Searching for the most effective issues to do in Oxford with toddlers or infants? As an area Oxfordshire mum, I am at all times visiting town with my youngsters and on this information we’ll share the well-known and hidden gems of issues to do in Oxford with younger kids.
Finest issues to do in Oxford with younger kids
So what are the most effective issues to do in Oxford for younger kids? We’ll first check out Oxford’s greatest museums for toddlers earlier than different household sights to go to in Oxford with toddlers and preschoolers.
Oxford’s greatest museums for younger kids
Oxford is a metropolis that’s well-known for its college and its museums. On this a part of the information, we’ll undergo every of the museums intimately to inform you how appropriate they’re for younger kids and what it’s best to do in every of them with younger kids.
Oxford College Museum of Pure Historical past
At any time when we go to Oxford, the primary place my youngsters search for is the Oxford College Museum of Pure Historical past. Though this museum is far smaller than its London counterpart, which is a superb museum for toddlers in London, we truly discover this museum simpler to deal with with toddlers and infants.
Though probably the most well-known exhibit right here is the dodo, which occurs to be the museum’s brand, we at all times go straight to the dinosaur displays. There are two enormous reproduction skeletons on show in the primary corridor, the Iguandon and the T Rex that each my youngsters at all times make bees for.
However there’s additionally a Megalosaurus part, trilobites and arm sections that basically enchantment to younger kids.
So if in case you have a bit of dinosaur fanatic like me, this ought to be the primary place you set in your journey to Oxford.
Museum of the story
The Museum of Tales is a spot that my kids return to many times, each with their households and with their colleges. Renovated in 2020, the museum is basically interactive and has displays which can be particularly outdated for younger kids.
The museum is split into completely different thematic areas of the Whispering Forest, Small Worlds, Metropolis of Tales and the Enchanted Library. However what I like is that there are displays associated to books that even my toddler knew. We performed interactive Pooh sticks from Winnie the Pooh and located issues associated to the favourite earlier than mattress Owl Infants and my son’s favourite creator Julia Donaldson who wrote The Gruffalo and A room on a broomstick to call only a couple.
It can take you anyplace from 90 minutes to 2 hours to totally expertise the museum, and with particular packages of occasions through the faculty holidays, you may spend even longer right here and it is an incredible place to go to with younger kids.
However please do not, this isn’t one of many free issues to do in Oxford.
Pitt Rivers Museum
The Pitt Rivers Museum is definitely in the identical constructing because the Pure Historical past Museum in Oxford. Though not as explicitly kid-friendly because the above, it is value a go to when you’re within the constructing. Simply remember to decide one of many family-friendly trails whenever you go.
Museum in Oxford
Because the title suggests, the Oxford Museum tells the story of town. At its coronary heart is a museum of social historical past and has all the pieces from Roman archeology to work and automobiles. So, no matter you need, there’s one thing right here that may curiosity you.
The Oxford Museum additionally presents family-friendly backpackers which have kids’s actions on the museum, in addition to an incredible program of vacation actions.
Ashmolean Museum
The Ashmolean is an artwork and archeology museum that will not sound appropriate for younger kids at first look. Nevertheless, the museum has carried out lots to make the collections accessible to younger kids. If you wish to go to this museum with little ones, we suggest that you just take the multimedia information that’s meant for households, in addition to drawing pads and household packs that may make your go to extra pleasing with the little ones.
The museum additionally presents classes for infants and toddlers, which will be subscribed to by these staying longer within the space. These classes are run by museum employees and are an effective way to get your youngster enthusiastic about museums.
River cruise
Oxford is a metropolis on two rivers, the Thames and the Cherwell, and no go to to town is full with out spending time on the river.
Now most individuals have punting on their Oxford bucket listing, however it’s not one thing really useful for younger kids (extra on that later). Because of this, we suggest a river cruise as a substitute to see town from a distinct perspective.
There are normally 50-minute and 90-minute cruises, and with younger kids’s consideration spans, we undoubtedly suggest the 50-minute cruise.
Bus tour
Though there are numerous wonderful strolling excursions in Oxford, we suggest doing them with older kids. As a substitute, a great way to study in regards to the metropolis whereas saving little legs is to hop on an Oxford hop on hop off bus tour.
My youngsters at all times take pleasure in sitting on the highest deck of an open prime bus, so that is one thing they love. Nevertheless, taking the bus will miss out on a few of Oxford’s central sights. Oxford is a metropolis designed for pedestrians and cyclists, which prevents bus site visitors in some locations.
Nevertheless, it is value noting that you could be must fold the stroller to get on board.
Oxford Botanic Gardens
For those who’re visiting Oxford in the summertime or spring, then Oxford Botanic Gardens is an absolute should. Adults will love seeing the number of crops on show, whereas toddlers and infants will benefit from the open area and freedom that comes with visiting the botanical gardens.
