The Garden runs a series of fun, family friendly activities throughout the year including drop-in holiday activities, family backpacks and insightful trails around the Garden. Join us for craft activities, sowing and growing as well as exploring the beautiful Garden and Glasshouses.  Free with entry to the Garden.  All of the Oxford University Museums and Collections offer Family Friendly Activities.  Download the leaflet here.

Family Friendly Events - 2013

Saturday 18th May at the Harcourt Arboretum

International Fascination of Plants Day at the Harcourt Arboretum  10 am - 4 pm

Find the Botanic Garden team at the International Fascination of Plants Day celebrations at the Harcourt Arboretum, Time Travel with Trees.  Come and join in the interactive activities, and talk to real scientists about their exciting research. Find out more about the day here.

Drop-in at any time.  Free with entry to the Arboretum.

Wednesday 29th May

Happy Habitats!  11 am - 1 pm

Find out about amazing plant and animal partnerships in readiness for World Environment Day.  Make a fun puppet to take away.

Drop-in at any time.  Free with entry to the Garden.

Saturday 15th June

Meet the Families  1 - 4 pm

See a variety of weird and wonderful plant varieties, explore the Garden and get growing.  Part of the Oxford Ecology Trail launch.

Drop-in at any time.  Free with entry to the Garden.

Saturday 6th July

Alice's Day Picnic Afternoon  1 - 4 pm

Join us for more mad fun in the Garden where Alice Liddell and her family came to picnic.  Part of Oxford's Alice's Day celebrations. This year the Alice's Day activities include a photographic installation throughout the Garden. Artist Mabel Odessey will place her strange images of antique Alice marionnettes throughout the borders and beds of the Garden. Imagine as you are strolling through the Botanic Garden you catch a glimpse of the white rabbit, or the queen’s gardeners.... 

Drop-in at any time.  Free with entry to the Garden.

Cowley Road Carnival

Come and see the Botanic Garden team at the Cowley Road Carnival.

Saturday 27th July

School's Out!  Picnic Afternoon  1 - 4 pm

Relax and have plant-inspired fun in the Garden.  Part of Love Parks Week.

Drop-in at any time.  Free with entry to the Garden.

Saturday 10th August

Veggie Heaven!  Picnic Afternoon  1 - 4 pm

Celebrate all things yummy with food-inspired stories, activities and trails.

Drop-in at any time.  Free with entry to the Garden.

Available throughout the year...

Backpacks and audio trails

Available from the ticket office every day (9 am to 4.15 pm) until the end of October.

The Big Botanic Backpacks give families lots of ideas and equipment for exploring the Garden and having fun together.  There are currently two different backpacks to choose from "Looking" and "Plant Hunter".  Backpacks can be signed out without charge from the ticket office and used for the duration of your visit.

Looking

Explore the Garden with your eyes wide open!  Use a magnify glass to look close up at leaves, match the colour of plants to those on a wheel of colour and find your favourite view in the whole Garden.

Suitable for family groups with children aged 5 - 7 years.

Plant Hunter

Our plants and trees come from all around the world.  Use this backpack to help you discover the range of countries our plants have come from, and see the diversity of plant life we have growing here.  There's even a Plant Hunter hat to help you get into character!  This backpack was developed in collaboration with pupils from St. Kenelm's CE (VC) Primary School in Minster Lovell, near Witney.

Suitable for family groups with children aged 7 - 11 years.