along. Many families choose chauffeured punts so kids can focus on the water and wildlife. Self-hire punts give older children the opportunity to try the pole under supervision. Punting provides fresh air and a new perspective on the city. It offers a welcome break from museums and walking tours.
Prices vary by operator and type, with typical hourly hire around £30–£40 and chauffeured trips costing slightly more. Booking ahead helps during busy months. Punting usually runs daily from spring to early autumn, depending on daylight and weather. It suits children aged 4 and up, though supervised younger children can enjoy it too.
Museum of Natural History
Oxford University Museum of Natural History displays fascinating natural science collections in a beautiful neo-Gothic building. It comes highly recommended by all the families I’ve talked to as a great option for things to do in Oxford with kids. Children enjoy dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and animal exhibits as they explore at their own pace. Families can use free activity trails to keep visits fun and engaging.
The museum runs occasional kid-friendly events and seasonal hands-on activities. General admission is free for everyone, though large groups must book in advance. It is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, with last entry around 16:45. Many families pair a visit here with the adjacent Pitt Rivers Museum for a fuller day of learning and fun.
Oxford Castle & Prison
Oxford Castle & Prison offers a guided journey through more than a thousand years of city history, from Norman fortifications to Victorian prison cells. Kids and families follow costumed guides down into prison wings and up St George’s Tower for views over Oxford before exploring atmospheric crypts and historic rooms. Tickets include the full guided tour experience — pre-booked tickets typically start around £15.50 for adults and £9.95 for children, while walk-up prices are slightly higher, and under-5s go free (though they can’t climb the tower). Entry is only by guided tour, which runs daily from about 10:00 to 17:00 and lasts around an hour. The site also hosts seasonal family events, from Easter dragon workshops to summer theatre and Halloween trails, adding variety to the historical visit.
History of Science Museum
The History of Science Museum explores centuries of scientific discovery through original instruments and inventions. Children can see early telescopes, astrolabes, globes, and historic calculating devices up close. The compact layout makes visits manageable and easy to navigate. The museum suits children aged 7 and up, especially those who enjoy gadgets and problem-solving. Younger children can still enjoy the unusual objects, but older primary and early secondary ages engage most deeply.
Admission is free for general entry, though some special exhibitions may charge. The museum opens Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 to 17:00. Its central Broad Street location makes it easy to combine with other nearby museums for a full, educational day out in Oxford.
Oxford Botanic Garden
Oxford Botanic Garden is the oldest botanical garden in the UK and home to more than 5,000 plant species. Children can wander colourful outdoor beds, explore tropical glasshouses, and learn plant names and habitats along the way. Simple free trails, including an Eye Spy search, help younger visitors stay engaged. Themed trails for ages 5–9 make it especially enjoyable for primary-age children and up. Families can picnic on the lawn, spot seasonal blooms, and explore ponds near Christ Church Meadow.
Admission is free for under-16s with a paying adult, and adult tickets are typically around £7.20. The garden opens daily from 10:00 to 18:00 in summer, with shorter winter hours and last entry about an hour before closing. Its compact layout and safe paths make it a calm, manageable stop on a family day out.
Cotswold Wildlife Park
Cotswold Wildlife Park offers a spacious, animal-filled day out that works beautifully for families. Children can see giraffes, rhinos, penguins, lions, and lemurs along wide, buggy-friendly paths. The narrow-gauge railway adds extra excitement and gives tired legs a break. A children’s farmyard area allows closer encounters with smaller animals. Open lawns and playground spaces give kids room to run between animal visits. It works especially well for toddlers through primary age, though older children enjoy it too. As all kids love animals, this is such a great option for things to do in Oxford with kids.
Adult tickets start at approximately £19 and child tickets around £13.50 when booked online, with under 3s free. Summer hours typically run 10:00 to 18:00, with last admission at 16:00. Winter hours are usually 10:00 to 16:00, with last admission at 15:00. The park sits about 30–35 minutes by car from Oxford with free parking. Public transport is possible but usually requires a bus to Burford and a taxi onward.
