The final half term holiday of the year has rolled into view (along with the third bank holiday in May). And you may well feel yourself scrambling to find activities to pass the time.
Well, fear not! Daily Info has you covered with a selection of activities for this half term in and around Oxford.
Learning about the natural world
The Oxford University of Natural History Museum’s exhibition, Connected Planet, explores the natural balance of Earth, looking at the oceans, air and land that surround us.
And with their latest exhibition, Brilli-ANT!, the Story Museum are running bug handling sessions, with the opportunity to meet various mini-beasties and handle them. Take in the fabulous new exhibition and make some new many-legged friends.
Outdoor fun
With the weather looking good for much of the week, you may want to take in some outdoor activities. High Lodge Farm (near Abingdon) are running Big Bale Play, a giant pop-up straw playground, plus a pair of evening sessions that come with ale, gin and fizz for the adults.
Hill End offers 67 acres to explore, with their orienteering family days throws in some map games for an extra fun challenge. You can bring your own picnic but, sadly, no dogs allowed.
Our house
Outdoors fun can also be found at Blenheim Palace, with the recently opened Adventure Play, a network of tunnels, bridges, cargo nets and hidden chambers for the younglings to clamber, climb, paddle, slide, splash and zip through.
Or you can head to Waddeson Manor’s lawn with the return of Colourscape, a journey through tunnels of colour and light, for an otherworldly experience.
Everybody loves the circus
Giffords Circus is one of the most famous circuses in the business and returns to Blenheim Palace this May. The show mixes acrobats, jugglers, horses, dancers, musicians and clowns for what is sure to be a resplendent mix of old and new.
Alternatively there’s John Lawson’s Circus at Millets Farm, with a laser light show, aerial skills, hat juggling and more! This is an all-human show, if that is your preference.
A trip to the theatre
This May is the perfect time to head to the theatre and take in a family friendly show. Unexpected Twist (suitable 8+) at the Oxford Playhouse is a mighty musical mash-up from writers Michael Rosen (Children’s Laureate 2007 to 2009) and Roy Williams (Sucker Punch, Death of England), mixing Dickens and beatbox for a fresh take on the oft-told Oliver Twist.
Pegasus Theatre also gets in on the business of theatrical retellings, with The Not So Grimm Twins reapproaching some familiar fary tales through live music and puppetry. And Comedy Club 4 Kids comes to the Cornerstone Arts Centre in Didcot, acting as a great first introduction to the joys of stand up.
Taking in (the Museum of) Oxford
One museum absolutely worth a visit this half term is the Museum of Oxford. First up is an interactive workshop on Mary Seacole, looking at the Crimean War and Seacole’s historical legacy.
And then there’s Rainbow Creations, a family-friendly craft session to mark Pride month. Participants can make a kaleidoscope, create a rainbow in a glass and more.