Find great ideas for days out with kids in Oxfordshire and the best family friendly events happening summer 2025. 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.

SPOTLIGHT – RIDGEWAY ADVENTURES

Ridgeway Adventures offer an exciting mix of axe throwing, archery, archery tag, air soft shooting and a super cool laser maze.  Depending on the activity the minimum age is either 8 or 10 years and upwards, it’s also great fun for adults too and feels a little like you’ve entered a top secret spy training centre.

What’s On In Oxfordshire Summer 2025

This summer, enjoy two epic days out for the price of one at the UK’s top theme parks! Simply purchase a Twice the Fun entry ticket and unlock free entry to a second theme park of your choice.

• Chessington World of Adventures Resort
• Thorpe Park
• LEGOLAND® Windsor Resort
• Alton Towers Resort

Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids in Oxfordshire

Summer at Cogges (Witney) 21st July – 31st July

You won’t be stuck for things to do this summer holidays, Cogges Manor Farm in Witney is buzzing with fun activities every day.  There will be exciting guest entertainers, a giant obstacle course, crafts, nature trail and all the fun on the farm.

Fairytale Farm (near Chipping Norton) 23rd July – 1st September

Step into a world of wonder this summer at Fairytale Festival 2025 – a magical celebration packed with fairy tale fun, fantastic activities, and THREE amazing new attractions you won’t want to miss and everything is included in your admission ticket.

Every day brings enchantment with interactive storytelling, games and challenges, creative workshops, and adorable animal experiences—all included with your admission!

Field of Fun at Earth Trust (Little Wittenham) 3th – 29th August (Mon to Fri)

The Field of Fun at Earth Trust returns for the summer holidays – bigger and better than ever! Open weekdays throughout August, this playful outdoor space is specially designed for children aged 5 and up. Packed with activities to ignite imagination and burn off energy, it’s a fantastic way for kids to enjoy being outdoors.

Parents can relax in the chill-out zone with coffee and cake purchased from the Welcome Hub, making it the perfect spot for all ages to unwind and have fun together.

Summer of Fun at Hogshaw Farm (Hogshaw, easy reach from Bicester / Thame) 19th July – 3rd September

Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park is perfect for a fun family day out. There are lots of friendly farm animals and pets to meet and more unusual animals in the Wildlife Zone. Jump off some energy on the giant bouncy pillow or indoor soft play plus lots more activities.  There are lots of extras this summer from From animal encounters and tractor rides, to bug hunts, summer splash pool and adventure play, there’s plenty to keep outdoor explorers of all ages occupied this summer!

Sunflower Fields

Could sunflowers be the happiest flowers?  If you’re looking to visit a pick your own sunflower fields this summer there are lots of great options with lots of extra fun activities on for kids too.

• Adventure Days at Tumblestone Hollow (Stonor, near Henley)
• Millets Maize Maze (Frilford) 18th July – 2nd Sep
• Knight School at Oxford Castle & Prison (Oxford) 28th July – 22nd August
• Summer of Play Giant Art at Basildon Park (near Pangbourne) select dates 29th July – 30th August
• OPA Playday (Ambrosden) 8th August FREE

Cogges Beer & Cider Festival (Witney) 9th August – family friendly until 6pm

The Cogges legendary Beer and Cider Festival returns on Saturday 9 August 2025 with over 50 different locally produced craft beers and ciders, BBQ, and live music all afternoon and evening.

• Summerfest 2025 (Banbury) 13th August FREE
• Harvest Open Day at Willowbrook Farm Mini Festival (Hampton Gay) 16th August
• Helios at Basildon Park (near Pangbourne) 22nd – 25th August
• Transformers meet & greet at Roves Farm (Sevenhampton) 20th – 31st August
• The Big Feastival 22nd – 24th August
• Foodies Festival (Oxford) 23rd – 25th August
• Pip & Posy Adventure Play at Blenheim Palace (Woodstock)

Bunkfest (Wallingford) 29th – 31st August FREE

BunkFest is a free-access community festival providing a unique, family friendly celebration with something for everyone. Set on the banks for the river Thames in Wallingford. The festival has evolved to become less folk-music orientated and more of a community event showcasing broad-appeal musical talent from around the world and includes children’s entertainment.

• Abingdon fireworks & monster truck festival (Abingdon) 30th August
• The Beach at Notcutts entertainment and fairground rides (between Oxford & Berinsfield) tbc

Indoor Summer Activities for Kids in Oxfordshire

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

Visit the Science Oxford Centre for a unique family experience every Saturday. Explore, discover and play in hands on science Exploration Zone, pick up an activity sheet and follow the woodland nature trails.