Fairytale Farm
Fairytale Farm offers a gentle, story-inspired day out that kids love, especially under-8s. Little ones can meet friendly animals, enjoy themed play zones, and take part in seasonal shows and trails. The park blends farmyard encounters with storybook environments designed at a child’s scale, from indoor soft play to imaginative outdoor spaces. Children can explore woodland paths, dig in sand pits, or watch small animal feeding times. The leisurely pace makes it ideal for toddlers and early primary ages.
Tickets for adults and children are typically around £12 when booked online, and under-2s go free. Fairytale Farm usually opens 10:00 to 17:00 daily, with seasonal closures around Christmas and New Year. The farm is set in the Oxfordshire countryside near Chipping Norton. It is easiest to reach by car, with on-site parking included. There is limited public transport access, usually involving a bus to Chipping Norton and a short taxi ride to the farm.
Roves Farm
Roves Farm is a working family farm with hands-on activities for kids of all ages. It’s open daily 9:00-17:00 year-round, with indoor and outdoor fun whatever the weather. Children can meet and feed friendly animals, explore paddocks, enjoy indoor play barns, and follow activity trails on farm paths. Seasonal tractor rides and nature adventures add variety to any visit.
Tickets range from £7.50-13.30 when booked online, and include most daily activities. Roves also offers a farm shop and café for snacks, lunch, or treats. The farm sits in countryside near Swindon and is best reached by car (about a 45-minute drive from Oxford); alternatively you can take a train from Oxford to Swindon and a 20-minute taxi from the station.
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace offers a spacious, activity-filled day out that works especially well for families. Children can explore the large Adventure Play area with climbing structures, slides, and imaginative play zones. The Butterfly House in the Walled Garden lets kids walk among tropical butterflies in a warm, enclosed space. A small train runs from the main palace area to the Walled Garden, which adds excitement and saves little legs. Families can also wander woodland trails, tackle the Marlborough Maze, or follow lakeside paths across the parkland.
Older children can explore palace exhibitions and grand State Rooms at their own pace. Tickets for Palace, Park and Gardens access start at approximately £41 for adults and £24 for children aged 3–16, with under 3s free. The park generally opens from 09:00 to 18:00 and the palace from around 10:30 to 17:30. A public right of way allows free access to some parkland walks without entering ticketed areas.
Oxfordshire Museum
The Oxfordshire Museum in Woodstock offers a calm, family-friendly museum experience that works well for shorter visits with kids. Children can explore displays about local history, nature, and archaeology in ways that feel accessible rather than overwhelming. Interactive elements and occasional family activities help keep younger visitors engaged without museum fatigue. Entry is free, though donations are appreciated, and typical opening hours are Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–17:00 and Sunday 14:00–17:00. The museum sits in the heart of Woodstock, making it easy to pair with a town stroll or visit to Blenheim Palace.
You can reach Woodstock from Oxford in about 20 to 30 minutes by car, with parking available nearby. Public transport is simple, with Stagecoach S3 and S7 buses running regularly from Oxford city centre.
Which of These Things to Do in Oxford with Kids Will Shape Your Next Family Day Out?
Oxford offers far more for families than first meets the eye. From wide open parkland and wildlife adventures to museums, theatre, and hands-on play, there’s something here for every age and energy level. Some days call for dinosaurs and discovery. Other days need splash pads, train rides, or space to run. Whether you live locally or you’re visiting for the weekend, these spots make it easier to plan outings that feel enjoyable rather than overwhelming. With a little planning, Oxford becomes a city where curiosity, movement, and memory-making all come naturally.
As a local family photographer, I spend my time in many of these places and regularly help families choose locations that feel refined and genuine. If you’re planning a visit or simply want to capture this season of life beautifully, I’d love to help you turn one of these Oxford days out into lasting photographs. Feel free to get in touch to start planning your session.
While you are here, check out some of my other blogs.
