Home > Places to Visit > Activities > February half term activities 2023: Whats on for kids in Oxfordshire
February half term activities 2023: Whats on for kids in Oxfordshire
February half term is the hardest to deal with, not only for parent and kids but also for entertainment providers, as a lot of us have not yet fully recovered from the Christmas fatigue but the half term is already upon us!
As always, I have done all the research and listed different events happening in and around Oxfordshire in this handy guide to make it easy for you. Some venues are not running any specific half term activities, but there are still plenty to choose from to keep your kids entertained. I will keep updating the list as more activities are released.
I have also updated my list of Holiday camps and Half term activities for kids around Oxfordshire, in case you are working like me, and holiday camps suit your needs better.
Farms and Indoor play areas:
- February Half term Fun at Millets Farm comes with a number of different activities:
Toy Brick challenge at the Millets Farm for £15.00 (Admits 1 child and 1 accompanying adult)
Witness a mountain of magic with Magic Peter for £7.50 pp (under 12 months free)
Build A Buddy Workshop for £19.99 (Admits 1 child and 1 accompanying adult)
Children’s Brush Party session for £23.99 (Admits 1 child and 1 accompanying adult)
Minimakers with Cup Cake Kate and Cookie Chloe for £29.99 (Admits 1 child and 1 accompanying adult) - Wanda’s fact file at The old Shed Charlbury: Join Wanda for her quest around the world, where she meets other animal friends, and learns interesting facts about them along the way! The trail will run during our opening hours and is £1 per sheet.
- Animal Adventure week at Hogshaw farm from 11-19 February includes the LIVE SHOW “the Zoo that comes to you”, a joyous journey through the animal kingdom featuring puppetry, live music and playful characters. PLUS…full farm entry, animal themed trail & special daily programme of close-up animal encounters interactive talks and animal themed crafts.
Price: Adults £13.95, Child (2 to 16) 12.95£
We have been to Hogshaw farm (formerly Green dragon Eco farm) many times. Read our review HERE and HERE - Love and Lambs at Odds Farm from 11th – 19th February
Experience new-born lambs take their very first steps at Little Hooves Lamb Nursery! Be sure to keep a close watch on the ewes for signs of labour during your visit, as you may even be lucky enough to see a lamb being born! Plus plenty of hands-on crafts and outdoor adventures! Price from £16.95 for over 2 year olds - Mini farmers and Lambing at Roves Farm: from 11th – 19th February
WE WENT RECENTLY AND LOVED IT. READ OUR REVIEW HERE
Earn your Gold Stars taking part in activities including seed sowing with The Wonky Veg Club, meet the lambs & bottle feeding, wash the tractor, walk & brush the animals, see the new arrivals: goat kids, piglets & calves, indoor & outdoor play, tractor trailer ride (weather permitting/£1.50pp). Lambs are due from 8th February. Spend some time on the viewing walkway looking out over the lambing shed as the day’s action unfolds, you may even see a lamb being born!
Price: Adults and child (3+) £10.80 (online), Toddler (1-2) 4.50£ (online) - Paint, pot and play at Yarnton Magic Garden: Soft play open all week of half term but little ones can enjoy interactive gardening workshop on Friday 17th February. Paint your own sustainable ‘Vipot’* complete with name stick. Whilst it’s drying (approx. 30 minutes), enjoy a play session in the Magic Garden and finish off with a beautiful winter plant, provided by Yarnton Home & Garden. Take it home and watch it grow, bringing a splash of colour to your windowsill.
Play included in price: (>5 years – £13, 2-4 years – £12, adult – £2.50)– read our review of our previous visits HERE - Once upon a dinosaur at Fairytale Farm: Meet life-size dinosaurs in Dino Valley, Uncover fossils in the Dino Dig, meet the Dino Trainer Ranger and Dino Hatchling, Learn the Dino Stomp in Dino Disco and other jurassic trail activities.
