School’s out, but – don’t panic! Our ultimate summer holiday guide is packed with brilliant ideas and must-visit spots to keep your little ones busy and happy. From day trips to local hidden gems, bookmark this for a boredom-free break. Summer 2026, let’s go.

THEATRE AND STAGE

Creation Theatre Midsummer Night's Dream — Creation Theatre’s *Midsummer Night’s Dream*

It’s time to get swept away by Muddy faves Creation Theatre, as they present Shakespeare’s quirkiest classic, Midsummer Night’s Dream. This playful comedy runs until 14 Aug, on the picturesque lawns of Wolfson College cricket grounds. A fun way to introduce kids to Shakespeare, the open-air tent also provides rain cover, in case the English weather does what it typically does best!

The holidays don’t always have to go at a million miles an hour. Pack a piccie, grab a blanket, and let the entertainment come to you. Waddesdon’s open-air summer theatre shows offer kids and teens a dose of theatrical culture, with The Railway Children on 19 Jul, A Midsummer Night’s Dream on 24 Jul, Twelfth Night on 26 Jul and Sword in the Stone on 31 Jul.

Also on the al fresco theatre billing is Pirates of Penzance at Stowe on 29 Jul. Yo ho ho your way over there for a 21st birthday party like no other, with full orchestral accompaniment. Kids under 3 go free and up to 18 will set you back the slightly random sum of £13.01. If you’re craving even more theatrics under the stars, bookmark our 2026 outdoor theatre guide.

Back in the stalls, Tony-award winning musical Annie is swapping 30s New York for Milton Keynes on 22 Jul, with Claire Sweeney taking on the role of cruel Miss Hannigan at MK Theatre. For the littlies, Zog is swooping into Oxford Playhouse from 21 – 25 Jul.

MUSEUMS

The Story Museum exterior — The Story Museum

The Story Museum, Oxford, is one of our favourites for kids – and it has lots for grown-ups too. A fun new Mystery Academy opens this summer, because who hasn’t done a spot of casual sleuthing in their time? It’s set to turn your charges into Morse-worthy detectives, searching for a missing Head Teacher at a fictional boarding school. Based on an original story by award-winning author Sharna Jackson, there’s intrigue, red herrings and plenty of twists and turns.

It’s a Fantastic Foxy summer down at the Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre in Great Missenden until 2 Sept. General admission gets you a bunch of fun extras, like live storytelling sessions and giant garden games. Chuck a Chicken in the courtyard is sure to please. For £5 more you can also sign up for their holiday workshops, from clay making to digger-building. Best part? No clean up afterwards.

If you’re after a bit of ‘screen down’ time, head to The Chiltern Open Air Museum in Chalfont St Peter – it the antithesis of the digital age with heritage crafts, pond dipping and water gun painting and a Viking raid re-enactment all crammed into their summer calendar. Personally, we’re here for the Tudor merriment.

Another al fresco Bucks attraction with history is Bekonscot Model Village & Railway in Beaconsfield. It’s been a school holiday saviour for young royals since it opened in 1929, so we say it’s good for your young charges too. Read my recent Bekonscot review to get a feel.

It’s (wooden) swords at dawn at Oxford Castle and Prison as it revives its massively popular Knight School, until 28 Aug. Students will receive the finest training in medieval weapons, jousting and archery and they’ll get to take their sword home. Also throwing it back in Oxford is the UK’s oldest public museum, the Ashmolean, where Summer Family Fridays are new for 2026 from 24 Jul. Expect a new creative activity each Fri, inspired by the museum’s latest exhibitions and vast collection, all for free.

There be dragons in Aylesbury at Discover Bucks Museum’s The Great Dragon Adventure from 22 Jul – 1 Sept. Take your young steeds along to complete thrilling quests and claim their treasure.

HERITAGE HOUSES

Waddesdon Manor near Aylesbury is promising an entire Summer of Play, with a packed calendar of family activities included in the entry price, and kids going completely free until 31 Aug. You’ll find woodland crafting, roaming performances, birds of prey sessions and a giant animatronic turtle on the loose. Archery, axe throwing, wall climbing and crazy gold provides perfect kiddie cardio, as will the new Wild Wood adventure playground when it opens on 1 Aug.

Greys Court near Henley is blessed with lovely picnic spots and has tonnes to entertain kids, too. There’s story time in the secret garden, den-making opps galore, and a mini stage complete with dress up gear. Other heritage buildings worth a meander are Claydon House near Buckingham (don’t miss the White Cube exhibition), William Morris’s Cotswolds retreat Kelmscott Manor, and the home of WWII codebreakers, Bletchley Park.

Up in North Oxfordshire, Broughton Castle is an imposing moated manor house that has been in the Fiennes family for over 700 years (yes, those Fiennes – though the Lord of this manor is cousin Martin, and not, sadly, Ralph or Joseph). This striking ironstone home with tumbling English gardens is a visual treat for all. If it seems strangely familiar, it probably is – Broughton is a popular filming location, appearing in The Crown and Shakespeare in Love, and more recently in the new Disney+ series, Renegade Nell. The castle is open from 2pm-5pm every Wed and Sun throughout the holidays. No need to book, just turn up at the gatehouse.

