What's On in Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes

Kids for a Quid

Venue: Chinnor and Princes Risborough Railway

Website: www.chinnorrailway.co.uk

All-Day Rover tickets are issued at just £1 for each 3-15 years Child from 10 March until 31 October 2024. (Maximum*2 Children per Adult or Senior ticket holder); Child 0-2 years Free (no ticket required).

Marvellous Makers Summer Reading Challenge

Venue: Nationwide

Website: www.summerreadingchallenge.org.uk/library-zone

This year’s Challenge is called Marvellous Makers and it’s all about creativity! From dance to drawing, junk modelling to music, there’s something for everyone. Regional variations may apply, so...

Inside Out 2 (U)

Venue: MK Gallery

Website: www.mkgallery.org

Follow Riley, in her teenage years, encountering new emotions. Admission £7-£9.

The Big Butterfly Count

Venue: Nationwide

Website: www.bigbutterflycount.butterfly-conservation.org

Whether done with friends and family, or in a moment of quiet calm and solitude, the Big Butterfly Count is free, fun and takes just 15 minutes. No green space is too small - a back garden, a small terrace...

Little People, BIG DREAMS Trail

Venue: Stowe Gardens

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/stowe-gardens

Perfectly plotted for children aged 4-7+, the series introduces trailblazers and dreamers who have made a big impact in the world around them. Follow the trail at Stowe and see how various individuals...

Toddle Exhibition Tour: MK Calling 2024

Venue: MK Gallery

Website: www.mkgallery.org

A fun-filled sensory experience for you and your little ones! See the exhibition MK Calling in a whole new light, with sensory tour guide Julia Collar, who will ignite the galleries with music, story-telling,...

James and the Giant Peach Storytelling

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Head to the indoor Wondrous Woods room to enjoy storytelling from James and the Giant Peach, led by the expert storytellers. The Museum storytellers will bring the words to life and you can join in with...

Limited Event: Space Rocks

Venue: National Space Centre

Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk

Join the Discovery team this summer for some rockin’ activities and find out why space ‘rocks’. Understand more about what's 'out there', from Moons to meteorites and some of the exciting future...

Miniature Magic Tour

Venue: Bekonscot Model Village and Railway

Website: www.bekonscot.co.uk

Greg Chapman, close hand magician and storyteller will be visiting on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 23rd July and 22nd August. Make and take craft activities will be offered for children....

Summer Replay

Venue: MK Gallery

Website: www.mkgallery.org

Showing the best kids’ films from the past six months throughout the entire school summer holidays including Scarygirl, Wonka, Butterfly Tales, Migration, Kung Fu Panda 4, Wish, Despicable Meand The...

Go for Gold: Summer of Play at Hughenden

Venue: Hughenden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/hughenden

Embark on an epic quest for a gold medal at the Greek Games this summer at Hughenden. Gather your family and dive into a world of play, performance, and adventure. Can you collect all five stamps in your...

Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out

Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre

Website: www.atgtickets.com

Join Peppa, along with her family and friends as they go to the zoo and the beach for a special party- it’s going to be an exciting and fun packed day. Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles,...

Summer Garden Trail

Venue: Waterperry Gardens

Website: www.waterperrygardens.co.uk

Orienteering family fun during the summer holiday! Enjoy exploring the ornamental gardens, using directions and clues to follow the sculpture trail. £4.50 per child with a prize (compass supplied), tickets...

Summer of Play

Venue: Cliveden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/cliveden

Enjoy lawn games in the gardens, or venture further afield to play stations in the woodlands. Let your mind run wild at the imagination stations and see how many challenges you can complete along the way.

Summer Sizzler Pass

Venue: Odds Farm Park

Website: www.oddsfarm.co.uk/summer-sizzler-pass

Valid for guests of all ages for visits any day between 24th July to 3rd September 2024, the six-week pass gives visitors full access to daily Summer Sizzler activities, acres of outdoor play, UK native...

Summer Steamings

Venue: Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

Website: www.bucksrailcentre.org

Buckinghamshire Railway Centre have a full-size steam train in action, ready to take you for a ride up and down the track! They also have miniature ride-on trains which are run by their sister society...

Buckinghamshire Open Weekend 2024

Venue: Various venues

Website: www.buckinghamshireculture.org/projects/open-weekend/

Discover something extraordinary this July in a jam-packed family weekend designed to get you exploring Buckinghamshire. Get the summer holidays started with free and low-cost creative activities for...

