Although many people tend to associate Oxford either with the famous University of Oxford or with dry and dull history, there are actually lots of enjoyable things to do in this city—and there are definitely lots of fun things to do in Oxford with kids!
When I lived in Oxford while attending university there, my family often came to visit and I always had such a wonderful time taking my younger siblings to see all the most exciting parts of the city. And many of the best things to do with kids in Oxford are also free, which makes it even better!
So if you’re wondering about what there is in Oxford for kids, then look no further! These 26 ideas will help you plan out the perfect itinerary for Oxford with kids.
1. Visit Christ Church College
Visiting the various university colleges at Oxford is one of the highlights for many adults, but when you’re thinking about things to do with children in Oxford you may find that younger children are not as interested in traipsing around to all the colleges. But even if they aren’t as interested in the history of the university, I can guarantee you that Christ Church College is definitely a place they’ll want to see.
Why? Well, this college was used as a filming location for several of the Harry Potter films! Any kid would be thrilled to get to see all the Harry Potter sights, especially Christ Church’s enormous dining hall (which the Hogwarts’ Great Hall was modeled after). It’s an impressive place and is like a treasure hunt to find all the filming locations!
If you have older children and find they’re interested in seeing more of the colleges, there are plenty of great ones to choose from and you can check out these most common colleges that visitors like to see. Christ Church College has a small fee per person to enter, but several of the other colleges are actually free to enter between specific hours of the day.
2. Explore the Oxford University Natural History Museum
There are a lot of amazing museums in Oxford, but one of the best ones to explore with kids is the Natural History Museum. This museum contains two stories packed with intriguing fossils and other objects from the natural world, so you’ll find plenty to explore here. Plus, it’s free to visit so it’s easy on the wallet and you can come and go as you please!
One of the reasons this is such a good museum to visit with kids is that there are lots of touchable objects throughout the museum. This allows visitors of all ages to explore the feel of various natural curiosities rather than only being allowed to look. Younger children in particular are thrilled by this aspect of the museum, which makes it one of the best things to do in Oxford with toddlers. But even older children and teens will enjoy many aspects of this museum, and everyone will be awed by the giant dinosaur bone casts that tower over everything around!
Be sure to also keep a lookout for the dinosaur footprints outside the museum. These cool dinosaur prints are taken from casts of footprints discovered nearby at Ardley Quarry near Bicester, and are a huge hit with children and adults alike.
3. See the Pitt Rivers Museum
While you’re at the Natural History Museum, be sure to stop by the Pitt Rivers Museum which is attached to the Natural History Museum by a doorway on the first floor at the back of the building. This museum is one of the most unique museums I’ve ever been in, as everything is arranged by topics (like “musical instruments” or “pottery”) rather than in a typical museum fashion.
There are tons of artifacts crammed into this three-story building, and you could easily spend the whole day exploring. Older kids and teens may find this more enjoyable and fascinating than younger children will, but it is still worth a look either way. Like the Natural History Museum, Pitt Rivers is free to enter.
4. Wander The Covered Market
The Oxford Covered Market is a fun place for kids who like to shop, as there are lots of cool little stalls selling trinkets and souvenirs. It’s open every day from 8am-5.30pm (except Sunday, when it’s only open 10am-4pm).
There are also some good places to eat in the market, as well as an adorable cake shop that I always love to visit. They create the most gorgeous cake designs including some jaw-dropping cake replicas of famous buildings in Oxford!
5. Enjoy the Oxford University Parks
Looking for a green space to let the children run around for a bit? Going to the University Parks is an excellent choice, as it’s very near the city center and perfect for a short break from all the sightseeing.
These parks are open to the public during daylight hours and offer a variety of walks, plenty of beautiful trees (and flowers in the spring), as well as space for games and picnicking. From time to time, you may even have the chance to watch games of cricket, tennis, rugby, etc…or even a game of Quidditch for Harry Potter fans!
6. Take a Harry Potter Tour
If you have a couple of Harry Potter fanatics on your hands, then maybe you’ll want to explore all the Harry Potter sites in Oxford instead of only visiting Christ Church College. There are some really cool places to see, including the gorgeous Divinity School which was used as the Hogwarts’ Infirmary.
You can explore all the places on your own using my guide, or if you prefer you can book a Harry Potter tour and have someone guide you around the city to see the most important sites. Either way, this is one of the most fun activities for kids who love Harry Potter!
Click here to book tickets for an Oxford Harry Potter tour now!
7. Eat Cake at Barefoot Oxford
In need of a little refreshment during your time in Oxford? Barefoot Bakery is one of my favorite cafes in Oxford, particularly because of their delicious cakes!