Price: Adults £6.98, Child (2 to 16)£6.53. read our review of the previous visit HERE - Lambing returns to Cotswold Farm park from February 10th for spring lambing. Over 800 lambs expected! You may see live births up close and personal, as well as enjoy talks from team of experts about all things lambing.
Book in advance to save £3.00; Adults: £11.50, child 4-16 £10.95, 2-3 years old 6.95£ - Farmer Gow’s is open every day of the week during school holidays to welcome families to ‘hands on’ farm fun.
Adults: £10.80, child 3-16 £9.80, 2 years old 5£ - Witchcraft and Wizardry – A Journey through Magic at the Magic Alley in Stratford–
Undertake the quest and take a journey through a number of rooms which are inspired by all different kinds of magic.
Read review of our Christmas visit HERE which was done when Ay was age 4 (The current event is suitable for over 4 but they recommend it over 6s) - Bouncy Lambs at Thrifty’s Farm: See the cutest and most adorable newborn lambs this half term! As well as lambs, every day over half term the little ones can get their green fingers muddy with bulb planting and earn a treat in the Woolly Sheep Trail. Every day from 11 to 19 February.
Ticket price: 18 months and over £7.95, adults 8.95£— read our review of the previous visit HERE - Beale Wildlife Park (Lower Basildon) – NOT ADVERTISED YET
ADULT £14.50, CHILD (>2 years) £11.50 - Children’s play village to give you an immersive little village experience with Hands on props
Tickets: £10.95 per walking child with one adult free– read our review of the previous visit HERE
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Museums and education centres:
- Ocean World (on 13,14 February), Science Saturday and Family Sundays at Natural History Museum: Come along to ocean world to touch real ocean specimens and make your own ocean-themed crafts to take home!. On science Saturdays, Meet scientists to investigate real natural history specimens from the collection and on Family Sundays, there are Family-friendly trails, crafts, and more, all provided by Museum volunteers.
Price: FREE (read our review of the museum HERE) -
Old to new at the Museum of Oxford on 13 Feb: The drop-in craft workshop to learn how to make your own homemade paper, make a rag rug out of leftover material and more! All ages are welcome but children under 5 might need some help with their craft
Price: £4.00+£1.04 Fee, adults free - Step back into Saxon Oxford (at Museum of Oxford) with the multi-sensory touch tour on 17th February. Visually-impaired children & their families are invited to step back in time with us to explore Saxon Oxford and then take part in a traditional Saxon craft. This event is free but booking is essential as spaces as limited!
- One World Family Festival at the Ashmolean Museum: Sat 11 – Sun 12 Feb 2023, 12–4pm
Celebrate the many communities and faiths of Oxfordshire through a dazzling array of activities, performances, talks and crafts for all ages. From an Iraqi fashion show to a Jewish musical medley, Bollywood dancing to laughter yoga, there’s something for everyone at this fantastic weekend festival. FREE - Love February half-term 2023 at The Oxfordshire Museum: Crafts, family drop-ins, trails and holiday fun for children and families. All the activities are free and no booking is required, just drop by and join in the fun. Its a really fun place, especially if you have dinosaur lover. Read our review HERE
- The Story museum in Oxford is offering different activities
Comic Draw along 14th – 16th Feb,
Lego Masters Builders Club on 17th Feb (£16.50 Per Person)
How to Draw Star Wars with Jake on 18th Feb (£8 Per Person)
Monster squid fun on 16th February (£8 Per Person) - Half term Heritage bus rides on Sunday 12th February (12.15 & 2.15pm) and Wednesday 15th February (12.15, 1.00 & 2.15pm) from Oxford Bus Museum
Price: Adult £8, Child (aged 5 to 15 years) £5, Family (2 adults & 2 children) £17) - DIG! FEBRUARY HALF TERM at Oxford Castle and Prison: 18 – 23/02/2023
Kids will love digging for genuine items found on the Castle site and making a replica coin or mosaic tile, all under the tutelage of Daniel Harris, the 18th governor of the Castle & Prison.