Bugs and Critters with Jungle Juniors

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Join Jungle Juniors for a 30-minute animal handling session.You‘ll learn about some fascinating bugs and get up close to a range of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates including some of the creepy...

Romeo and Juliet Outdoor Theatre

Venue: Stowe House

Website: www.illyriatourdates.co.uk

A passionate, poetic and utterly gripping production of this Shakespeare favourite. Shakespeare states in the opening lines of this play that we are going to see an explosive swash-buckling romance. But...

The 13 Story Treehouse

Venue: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Website: www.atgtickets.com/shows/the-13-storey-treehouse

Andy and Terry live in a 13-storey treehouse, make stories together and have a series of completely nutty adventures! A best-selling book live on stage for children aged 6 – 12 (and their adults!). This...

Go for Gold: Medal Making Craft

Venue: Hughenden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/hughenden

Dive into the spirit of the Olympics and Paralympics at the Go for Gold: Medal Making Craft. Join Hughenden for an unforgettable experience during Bucks Open Weekend. Let your creativity soar as you craft...

James' Peachy Walks

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Head off with a Museum guide into the countryside that inspired so many of the books. You'll visit the woods that inspired Danny the Champion of the World and Fantastic Mr Fox and walk the same paths that...

Lord of the Dance - A Lifetime of Standing Ovations

Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre

Website: www.atgtickets.com

After celebrating the 25th anniversary in 2022, Lord of the Dance is back with a dazzling revival of this iconic dance extravaganza. The 2024 tour promises to be an extraordinary journey that will captivate...

The Wind in the Willows - Outdoor Theatre

Venue: Waterperry Gardens

Website: www.waterperrygardens.co.uk

Join Boxtree Productions this summer in the wonderful setting of the out-door Amphitheatre at Waterperry Gardens. Pack up your hampers, unroll your picnic blankets, stretch out your legs and enjoy an...

Tiger Weekend

Venue: Hertfordshire Zoo

Website: www.hertfordshirezoo.com

Be in the chance to win a Feed a Big Cat experience to feed the beautiful Amur Tiger Siberia. Also, enjoy Tiger-themed merchandise, treats and much more. Join the zookeepers as they celebrate Tiger Weekend...

Treasured Collections Make and Share

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Explore and handle replica objects from Roald Dahl’s Writing Hut and learn more about the stories behind these prized objects, before creating our own something special to add to his treasure table....

My Year Walk - July

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Ramble through the countryside and listen to extracts from Roald Dahl’s My Year in the beautiful woods and fields that inspired the book. £4 per person in addition to Museum entry. Also 26 Aug. Suitable...

Butterfly House Decorating

Venue: Hughenden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/hughenden

Build a wooden butterfly home, complete with narrow slits resembling tree bark, providing a safe haven for butterflies to weather storms and evade predators. Enhance your creation with vibrant decorations...

Discover and Make: Play with Clay

Venue: Wycombe Museum

Website: www.wycombemuseum.org.uk

Discover & Make are Wycombe Museum’s regular holiday activity workshops. They combine a learning ‘discover’ activity – often a trail worksheet around the museum’s galleries – with a hands-on...

Space Cadets Live

Venue: National Space Centre

Website: www.spacecentre.co.uk

If your child is interested in science and looking for something to do over the school holiday period, book a session now! Sessions aim to support and enhance learning regarding space, science and relatable...

Terrific Tuesday - July

Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum

Website: www.coam.org.uk

The Museum's Education team has got summer covered with their special themed family activities on every Tuesday in Bucks school holidays. Fun-filled activities, games, and crafts can be enjoyed without...

The Railway Children - Outdoor Theatre

Venue: The Arches Theatre

Website: www.thelittleboxoffice.com/thearchestheatre

All aboard! Tethered Wits invites you to embark on a magical journey filled with fun, music, and heartwarming storytelling. Meet the Waterbury children: Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis. They are ordinary children...

James Squiffling Science

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Join in with a hands-on science session inspired by the book James and the Giant Peach! Get hands-on with experiments to make a peach float and find out how things grow. There will be plenty of opportunity...

Explore the Archive

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Join the Collections Manager, Will, as he shows you some of the highlights of Roald Dahl’s archive. Will will tell you about some of the secrets behind the stories and characters that you know and love....

Musical in a Day!

Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre

Website: www.atgtickets.com

Join the Creative Learning team on the Milton Keynes Theatre stage and create your own musical, in a day!Culminating in a sharing for families, this is your chance to dance and sing your heart out, and...

