Family Day

Family Day is on at The Science Oxford Centre on Saturday 12 December, and it's part of a regular thing they run every Saturday throughout the year. The centre is in Headington, on Quarry Road, and it's the UK's first indoor-outdoor learning science and discovery centre for primary-age kids. It sits on the edge of 15 acres of woodland and ponds, and the day is built around that: you get to spend time both inside and out.

Inside, the Exploration Zone is where you'll spend most of your time. There are interactive exhibits to get stuck into, like the Air Table, where you build and test flying designs, a giant magnetic ball run, and the Curious Camera. Outside, you can follow nature trails and splash science at the Water Lab, though that's only open seasonally from April to October. Since this is a December date, the outdoor focus shifts: from November to March, a new hands-on pop-up activity runs each month in the Live Lab. The centre also holds regular Sensory-friendly Family Days for families with autistic children or additional needs, with reduced numbers, dimmed lighting and hand towels instead of hand dryers.

It's a long day, so you can work around your own schedule. The centre is open 10am to 5pm, and the Exploration Zone runs in three sessions: 10am to 12pm, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, and 3pm to 5pm. Woodland access is open all day, with the last entry at 4.30pm. If you need a break, Emira's Kitchen is open from 10am to 4pm.

Tickets are £9.50 per person, which includes the booking fee, and it's free for under-3s and carers. The Science Oxford Centre is at Quarry Road, Headington, OX3 8SB.