Their cake offerings change day to day so you never quite know what to expect, but I’m a huge fan of their pear lychee cake! Honestly, I’m pretty sure it’s the best cake in the world. And their cake is sure to be a hit with kids of any age!
8. Visit Port Meadow
Port Meadow is one of my favorite places to walk in Oxford, and every kid I’ve taken here has loved it as well! It’s a gorgeous meadow with the Thames running nearby (but be aware that walking here can be quite muddy after heavy rain).
The meadow is a bit further out from town, but one of the reasons I love this place so much (and that kids will love it too) is that it’s used as a grazing ground for horses and cows! The horses are very friendly, and one even tried to steal food from my picnic one time so you’ll have to be on guard for horse thieves if you go 😉
You pass by Barefoot Bakery on the way out to Port Meadow, so you could even combine a trip and pick up cake to have a cake picnic out at the meadow! You can learn more here about what you should know about Port Meadow before you go.
9. Explore Godstow Abbey
While you’re out at Port Meadow, take a walk a little bit beyond the meadow and you’ll soon come across a ruined abbey that is fun to explore. My siblings (being American and not at all used to ruins left out in the open) found this to be a terribly exciting place to visit. But it’s definitely a fun place for kids of all ages to wander…and you may even find a cow or two standing inside! You can get directions to the abbey on Google Maps here.
10. See the Ashmolean Museum of Art and Archaeology
The Ashmolean Museum is one of the more prominent and central museums in Oxford, and is a treat to explore and see all the artifacts inside. This museum contains breathtaking antiquities from throughout the ages, including drawings by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Raphael plus paintings by Pablo Picasso, Paul Cézanne, Titian, John Singer Sargent, and more.
There are also gems and coins and musical instruments and nearly everything else you can imagine. This is a fun place for older children to explore especially, but is doable with younger children as well. Since it’s free, you can go for as long or short as your children’s attention spans hold.
11. Go Punting
Looking for something fun to do outdoors? Going punting is an excellent pastime that kids and adults of all ages will enjoy. There are two main places the public can rent punts from—Magdalen Bridge Boathouse and the Cherwell Boathouse.
Older kids will likely enjoy trading off and taking turns controlling the punt, while younger kids may need an eye kept on them so they don’t fall in the water…but this is still a delightful way to spend a morning or afternoon for any age of kid and for any age of adult! You can learn more about punting in Oxford here.
12. Visit The Story Museum
Of all the kids activities Oxford offers, the Story Museum is the perfect place to go for children who love to read! This museum opens up the world of reading in an imaginative and delightful way that is sure to captivate readers of all ages. There is a small fee to enter, so be sure to check out prices before you go. (Note that the Story Museum is currently closed until Spring 2020).
13. Walk Around Christ Church Meadow
Christ Church Meadow is another of my favorite outdoor locations to wander, as there is a delightful walking trail and it also leads down to the Thames where you can watch all the waterfowl and anyone who happens to be out and about on the water.
This is also where rowing competitions take place on certain days of the university term, so if you happen to be around for one of those it is a really fun activity to watch!
14. See the Headington Shark
The Headington Shark is one of those quirky things that you really do just have to see for yourself to believe. Essentially, it’s just a giant shark sculpture diving headfirst onto the roof of a house! But kids will have a blast seeing it as it’s funny and unique.
It’s a little ways out of Oxford, but still fun if you have time and a car or want to take the bus. You can find it located at 2 New High Street, Headington, Oxford OX3 7AQ.
15. Explore the Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian Theatre is one of the most essential buildings in the workings of the University of Oxford, as it’s used in school ceremonies from matriculation to graduation. But it is also a really cool building in its own right and is gorgeous inside!
You can frequently explore the building during the day for a couple of pounds, or if you have children who like music then you may want to attend a concert at the Sheldonian instead. You can check out upcoming events at the theatre here.
16. Take a Ghost Tour
Do you have kids who love scary stories? Then taking a ghost tour of Oxford could be the perfect activity for them! Bill Spectre’s Ghost Trail is one of the most fun things to do in Oxford with kids who aren’t afraid of scary stories, and offers an informative, historical, entertaining, and slightly frightening look into the city of Oxford. If you have children who love spooky tales then this is sure to be a hit!
Click here to purchase tickets for Bill Spectre’s Oxford Ghost Trail now!
17. Visit Blackwell’s Bookshop
Blackwell’s Bookshop is a fun store to visit for anyone who loves books and reading. There are several floors to explore and a whole section for kids’ books that children will enjoy wandering around, which makes this a perfect stop for the whole family! Be forewarned, though—you might walk away with a lot of new books!