Bird Weekend

Venue: Hertfordshire Zoo

Website: www.hertfordshirezoo.com

Go and watch the amazing Bird show at this weekend dedicated to celebrating all the Birds at the Park whilst raising vital funds and awareness for Hutan, who support hornbill breeding activities in the...

Clash of the Queens

Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum

Website: www.coam.org.uk

A unique look into the lives of two cousins who became Regent Queens and Rivals!Discover the trials and tribulations of being a female ruler in 16th Century Britain and discover how their lives became...

Peppa Pig's Fun Day Out

Venue: Wycombe Swan

Website: www.trafalgartickets.com/wycombe-swan-theatre

Join Peppa, along with her family and friends as they go to the zoo and also the beach for a special party- it’s going to be an exciting and fun packed day. Packed full of songs, dance and muddy puddles,...

Grease

Venue: Milton Keynes Theatre

Website: www.atgtickets.com

After a whirlwind summer romance, leather-clad greaser Danny and girl-next-door Sandy are unexpectedly reunited when she transfers to Rydell High for senior year. But can they survive the trials and tribulations...

SEND Explore Your Way Days

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Two special relaxed days when the Museum is open especially for visitors with SEND. Monday 5 will be a relaxed day with Museum sounds turned down, Monday 19 will be a relaxed day where you can make as...

Summer Craft Workshops

Venue: Hughenden

Website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/oxfordshire-buckinghamshire-berkshire/hughenden

Families are invited to join a series of exciting, hands-on craft sessions where you can decorate and assemble wooden kits inspired by Ancient Greece, Ancient Rome and mythical folklore. All materials...

Discover and Make: Stained Glass Windows

Venue: Wycombe Museum

Website: www.wycombemuseum.org.uk

Make your own stained ‘glass’ window! Learn about local stained glass windows in the town, and the people and stories they show. Recommended for ages 4–11. Smaller ones are welcome but will need...

Peachy Clay Pots

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Get hands-on with clay. Learn about the story of James and the Giant Peach then create your own peach pot made out of clay, decorated with insect friends in and around it. Suitable for ages 5+.

Terrific Tuesday - Nature and Habitats

Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum

Website: www.coam.org.uk

The theme for this week is nature and habitats. Activities will include making your own mini habitat with items found around our site, making a recycled butterfly, a nature themed clay make, a nature trail...

Britain At War

Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum

Website: www.coam.org.uk

At this special weekend event, see 10 living history re-enactment groups who will be around the 45-acre site among the historic buildings, depicting different wartime periods throughout Britain's history,...

Enchanted Afternoons: Princess Concert

Venue: The Elgiva Theatre

Website: www.elgiva.com

With lyrics that dance between fantasy and chart-topping hits, they weave a musical tapestry that promises to captivate hearts of all ages. An unforgettable afternoon where princesses reign supreme, and...

Emergency Services Day

Venue: Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

Website: www.bucksrailcentre.org

Special community day to celebrate Emergency Services and raise awareness for local charities, clubs and societies from local community. The whole heritage railway will be open as usual, so visitors can...

Treasure Island - Outdoor Theatre

Venue: The Arches Theatre

Website: www.thelittleboxoffice.com/thearchestheatre

DOT Productions presents a new family show ‘Treasure Island’. Follow Jim Hawkins on his adventures starting at The Admiral Benbow Inn where he finds a treasure map locked in an old Pirates chest....

Pop-Up Peach Landscapes

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Find out about the journey the peach made in the story before creating a 3D landscape or cityscape out of paper. You’ll complete it with a pop-up paper peach! Suitable for ages 5+. (Also 15 & 16 Aug)

Victorian Weekend

Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum

Website: www.coam.org.uk

This Ragged Victorians event is great for kids who are learning about the Victorians at school. Watch out for pickpockets! Look out for shady characters including the rat catcher and his rats; street urchins,...

PQA Aylesbury Summer School

Venue: Ashmead School

Website: www.pqacademy.com/academies/aylesbury/

PQA Aylesbury is a dedicated performing arts school with classes for children and young adults in Comedy and Drama, Musical Theatre (singing & dancing) and Film and Television. For more information about...

Clay Creepy Crawlies

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Get hands-on and create creepy crawlies out of clay. Model an insect out of clay, inspired by James’ insect friends. You’ll be able to give them powers and a stylish outfit. Suitable for ages 5+.

