Reading Kids Events This Weekend February 28th - March 1st 2026

February 28th - March 1st 2026United KingdomLast updated: Recently

Get ready for a fun weekend in Reading! Saturday is packed with museum gaming sessions and music, while Sunday brings science fun and Lunar New Year celebrations. Don't miss the big family day out at the Museum.

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Filter to show only free events14 events this weekend

· February 28

7

FREE : Head to the Reading Museum for a day of gaming! You can try out classic board games, ancient games, or even book a spot for a Dungeons & Dragons adventure. This sounds like a great way to explore the museum with kids.It's a large, free drop-in event centred entirely around family interactive gaming at a key local venue.

📍Reading Museum, Reading Town Centre· 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM · Family-Friendly · Free

🏠indoor🏛️museumAll ages
FREE

Games Day: Adventures & Artefacts!

Bring the museum to life with a day of gaming, featuring classic board games, ancient games, and an epic Dungeons & Dragons adventure for all curious visitors.

WhenSaturday 28 February, 11am - 4pm
WhereReading Museum, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH
PriceFree drop-in, but Dungeons & Dragons adventure requires pre-booking
BookingRequired — book in advance

FREE : Basildon Park is hosting a special exhibition on fashion that runs all weekend. Although the venue is slightly outside Reading, it's a great historical day out for older children interested in costumes and heritage.It's a large National Trust site exhibition with free entry if you have membership, running Saturday.

📍Basildon Park, Pangbourne area· All Ages · Free

🏠indoor🖼️exhibitionAll ages
FREE

Fashioning a Beautiful World

Join this event to explore the history of Basildon Park and its restoration by Lord and Lady Iliffe, focusing on their design choices in creating their Georgian home.

WhenSat 28 Feb - Sun 3 May
WhereBasildon Park, National Trust, Lower Basildon, READING, RG8 9NR, United Kingdom
PriceFree, but normal admission charges apply for the venue.

BACH TO BABY FAMILY CONCERT IN READING - 2026 : If you have younger children who need wiggle room during classical music, this concert series is usually perfect. Check specific times and venue details before booking.This concert series is designed specifically for families with young children, making it a great Saturday option.

📍Not explicitly stated, Reading· Children, Family-Friendly · Book now!

HELLO A-CAPELLA WORKSHOP AND PERFORMANCE : The Readiophonics are celebrating their 10th anniversary with an a-capella workshop followed by a free concert. Great if your child loves singing or music!It includes a free public performance after a workshop, offering flexible engagement for families.

📍Not explicitly stated, Reading· All ages · Workshop is paid, performance is free

FREE : Science Oxford Centre has a dedicated Family Day on Saturday morning, starting at 10 am. This is a great option if you fancy a drive towards Oxford for hands-on science fun, and tickets start at free.It's explicitly branded as a 'Family Day' and has free ticket options available, making it budget-friendly.

📍Science Oxford Centre, Oxford (Slightly outside Reading)· 10:00 AM · Family-Friendly · Free

indoor or outdoor🎯otherAll ages
FREE

Family Day (28 February)

Science-inspired family fun featuring interactive exhibits in the Exploration Zone and outdoor nature trails for children and grown-ups to explore and discover.

WhenSaturday, Feb 28 from 10 am to 5 pm, with two-hour timeslots: 10am-12pm, 12.30pm-2.30pm, 3pm - 5pm
WhereScience Oxford Centre, Quarry Road, Headington OX3 8SB
Price£8.50 per person (includes Eventbrite booking fee); Under 3s and Carers are free
BookingRequired — book in advance

: The MERL is running a 'Hop into the wild' family trail which sounds perfect for a winter walk with little ones, running throughout the weekend period.It's a structured, themed outdoor activity ideal for families with primary-aged kids happening throughout the weekend.

📍The MERL (Museum of English Rural Life, implied Reading), Reading· Not mentioned · Not mentioned

🏠indoor🏛️museumAll ages

'Hop into the wild' family trail

There's lots for families of all ages to do this February half term at The Museum of English Rural Life, including activity packs, trails, make-and-take activities, and garden exploration.

When14 – 22 February 2026
WhereThe Museum of English Rural Life, Redlands Road, Reading, United Kingdom, Berkshire, RG1 5EX
PriceFamily Activity Packs from £2 per pack; some bookable events may have a separate cost (not specified).

· March 1

4

: Get ready for explosive fun with Ministry of Science Live at The Hexagon. This theatrical science show is perfect for kids who love big demonstrations and learning how things work.It's a high-energy science show happening on Sunday afternoon, appealing directly to school-age children and teens.

📍Hexagon, Reading Town Centre· 12:30 PM · Children & Family · Book Now

🏠indoor🎭theatreAll ages

Ministry of Science Live

Ministry of Science Live is an explosive and entertaining show where presenters explore how science shapes the modern world through loud bangs, 20ft liquid nitrogen clouds, fire tornados, and hydrogen bottle rockets.

WhenSun 1 March '26, 12:30
WhereThe Hexagon, South Street, Reading
Price£18.50, £17.50 U16, £68 family of four (max 2 adults)
BookingRequired — book in advance

: Celebrate the Lunar New Year at the Town Hall Concert Hall! Expect interactive games and music, making this a wonderful cultural experience for the whole family on Sunday.A major cultural celebration happening Sunday in a central location.

