10 Reasons to Visit the Story Museum Oxford With Kids

You’ll create magical memories at The Story Museum Oxford where your kids can physically crawl through wardrobes into Narnia, touch C.S. Lewis’s actual pen, and transform into their favorite characters. The museum offers age-appropriate galleries from toddlers to teens, multi-sensory experiences with talking trees, interactive gaming worlds, and live storytelling events. Located in historic Grade I listed buildings near Christ Church, it’s designed with child-friendly features like soft play areas and sensory packs. Discover what makes this award-winning attraction Oxford’s premier family destination.

Immerse Your Family in Interactive Story Worlds

Why settle for reading stories when you can step right into them? At Story Museum Oxford, your kids won’t just hear about Narnia—they’ll crawl through the actual wardrobe entrance. The Enchanted Library Adventures lets them tumble down a rabbit hole into Wonderland and touch C.S. Lewis’s actual pen.

In the Whispering Wood Exploration, stories literally come alive through the trees around you. Your children will hear tales narrated by story guides while they interact with natural elements, creating multi-sensory magic.

The Choose Your Own Adventure Room transforms your kids into space explorers, time travellers, or spies. They’ll make real decisions that shape their adventure’s path. Your all-day ticket also includes access to the captivating Here Be Dragons exhibition in the Treasure Chamber.

Meanwhile, Story Arcade Gaming Worlds blends digital excitement with traditional storytelling, letting imagination level up through interactive exhibits.

Age-Appropriate Galleries That Grow With Your Children

As your toddler transforms into a confident reader, Story Museum Oxford’s age-zoned spaces evolve alongside them. You’ll start in Small Worlds (0-5), where your little ones explore role-play areas and share stories on the giant bed—perfect for those 60-minute attention spans.

When they’re ready, graduate to the Galleries (5+) for deeper literary adventures through Whispering Wood and the Enchanted Library‘s timeline of children’s stories. The new Story Arcade adds video game storytelling to the experience, featuring everything from classic Space Invaders to modern adventures like Saltsea Chronicles.

The clever ticketing reflects this progression: separate pricing for each age group, with transitional 1-4 tickets bridging the gap. Your under-1s get free entry, encouraging early exposure.

As siblings grow at different rates, you can tailor visits—younger ones loving Small Worlds while older children plunge into Alice in Wonderland and Narnia’s immersive worlds during those longer 90-minute explorations.

Boost Literacy and Creativity Through Multi-Sensory Learning

When your child steps into Story Museum Oxford’s immersive world, they’re not just looking at exhibits—they’re living inside stories through carefully crafted multi-sensory experiences that transform reluctant readers into confident storytellers.

Watch your little one’s eyes light up in Whispering Wood, where talking trees share traditional tales and pose intriguing challenges. The Small Worlds room captivates under-fives with picture book adventures, while digital poohsticks and Mr Tumnus’s snowy footprints invite tactile exploration.

These layered discoveries reward curiosity at every turn. Your child won’t realize they’re building vocabulary and problem-solving skills—they’re too busy having fun. Located in central Oxford, the museum celebrates stories in all forms while exploring their power to teach and delight.

The museum’s approach particularly benefits reluctant readers, boosting confidence and enthusiasm through engaging adventures that make learning feel like play rather than work.

Enjoy Year-Round Events and Ever-Changing Exhibitions

Your family’s Story Museum adventure doesn’t end with a single visit—the museum’s calendar bursts with festivals, seasonal trails, and rotating exhibitions that give you fresh reasons to return throughout the year.

Mark your calendar for Alice’s Day Festival on July 5th, 2025, when Oxford transforms into Wonderland with half-price gallery entry and city-wide adventures. You’ll discover new seasonal trails like the Alice Anniversary Trail running July through November, celebrating 160 years of Wonderland magic.

The biennial Storyfest in October brings together Oxford’s literary community, while winter festivities fill December with family performances. The museum also features immersive galleries with interactive storytelling experiences and hands-on activities designed for all ages.

Ever-changing exhibitions like Here Be Dragons ensure each visit offers something new. With partnerships extending throughout the city, you’re not just visiting a museum—you’re joining Oxford’s year-round celebration of storytelling.

Explore Oxford’s Most Family-Friendly Cultural Attraction

What sets Story Museum apart from traditional museums where children shuffle past display cases they can’t touch? Everything here invites exploration. Your toddler can crawl through soft play areas in “Small Worlds” while older siblings dress up as their favorite characters.

You’ll find child-height toilets that make independence easier, and stroller-friendly lifts throughout the building.

The museum’s compact layout means you won’t exhaust little legs during a 2-3 hour visit. When energy flags, retreat to the secure courtyard for snacks or visit the family café.

Staff genuinely understand children—they’re patient, enthusiastic, and skilled at adapting activities for different ages. Family groups receive book carts filled with sensory tubes, costumes, and exploration tools to enhance the storytelling experience.