Ride On Time Play Sessions

Imagine a hall filled with the most amazing selection of ride ons.  If you have a toddler who LOVES things with wheels this is the perfect place to be! Suitable for ages 1-5 years.

• Bicester – 25th July + 8th August
• Yarnton – 13th August
• Carterton – 13th August

K’nex Fairground Science Club with Science Oxford (Oxford) 26th July

Young engineers investigate the science of spinning, with a carnival of K’nex! What goes up doesn’t always come down – can you spin a cup upside-down without its contents falling out? Find out what makes us dizzy – and why is it fun? Design, problem-solve and build a motor-powered model fairground ride with K’nex, and make a paper spinning toy to take home. Hold on to your hats, it’s wheel-y good fun!

• Steam Days at Didcot Railway Centre (Didcot) Wednesday + weekends
• Teddy Bear’s Picnic at Millets Sprouts Playbarn (Frilford) 29th – 31st July
• Summer craft workshops at Banbury Museum (Banbury) select dates 29th July – 2nd September

Master Builders Club Lego Brick Building Sessions

Build a story with LEGO! Master Builders Club will be providing 1000s of LEGO bricks for fantastic 2 hour Lego workshops. Sessions are designed as a creative adventure that incorporates a playful learning experience whilst nurturing young minds. Suitable for all abilities of “Brickie” aged 5+.

• Bricks & Burgers in the Barn (Binfield Heath) 25th July
• Henley – 7th August
• Witney – 14th August
• Kidlington – 21st August
• Cholsey – 28th August

• Digging Deep at Museum of Oxford (Oxford) 28th July
• Cardboard Quilting Challenge at Museum of Oxford (Oxford) 31st July

Drama Tots Summer of Fun Sessions (Banbury) 31st July + 7th August (Mollington, Banbury)

Drama Tots classes are high energy, interactive, fun and full of colourful props! The Summer of Fun sessions are perfect for children aged 18 months – 5 years. Older siblings can book a place, too! Siblings under 18 months are free! Siblings over 18 months receive a 50% sibling discount.

• Discover Oxford Day at Museum of Oxford (Oxford) 4th August
• Meet Paddington at Didcot Railway Centre (Didcot) 16th August

Gurgle & Co. Summer Parties

Suitable for 4 months to 2.5 years, Gurgle & Co. summer sessions are beautifully curated sensory zones for babies, interactive fun for toddlers, and sibling-friendly activities too (up to 5yrs). Expect sandcastle making, digging for treasure, scooping pretend ice creams and splashy water play!

• 15 Aug – Salford Village Hall (Nr. Chipping Norton) 10-11am
•  20 Aug – Cherington Village Hall (Nr. Shipston on Stour) 10-11am
• 19 Aug – Upper Rissington Village Hall (Nr. Bourton on the Water) 11.15-12.15pm

Tumble Tots North Cotswolds Summer Special Classes

Looking to keep your little one active over the summer?  No membership needed for the Tumble Tots North Cotswolds summer special classes in Witney on 18th August and Bletchingdon on 27th August.

• Family music workshops at the Cornerstone (Didcot) 20th August FREE
• Fam Jam at Museum of Oxford (Oxford) 21st August
• Brick Adventures at Didcot Railway Centre (Didcot) 20th – 31st August

Family Theatre, Live Music and Puppets

• Creation Theatre’s Midsummer Summer’s Night Dream (Oxford) 16th July – 16th August
• Giffords Circus  (Barrington) 17th – 28th July
• The History of (Almost) Everything at Oxford Playhouse (Oxford) 25th – 26th July FREE
• Six° at Oxford Playhouse (Oxford) 28th July

Dinosaurs World Live at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (Aylesbury) 1st – 2nd August

Meet a host of impressive creatures, including every child’s favourite flesh-eating giant, the Tyrannosaurus Rex,  a Triceratops, Giraffatitan, Microraptor and Segnosaurus at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre this summer.

• The Gingerbread Man at Oxford Playhouse (Oxford) 2nd August
• Dinosaur World Live at Oxford Playhouse (Oxford) 5th – 7th August
• The Koala Who Could at Oxford Playhouse (Oxford) 9th August
• The Railway Children Live at Didcot Railway Centre (Didcot) 27th – 30th August
• A Dragon’s Tale at the Story Museum (Oxford) 13th August
• Shark in the Park at the Mill Arts Centre (Banbury) 29th August

Days Out With Kids in Oxfordshire

For family days out around Oxfordshire for under £50 (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.

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.

Cool off at a local Oxfordshire splash pad or outdoor swimming pool