Over near Chipping Norton there’s Chastleton House (famous as a location for the brilliant TV adaptation of Wolf Hall and untouched since Jacobean times). Or give Buscot Park near Faringdon a whirl — the formal gardens really are stunning with loads of different areas to explore including the beautiful Walled Garden and Peto Water Garden.

Blenheim Palace is welcoming Marlborough Mini Farm to the walled garden for the school hols; we hear the Berkshire pigs are a friendly bunch, and the shaggy Cotswolds sheep won’t bat an eyelid as little ones lark around. There’s also a brand new Pip & Posey Treehouse Trail at the Adventure Play zone, and stop the “I want a pony” drama by taking them to see Horses at Blenheim, every weekend until 20 Aug.

Once the fancy country digs of ex-prime minister, Benjamin Disraeli, Hughenden near high Wycombe is now a NT gem for all to enjoy. They’re running loads of fun events all through the summer, including a Pokémon TCG Mega Evolution Trail and classic games in the orchard. And let’s not forget all the fresh air and open spaces to run around in.

Speaking of running around, Camp Tumblestone at Stonor Park (until 2 Sept) features an agility trail, forest-school style teepee area and giant games alongside all of the usual adventure playground fun. Thanks to the Government’s Great British Summer Savings initiative, prices are reduced by 15% too, so wearing the kids out won’t have such a hit on your wallet.

FUN ON THE FARMS

Wellies at the ready for Little Farmers return to Peterley Manor Farm near Great Missenden until 16 Aug. Designed for nature-loving littles under 7 (or up to 10 if accompanying a younger sibling), the 1.5 hour sessions include all of the farm-inspired, hands-on play you could imagine; think multiple mud kitchens and craft stations using foraged and recycled materials. To turn it into a really wholesome outing, reserve an Afternoon Tea Picnic Box until 31 July for a boujee spread you didn’t have to pack.

Antihistamines as the ready: Millets Farm Centre near Abingdon has some a-maize-ing mazes (go on, give me one pun). If that’s not your thing they also have off-road buggy driving, a slip n’ slide opening on 25 Jul, woodlands to explore and a ‘summer of butterflies’ exhibition.

There’s savings to harvest down at Hogshaw Farm near Buckingham; the summer pass includes unlimited visits until 31 Aug for £34.95. Pack their trunks for the sand and water play area, complete with splash pool and ice cream trailer, and there’s plenty of traditional farm frolics too – from up-close animal encounters to tractor rides. Odds Farm near High Wycombe is the family destination that always delivers too. Cute animals, check, huge indoor play area, check, splash park, check! The summer sizzler pass offers six-weeks of unlimited visits for £38.40.

Not quite to the farm brief but there’s also plenty of outdoorsy action courtesy of the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, & Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust. From wildlife clubs to Nature Tots to botanical crafts, the events schedule is positively packed with ways to get your kids engaged with wildlife this summer.

WET, WET, WET

Willen Lake in Milton Keynes is ramping it up for summer with paddleboarding, axe throwing, adventure golf, inflatable water park, high ropes course… shall we go on? If just thinking about all that activity is making you tired, there’s also The Willen Observation Wheel, a 36m-tall Ferris wheel that gives you time to take a breather and enjoy gorgeous views over the lake.

How’s your balance? Westhorpe Water Sports have a private lake and stand-up paddleboards for hire, just outside Marlow. If that doesn’t tempt you, perhaps kayaking, wild swimming, or just eating pizza and ice cream by the lake will.

Kids can also take the plunge at Oxford’s Wet n Wild Aqua Park. There are inflatable obstacle courses to splash through, kayaks and inflatable boards to paddle and lakes to swim in (over 12’s only, accompanied by an adult). For more watery local larks, check out our guide to the best lidos, splash pools and aqua parks.

Another great spot for a cool day out is Thrupp Canoe and Kayak, just outside Kidlington. Paddle the family kayak along the Oxford canal and River Cherwell, stopping at Annie’s tearoom to refuel afterwards.

AV Boats in Abingdon, meanwhile, has rowing boats, canoes and kayaks aplenty, and if less effort and more glide is required, hire an electric boat en famille. Try Wallingford’s Pure Boating, or Hobbs of Henley.

RAINY DAY SAVIOURS

You’ll need a rest from ferrying the kids around, so for a more relaxing day out try the unlimited steam train rides at Didcot Railway Centre every Wednesday and weekend throughout July and August (wahoo!).

Or hotfoot it to Bucks Railway Centre near Waddesdon for Summer Steamings, where children ride for just £1 on selected days (until 31 Aug). We’re totally on board with that.