Discover and Make: Bugs and Bees

Venue: Wycombe Museum

Website: www.wycombemuseum.org.uk

Learn all about minibeasts and bees. Try local honey, explore the grounds for insects, see how beehives work, and get crafty making bugs! Recommended for ages 4–11. Smaller ones are welcome but will...

Oxford Storytelling Festival

Venue: Waterperry Gardens

Website: www.waterperrygardens.co.uk

The forth year of this intimate weekend festival, weaving magic with stories, spoken word, poetry and song.They have created a beautiful space where a community of people can come together and connect...

Tuff Nutterz

Venue: Willen Lake

Address: Milton Keynes

Website: www.tuffnutterz.co.uk

Tuff Nutterz is fun for the whole family! A place to come and relax while the kids have a blast. Measuring 300 metres long, this supersize inflatable maze is packed with 30 fun and challenging obstacles...

Walter's Cabinet of Curiosities with NHM Tring

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Get hands-on with specimens from the fascinating collection at NHM Tring. They will be bringing various specimens from their collection for you to handle and explore. You’ll also learn about collecting...

Claytime

Venue: Quarry Theatre

Website: www.quarrytheatre.ticketsolve.com

Go to a place where the earth’s natural material meets with children’s imaginations: a world of fabulous forms, amazing animals and morphing monsters. Each Claytime is totally unique - creating its...

Ministry of Science LIVE - Saved The World

Venue: Aylesbury Waterside Theatre

Website: www.atgtickets.com

Join the presenters as they dive deep into the world of science and look at how science shapes the modern world we live in with a few loud bangs along the way! 100% Educational. 200% Entertaining. 300%...

Viking Raid

Venue: Chiltern Open Air Museum

Website: www.coam.org.uk

Get involved in games, music, storytelling and fun activities from the Viking Age. Then watch as the raid unfolds and see who wins in the battle between the Vicious Vikings and the Christian forces of...

Auto Fest

Venue: Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

Website: www.bucksrailcentre.org

Visitors can enjoy dozens of classic vehicles on display, plus all the sights and sounds of the heritage railway with unlimited steam train rides, Railway Museum, Miniature and Model Railways, Visitor...

Discover and Make: Mosaic Madness

Venue: Wycombe Museum

Website: www.wycombemuseum.org.uk

Make you very own mosaic coaster in your own personal design! Learn all about mosaic history, including Wycombe’ Roman villa. Recommended for ages 4–11. Smaller ones are welcome but will need help....

Jumbly Junk Insect Homes

Venue: The Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

Website: www.roalddahlmuseum.org

Fashion a new home for James’ insect friends once they’ve moved out of the peach. You’ll use a selection of junk materials and let your imagination run wild. Suitable for ages 5+. (Also 30 Aug).

Summer Sparks Spectacular

Venue: Gulliver's Theme Parks

Website: www.gulliversfun.co.uk

Celebrate another magical summer season at Gulliver's with a Fireworks Spectacular! Enjoy extra ride time, extended opening hours and a fantastic fireworks display.

The Little Mermaid presented by IK Productions

Venue: Waterperry Gardens

Website: www.waterperrygardens.co.uk

Escape into the open air this summer with IK Productions summer show, The Little Mermaid, taking place in the wonderful setting of the Amphitheatre. IKP’s unmistakable brand of “delightfully daft”...

Shark in the Park!

Venue: Stantonbury Theatre

Website: www.stantonburytheatre.co.uk

Timothy Pope is looking through his telescope – but wait, is that a Shark, in the Park!? From the creative team behind ‘The Hairy Maclary Show’ and ‘You Choose’ - see all 3 of Nick Sharratt’s...

The Extraordinary Time Travelling Adventures of Baron Munchausen

Venue: Quarry Theatre

Website: www.quarrytheatre.ticketsolve.com

Amazing tales elegantly told! Jackanory meets Whose Line Is It Anyway in this multi award-winning family show, where three top comedians are challenged to invent their own ridiculous tall-tales inspired...

Miniature Science Home Education Day

Venue: Bekonscot Model Village and Railway

Website: www.bekonscot.co.uk/home-education-groups

Home Ed days include a series of workshops on a particular theme, tailored to different age groups. Workshops are interactive and may involve role play, object handling or practical activities. For further...

Dinosaur Day

Venue: Buckinghamshire Railway Centre

Website: www.bucksrailcentre.org

A perfect day out for your Dino-mad children. It’s going to be ROAR-some! This time there will be more dinosaurs coming than previous events, including Europe’s biggest T-Rex – nearly 9m long!...