📍Town Hall - Concert Hall, Reading Town Centre· Family-Friendly · Book Now

🏠indoor🎪festivalAll ages

Chinese New Year Celebration 2026

A day-long celebration of Chinese New Year featuring traditional Chinese workshops, outdoor performances, and a live show in the Concert Hall to mark the Year of the Dragon.

WhenFeb 11, 2024 - 1:00pm (Note: The event is for 2026 in the prompt, but the page shows 2024)
WhereConcert Hall, Reading Town Hall, Reading Abbey Quarter, Reading, RG1 1QH
PriceWorkshops are free; Performance tickets are £10 in advance - £12.50 On The Day
BookingRequired — book in advance

: The Wokingham area is also celebrating the Chinese Lunar New Year on Sunday. This is a great opportunity for local families to get involved in a festive event.It’s a specific celebration of the Lunar New Year happening on Sunday, complementing the Reading Town Hall event.

📍Not explicitly stated (Implied Wokingham area), Wokingham· Not mentioned · Not mentioned

🌳outdoor🎪festivalAll ages

Lunar New Year

This family event in Market Place celebrates Lunar New Year with live music, traditional arts and crafts, East Asian street food, and a spectacular Lion Dance.

WhenSunday 1st March 11am to 3pm
WhereMarket Place, Wokingham
PriceFree

FREE : If you are willing to travel slightly further afield, Merrist Wood College is hosting an open morning on Sunday starting at 10 am. This is perfect for animal-loving kids.It's an early Sunday morning event focused on a farm setting, which is a classic family draw.

📍Merrist Wood College, Near Guildford (Outside Reading Area)· 10:00 AM · Not explicitly mentioned · Free

🌳outdoor🌿natureAll ages
FREE

Merrist Wood Farm Open Mornings.

Families can visit the farm to meet and pet various rare breed animals like piglets, lambs, goats, alpacas, llamas, and rheas.

WhenSunday, Mar 1, 2026 from 10 am to 12 pm
WhereMerrist Wood College, Worplesdon GU3 3PE
PriceCost not explicitly stated, but animal feed is available at an extra charge.
BookingRequired — book in advance

Also On· anytime this weekend

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: The Great Hall is hosting a popular Candlelight concert featuring Queen vs. ABBA music performed by live musicians. This will definitely appeal to teens and parents alike on Saturday evening.Popular music performed live makes for a great family/teen outing on Saturday evening.

📍Great Hall Reading University, Reading🔄 Recurring· 6:00 PM · Music/Classical · book now

🏠indoor🎭theatre8-12 yrs

Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience featuring the music of Queen vs. ABBA under the gentle glow of candlelight, which families will enjoy for the atmosphere and popular music.

Whenselect your dates/times directly in the ticket selector
WhereThe Great Hall University of Reading, London Road, Campus, Reading, RG1 5AQ
PriceCost/range not specified; only ticket zones mentioned.
BookingRequired — book in advance

: If you're looking for indoor fun, this board games day is running Saturday. Perfect for a rainy day activity if you want to try out new games together.Dedicated board game sessions are always popular with families looking for an indoor activity.

📍eclectic games (Implied Reading), Reading🔄 Recurring· Family-Friendly · Book now!

🏠indoor🎯otherAll ages

Board Games Day at eclectic games!

If you're looking for indoor fun, this board games day is running Saturday. Perfect for a rainy day activity if you want to try out new games together.

WhenWe run events on most days and evenings
Whereeclectic games, 21 Duke Street, Reading, RG1 4SA, UK
PriceBook now!

: The Reading Museum runs tours of the famous Bayeux Tapestry display every Saturday at 2 PM. A great, structured historical activity for older children.It's a specific tour time slot on Saturday at the museum, offering something different from the main Games Day.

📍Reading Museum, Reading Town Centre🔄 Recurring· 2:00 PM · History & Heritage · Book Now

🏠indoor🏛️museumAll ages

Bayeux Tapestry Tours

Enjoy a guided tour of the famous full-size facsimile Tapestry with one of the gallery team.

WhenEvery Saturday 2pm-3pm and Thursday 2.30pm - 3.30pm (from February 2026)
WhereReading Museum, Blagrave Street, Reading, RG1 1QH
Price£8.00
BookingRequired — book in advance

Frequently Asked Questions

What free kids events are on in Reading this weekend?

The best free event is the 'Games Day: Adventures & Artefacts!' at Reading Museum on Saturday. You can also check out the free ticket options for the Family Day at Science Oxford Centre on Saturday.

Are there any events on Sunday, March 1st?

Yes! Sunday features the high-energy 'Ministry of Science Live' at the Hexagon, the 'Chinese New Year Celebration 2026' at the Town Hall, and the Merrist Wood Farm Open Mornings.

What can teens do this weekend in Reading?

Teens might enjoy the evening 'Candlelight: Queen vs. ABBA' concert on Saturday, or the highly interactive 'Games Day' at the museum.

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