Another great back up plan if it rains is a city tour on one of Oxford’s distinctive red double-decker sightseeing buses (don’t worry, they have covered sections as well as top-deck seats in the open air). The City Sightseeing Oxford tour lasts an hour and takes in all the star sights (The Radcliffe Camera, the lovely Oxford colleges, the River Cherwell, the Natural History Museum, to name but a handful). Don’t worry about the kids getting bored – they can plug in their headphones and play the Mia Cloos detective game. Once they solve all the clues, they decipher the secret word that unlocks a choice of two prizes. You can hop on and off as much as you like (there are 20 stops around the city), making it great way to get to other Oxford hotspots, and a free walking tour is included too.

Rush Trampoline Park is jumping on the VAT reduction wagon, which means less wincing for you. You’ll find a sea of joined-up trampolines, soft play for days, dodgeball courts, basketball rings and giant schmooshy airbags. Go in with over-excited kids and leave with spent yet happy ones. It’s a win-win!

Tween or teen seen Six The Musical and bought the t-shirt? Now they can learn the v sassy moves at the Six Dance Workshop at High Wycombe Town Hall on 22 Jul. Yaas queen. And because High Wycombe seems to be bringing all of the weather-proof joy this summer, add the Eden Centre’s Big Weekends to cal. 25 July is the one for family fun, including entertainment, activities and workshop designed with kids in mind, all totally free.

ARTS & CRAFTS

Also fulfilling the rainy day brief is the Summer Art Challenge at Oxford’s Pitt Rivers Museum. Just pick up a mystery art card from the ‘Inspiration Station’ of the first floor and use the museum’s art materials to whip up a masterpiece. The Walled Garden in West Wycombe is bringing out the easels too; there’s Family Painting Workshops all throughout the hols, with subjects ranging from ‘decorate a beach bag’ to ‘happy cat painting’.

ACTIVITY CAMPS & WORKSHOPS

Creation Theatre has all sorts up their sleeve this summer with a range of one day Masterclasses to one week workshops at Wolvercote Primary School for kids aged 7–16 years. Budding thespians can pick from making a film in a week (27 – 31 July) or hold out for next month for day-long Masterclasses including directing and storytelling (6 Aug, ages 11 – 16), costume design (11 Aug, ages 7 – 11) and physical theatre and devising (12 Aug, ages 11 – 16), among other cracking offerings.

Chipping Norton Theatre is in on the summer holiday drama too, in the best possible way. Tickets have sold like hot cakes so far but there’s still space on the 3 Day Drama workshop for 5 – 7 year-olds from 27 – 29 July. Godspeed.

Kids got energy to burn? Ultimate Activity Camps are rated highly by Ofsted and have loads of handy locations dotted over Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Activities vary between the sites but expect everything from Mini-Olympics and Ultimate Frisbee, to treasure hunting and Zorbing.

Active Camps are gearing up for another summer of fun across Oxfordshire. The original Active camp offers a huge range of engaging activities for ages 4-14, literally something for everyone. Active Engineers is a STEM-based programme for ages 6-14 (all-day Lego building? Count us in!), while Active Chefs teaches 8-14-year-olds how to make nutritious vegetarian meals. Active Adventure, for 6-14 years, is giving serious ‘Swallows and Amazons’ energy, with kayaking, quad biking and bushcraft skills. Check the website for your nearest site, and which camps are running.

First Touch Sports have returned to South Bucks, running their popular Summer Megacamps for kids 5-12 yrs at Amersham and Davenies schools. Expect everything from football to gymnastics to go-karting.

Got a young Raducanu under your roof? Oxford Tennis Academy in North Hinksey is running tennis camps for kids aged 4-16. Don’t have a racquet? No worries, they can lend you one. And while you’re at it, check out the best places to play tennis in Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire for a local hit-about and more summer camps near you.

Lastly, adventurous kids near Marlow will love the summer activity days at Longridge, just outside town by the river. Think canoeing, climbing, laser tag, SUP and more, plus family kayaking courses. They tend to sell out fast, so book stat to snap up a place.

FAMILY FESTIVALS

child on parents shoulders at Wilderness Festival — Wilderness

Starting small scale, The Festival Field at Stowe from 23 Jul – 31 Aug is a seriously chill way to celebrate summer. Polish up your circus skills, tuck into a picnic or learn to juggle some loo rolls (really).

Meanwhile resale tickets for Truck Festival on the outskirts of Oxford from 23 – 26 Jul are flying. If you can nab one, the Little Truckers programme is popping; expect Lego, Dulpo and Playdough stations as well as family raves and Truck Cinema to soothe them off to sleep (maybe).

Finally, Wilderness (30 Jul – 2 Aug) is the wild weekender the whole family needs. It has a jam-packed calendar for kids, with guerilla archeology (us neither), music and crafts, DJ skills, bubble dance parties and family yoga. The rookie lifeguard sessions are a genius addition.

Stay tuned for all the summer hol happenings in August, but for now, get out there and good luck.

Summer, sorted! The best things to do with kids this holiday in Bucks & Oxon

You may also like