Don’t miss out on popular pop up play events for families in Oxford
Families have just two more weeks left to take advantage of a series of free pop up play events in the city.
The events, designed for children up to the age of five, have run throughout the summer across central Oxford locations, attracting more than a thousand visitors.
They have been led by Oxfordshire County Council with support from Oxfordshire Play Association and Oxford City Council and proved so popular that an extra date was added at the car park outside County Hall yesterday.
The final two events will take place on Wednesday 16 July in Leiden Square in the Westgate Centre and Tuesday 22 July in the Castle Quarter, from 11am - 3pm.
Councillor Andrew Gant, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Transport Management, said: “These well attended events have not only brought smiles and laughter to the city centre but have also sparked conversations about how we design our streets and public spaces.
“They have been a real success so far and offer a fresh, community-focused way of reimagining how we use urban space – particularly in the heart of the city. They are helping to redefine how city centre spaces can be used – making them more accessible, playful, and community-oriented.
“Feedback from residents has been overwhelmingly positive, with many calling for more permanent opportunities for play.”
The pop up play events, which have also taken place in Broad Street, have been designed to create a welcoming, supportive environment for families, with opportunities to connect with other parents and access useful resources.
Activities include sensory play, creative workshops, and story sessions from partners like the Ashmolean Museum, Story Museum, History of Science Museum, Museum of Oxford and Weston Library.
Councillor Mark Lygo, Chair of Oxfordshire County Council and a former trustee of Oxfordshire Play Association, has attended all of the nine events so far.
He said: “I’ve really enjoyed seeing families come together, relax, and play in places where you wouldn’t normally see it. People can just turn up and enjoy, there’s no need to book.
“It’s been a real success and our ambition is to keep it going in the future and even look at more locations.”
Lord Mayor of Oxford Councillor Louise Upton said: “It is so important for the healthy development of children to find time to play. Providing space in the city centre where parents and small children can relax and have some fun, allowing those warm, positive interactions to occur with care givers and other children is magical.
“It helps promote children's physical, emotional and social development, and makes life a little less stressful for their adults.”
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