PRICE 12£/child, under 2s free and Accompanying adults go free. - “May the toys be with you” at Banbury Museum– until 19th March 2023
Adults 5£, child £2.50, Under 5’s are free. Banbury Museum also has some some crafty activities in the holidays
Brick madness: 13th-17th February, 3£/child- booking essential
Bath Bomb Making 13th Feb, 5£/child- booking essential
Make a puppet theatre 14th Feb, 4£/child- booking essential
Superhero disco: 13th-17th February, 3£/child- booking essential
Star war crafts– 13th, 15, 16th Feb, 3-4£/child- booking essential - ‘May Half term activities at the British Motor Museum 11-26 Feb 2023:
Take a colourful stroll through the Museum with the ‘Colour Creator’ Trail. Check out the colours of the Museum and mix your own as you go! Drop into the Learning Space and build a colourful ‘ArtBot’, then use it to create a vibrant drawing. Join the Museum’s resident scientists for the ever-popular Science Shows.
Tickets: Adult £14.50 Child (aged 5 to 15 years) £9, under 5s free - Vale and Downland Museum, Wantage:
LEGO® Club on 13, 15 and 16th February 2023 for children aged 4 – 10 yrs. Tickets (3£pp) must be booked in advance here
Wacky Wizardry Family Day on 16th February. £5 per child - A fun filled dino day out at Sutton Courtenay Environmental Education Centre £5 per child
Explore the winter nature reserve, discover the secrets of the wildlife that survived when the dinosaurs became extinct and take part in dinosaur themed activities. This event is suitable for families with children aged 4 to 11 years (younger siblings may also attend). Please book your ticket online (places limited!)
Family Theatre, Puppets and Live Music
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Hickory Dickory Dock” is a traditional family panto in Cooper School Performance Hall, Bicester (15th-18th February 2023). Tickets from £10.00 + £0.78 booking fee for adults and £5.00 + £0.39 booking fee for Children
- The Mills centre, Banbury is showing Mister Magnolia on 12th Feb, The princess and the frog on 16th Feb and The King of Nothing puppet musical on 18th Feb, in addition to other crafty activities
- Pegasus Theatre in Oxford
HurlyBurly is back again with the enchanting Meet me a Tree: a beautiful, immersive first opera for babies on 11/2/23
Teddy Bear’s Picnic, suitable for all, especially 0 – 8 years, children with special needs, families and nurseries on 15/2/23
Professor Slug’s House of Bugs on 25/2/23, suitable for ages 3+ - Kenton Theatre in Henley showing The jungle Book on 15th February and Tweedy’s musical mayhem on 18th February
- The Theatre Chipping Norton showing Merry Opera Cinderella on 10th Feb and Tweedy’s Musical Mayhem on 11th Feb
- Suitcase Stories at The Story Museum in Oxford showing Suitcase stories on 11th Feb and Rapunzel and The Tower of Doom on 13th Feb
- Animal Adventure week at Hogshaw farm from 11-19 February includes the LIVE SHOW “the Zoo that comes to you”, which is a joyous journey through the animal kingdom featuring puppetry, live music and playful characters.
- Chiltern Open air museum run special themed family craft and activity days all organised by the Museum’s award winning education team every Tuesday in Bucks school holidays. All Terrific Tuesday activities and crafts are included as part of our admission price. Have a look at their events pages to find out the dates and themes.
