Find great ideas for days out with kids in Oxfordshire and the best family friendly events happening summer 2023. The Oxfordshire summer holiday activities guide is packed full with big family days out or smaller, local ideas.  From Banbury to Faringdon and Wallingford to Thame, we’ve got it all.  If you’re working and need a little childcare then check out the summer holiday camps in Oxfordshire guide.

There are great summer what’s on guides too if you want to explore further in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire.

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Oxfordshire is packed full of activities to keep the kids entertained this summer. Whether you are a local looking for some fresh ideas or you are here for a visit, we have put together all the best Oxfordshire family-friendly fun. From pottery for the crafters in your family or adventure playgrounds to wear the kids out, to all the best spots for a bit of wildlife……

What’s On In Oxfordshire Summer 2023

Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids in Oxfordshire

• Adventure Play at Blenheim Palace (Woodstock)
• Millets Maize Maze (Frilford) 18th July – 3rd September
• Nature Detectives at Roves Farm (Sevenhampton) 26th July – 31st August
• Character Days at Roves Farm (Sevenhampton) select days in July + August

• Fairytale Festival at Fairytale Farm (near Chipping Norton)

With interactive fairy tale storytelling that will bring some of the most famous fairy tales alive, a puppet show, crafts and summer games, there will be something for everyone. The new Fairy Dell playground is included in admission

• Make a splash at Oxford Wet n’ Wild Aqua Park (Berinsfield)

The aqua park at Queensford Lakes offers activities for all ages – run wild on our inflatable obstacle course or hire paddleboards and kayaks.

• Find out where to pick your own strawberries and raspberries in Oxfordshire
• The Beach at Notcutts entertainment and fairground rides 22nd July – 28th August (between Oxford & Berinsfield)
• Hogshaw Farm Wildlife Week 24th – 30th July
• Bicester Elmsbrook Play & Activity Day (Bicester) 25th July FREE
• Banbury Play Day (Banbury) 26th July FREE
• Eynsham Play & Activity Day (Eynsham) 27th July FREE
• Summer flower willow weaving for families at Harcourt Arboretum (Sutton Courtney) 28th July
• OPA Cutteslowe Play & Activity Day (Oxford) 29th July FREE
• Riverside Festival (Charlbury) 29th – 30th July FREE
• High Lodge Farm pick your own sunflowers (Culham, nr Abingdon) starting early August £1 entry donated to charity + £1 per stem
• OPA  Play & Activity Day (Berinsfield) 1st August FREE
• OPA  Play & Activity Day (Witney) 3rd August FREE
• OPA  Play & Activity Day (Faringdon) 4th August FREE
• Farm Safari at Hogshaw Farm 5th – 20th August
• Willowbrook Arts & Music Festival (Hampton Gay nr Kidlington) 8th August
• Folksy Theatre Merry Wives of Windsor at Millets Farm (Frilford) 9th August
• Folksy Theatre The Ugly Duckling at Millets Farm (Frilford) 9th August
• Henley Summerfest (Henley) 12th August
• OPA Princess Diana Park Play & Activity Day (Banbury) 16th August FREE
• Dahlia Beach PYO dahlias at Millets Farm (Frilford) 19th August to October
• Summer Games at Hogsahw Farm 21st August – 3rd September

• Robin Hood outdoor theatre on the lawn at Cogges (Witney) 23rd August
• The Big Feastival 25th – 27th August
• OPA Play & Activity Day (Ambrosden, near Bicester) 25th August FREE
• Foodies Festival (Oxford) 26th – 28th August
• Blooms & Tunes flower and music festival (Duns Tew) 26th – 28th August
• Abingdon fireworks & hot air balloon festival (Abingdon) 26th August
• Den building masterclass for kids at Basildon Park (near Pangbourne) select dates through the summer
• Bunkfest (Wallingford) 1st-3rd September FREE
• Deddington Circus (Deddington, nr Banbury) 2nd September

