In a cold, bleak February you might be hard pushed to find stuff to do with the kids this half term but fear not. There is so much on in Oxfordshire next week you’ll be pushed for time. Here is our pick of the best!
- The One World Festival at the Ashmolean Museum on Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 February, 2-4pm. 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. Suitable for all ages. https://www.ashmolean.org/event/one-world-family-festival-2023
- AN AMERICAN IN PARIS, Wed 15 – Sat 18 Feb, Oxford Playhouse. Fans of dance, singing and music will love student production An American in Paris. Based on the classic 1951 movie, it features Parisians recovering from war, struggling to achieve their dreams, and falling in love. Set to the iconic music of George Gershwin. https://www.oxfordplayhouse.com/events/an-american-in-paris
- Bird Photographer of the Year Exhibition 2022, Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock. Until March 5. Check out the 81 captivating photographs from this global and highly regarded competition, with images by children and adults. Photographers from all over the world entered more than 20,000 images into the competition. These are the best! https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/events/bird-photographer-year-2022
- The Princess & the Frog, Thursday February 16. The Mill, Banbury, 11.30am and 2pm An original score, gorgeous costumes and crystal clear story-telling Let’s All Dance draws you into the magical world of ballet to make it accessible to all. A lovely production and a heart-warming tale with the theme of friendship at its core. https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/princess-frog-2023/
- Amazing Adaptations, Oxford Botanic Gardens. Monday 13 – Thursday 16 February. Explore how carnivorous plants learn how to adapt to their habitat, how some float in tropical waterways and how others attract their pollinators. You’ll also have the chance to handle pitcher plants. Ticketed entry but event is free. Aged 8+. https://www.obga.ox.ac.uk/event/carnivorous-plant-drop-in
- Tap Social has United Wrestling UK coming to the Taprooms in Botley on February 12 – Super Bowl Sunday. Watch 23 characters wrestle in DAY 8 ENDZONE, aimed at a family-friendly audience. From “The Sparkly Sensation” Aluna Blue who leaves glitter wherever she goes, to pint size underdog and current United Champion “The Gorgeous” Josh Nomax, expect a fun afternoon. http://551.326.mywebsitetransfer.com/throwdown-sundays-wrestling-arrives-at-oxfords-tap-social-taproom-in-botley-on-super-bowl-sunday-what-ya-gonna-do/
- Book tickets to see Quentin Blake’s Mister Magnolia on Sun Feb 19 at 2pm in Didcot’s Cornerstone book here or Sunday February 12 at The Mill in Banbury book here book. Full of colourful characters, live music, puppetry and audience interaction inspired by the incredible work of Quentin Blake, this is family-friendly theatre at its best.
- Dance Masterclass (ages 12-17), North Wall. 13-15 February. Led by James Wilton Dance whose unique floor work style draws influence from martial arts and acrobatics. Participants will have the chance to perform in The Four Seasons on 10 March as part of Dancin’ Oxford’s Spring Festival. £60, Full Bursary Places available. https://www.thenorthwall.com/whats-on/youthlab-dance-masterclass/
- Photo Family Fun at the Weston Library, Bodleian Libraries on Thursday 16 February from 1-4pm. Take a trip back to the early days of film photography this half-term break by recreating your own Victorian family photo, getting to grips with a century of cameras, printing a keepsake and exploring the new exhibition A New Power: Photography in Britain 1800–1850. For ages 5 to 11. Free. https://visit.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/event/feb23/photo-family-fun
- The King of Nothing: A Puppet Musical, The Mill, Banbury. Saturday 18 February 18, 11.30am. A re-telling of Hans Christian Andersen’s Emperor’s New Clothes, in which the characters (and the audience) discover that people can be made to believe ANYTHING. With songs, puppetry, slapstick and more, two swindlers weave their cunning magic on children and adults alike… https://www.themillartscentre.co.uk/shows/king-of-nothing/
- Anyone aged 1-6 will enjoy getting crafty at Didcot Cornerstone where you can Decorate Your Own Bird House on Wednesday 15 Feb at 11am just in time for spring to arrive. £10 with all materials provided. https://www.cornerstone-arts.org/classes-workshops/decorate-your-own-bird-house-school-years-1-6
- Oxford Museum of Natural History – not only has 20 new cabinets to explore and new exhibition Connected Planet to visit but it’s also hosting Ocean World where visitors can discover the underwater world of animal life and touch some real ocean specimens from 11am-12noon on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 February. Suitable for all ages. https://oumnh.ox.ac.uk/event/ocean-world
- International Day of Women and Girls in Science. History Of Science Museum. Saturday 11 February, 2-4pm, 7+. An afternoon celebrating women and girls in science — to inspire the next generation. Meet women working in science research today at the University of Oxford and RAL Space (Rutherford Appleton Laboratory), get hands-on with stars and spectroscopes and hear lightning talks about women who’ve led the way in scientific discovery. Drop in, free entry https://hsm.ox.ac.uk/event/international-day-of-women-and-girls-in-science
- Join the Snowdrops and Spring Bulbs Walk at Harcourt Arboretum on Thursday 16 February from 1-2pm and 2.30 – 3.30pm. Join expert horticulturalists on a stroll among swathes of snowdrops and other winter and spring bulbs in the Botanic Garden’s collection. All ages. £30 family ticket.
- Creation Theatre’s ‘Put on a Play in a Week’ workshops! Sign up for a week of non-stop fun getting to grips with either a Shakespeare play or Classic text ready to be performed to friends and family on Friday afternoon. Places are available for 6-8’s and 9-12’s, but hurry as places are selling fast! https://creationtheatre.co.uk/school-of-creativity/?dm_i=1WXH,86PY2,WD7XHK,XK0MX,1
- Lyra’s World – Fans of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials can now view the actual props, costumes and artefacts used in the famous trilogy in The Pitt Rivers, The Story Museum and The History of Science Museum, from the golden compass-like alethiometer to an amber spyglass and a subtle knife. Until April 2023.
- Lego Master Builders Club. Friday 17 February, Story Museum. 11am & 14.30pm, Ages 5-12. Calling all young engineers, architects and inventors! Build a story with LEGO! Master Builders Club will be providing 1000s of LEGO bricks that will transform the museum space into a LEGO fans paradise. https://www.storymuseum.org.uk/feb-half-term