18. Visit Blackwell’s Art and Poster Shop
Once you’re finished at Blackwell’s Bookshop, you should cross the street to enter the Blackwell’s Art and Poster Shop. I love this little shop as there are so many cool graphics…and it’s also the perfect place to pick up fun and funny cards or postcards! I once found some adorable dinosaurs in Oxford postcards here that I loved sending to all my friends and family. You never know what you’ll find!
19. See the Oxford Castle and Prison
Taking a tour of the Oxford Castle and Prison is a fun activity for the whole family if you’re exploring Oxford with children. This castle was built in 1071 and was only closed in 1992! Today, you can visit and learn all about its history—from its time as a religious site, its time as a home for royalty, and its time as the county jail.
There are so many cool things to learn about the castle, and kids will enjoy following the costumed character tour guide as they explore the tower, the crypt, and more. And after the tour, you’re welcome to continue exploring at your leisure.
Click here to buy tickets for the Oxford Castle now!
20. Play Games at Thirsty Meeples Board Game Cafe
Ever been to a board game cafe? Now’s your chance! Thirsty Meeples is a fun little cafe where you can go and rent a game while enjoying something to eat or drink as well. This is one of the best things to do in Oxford with children when their feet get tired out from all the walking and exploring!
There are tons of games to choose from, so whether you’re looking for an old favorite or to learn something new, Thirsty Meeples will definitely have the game for you! This is a perfect way to enjoy some fun family time together while in Oxford.
21. Explore the Oxford Botanic Garden
The Botanic Garden is a fun place for an outing in Oxford, as they have so many cool and unusual plants to see! There are plants growing outdoors as well as lots of indoor greenhouse plants to enjoy.
Kids may especially appreciate The Water Lily House, where giant water lilies grow, or The Carnivorous Plant House (which is one of my favorites!). You can check out a map of all the garden’s offerings here.
When you purchase your tickets at the Ticket Office, be sure to ask for a trail guide or an Explorer Backpack for your kids to borrow during your visit! Also, children under 16 are free with a paying adult…which makes this a most excellent place for a family outing.
22. Enjoy Views Over Oxford City
Oxford is known as the city of dreaming spires, which means that one of the best things you can do in this city is find somewhere up high on a rooftop to appreciate the cityscape in all its glory!
There are several places to enjoy a view of the city’s spires, but some of the best are the view from the Sheldonian Cupola (my favorite!) and the view from the tower of the University Church of St. Mary. Both of these have small fees you must pay to enter. I also like the view from The Varsity Club (a rooftop bar), and if your children are well-behaved and supervised while there then they are welcome to join you at the club anytime before 6pm.
23. Visit The Kilns/C.S. Lewis Nature Reserve
If you have children who adore The Chronicles of Narnia, then a visit to C.S. Lewis’ home—The Kilns—could be an excellent activity. The Kilns is only open to visitors by prior arrangement, so if you hope to go then you should be sure to set up a tour ahead of time. You can learn about the entry fees and setting up the tour here.
While you’re at The Kilns, you may also like to visit the nearby C.S. Lewis Nature Reserve. It’s a nice little woodland area with a large pond and lots of aquatic plants and used to belong to C.S. Lewis. It’s said that he enjoyed walking and wandering here while writing his Narnia series, so this is a fun and free little detour to enjoy while you’re here!
24. Take a River Tour
While you’re in Oxford, you’re often near water…which may make you wish to go out on the river. And a river tour is the perfect way to do this!
On a tour of the river, you’ll be able to see the University Regatta course, the college boat houses along the Thames, and cruise around Folly Island and Christ Church College and meadows. This is a fun way to see part of the city by boat, while soaking in some local knowledge about these places. It’s one of the most fun things to do with kids in Oxford, and is a great experience for kids and adults alike!
Click here to buy tickets for an Oxford River Tour now!
25. Explore Modern Art Oxford
Interested in a little culture and modern art? Then take some time to explore the only public space in Oxford that is dedicated to contemporary art and culture!
Modern Art Oxford is free and open to the public, with ever-changing exhibits. You never know what will be there when you go, so check out what’s currently on at Modern Art Oxford and see if it sounds like something you and your family would enjoy!
26. Visit Blenheim Palace
Although not in the city of Oxford, Blenheim Palace is very close by in Oxfordshire and is an amazing place to visit. This place is packed with history and cool tidbits, including that it’s the ancestral home of Sir Winston Churchill and that several films (including Harry Potter and the live-action Cinderella) have filmed parts of their movies here!
Kids of all ages will enjoy wandering through the grand halls of Blenheim Palace and will also enjoy the outdoor gardens and open spaces. This is also a fun place to go for a day and enjoy bringing a picnic lunch along! You can learn more about how to visit Blenheim Palace here.
Save for Later