Price online: Adult £10.50, Child (4 – 16 years) £7.50, Children under 4 years Free
Trains:
- Paddington™ will be paying a visit to Buckinghamshire Railway Centre during February half term on Sunday 19th February and will be appearing at intervals throughout the day. Entry to The Railway includes unlimited steam train rides, entry to Railway Museum and Visitor Centre with Railway Café and gift shop. Plus, ride on our miniature railway (£1.20 per person, under 3s free) and teacup rides (free)
Tickets: Adults: £14, Child: £10, Under 3s: FREE - Unlimited steam train rides; 200 years of railway heritage & more at Didcot Railway Centre on 11/12, 15 & 18/19 February 2023. Adult £15, Child (3 – 18) £11
Gardens, Stately homes and National Trust properties:
- Blenheim Palace: 11th – 19th February 2023
Hop aboard the miniature train, wind your way through the amazing Marlborough Maze, meet some farm animals in their pop up pen at the Walled Garden. Explore theWalled Garden and beyond with the new wildlife trail where you can help Delilah the calf find her woodland friends, crack the secret code word and claim your prize or play bird bingo. There is also a mouse trail in the Palace and Formal Gardens.
Tickets: Free with Annual Pass, no need to pre-book.
Read our family/ children focussed review of Blenheim palace with all details HERE - Spectacle of Light at Compton Verney
Be prepared to be WOWED by the brilliant light installations and sparkling reflections across the lake. Read our review of last years lights HERE and of Compton Verney in general HERE
Tickets: Adult £24.00, Children (aged 3+) 12- Book by 9th February for 10% discount
Every Thursday-Sunday, 10 Feb – 5 March 2023. Also on Tuesday and Wednesday of Half Term, 21-26 February.
- Snowdrop season at Waterperry Gardens 1-28 February 2023:
One of the highlights of spring – the arrival of snowdrops and with more than 60 different snowdrop varieties carpeting the ornamental gardens and a spectacular show down by our walk along the River Thame, there’s no better place to enjoy these little heralds of spring (normal garden entrance fee applies- ).
Read our review of Water Perry gardens HERE - Adventure days at Tumblestone Hollow: Ticket includes access to the Tumblestone Hollow Adventure Playground and the Gardens at Stonor. Read our review from before HERE
Tickets for anyone over 105cm £12 and Child – 92-105cm £10 (save 2£ if prebooked online) - Hide and seek umbrella trail at Stowe: Find the multi-coloured umbrellas hidden around the garden, play your own game of hide and seek, and don’t forget to bring your wellies to make a splash in the puddles. Read our review from before HERE
Don’t forget to look at the “Stowe Drops” - Spring and February half term at Waddesdon Manor: 11-19 Feb (closed Mon 13 & Tue 14 Feb), 10am-4pm
Get creative with a giant colouring board in the Coach House, play in the woodland playground and enjoy a hot lunch at the Stables Café. Free for NT members, otherwise, Watch our posts from previous years HERE and HERE . - Throughout February, Enjoy winter bird spotting (collect a spotter sheet from visitor reception and borrow binoculars) at Upton House and Gardens near Banbury. Free for NT members, otherwise ine cone bird feeder (14-16 & 21-23 February, 10am-1pm) for £2 per bird feeder.
- Take part in Finding art in nature trail at Basildon Park (4-26 February) to find colours, shapes, and patterns in the natural world around you. See if you can find something stripy, create a shape with sticks and leaves, and go cloud watching! Follow the trail sheet and find the prompts along your way. This event is free, but normal admission charges apply for the venue (Free for NT members). Read our review from before HERE
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12 Things Winter Nature Spotter trail at Hughenden. Wrap up warm, pick up a free activity sheet and go welly wandering around the estate. This event is free for NT members, otherwise normal admission charges apply. Read our review from before HERE
Holiday Camps and other activities:
If you are looking for Holiday camps and other activities for kids around Oxfordshire, then check our post HERE
What else could you do during half term?
- Go on a FREE family friendly walk
- Enjoy a FREE day out from Oxfordshire
- Visit a local park: For a list of all the bigger/country parks in and around your area, CLICK HERE, or for smaller but more local choices, CLICK HERE
- Some ideas for FREE things to do in Oxfordshire
- Bounce around in an indoor Soft play.
