Visit the Science Oxford Centre this spring, open every Saturday for Family Days. Kids love the amazing Exploration Zone with over 20 hands-on exhibits and fun activities. Outdoors, visitors can explore nature trails with an Explorer Backpack.
Splash Science is back for the spring holidays at the popular outdoor Water Lab, open every Saturday. Investigate floating and sinking, play and experiment with water flow, dams, and floating objects. Bring waterproofs or a change of clothes!
Find the clues and spot the animals on the Spring Holiday Wildlife Trail on Saturdays 28 March, 4 & 11 April. Refuel at the visitor café with kids’ meal deals, gingerbread Easter Bunny biscuits and seasonal treats, or bring your own refreshments. Enjoy a picnic by the ponds on a sunny day!
Family Day tickets: 10am-12pm, 12.30pm-2.30pm, 3pm-5pm Exploration Zone sessions. Under 3s and carers free entry; free parking. Included entry to the woodland all day 10am - 5pm.
scienceoxford.com/whats-on/family-days
April is Autism Acceptance month - on Saturday 4 April, visit the Science Oxford Centre for a Sensory-friendly Family Day for SEN families and those who prefer a lower capacity. Explore, discover, and play in the Exploration Zone, where children and grown-ups alike have fun experimenting with interactive exhibits. Pick up an Explorer Backpack and Spring Holiday Trail activity sheet to see what wildlife you can spot around the meadows, woodland and ponds. The outdoor Water lab is back with fun Splash Science!
scienceoxford.com/whats-on/sensory-friendly-family-days
Spring STEM Clubs for ages 5-9
At 'Spring Seeds' Nature Club (4 April, ages 5-9), dissect daffodil bulbs and sprinkle wildflower seeds in the woodland and take home a sunflower seed to grow.
Get hands-on in the workshop using scientific tools to dissect bulbs, and observe and compare different seeds to learn about plant lifecycles. Investigate signs of spring outdoors, from leaves unfurling to blossom and birdsong. Make a recycled plant pot and plant a sunflower seed to take home and grow.
10am, 12.30pm, 3pm. Includes child and adult and access to outdoors and Water Lab all day.
scienceoxford.com/whats-on/spring-seeds-2
Investigate soapy-science and make amazing bubble creations at a fun ‘Bubbles’ themed Science Club (18 April) for ages 5-9. crafty chemists mix up potions to see what works best. Experiment with super-soapy chemistry and create the ultimate bubble mix! Design and build your own foam blower, giant bubble wand, or a multi bubble blower to take home. Test the laws of physics to make the biggest bubble, a bubble inside a bubble, or a bubble caterpillar at the Bubble Challenge!
10am, 12.30pm, 3pm. Includes child and adult and access to outdoors and Water Lab all day.
scienceoxford.com/whats-on/bubbles
Make some noise at ‘Sound Science’ (16 May) at Science Club for ages 5-9 and investigate the science of sound. Use slinkies to ‘see’ how sound waves travel through the air, and make a ‘quacking cup’ with vibrations. Create a model of your own vocal cords with a balloon, and test your hearing range. Experiment with a microphone and a digital oscilloscope to see your sounds on screen. For a spectacular finalé, see sound waves turn into a fire show with a cool Reubens tube machine!
10am, 12.30pm, 3pm. Includes child and adult and access to outdoors and Water Lab all day.
scienceoxford.com/whats-on/sound-science
Celebrate World Bee Day at Nature Club (30 May) for ages 5-9 with a hive of activities with Oxfordshire Bee Association, from making beeswax lip balm to fresh honey tasting!
Bees are good for the garden and the planet – join Science Oxford and Oxfordshire Beekeepers Association for a ‘hive’ of activities. Get creative in the workshop making eco-friendly creations and bee balm with real beeswax to take home. Play bee-rilliantly fun games and learn how to ‘bee sustainable together’, and investigate plants and pollinators outside in the meadow.
10am, 12.30pm, 3pm. Includes child and adult and access to outdoors and Water Lab all day.
scienceoxford.com/whats-on/bee-day-2
Science Oxford Centre, Quarry Road, Headington, Oxford OX3 8SB
See what's on and book ahead: scienceoxford.com