Harbor meadow
If you wish to go to a inexperienced area along with your toddler in Oxford, you merely have to go to Port Meadow. That is the biggest inexperienced space within the metropolis and offers a superb place for young children to chill out.
We wish to take a picnic with us to Port Meadow on a pleasant day and benefit from the sunshine.
Go to Oxford Schools
Now you won’t suppose you may go to Oxford schools with noisy toddlers and infants. However for me, no go to to Oxford is full with out visiting at the least as soon as.
Relying on the day and time of yr you go to will rely upon which schools are open – examine the faculty web site earlier than you journey to know the place is open in your dates. There are 39 schools that make up the College, however our favourite schools to go to with younger kids are:
Magdalene Faculty
We love this school as a result of it’s situated in a deer park subsequent to the river. My youngsters love watching the deer and the dancers on the river as we stroll round.
Additionally, this school could be very near the Oxford Botanic Gardens so it may be simply mixed.
New Faculty
Once more, I am an enormous fan of gardens and New Faculty has one of the stunning gardens in Oxford.
Christ Church Faculty
Christ Church Faculty is likely one of the hottest schools for vacationers primarily due to its reference to Harry Potter. Whereas I do not suppose that is probably the most kid-friendly faculty, it is undoubtedly one of many prettiest, and if you happen to’re touring with older youngsters, they will love seeing all of the Harry Potter filming areas right here.
Oxford Metropolis Farm
When each of my youngsters had been little, they beloved the farm. There is just one farm inside Oxford metropolis limits, aptly named Oxford Metropolis Farm. Right here, younger kids can study and join with the place their meals comes from, in addition to meet some livestock.
Lined market
The coated market is an establishment in Oxford. It is an incredible place to choose up some Oxford souvenirs in addition to seize some snacks. Youngsters will love peeking by way of the window of a formidable pastry store, consuming ice cream on the wonderful IsCream Gelateria or consuming a milkshake on the well-known Moo Moos.
Oxford Ice Rink
Though this one will not be for these touring with infants, it’s nice for these with young children. We took our child for the primary time when she was 3 as a result of the ice rink in Oxford truly has lessons for toddlers. Seize the Penguin Skating Assist and let your youngster chill out on the ice.
Carfax Tower
In case you are touring with young children or infants, you could wish to deliver a child service as there are 99 steps to the highest of the tower. However belief me it is going to be value it as a result of the Carfax Tower has among the finest views of town.
Westgate Procuring Heart
One other good spot to see town is the Westgate Procuring Centre. Though I do not suggest spending an excessive amount of time right here, as a result of I do not find out about your toddler, however mine hates procuring malls. However it’s value a go to for the view and the household eating places situated right here.
Headington Shark Home
I do not suggest going out to see it, however if you happen to’re passing by, your youngster will love the Headington Shark Home. A typical Oxford terrace with a big shark consuming roof artwork set up.
Punting
I do know punting is on the prime of many individuals’s bucket lists at Oxford, however I do not suggest doing it your self. Folks find yourself within the river extra typically than you’d think about, and with a stressed toddler it may be fairly a hectic expertise.
Nevertheless, if you wish to go punting in Oxford with the children, there’s a means. There are devoted firms equivalent to Let’s Go Punting Oxford that provide household punting excursions led by skilled punters. That is far more pleasing with young children than attempting to do it alone.
What to do close to Oxford
So now you recognize what you are able to do in Oxford itself with younger kids, we’ll check out some close by issues to do this are nice for younger kids.
Blenheim Palace
Blenheim Palace is just 20 minutes from town and is the one non-royal palace in England. It is well-known for being the birthplace and residential of Sir Winston Churchill, however it’s additionally a tremendous place for little Oxford youngsters.
Along with the palace, it additionally has spectacular gardens, a stupendous kids’s playground, a butterfly home, a maze, and even a miniature prepare journey. And if you happen to’re visiting Oxford for Christmas, you may undoubtedly wish to go to the well-known Blenheim Palace lights in Oxfordshire.
Milletts Wildside
Milletts Wildside is a superb place for younger kids out of city. It has an incredible falconry middle the place you may watch displays and rise up near the animals.
FAQs about visiting Oxford with younger kids
Can you employ a pushchair in Oxford?
In case you are visiting Oxford with a small youngster or child, we undoubtedly suggest that you just deliver a stroller with you. Oxford is a metropolis greatest explored on foot and will be tiring on little ft so we suggest bringing a pushchair with you.
Nevertheless, if you happen to’re planning to run along with your child, climb to the highest of the Carfax Tower, or take an open-top tour bus, you could wish to deliver a child service with you.
Searching for inspiration for visiting different UK cities with younger kids? Then take a look at these guides: