As half term rolls in to view, it can feel daunting to find activities to entertain the children throughout the week. To help, Daily Info has put together events and venues worth your time this half term, to meet whatever your child’s interest is.
Theatre
Theatre in Oxford offers the chance to escape to magical worlds this half term. At the Pegasus Theatre, Let’s All Dance bring the Teddy Bear’s Picnic to life, mixing ballet and physical theatre for a show suitable for 0 to 8 year olds. Over at the Aylesbury Waterside, Morgan & West are exploring science with the help of magic (and do check out our interview with the duo). And in Didcot, you can find Quentin Blake’s Mister Magnolia, with live music, puppetry and audience interaction.
For older children there are a pair of the very best musicals on offer. George and Ira Gershwin’s An American in Paris gets a staging at the Oxford Playhouse, as their beautiful music weaves a tale of love and liberation in post-war Paris. And Amey Theatre there’s the ever-brilliant Little Shop of Horrors, featuring love, hope for a better tomorrow and a big, bitey alien plant.
Exhibitions
The museums of Oxford are a great place to while away an afternoon, exploring the various nooks and crannies these buildings have to offer. And while there you can take in one of the terrific exhibitions currently on display.
The Museum of Natural History have revamped Life, as we know it, exploring the history of planet Earth with everything from a gigantic Japanese spider crab to meteorites as old as the solar system itself.
For fans of His Dark Materials, the History of Science Museum has a display of props and costumes from the recent BBC series. Plus you can find the dials and devices that inspired Philip Pullman.
And further afield is this year’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year, with the Natural History Museum exhibition showing in Newbury, bringing with it many of the captivating images of the natural world submitted for this year’s competition.
Country Houses
The country houses around Oxford are often the perfect locale for holiday-based fun and this half term is no exception. Across the week Blenheim Palace has farm animals to meet, a wildlife trail to explore and bird bingo to help you through the park. And at Waddesdon Manor you can find a terrific newly refurbished woodland playground and a giant colouring board that all the family can doodle on.
A pair of National Trust locales further afield have trails to take in the grounds. Greys Court are all about Story Hunters, whilst Basildon Park are Finding Art in Nature.
Family Festivals
A pair of family festivals bookends the half term and offer something for all ages to get involved with. The Ashmolean’s One World Family Festival celebrates the communities and faiths of Oxfordshire across two days, with performances, talks, crafts and activities for all ages.
And Oxford Brookes’ annual Science Bazaar, allowing children (it's most suitable for 5 to 12 year olds) and their parents/guardians the opportunity to learn, explore and play with science. Run by staff and students from the Universities, there will also be the likes of Bright Sparks Science, Crocodiles of the World and The BRICK People visiting for the day.
Workshops
Whether you’re looking for a workshop the whole family can enjoy or one that offers a respite for weary parents, the museums and theatres of Oxford have you covered. The NW Inventors scheme are hosting a two day course covering physical theatre, movement and devising ensemble choreography. They’ll be plenty of stories in these sessions suitable for 8 to 11 year olds.
Museum of Oxford has an Old to New Craft Workshop, a family friendly way to learn to craft from recycled items, as well as Roman & Celts workshop led by Celtic Queen Boudicca. And the Ashmolean offer the perfect end of holiday treat with a Make Your Own Morph Model session led by the some of the creatives from the wonderful Aardman Animations. This session is suitable for ages 6 and up and is sure to be an insightful and, crucially, fun hour of creativity.
Indoor fun
Come rain or shine, there’s indoor fun to be had in Oxford. The Story Museum offer a triple set of treats this half term with a host of workshops, a terrific exhibition and some theatre to enjoy. The highlight of the week are drawing workshops with the likes of Ramzee Hassan, Sue Cheng and Aaron Bletcha. But they’ve also got Theatre of Widdershins’ take on Rapunzel and there’s still a chance to take in their comic book exhibition, Ka-Boom.
Alternatively Airmaxx events are hosting wonderlands of inflatables in both Oxford and Banbury, which is sure to bounce out all the energy the younglings could have.
And if that’s not enough, soft plays are a good shout, with the likes of Millet’s Farm, Snakes & Ladders and Partyman World of Play all offering the means to exhaust your child on any given day.
Cinema
The big film release this half term is Dreamwork’s surprisingly great Puss in Boots sequel. Mixing beautiful, anarchic animation with a witty script, it’s the best the Shrek franchise has been for a very long time and has something for adults and children alike.
For something a bit more esoteric but no less captivating, why not try Marcel the Shell with Shoes On? Both are up for the Oscar for Best Animation, so the cinephile in you will also be satisfied.
Concerts
A pair of well-timed concerts brings classical music to the wee ones. February’s edition of the Family Cushion Concerts at JdP Music Building is the perfect way to introduce children to a diverse range of styles and instruments, whilst FUNomusica Family Concert returns with Mission Earth, exploring our planet from the orbit of space.
It’s also worth looking at our event’s page for any regular meetings that offer music and sensory play.
Outdoor fun
Oxford is surrounded by many a beautiful spot of woodland and wildlife, and Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust (BBOWT) have you covered with events across their sites. A particular highlight is their Family Trail: Dinosaur at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre. You can explore the winter nature reserve, discover wildlife that has outlived the dinosaurs and take part in some Jurassic themed activities.
At the Earth Trust is Fire and Wire, a family-friendly workshop, where local artist Emma Williams will lead participants in making a night sky mobile.
And check out Daily Info’s blog to find the perfect walk for this break.
Go to the library
The final source of entertainment is perhaps Daily Info’s favourite. This half term, why not pop to your local library! As well as a wealth of books for children to explore and take home with them, your local library runs a host of sessions throughout the week, including Rhymetime, Lego Club, Stay and Plays & Craft drop ins. Come rain or shine the library is the perfect place to spend a few hours.