Oxfordshire

Home Educators Day–

Lifecycles with Pond

Dipping

WHERE: Sutton Courtenay

WHEN: 21st March, 10.00 –14.00

Environmental Education Centre www.bbowt.org.uk/events

Join the Wildlife Trust for a look at the wildlife that is around us on a daily basis. Investigate some fascinating creatures that you might encounter when out and about and have the panel answer any of your questions about how you can help local wildlife.

Nature Tots

WHERE: Sutton Courtenay

Environmental Education Centre

WHEN: 22nd, 23rd & 24th March, 9:30 – 11.00

Join friendly Nature Tots staff and volunteers to explore the nature reserves and enjoy wildlife themed activities suitable for children aged 18 months to 4 years. £7.00 (90 minutes) www.bbowt.org.uk/events/

Lambing Festival

WHERE: Earth Trust Centre, Little Wittenham

WHEN: 25th and 26th March & 1st and 2nd April, 10.00 and 13.00

Visitors can explore the farmyard (where you may get to see a lamb being born!). You can also enjoy tractor-trailer rides, games, stalls, meet the goats and more.

Family tickets from £28 when prebooked. www.EarthTrust. org.uk

Room on the Broom

WHERE: Oxford Playhouse

WHEN: 27th – 29th March

The witch and her cat are travelling on their broomstick when they pick up some hitch hikers- a friendly dog, a beautiful green bird and a frantic frog. But this broomstick’s not meant for five and CRACK it snaps in two… just as the hungry dragon appears! Suitable for ages 3+.

From £14.50 www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ whats-on 01865 305 305

High Lodge Farm

WHERE: Culham, Abingdon

WHEN: 1st – 10th April, 10.00 – 16.00 www.highlodgefarm.com

High Lodge Farm’s action-packed Easter Trail is back for a second year, running for just 10 days during the Easter holidays. Don’t forget to enjoy the outdoor games, bale maze and sit in a real farm tractor.

Ideal for toddlers to 12-year-olds.

Big Easter Bunny Hunt

WHERE: Waterperry Gardens

WHEN: 1st - 16th April, 10.00 – 17.30

Join the Big Easter Bunny Hunt around the ornamental gardens. The decorated bunnies are hiding all around the gardens and with a prize for every child it’s a lovely Easter day out for all the family. £3.00 per child (entrance charges apply for adults) www.waterperrygardens.co.uk 01844 339254

Easter Entertainment

WHERE: Blenheim Palace

WHEN: 7th- 10th April www.blenheimpalace.com

Head along to the Walled Garden for a weekend of Easter trails, face-painting, circus skills, archery, street entertainment, balloon modelling, a fun fair and special appearances from Easter Bunny.

Spring Coding Game

Jam Day

WHERE: Science Oxford Centre

WHEN: 20th April, 9.00 – 17.00

The Addams Family Musical

WHERE: Oxford Playhouse

WHEN: 5th – 8th April, 14.30 (Saturday 8th) and 19.30 (all days)

The Addams family are about to find life at their spooky mansion turned upside down by the nightmare that besets all parents of a teenager. As their daughter Wednesday has just one thing on her mind: Love! Age 7+ Tickets from £12.50 www.oxfordplayhouse.com/ whats-on 01865 305 305

Woven Pictures

WHERE: Wallingford Musuem

WHEN: 6th – 13th April, 11.00

Easter Adventures in Nature

WHERE: Greys Court, Henley

WHEN: 1st – 16th April, 10.00 – 16.30

With colourful spring bulbs blooming, the gardens and estate to explore, Greys Court makes a lovely setting for a family Easter trail. Trails are £3 each, with a chocolate, or chocolate alternative, prize when you’ve finished. Entry from £6.50 www.nationaltrust.org.uk www.wallingfordmuseum.org.uk

Make woven pictures of houses using mainly scrap materials, wool, fabric and felt. Suitable for ages 5 plus. Children must be accompanied.

A donation of £1 per child towards the cost of materials. Booking Essential.

Make a game using Pygame Zero and join in the hackathon ‘Game Jam’ in the afternoon!

