Find great ideas for days out with kids in Buckinghamshire and the best family friendly events happening summer 2024. The Bucks summer holiday activities guide is packed full with big family days out or smaller, local ideas.  From Milton Keynes to High Wycombe and Aylesbury to Beaconsfield, we’ve got it all. Venture a little further and find more summer activity ideas in our Berkshire summer holiday activities guide or what’s on in Oxfordshire event listings.

If you’re working and looking for childcare then check out the summer holiday camps in Bucks guide.

SPOTLIGHT

Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park is perfect for a fun family day out. There are lots of friendly farm animals and pets to meet and more unusual animals in the Wildlife Zone. Jump off some energy on the giant bouncy pillow or indoor soft play plus lots more activities.  There are lots of extras this summer from bug hunts and nature trails, to tractor rides and water play, you won’t be short of things to do. Find out more about Summer On The Farm.

What’s On In Bucks Summer 2024

Outdoor Summer Events in Buckinghamshire

Step into a storybook and discover the treetop adventure playground, Tumblestone Hollow at Stonor Park (near Henley on Thames). For those with an adventurous spirit you can climb up a spiral of steps  to the top look-out deck, crawl through tunnels, scramble along a netted tube or along bridges and there’s plenty for little kids too.

Garden Play Zone at Discover Bucks Museum (Aylesbury) 20th July – 3rd September

In a beautiful walled garden, come rain or shine under a marquee, younger visitors can enjoy the Garden Play Zone with water and sand play, giant games and outdoor toys.

• Hitchin Lavender Fields, until 21st August
• Little People Big Dreams trail at National Trust Stowe Gardens running all summer
• Shaggy’s Summer Spectacular at Mead Open Farm (Leighton Buzzard) 2oth July – 1st September
• Steaming Days at Bucks Railway Centre – select days through the summer
• Howe Park Open Morning (Milton Keynes) 23rd – 25th July FREE
• Summer of Play at Waddesdon Manor (Waddesdon) 24th July – 26th August
• Gruffalo Family Fun Day at Salcey Forest 26th – 27th July

Bletchley Big Street Eat (Bletchley) 27th July FREE

Bletchley Big Street Eat will transform Queensway into a wonderland of play with giant games and rides for all ages, including adults! The day would not be complete without a wonderful array of street food and products from local businesses  Like every year all the games and activities will be free to do, including face painting.

Heritage Crafts Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Chalfont St Giles) 27th – 28th July

Visitors will have the opportunity to step back in time and witness traditional crafts in action, including blacksmithing, straw plaiting, bucket making, lace making, bodging, spinning, natural dyeing and more.

Terrific Tuesdays at the Chiltern Open Air Museum (Chalfont St Giles) every Tuesday from 30th July

The Museum’s Education team has got you covered with their special themed family activities on every Tuesday in Bucks school holidays. The fun-filled activities, games, and crafts can be enjoyed without having to pay any extra, as they are included in the admission price.

Sunflower field, maize maze and summer games at The Patch MK (Milton Keynes) 27th July – 1st Sep closed Mondays except Bank Holiday Monday

The Patch MK grow speciality sunflowers and wildflowers across over 50 acres. The flower fields are no ordinary pick your own, with over 500,000 sunflowers and 50 million wildflowers.

Alongside the Flower Fields are the Fun Fields, home to three individual maize mazes. The Labyrinth of Illusions, The UK’s largest living optical illusion, the Jurassic Maze, home to 14 giant dinosaurs and the musical maze with outdoor musical instruments, hidden within the twists and turns of the maze.

Lillingstone PYO sunflower field & summer activities (nr Buckingham) 

Wander through Lillingtone Pick Your Own stunning sunflower paths around the Farm and capture some truly amazing photos as you meander through a sea of yellow blooms! Play-Patch will be open for the children to climb bale-mountain, dig in our sandpits, and burn off some extra energy!

Clash of the Queens at the Chiltern Open Air Museum (Chalfont St Giles) 3rd – 4th August

Discover the trials and tribulations of being a female ruler in 16th Century Britain and discover how their lives became inextricably linked. Be prepared for sparks to fly! Be prepared to be entertained and enlightened. Be prepared to join in this very lively and interactive experience

• Parkland Play at Ashlands Park (Milton Keynes) 7th August FREE

Britain at War at the Chiltern Open Air Museum (Chalfont St Giles) 10th – 11th August

Throughout the day you can watch a variety of displays such as warbow, warhorse training display (including skill-at-arms and mounted combat), gun and catapult firing displays, drills, and troop training sessions. Jeep, Jump, Jive will also be on-site showing off their 1940s Lindy-hop and inviting visitors to join in and learn a few steps.

• Emergency Services Day at Bucks Railway Centre 11th August

Victorian Weekend at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Chalftont St Giles) 17th – 18th August

Meet costumed re-enactors in our buildings and around the Chiltern Open Air Museum site. Look out for shady characters including the rat catcher and his rats; street urchins, rogues and vagabonds. This Ragged Victorians event is great for kids who are learning about the Victorians at school. Watch out for pickpockets!

Tuff Nutterz giant inflatable obstacle course (Milton Keynes) 23rd August – 1st September

Experience Tuff Nutterz, the biggest inflatable obstacle courseat 300m long. Conquer towering walls, navigate tricky mazes, and take the plunge down the epic 6m ‘Tuff’ slide.

Live in the Park (Aylesbury) 24th August FREE

An entire day of continuous live music and family entertainment – with music, bands, fun fair and lots of free family fun, including a Community Involvement Area and Market Stalls.

