In the first two years of compulsory education (Key Stage 1/5-7 years), pupils begin to explore their local environment. If the school is lucky enough to have a museum nearby, it will be an important starting point in their development. Further afield, there are activity-based museums such as the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre in Great Missenden, the Science Museum and the Wellcome Foundation museums in London, or the various museums of childhood in Derbyshire, Edinburgh and the Victoria and Albert in Bethnal Green; all of which are popular venues for Key Stage 1 students.
Many providers cater for both day and short-term residential adventure activities, and both the National Trust and Forestry Commission run activities specifically tailored for the KS1 age-group.
Children are often interested in the theatre and music, and usually begin with trips to pantomimes and musicals in Key Stage 1. You can find guidance on ‘kids’ theatre in London here, and over in East Anglia there is the Norwich Puppet Theatre with Bristol Old Vic in the West Country; there’s bound to be a good venue near you!
A branch of the main Natural History Museum in London.
Discover the fascinating animals collected by Lionel Walter Rothschild, in our beautiful Victorian Museum. It is home to the world-class research and collections of the Natural History Museum's Bird Group.
Education
Children's indoor activity centre in Buckingham town centre. Coffee shop, very high quality food with healthy options. Large play structure + separate climbing wall and three party rooms.
We offer a wide range of play possibilities for children in a safe and homely environment with designated areas for over and under 3s.
25 metre swimming pool plus leisure pool with flume and interactive play features.
Children's indoor activity centre in Buckingham town centre. Coffee shop, very high quality food with healthy options. Large play structure and separate climbing wall plus 3 party rooms.
Tucked away in a cosy corner of the market square, discover the oldest building in Buckingham. It’s had many uses and today it’s a thriving second-hand bookshop and coffee shop. While away the time in this atmospheric and tranquil setting with a good book and a delicious locally made snack.
A popular Lido located in the centre The Rye. The 2 heated outdoor pools and changing facilities have just been refurbished. The Lido has also been expanded to include gym, exercise studios, soft play and a cafe.
Facilities overview
Indoor soft play area suitable for ages 0 to 8 years that includes a large ball pool, two slides and a three level exciting play frame plus toddler area with features.
Includes a large ball pool, 2 slides and an exciting 3 level play frame with all the classic fun softplay stuff kids love, from tunnels and bridges to nooks and crannies! Great for physical and social play.
Here you can enjoy hands-on activities, exhibitions and special events in a lively and friendly atmosphere. As members of the Thames Valley Museums Family Friendly campaign Wycombe Museum is committed to giving you a warm welcome whenever you visit. General entry to the Museum is FREE.
Their indoor play arena is a soft arena with 3 floors filled with all the latest play equipment, including Ball Pool, Huge Slide, Climbing Bridges to guarantee a fun and crazy time for 0 to 8 year olds.
The Lough Neagh Discovery Centre is situated in the Oxford Island Nature Reserve on the southern shores of Lough Neagh, the largest freshwater lake in the UK. With over 200,000 visitors every year, the Discovery Centre is an ideal place to promote the principles of sustainability.
Take in breathtaking views of the Chilterns. NEW Crossings for 2014.
NEW ‘Extreme’ route now open at Go Ape Wendover Woods. A first for Go Ape, a scrambling net and climbing wall just to reach our most adventurous crossings. Will you take on the challenge?
The park offers the people a green retreat, somewhere to relax and enjoy being outdoors. The recently refurbished play area is very popular and the park comes alive at the weekend to support the thriving Leys football clubs.
The park is open all year round, offering space to:
The Pitt Rivers Museum is famous for it's period atmosphere and outstanding collections from many world cultures, past and present.
Primary schools
The park is open all day every day.
Bury Knowle is one of Oxford's most beautiful parks and the historic Bury Knowle House and its parkland setting provides a picturesque back-drop for picnics and events.
Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre is located in the heart of Blackbird Leys. The centre offers; a gym, indoor cycling studio, large sports hall, 2 exercise studios, cafe, creche and much more.
NOW OPEN - New soft play area.
Work has also started on a brand new swim complex which is due to open late 2014.
Barton Leisure Centre is a treasured local leisure facility with great facilities. Refurbished and extended in 2011, the centre includes a large gym plus a four lane swimming pool and offers a wide range of group exercise classes including indoor cycling. Parking is free.
An indoor play centre which provides lots of fun and play for everyone on the huge themed play structures, Go Karts, make a bear, fantastic slides and much more! There is also a specially designed toddler area for little guests who are under 3 years!
We work in partnership with Oxford City Council to manage your local leisure facilities.
We are located in Cowley, about 2.5 miles south east of Oxford City centre. We are a large, multi-purpose centre with facilities including a 25 metre competition standard pool, gym, health suite and learning pool.
We are a large multi-purpose centre, located in Summertown, to the north of Oxford city centre. We have a wide range of facilities including a 2 heated indoor pools, sports hall, new large gym, group exercise studio, squash courts and the Terrace Cafe.
South Park occupies 50 acres of open space, with magnificent views overlooking Oxford.
What can I do there?
In August 2014 the Headington Shark came 24th in a list of the most creative sculptures and statues from around the world
A classic series of collections housed in stunning architecture. Among its most famous features are the Oxfordshire dinosaurs, the dodo, and the swifts in the tower.
Great fun for all the family at the newly renovated Ice Rink. General session, family sessions and lessons for children of all abilities. The rink is very easy to reach as it's right in the heart of Oxford; just a short walk from Oxford City centre and railway station.
The Bushcraft Company offer residential school trips with a difference, taking students into the wild and giving them real back-to-nature experiences they will never forget.
A 15-year-old boy fell 60ft over the edge of a cliff whilst on a geography school trip, miraculously only suffering minor injuries.