Create your own fantasy game, perhaps set in a castle, cityscape or space! For kids who enjoy coding and want to learn more. Families can join for the grand final! £35.00

Suitable for ages 12-14 scienceoxford.com/events

WHERE: Blenheim Palace

WHEN: 29th April - 1st May, 10.00 - 17.00 www.blenheimpalace.com

The Knights of Middle England are ready to take you back to the exciting and colourful era of the Middle Ages with their action packed, high octane Jousting and Stunt Show. Expect thrills - and maybe spills - in an action-packed day of discovery.

Nature Club: Planet Power

WHERE: Science Oxford Centre

WHEN: 22nd April

Make your own renewable energy at this month’s Earth Day-themed club. Spot seasonal changes in the woodland, and see how wildlife might be affected by climate change. Create electricity with a circuitchallenge in the workshop, and take a simple test to discover your carbon footprint! Suitable for ages 5-9. From £10 scienceoxford.com/events

01865 810000

Tots Time

WHERE: Wigod Way Wallingford

Family Centre

WHEN: Thursdays in March and April, 10.00

This session is all about play. Complete access to a hall full of toys and a garden too. Take your little people and have some fun. Suitable for ages 0 – 5 years. Free www.wallingfordfamilycentre. com 01491 832940

Weekly Groups for Babies and Toddlers

WHERE: Wigod Way

Wallingford Family Centre

WHEN: Tuesdays to Thursdays www.wallingfordfamilycentre. com 01491 832940

Includes a toddler group inspired by the outdoors on Tuesdays, Baby Babble group on Wednesday mornings and a family session that’s all about play on Thursdays. Free.

The Oxford Boat Adventure

WHERE: Dorchester on Thames, Wallingford www.theoxfordboatadventure. co.uk 07979 592753

3-day adventures on the beautiful private 100-acre farm for children aged 4-15. Choose from a variety of water and land adventures, including challenges like paddle boarding, fire lighting and cooking.

Spring Family Days

WHERE: Science Oxford Centre, Headington

WHEN: Saturdays in March and April

Children and grown-ups alike have fun experimenting with interactive exhibits in the Exploration Zone (2 hour session) - create and test flying designs at the Air Table, build a giant magnetic ball run, and test what’s hot and what’s not with the Curious Camera. Tickets include all day access to woodland and ponds.

**The ever-popular Water Lab is back with a splash from April!** From £6.00 scienceoxford.com/events 01865 810000

Home Schoolers Forest Club

WHERE: Evenley Wood Garden

WHEN: 21st April - 26th May, 14.00 - 15.30

Meet the Animals

WHERE: Cogges Manor Farm

WHEN: March and April

Explore the grounds and spot super-sized colourful eggs on the Easter hunt! Say hello to the animals - goats, ponies, Cotswold sheep, chickens and rabbits – and look out for some furry friends who may be visiting for the holidays.

Prices from £6.00 under 3’s go free www.cogges.org.uk

Muddy Feet Forest Tots Playgroup

WHERE: Evenley Wood Garden

WHEN: Fridays from 21st April - 26th May 9.30 - 11.00 and / or 11.15 - 12.45 www.muddyfeettraining.co.uk 07778 928720

Woodland based activities for preschool children who can walk well through rough terrain. Each session starts with a welcome circle and covers a range of activities including stories, making bird feeders, mud painting, treasure hunts, mud sliding, mini beast hunts and much, much more!

Six 90-minute sessions of immersive woodland fun and education - inspiring your child, as well as teaching them new skills. Each session will be full of nature based outdoor learning including shelter building, fire skills, cooking on the fire, tool use, woodland games, and natural arts and crafts. www.muddyfeettraining.co.uk 07778 928720

Whizz Kidz

WHERE: Thame

WHEN: March & April

Why not head to Whizz Kidz for a fun hour or two, or more should you little one not yet be tired. Large indoor soft play / entertainment centre which has everything you could want. Prices from £2.00 www.whizzkidz-thame.co.uk/ 01844 217555

If booking any courses, please mention Families Oxfordshire Magazine