Summer Family Fun at the Science Oxford Centre
Thursday 22nd May 2025
If you’re looking for something different to do with the kids this summer, why not visit the Science Oxford Centre in Headington and make a day of it? Our action-packed Family Days run every Saturday, and there really is something for everyone! Tickets include entry to the amazing Exploration Zone and all day access to the Water Lab, 15 acres of woodland and nature trails, visitor café and picnic areas.
Our family visit to the Oxford Science Centre was an absolute blast! This place is a treasure trove of hands-on learning and excitement for all ages. The interactive exhibits, engaging demonstrations, and diverse range of scientific experiments made learning incredibly fun and accessible. Our daughter was enthralled by the various activities and interactive displays, sparking her curiosity and love for science. The staff's enthusiasm and knowledge added another layer of enjoyment, making the experience both educational and entertaining. Whether it was exploring the wonders of physics, chemistry, or biology, there was something captivating for everyone. A fantastic place for families to bond, learn, and have a blast together!
Top 5 Things To Do
Exploration Zone Challenge! 2 hours and over 20 hands-on challenges and activities to try in the amazing Exploration Zone – find out what you can hear through your teeth, play a game of Guess What? with shells and fossilised dino ‘scat’, beat the amazing Scarf Shooter or fly UAPs at the Air Table and see which design flies higher or stays up longer! What else? Watch water freeze, keep discs spinning, solve puzzles, learn about electricity and light up circuits, view plants and materials up close with macro magnifiers, see what’s hot and what’s not with the curious camera and lots, lots more. Under 3s are free, with plenty to see and join in with for little ones.
Animate Science! Make fun video-shorts at the animation station – will your mini-masterpiece feature giant insects, a Jurassic world or astronauts in space? Or spell out your message with our animated ABCs. Film and share your animation shorts or reels and tag @scienceoxford #scienceoxfordshort on socials for the chance to win a return family visit!
Splash Science! Make a splash at the ever-popular outdoor Water Lab. Carry out a range of water-based play, investigation and problem solving activities. Experiment with floating and sinking, adjust the water flow from a trickling stream to a raging current, or test your own ideas with other interchangeable accessories. A firm favourite, we highly recommend to bring a change of clothes! “Once my son is at the Water Lab, that’s it for the day, so I recommend you do the Exploration Zone session first!” Red Kite Days 2025.
Bug Safari! Investigate 15 acres of wild space with an Explorer Backpack, bug pot and ID guide, compass, tape measure, binoculars, magnifying glass and activity sheet. See what habitats you can spot on the ground or up in trees – who might live there, and why? Find out about the woodland via our QR codes around the ponds and nature trails. What seasonal plants and flowers or insects can you see, why not take some pictures to post and share with us? #summerscienceoxford
Refresh and refuel! Stop off at the visitor centre café with ice-cream, light lunches and tasty cakes and refreshments. Did you know we have a child’s meal deal (half sandwich, sausage rolls, crisps, cucumber, carrots, juice and fruit); or, bring your own picnic and enjoy the outdoors with an iced coffee or latté!
Summer STEM Clubs
Science Oxford also run regular science, nature and computing-themed clubs with expert leaders for ages 5-12, including entry to the woodland and outdoor areas. STEM Clubs are accompanied by an adult, book now for June and July sessions!
- Creative Computing Club young programmers (age 9-12) code a pocket-clock for Alice’s White Rabbit at ‘Code in Time’ – don’t be late! (7th June, ages 9-12); or, build and code a micro:bit controlled ‘buzzer wire’ and try and complete the challenge without setting it off! (5th July).
- Science Club (ages 5-9) experiment with the energy of the Sun with colour-changing accessories, sun prints and solar-powered creations (21st June); or, get young brains spinning with motor-powered K’Nex Fairgounds (26th July).
- Nature Club (ages 5-9) go pond dipping and grass sweep-netting to discover amazing pond life above and below the water (28th June, ages 5-9); or, go on a leaf safari and investigate light and shade with dataloggers, make shadow art with natural materials, and get creative with mud printing (12th July).
See what’s on and book ahead. The Science Oxford Centre is on Quarry Road, Headington OX3 8SB
