What to do in the School Holidays - part 2

How about some free things going on during the summer, all those days out can work out quite expensive.

Abingdon Museum has just reopened after a refit and the excellent cafe throwing buns has opened buns in the basement. The museum is on our to do list this summer as we haven't been since its reopened.

Ashmolean Museum, oxford, has museum pick and mix every wed and Thursday up to 16 August and a Friday tour and draw up to the 17 August. Few others things going on so have a look at their family whats on page

Museum of the History of Science, Oxford, has various family drop-in sessions and also activities for older children

Oxford University Museum of Natural History and Pitt Rivers have joined forces with some joint events an Olympic adventure trail every day, Tuesday and Wednesday backpack activities and 23-24 August Museum Masquerades.

The Oxfordshire Museum, Woodstock, is one of our favourite in the area, there is always lots to see and do for the children. During the holidays there are lots of activities for a small fee.

Take a splash, with the sun still shining why not take a trip to the Abbey Meadows in Abingdon or Hinksey Park in Oxford to splash in the water feature, or take your swim suits and have a dip in the pool.

Get into a book, check out whats on at your local library this summer, activities on at most libraries and they are all taking part in this summers story lab summer reading challenge

Oxford Family Sports Day 2012, will be at Bury Knowle Park, Headington on Sunday 12 August. This sounds like a great day to try something new, or watch the demonstrations.

Back to the paid things again:
Botanic Gardens, Oxford, have a different family friendly event every Thursday afternoon

Harcourt Arboretum, Oxford, has a different arboretum Olympics each Tuesday afternoon, and also from now until 2 September a geo-caching treasure hunt. Explorer backpacks are also available to borrow every day from the ticket office.

Oxford Playhouse has one production on this summer for the kids, wheels on the bus on the 13/14/15 August. Shows at the Playhouse are always excellent and this one is worth a visit with young ones.

Hinksey Park, Abingdon Road, Oxford

Approx time: 1 hour
Paths: pavement
Points of interest: open areas, pond, lake, play park, swimming pool and splash area (summer only)
Amenities: parking, toilets, cafe (summer only)
Grading: all type of pushchairs as everywhere is flat
Weather: Good for all seasons

We go past Hinksey Park almost every day either on the bus or in the car and every time Charlotte asks if we can go there, as we are always on the way to or from work its not possible so on a nice sunny day off we went along to find out whats there.
Its free to park for 2 hours, that was a big surprise, make sure you collect a ticket though. The play park is excellent with activities for kids of all ages, lots of sand and some climbing bits we had to drag Charlotte away for a walk round the pond. Across the field (used by football clubs at the weekends) and hidden behind the trees is a lovely duck pond to walk around beside Hinksey Lake. The lake is sometimes used by model boat clubs.
From May - September there is a large outdoor swimming pool and also a kids splash area. It wasn't open when we went but it looks excellent. The splash/fountain area is free.
Its an excellent place to have a short walk, and it also links up to other walks and a cycle route, Hinksey Park has also won a green flag award. Now every time we go past Charlotte says I've been there it was fun.
More information on the Oxford City Council website