Petting goats, sailing ships and learning code - here are just some of the ways your young ones can spend their May half term (Sat 23rd to Sun 31st May 2026).
Outdoors adventures
As the weather improves, it gets easier to get everyone outside to let off some steam, but if a little extra persuasion is needed to get into the fresh air then there’s a whole bunch of local farms offering fun activities. There’s charming goats, pigs, sheep and chickens to meet at the Oxford City Farm just off the Iffley Road, in their regular Saturday morning volunteer and visitor sessions. Out at High Lodge Farm, near Culham, they’ve built a massive straw bale maze to climb all over. At the Earth Trust Centre in Little Wittenham, kids can celebrate spring by helping tend to newborn calves and lambs, playing on the mini tractors and in the mud kitchen, finding mini-beasts among the flowers, and doing some seasonal crafting. Hogshaw Farm and Wildlife Park in Buckinghamshire is having a country-fete-inspired week of family fun, including circus skills sessions. And at the Fairytale Farm in Chipping Norton, somewhere between the Fairy Dell and the Beanstalk Cafe, you will find the Unicorn Queen and her trusty steed.
For a closer look at the wonders of our local flora and fauna, Science Oxford, near Headington Quarry, as well as running their usual Saturday family sessions (have fun in the Exploration Zone, woodland and outdoor Water Lab), are hosting a Bee Day, for kids aged 5 to 9, run by Oxfordshire Beekeepers Association.
Fun events indoors
If you fancy doing something under cover, you’d be wise to head to the Story Museum. As well as the usual fantastic installations, there’s Elmer Day, a Spring Trail around the museum, and in the Whispering Wood you can hear traditional Jewish tales, in celebration of Jewish Culture Month. In the Ashmolean, they’re running a day of creative nature activities for families, with loose-parts play and workshops in the Learning Studio. There’s also a drop-in activity around storytelling, and a drawing workshop. Out at Stowe House in Buckingham they’re celebrating half term with a trail of Royal tales, and crafting activities. And the History of Science Museum on Broad Street is running a free drop in event where families can learn about microscopes.
If your young person would really love to go to museums but the crowds are a bit too overwhelming, then look out for Relaxed Opening sessions. The History of Science Museum is holding just such a session from 9 till 10am on Saturday 30th May. The Museum of Natural History’s next one will be on 6th June.
Find some company
If the week of half term can feel like a bit of a social desert, for you or for your kids, and what you’d most like is to get out of the house in a relaxed setting and find some people to chat to, then you’ll find a warm welcome, good coffee and affordable hot food at the Donnington Doorstep Community Cafe, every Friday 10 till 1.30pm. Or if your young’un is into Minecraft, then you can head over to Wolvercote for the Social Minecraft Club where the kids can game on their own devices, while the grown ups can drink tea and natter.
New Skills
Maybe half term is the perfect time for your kids to try out something new, from the huge array of classes and activities offered in Oxford. On Sunday mornings, the Meadow Lane Skatepark is home to beginners and improvers skateboard lessons. Every Saturday morning, 9.30 to 10.30, there’s a free Code Club at the City Library (in the Westgate) where kids can learn to make games using Scratch. And on Thursday afternoons, friendly instructors teach the traditional Japanese martial art Aikido in South Oxford Community Centre.
Did you know that there is a sailing club, only walking distance from the centre of Oxford?! Even better, Medley Sailing Club will be holding an open day on Sat 30th May, when you can (weather permitting) have a go at sailing for free.
Films
For a quintessential half term treat, you could head to the cinema. The Curzon's Kids Club will be showing futuristic friendship tale Arco and the charming Little Amelie on the Saturdays at 10.30am. The UPP's Kino Kids slot will be The Lego Movie on Sunday 31st, and during the week they'll have three showings of The Magic Faraway Tree. At the Abbey Cinema in Abingdon you can catch The Sheep Detectives every day , which you can also find over at the Phoenix in Jericho, along with Arco, Looney Tunes, Bluey, and Dr Strangelove. And for a big screen night al fresco, on Sunday 24th the Mole Inn in Toot Baldon is hosting an outdoor screening of vintage comedy The Goonies.
Fives and Under
If you’re in charge of tiny ones aged five and under this half term, then there are Stay and Play sessions at Botley Bridges on the Wednesday, and Forest Hill on the Thursday, and Donnington Doorstep has Family Drop Ins Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings til 2pm.
If you’re seeking a musical activity to do together, you can find Rhyme Time at the City Library on Monday, Fam Jam dance party at the Museum of Oxford on Tuesday, Music Matters sessions in Barton on Wednesday, Rhyme Time in Wheatley on Thursday, and a Bach to Baby Family Concert in Summertown on Saturday 30th.
Image credits: Oxford City Farm, David McKee (Story Museum), Donnington Doorstep Community Centre, Oxford Wheels Project, Dancin' Oxford