FAMILIES

Dad and son in the ancient Greece gallery

FAMILIES

Family-friendly galleries

Explore the ancient world on the ground floor. Get close to Egyptian mummies, giant animal sculptures, Greek and Roman heroes and more as you learn how people lived and died in these times. On the lower ground floor, don't miss the Money Gallery 7 brimming with coins, currency and hands-on displays.

Must-see objects

Can you spot a crystal ball or Guy Fawkes lantern in the Ashmolean's Story Gallery 2 on the lower ground floor? Or head up to the second floor and the Japanese Galleries 36 and 37 to find a samurai warrior's full armour and tiny netsuke carved animals. Then walk through to the England Gallery 41 to see our treasured Alfred Jewel.

Trails, explorer packs & new stickers!

Pick up a themed leaflet trail with activity suggestions and talking points to help you explore the galleries and Museum highlights. Try one of our two explorer packs (for different ages), and earn stickers for participating. All free from the Welcome Desk.

Things to touch & interact with

Discover the newly-renovated Rome Galleries 13 and 15 on the ground floor to 'make a mosaic' and engage in 'Gladiator combat'! Or test your strength in the European Prehistory gallery 17 as you push the lever to build Stonehenge. There are many interactives in the galleries to look out for, including films and animations.

Spectacular staircases & views

All our galleries can be accessed via lifts, but why not explore the stairs too? They're great for encouraging first steps, finding secret artworks and seeing the galleries from viewpoints. Check out our Floor plan PDF to get an idea of where they are in the Museum.

Play 'I Spy' for colours and shapes

Look for colours and shapes in paintings and objects. The dogs in this picture belonged to the man featured called Gilbert Cannan who had a windmill home... What else can you spot? There are many vibrant paintings in the Modern Art gallery 62 and Pre-Raphaelites Gallery 66 on the third floor.

Relax, find a quiet space OR a loud one!

Relax with chairs and games in the Islamic Middle East Gallery 31 on the first floor. On the lower ground floor is a drawing table with chairs (by the Learning Studio), perfect for young ones. Want more of the buzz? Step into the ancient world of the Egypt galleries.

Strike a pose

Walk with ancient heroes and gods, and copy their poses! There are fantastic, larger-than-life Roman and Greek statues in both the Cast Gallery 14 and the Randolph Sculpture Gallery 21 to encounter. Both on the ground floor.

Coin handling sessions

Drop in to a coin-handling session in the Money Gallery 7, on Saturdays. In the Money Gallery you can also design your own coin, play the Shove Ha'Penny game and spin the giant Oxford Crown fascimile. From 11.30am to 3.30pm.

Great facilities for families

Make use of our great family facilities including a café, Rooftop Restaurant and gift shops. There's also a buggy park, accessible toilets and lunch room access. Details are in our FAQs, and visitor staff are at hand for any queries. Plus, this summer you can enjoy a free Babyccino in our family-friendly café.

Children pointing at a painting in the galleries with a Snail trail leaflet

ALL OUR FAMILY TRAILS

Download our free family trails or pick up when you arrive at the Museum. And find details of our two Explorer packs.

FIND OUT MORE

If you find it easier to bring your own food for lunch, on a weekend visit or during the school holidays, you can use our Family Lunch Room on the Lower Ground Floor close to the Learning Studio.

The lunch room is open 12–2pm every weekend and also every day of the school holidays. We also have free nappies available at the Welcome Desk, if needed.

This summer the Café is offering a free Babyccino with an adult drink purchase.

BOOK YOUR DIGITAL GUIDE

ASHMOLEAN ADVENTURE

A fun, interactive family experience. Book ahead for your summer holiday visit. From £10 per family.

BUY & LISTEN

MYTHS & REALITY AUDIO GUIDE

Get lost in a maze of mythical tales with art historian Janina Ramirez. From Smartify on your phone. For ages 8+. £3.60

BOOK

TODDLER TIME

Join us for play and exploration at our monthly Toddler Time events.

BOOK

BABY BUNDLE

Subscribe for monthly baby activities onsite and online. Aimed at new parents with babies under one years old.

What can I do with my kids at the Ashmolean?

You'll find lots to do at the Ashmolean for families.

Book for our Ashmolean Adventure digital guide for families – available every weekend in term time and every day of the school holidays
Check out upcoming events for families, including our big festivals, and our Baby Bundle and Toddler Time monthly sessions
Download a free family trail in advance or pick one up at our Welcome Desk
Pick up an Ashventure Pack or Explorer Kit from the Welcome desk
Handle coins at one of Saturday drop-in sessions
Look out for our free Family Gallery tours - more coming soon

Do we need to book?

The Museum is free to enter and visitors only need to book for our major exhibitions and paid events. However, we recommend self-guided groups of more than 12 to book in advance in the summer school holidays, as it can get busy in the Museum in certain galleries.

Plan your visit & book tickets

Where are the toilets and baby changing facilities?

Accessible toilets can be found on the lower ground floor and the top floor by the main staircase. We have two baby changing areas, on the lower ground floor and the top floor.

Can I bring my buggy / pushchair?

The Museum is accessible by ramp from Beaumont Street. Buggies are welcome in the galleries or can be stored on the ground floor in the Buggy park by the Museum entrance.

All floors are accessible by lifts, in addition to the staircases.

Where can I stop for food and drink?

Stop off at our café or restaurant. Our café serves a range of freshly prepared hot and cold meals as well as kids meals and lunchboxes. Out on the Museum forecourt this summer there's a pop-up café with tables and chairs, where you can buy snacks and drinks. Our Rooftop Restaurant also offers a child-friendly menu. High chairs are available at both the indoor café and the restaurant.

This summer the café is offering a free Babyccino with an adult drink purchase.

Booking is strongly recommended for the restaurant, but not necessary for the café.

More information about eating and drinking at the Museum

We don't allow food or drink in the galleries, but you can use the Family Lunch Room at lunchtime on your weekend visits in the summer holidays. Breastfeeding is welcome.