• Stars in the Park (Aylesbury) 24th August FREE

Viking Raid at Chiltern Open Air Museum (Chalfont St Giles) 25th – 26th August

The Vikings have arrived and taken over a Saxon settlement at the Chiltern Open Air Museum! Get involved in games, music, storytelling and fun activities from the Viking Age. Then join us to watch as the raid unfolds and see who wins in the battle between the Vicious Vikings and the Christian forces of Wessex.

Meet The Gruffalo at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park (Hogshaw) 26th August

Oh crumbs!  The Gruffalo will be appearing at intervals throughout August Bank Holiday Monday at Hogshaw Farm & Wildlife Park. Come and take a stroll through our light, bright farm and enjoy an immersive day of wildlife fun.

• Beaconsfield Country Fayre (Beaconsfield) 26th August
• Bucks County Show (Weedon, near Aylesbury) 29th August
• Chilli Fest at Waddesdon Manor (Waddesdon) 30th August – 1st September
• Summer Sizzler at Odds Farm Park (Wooburn Green) 24th July – 3rd September

Indoor Summer Events in Buckinghamshire

James’ Peachy Summer at the Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre (Great Missenden) 20th July – 1st September

Get ready James’ Peachy Summer at the Roald Dahl Museum & Story Centre in Great Missenden.  The summer will be packed with family events and activities, all with a peachy twist.  Dive into storytelling, crafts, walks & hands on science.

Summer of Fun at Discover Bucks Museum (Aylesbury) 20th July – 3rd September

This summer Discover Bucks Museum have a packed programme of activities to keep all the family entertained. From a galaxy far, far away comes May The Toys Be With You, a stellar exhibition of one of the UK’s finest collections of vintage Star Wars toys and original movie posters opens on 20 July – a must for little kids and ‘big kids’ alike. Meet the Stormtroopers on 20 July.

Special Family Craft Days from 24 July to 30 August. Choose from Make-A-Toy Mondays, Out-Of-This-World Wednesdays and Fantastic Fridays.

During your visit to the museum experience the Sensory Playroom, Toy Room and Tudor Mural Activity in our Tudor Rooms or try one of our exciting new Discovery Duck Activity Trails which are a fun way to explore our stunning Discover Bucks Galleries.

• The Beach at Centre MK (Milton Keynes) 19th July – 1st Sep FREE ENTRY
• Little Farmers at Peterley Manor Farm (Great Missenden) select days from 6th July – 4th August SEN sessions available
• Babes in the Wood toddler forest school at Wycombe Museum (High Wycombe) 25th July
• Lego Club at Beaconsfield Library (Beaconsfield) 27th July
• Discover & Make at Wycombe Museum (High Wycombe) Tuesday & Wednesdays
• Pirates & mermaids craft activities at the Centre MK (Milton Keynes) 27th July
• Family Board Game Club at High Wycombe Library (High Wycombe) 28th July
• Stop motion animation workshop at Aylesbury Library (Aylesbury) 30th July
• Eco printing art workshop at Milton Keynes Art Centre (Milton Keynes) 31st July
• Games Morning at Princes Risborough Library (Princes Risborough) 31st July + 7th August
• Duplo for Toddlers at Beaconsfield Library (Beaconsfield) 1st, 8th, 15th August
• Learn to Draw art workshop at Milton Keynes Art Centre (Milton Keynes) 14th August
• Making Cyanatopes workshop at Milton Keynes Art Centre (Milton Keynes) 21st August
• Creepy Crawly craft activities at the Centre MK (Milton Keynes) 31st August

Family Theatre, Live Music and Puppets

• Giffords Circus at Stonor Park & Gardens (Stonor, near Henley) 11th – 22nd July
• Wizard of Oz at Milton Keynes Theatre (Milton Keynes) 16th – 21st July

The 13-Storey Treehouse Live at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre (Aylesbury) 25th – 28th July

Don’t miss your chance to see this fun-filled, best-seller live on stage for children aged 6 – 12 and their adults! Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton’s hilarious, multi award-winning book The 13-Storey Treehouse comes to life on stage at Aylesbury Waterside Theatre.

• Peppa Pigs Fun Day Out at Milton Keynes Theatre (Milton Keynes) 24th – 25th July
• Peter Pan outdoor family theatre at Langley Country Park (Iver Heath) 26th July
• Cillian O’Connor My World of Magic at the Kenton Theatre (Henley) 26th July
• Lord Chamberlain’s Men Hamlet open air theatre at Waddesdon Manor (Waddesdon) 1st August
• Peppa Pigs Fun Day Out at Wycombe Swan (High Wycombe) 3rd – 4th August
• English Youth Ballet Sleeping Beauty at Wycombe Swan (High Wycombe) 9th -10th August
• Enchanted Afternoons Princess Concert at the Elgiva (Chesham) 10th August
• Harry Potter outdoor cinema at Langley Country Park (Iver Heath) 26th July

Summer Holiday Days Out with Kids in Bucks

Treasure Map Trails are perfect for children aged 5 to 12, every beautifully illustrated map is based on a real town or city and transformed with a fantasy theme full of visual twists and turns. Local towns with maps but not limited to, Amersham, Aylesbury, Berkhamsted, Hemel and Tring.

Treasure Map Trails Review

One of the best parks in Buckinghamshire and worth a trip if you’re further afield is the Rye in High Wycombe.  With two play parks, a little waterfall and paddling spot, an open air swimming pool, boating on the pond, cafe and great cycling paths, you can make a real day of it.

Rye & Holywell Mead Park Review

For rainy days, a dash of soft play or a jump around in a trampoline park is a great way to run off some energy.

Best Soft Plays & Trampoline Parks in Bucks

Beat the heat with a trip to an outdoor swimming pool or splash park.

Best splash parks and pools in Buckinghamshire