On Monday we took Noah to The Natural History Museum in Oxford. A great snow day activity – and far more cosy in there than I expected of a vast stone museum full of old bones. Maybe the dinosaurs like to be snug.

It’s a great place for kids of all ages. Noah at nearly 18 months loves it, and is old enough to run around and spot the touchy feely creatures like the Shetland Pony called Mandy.

For those a little older there are activities to do and clues to follow. And for the price of a donation towards the upkeep of the exhibits, it’s not an expensive afternoon out. Midweek, there is easy meter parking in the side roads opposite. Although I did nearly break my neck on the ice crossing the road, much to the delight of the cars waiting at the red light. Very funny.

We showed Noah the dinosaurs, the Alice in Wonderland exhibit with stories about the different animals from the children’s classic, and the huge collection of brightly coloured butterflies, as well as the touchy table of stuffed animals and fossils – although we noticed after we stood him on the table to get a better look that there was a sign strictly advising you not to do this! Oops.

We also ventured in to Pitt Rivers and the nostalgic smell from school trips of 25 years ago hit me. We went to see the totem polls which are staggeringly huge. I then guided us the shrunken heads, the most fascinating cabinet in there, and the busiest spot in the museum. We waited patiently behind gasping French students for a look at the odd shrivelled faces.

All in all we had a great day out, we didn’t escape without purchasing a £3 snake from the gift shop which Noah now struts about with draped around his neck like king of the jungle.

So if you’re stuck for something to do, have already been to a play centre, swimming and a music group this week, then we would highly recommend a date with the dinosaurs!