Looking for things to do in Oxford with kids? You’re in luck. Behind the famous colleges, Oxford is a brilliant city for families, with free museums full of dinosaurs and mummies, storybook adventures, big green parks and the chance to try punting on the river.
We welcome lots of families to our homes in Oxford, from parents visiting older children at university to families on a city break, and these are the places our guests love most. Many of the best ones are free, and most are within walking distance of the city centre.
Best free day out
Museum of Natural History
Dinosaurs, the Oxford dodo and the Pitt Rivers next door. Free, every day.
Best for under-5s
The Story Museum
Small Worlds sessions are made for little ones, with picture books and play.
Best on a sunny day
Punting
Glide past the Botanic Garden in a punt, from spring to mid-October.
Table of Contents
Free Museums Kids Love
Some of the best things to do in Oxford with kids cost nothing at all. The University’s main museums are free to enter, so you can pop in for an hour without planning a whole day around it.
Oxford University Museum of Natural History
Free · All ages · Open daily 10am–5pm
This is the one most children remember. Dinosaur skeletons stand under a huge glass roof, alongside fossils, minerals and the famous Oxford dodo. Children are encouraged to touch some of the exhibits, and the museum runs regular family activities.
Pitt Rivers Museum
Free · Best for older children · Inside the Natural History Museum
Through a doorway at the back of the Natural History Museum, the Pitt Rivers is packed floor to ceiling with masks, toys, boats and objects from around the world. Older children love exploring the dark, crowded cases.
Local tip: The Natural History and Pitt Rivers museums share a building, so you can see dinosaurs and treasures from around the world in one free morning.
Ashmolean Museum
Free · All ages · Beaumont Street
Britain’s oldest public museum has Egyptian mummies, Greek myths and family trails to keep younger visitors busy. The rooftop restaurant is a good lunch stop.
History of Science Museum
Free · Older children · Broad Street
Clocks, telescopes and early scientific instruments, including a blackboard used by Albert Einstein. A good choice for curious older children.
Interactive Attractions
Book ahead
The Story Museum
Ticketed · All ages · Pembroke Street
In the city centre, the Story Museum is made for families. Children can explore an Enchanted Library, a Whispering Wood and other immersive story worlds. The main galleries are best for ages 5 and up, while Small Worlds sessions are designed for under-5s. Holiday events often sell out, so book ahead.
Oxford Castle & Prison
Ticketed · School-age children · Guided tours
Costumed guides lead tours through nearly 1,000 years of history, with a climb up the Saxon tower, a visit to the crypt and a look inside the old prison cells. Ideal for children who like their history with a few gruesome stories.
Christ Church
Ticketed · All ages · Check opening times
Harry Potter fans will recognise the staircase and the Great Hall, which inspired scenes in the films. It’s a working college, so check opening times before you go, as parts can close at short notice.
Oxford Botanic Garden
Ticketed · All ages · Beside the river
The UK’s oldest botanic garden has glasshouses full of giant lily pads, carnivorous plants and tropical trees, plus trails for children. It sits right beside the river, so it pairs well with punting.
Parks, Playgrounds and the River
Port Meadow
Free · All ages · Near Jericho
A huge open meadow beside the Thames, with grazing cows and horses, wide skies and space to run.
University Parks
Free · All ages · Next to the museums
Paths for scooting, riverside walks along the Cherwell and plenty of room for a picnic.
Cutteslowe and Sunnymead Park
Free entry · Young children · North Oxford
Several playgrounds, crazy golf, a miniature railway and a splash park in summer. Some activities are seasonal.
Bury Knowle Park
Free · Young children · Headington
A Narnia-themed play area with a zip wire, climbing rocks, sandpits and a pirate play feature, just off London Road.
Punting
Paid · Hirers must be 16+ · Spring to mid-October
Punting is the classic Oxford experience. Boathouses such as Magdalen Bridge and the Cherwell Boathouse hire out punts in the warmer months. An adult will need to do the steering, or you can book a chauffeured punt and simply enjoy the ride.
Local tip: Punt hire stops in mid-October. In winter, a walk through Christ Church Meadow or the University Parks is a lovely alternative.
Rainy Day and Winter Ideas
The Covered Market
Free to browse · All ages · Off the High Street
Oxford is a great city for families, and there are still plenty of things to do in Oxford with kids when the weather turns. The free museums are all indoors, and the Story Museum is perfect for a wet afternoon. For a treat, wander through the Covered Market, with its bakeries, sweet shops and milkshakes.
Family Day Trips Near Oxford
Blenheim Palace
Ticketed · A full day out · About 20 minutes by car
In Woodstock, Blenheim Palace has a huge adventure playground, a maze, a butterfly house and a miniature train, as well as the palace and parkland. Allow a full day.
Cotswold Wildlife Park
Ticketed · Younger children · About 30 minutes by car, near Burford
Giraffes, rhinos, lemurs and an adventure playground, set in large gardens. A favourite with younger children.
Where to Stay in Oxford With Kids
For a short break, staying in the city centre means you can walk to the museums, parks and river without worrying about parking. For longer stays, or if you’re driving, a house in Headington gives you more space, easier parking and Bury Knowle Park on your doorstep. Our guide to where to stay in Oxford compares all the main areas.
Families often find a self-catering home easier than a hotel, and the right base makes all the other things to do in Oxford with kids much easier. Our Oxford serviced apartments include a two-bedroom city centre duplex with free secure parking and a three-bedroom house in Headington, with separate bedrooms, a full kitchen and room for everyone to relax.
Own a property in Oxford? Find out how our Oxford Airbnb management service could help it earn more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best free things to do in Oxford with kids?
The Museum of Natural History, the Pitt Rivers Museum, the Ashmolean and the History of Science Museum are all free to enter. Port Meadow, the University Parks, Cutteslowe Park and Bury Knowle Park are free too, so you can easily fill a day without spending much.
What can you do in Oxford with kids when it’s raining?
Head for the museums. The Natural History and Pitt Rivers museums share a building, so you can spend a whole morning there, and the Story Museum has hours of indoor activities. The Covered Market is a good stop for lunch or a treat.
Can children go punting in Oxford?
Yes. Children can ride in a punt with an adult, but you must be 16 or over to hire one, so a grown-up will need to steer. Life jackets are available for non-swimmers, and you can book a chauffeured punt if you’d rather relax. Punt hire usually runs from spring to mid-October.