Indoor Summer Activities for Kids in Oxfordshire

• Science Oxford summer open days (Headington, Oxford) every Saturday

• Jessie’s Art Shed Summer holiday craft workshops (Eynsham & Yarnton)
• Bicester Methodist Church Family Arts and Crafts At Open Doors Cafe, every Friday during the Summer holidays 10am – 1.30pm (Bicester) FREE
• Science Oxford Lego architects for 5-9 year olds (Oxford) 22nd July
• Cushion concert at Museum of Oxford (Oxford) 22nd July
• Family archaeology day at Wallingford Museum (Wallingford) 22nd July
• Birds of Prey at Oxford Castle & Prison (Oxford) 22nd July + 2nd August
• Become an archaeologist at the Museum of Oxford (Oxford) 24th July
• Knight School at Oxford Castle & Prison (Oxford) select dates 24th July – 14th August
• Teddy Bear’s picnic at Millets Farm Sprouts Playbarn (Frilford) 1st – 3rd August
• Science Oxford family show library tour (Adderbury & Botley) 7th August FREE
• Science Oxford family show library tour (Sonning Common + Littlemore) 8th August FREE
• Science Oxford family show library tour (Sonning Common + Littlemore) 10th August FREE
• Lego Master Build Builders Club workshop at The Story Museum (Oxford) 10th + 17th August
• Science Oxford family show library tour (Wychwood + Bampton) 11th August FREE

Family Theatre, Live Music and Puppets

• Paddington™ Lo-Commotion at Blenheim Palace (Woostock) 4th July – 3rd September

This summer, join Paddington™ in an immersive outdoor adventure across the grounds of Blenheim Palace. Paddington™ Lo-commotion is the perfect day out for families who love to immerse themselves in storytelling and puppetry.

• Zog at Oxford Playhouse (Oxford) 18th – 23rd July
• Mind the Monsters at Oxford Playhouse (Oxford) 19th – 30th July
• Rosie & Hugh’s Great Big Adventure at the North Wall (Oxford) 22nd July
• Football Freddie at the Mill Arts Centre (Banbury) 22nd July
• Around the World in 80 Days at Oxford Playhouse (Oxford) 25th – 29th July
• Wizard of Oz at Kenton Theatre (Henley) 29th July
• Along Came a Magpie live theatre at Hogshaw Farm  31st July – 4th August
• The Snail & The Whale at the Mill Arts Centre (Banbury) 11th August
• Blippi at Oxford Playhouse (Oxford) 15th – 26th August
• Bad Dad at Cornbury Park 17th August

• Robin Hood outdoor theatre at Cogges (Witney) 23rd August

Featuring tales of camaraderie, good against evil, swashbuckling action and riotous comedy, this remains one of Illyria’s most popular ever titles. You’ll definitely laugh, you’ll probably cry – and if you’re not cheering at the archery competition involving the entire audience then you must be dead. We also guarantee you will learn new uses for the phrase “Don’t Do This At Home.” Suitable for ages 5+

• Bunkfest (Wallingford) 1st-3rd September FREE

Waste and Recycling Activity Pack 

Get ready for the holidays by downloading your free children’s Waste and Recycling Activity Pack from South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils.

This colourful and easy-to-read pack provides some fun activities for young children to enjoy during the summer holidays which will help teach them about waste and recycling and about reducing waste around the home.

To download your pack, visit southandvale.gov.uk/activitypack

Days Out With Kids in Oxfordshire

For family days out around Oxfordshire for under £40 (2 adults plus 2 full paying kids) then check out these top 15 great ideas.

Good Value Days Out in Oxfordshire

Heading into Oxford and explore with the Treasure Hunt Oxford family walking trail. It’s a great way for the whole family to discover Oxford city centre on a day out with kids. Cryptic clues, maps, fascinating facts and you’re sure to discover something new even if you’re local.

Step into a storybook and discover the treetop adventure playground, Tumblestone Hollow at Stonor Park (near Henley on Thames). For those with an adventurous spirit you can climb up a spiral of steps  to the top look-out deck, crawl through tunnels, scramble along a netted tube or along bridges and there’s plenty for little kids too.

A trip to Blenheim Palace is a magical day out.  Prepare to be ‘wowed’ as you catch sight of this magnificent building. There are beautiful walks, pleasure gardens with the new Adventure Playground and a maze as well as the main Palace to explore.

For a walk on the wildside, it’s got to be the Cotswold Wildlife Park.  One of the best family days out in Oxfordshire, you’ll see everything from rhinos on the lawn to cheeky penguins and you might even hear a lion roar.  There’s a great play park there too and all set in the most gorgeous gardens.

Discover somewhere new on a family walk in Oxfordshire.  Try the boardwalk at Hinksey Heights nature trail (and catch a glimpse of the Oxford skyline), wander among the standing stones Millennium sundial in Ardington, spot wildlife on the butterfly walk at Bernwood Forest or delve into Kirtlington Quarry.  All these ideas and much more in my guide to where to go for a walk with kids in Oxfordshire.

Set yourself a challenge this summer, can you complete this A to Z of places to go with kids in Oxfordshire?

Check out our Top 10 things to do with kids in Oxford guide or go wider with the 50 best things to do in Oxfordshire.