Located in Oxford’s historic center, you can easily combine your visit with college tours or shopping, making it the perfect anchor for a memorable family day out.

Experience Inclusive Fun for Neurodivergent Children

Unlike many family attractions that leave neurodivergent children overwhelmed or excluded, Story Museum creates genuinely welcoming spaces where every child can thrive. Your child can grab free ear defenders and sensory packs right at entry, while you’ll notice they’ve thoughtfully adjusted lighting and sound throughout galleries.

The Tiny Worlds area particularly engages kids across different developmental stages. When your little one needs a break, you’ll find dedicated breakout spaces for energy management. Staff understand that mental age matters more than chronological age here.

You’ll appreciate relaxed performances, sensory story sessions, and BSL interpreted events. Plus, if you’re caring for someone with complex needs, there’s a proper Changing Places toilet.

Companions get free admission, making visits genuinely accessible for families. The museum maintains low noise levels throughout, creating a calm environment that prevents sensory overload for sensitive visitors.

Participate in Hands-On Adventures Adults Will Love Too

The moment you step into Story Museum’s galleries, you’ll realize this isn’t another “look but don’t touch” experience where you’re relegated to watching your kids have all the fun. In Whispering Wood, you’ll find yourself genuinely absorbed triggering audio stories at different trees.

The Enchanted Library lets you physically step through wardrobes and pull levers alongside your children – expect to spend longer than planned “playing” with installations.

The Story Arcade‘s prompt-based storytelling stations are surprisingly addictive, letting you choose narrative paths to build branching stories. Your Galleries Ticket provides all-day entry, so you can revisit favorite areas and discover new details without feeling rushed.

During comics exhibitions like KA-BOOM, you’ll discover drawing tutorials that actually teach useful skills.

Evening events offer “Stories for Grown-ups” seasons, transforming your family day out into sophisticated storytelling experiences that’ll have you booking return visits solo.

Meet Characters From Beloved Children’s Literature

While most museums display static portraits behind glass, Story Museum brings literary characters to life through its extraordinary 26 Characters exhibition. Renowned authors like Philip Pullman and Neil Gaiman have transformed themselves into beloved figures from children’s literature.

You’ll step through an actual wardrobe into Narnia’s snowy woods, walk the planks with Long John Silver, and venture into Middle-Earth alongside Boromir. Each character space engages multiple senses—you’ll hear authors reading extracts from their books while touching interactive exhibits.

Your kids will meet iconic characters like the White Witch, Mr. Tumnus, and even mythical figures like Anansi and King Arthur. The exhibition pairs each author with alphabet letters, creating memorable connections between real writers and fictional worlds that’ll inspire your children’s own storytelling adventures. Each portrait comes with accompanying sestudes, short poetic forms that capture the essence of these childhood favorites.

Access Professional Storytelling and Live Performances

Beyond static exhibitions, Story Museum transforms into a vibrant performance venue where professional storytellers captivate audiences through the monthly Crick Crack Club events. These intimate live experiences differentiate themselves from typical Oxford theatre, creating magical moments you won’t find elsewhere.

You’ll discover family-friendly performances like “A Present for Jack” running December 20-30, 2025, perfectly timed for holiday visits.

David Gibb’s Family Jukebox offers interactive music mornings at £10 per person, engaging even your youngest children through live entertainment.

During festive periods, “Festive Fun in the Magic Common Room” runs until January 4, 2026, combining performances with hands-on activities. The venue also features international fairytale content through The Crick Crack Club’s specialized programming for older audiences.

The museum also hosts renowned children’s authors and illustrators, with Paul Stickland, David Melling, and Giles Andreae scheduled for March 2025 performances.

Create Lasting Memories in a Historic Oxford Setting

Story Museum’s award-winning architecture creates an extraordinary backdrop for your family adventures, transforming a cluster of historic Oxford buildings into something truly magical. Your children will explore Grade I and Grade II listed structures, including the magnificent 19th-century Rochester House, where every corner tells a story spanning centuries.

The museum’s central Pembroke Street location puts you steps away from Christ Church and Oxford’s iconic landmarks, making it perfect for creating a full day of Oxford exploration. The 100-seat studio theatre provides an intimate venue for captivating performances that bring stories to life for audiences of all ages.

The sensitive conservation work, recognized with the 2022 RIBA South Award, guarantees these historic walls continue inspiring new generations.

Between the Whispering Wood’s talking trees and the Enchanted Library’s treasured artifacts, you’re not just visiting a museum—you’re creating childhood memories in one of England’s most storied cities.

The Sum Up

You’ll find yourself just as captivated as your kids when you step into the Story Museum’s magical world. Don’t rush through—we spent three hours there and could’ve stayed longer! Pack a camera because you’ll want to capture those wide-eyed moments when your little ones meet their favorite characters. Trust me, this isn’t just another museum visit—it’s where stories come alive and childhood wonder gets reignited for the whole family.