There’s no escaping it now – Christmas beckons like a boozed-up advent calendar. Liz Nicholls offers some tips for days out for all the family at the county’s museums

Is it just me or were you slightly relieved to hear about the Mayan apocalypse on December 21?

Yes, a bit drastic maybe, but at least this conveniently timed End Of Days would avoid the maxed-out credit cards, cabin fever and festive family feuds.

Still, just in case those Mayans don’t come good on their promise, here’s plan b: I suggest you plunder the treasures of this fine city’s museums.

Throughout advent, Oxfordshire’s rich institutions have some twinkling events to guide you through the stress and sobbing at snowman adverts. Magically, here is where art and science collide.

First retreat for the seasonally frazzled is the very hip and zen Science Oxford Live in St Clement’s where the kids can make as much noise as they like.

Musical Science (December 8, 11am and 2.30pm) encourages experimental five-to-seven-year-olds to create their own beat using recycled bits – a refreshing change from all the commercialism around.

And, as an antidote to the horror of the impending work dos, how about From Silent Night to Slade: How technology transformed our Christmas tunes on December 13 (Thursday, 6.30pm)? Little angels aged ten-plus can be inspired by music and physics fairy Wendy Sadler.

No matter how Bah Humbug you’re feeling (oh, had you noticed?), make sure you’re sitting comfortably for a couple of gems at The Story Museum.

On December 7 (Friday, 5-7pm) plunge into propaganda, social commentary and lewd stories. Because, as poet king Michael Rosen, Dr Alexandra Franklin of the Bodleian and Tim Healey of The Oxford Waits will explain, the ballads of 16th Century Britain weren’t just drinking songs, they were the earliest form of journalism.

And be a part of history on Wednesdays and Fridays (5-7pm) with The Thousand and One storycatching event to help the fledgling museum choose the 1001 tales which will form the core of its collection.

Whether you admire the homespun wisdom of the new folksy craft movement (now mainstream thanks to the likes of Kirstie Allsopp) or just want to surround yourself with beautiful things, The Big Stitch at The Ashmolean is a must. December 1 (Saturday, 11am - 4pm) will be a celebration of all things embroidered with activities for all ages.

Pitt Rivers and the Museum of Natural History are perfect getaways when the house feels like a tiny, tinselly pressure cooker. Hunt down the Christmas postboxes in the gothic building and delve deep to find letters from Santa. December 17 also sees the unveiling of a heart-warming The Story Makers.

Funded by Children In Need, this project is managed by Fusion Arts and psychotherapist Helen Edwards. Young children with speech, language and communication needs from schools in Rose Hill, Barton and Wood Farm have been moved by their visits to the museum, working with touch, colour, movement and sound. Sure to awaken the child in the grumpiest curmudgeon.

As is the Cabinet of Curiosities at the Museum of the History of Science on December 8 (Sat, 2-4pm) drop-in for families and Magical Movies on January 5 (1-4pm drop-in) which harks back to a more Dickensian age of Victorian optical toys – i.e. before the age of the Furby.

Enjoy the great outdoors at The Botanic Garden this Saturday (10.30am-12.30pm) where you and children of any age can turn natural treasures into tree decorations to take or leave dangling.

The great Museum of Oxfordshire’s Craft Guild Exhibition lasts until Jan 2 with lots of gift ideas and a last-minute Saxon Sparkle family creation event on December 22 (2-4pm, £1.50 per child) fits the ‘edutainment’ bill. Crafty Christmas at Abingdon Museum on December 8 (10.30am-3.30pm drop-in, free) will keep little fingers busy.

If you’ve got young tots to bribe – sorry, entertain – you’ll find education and Santa at Oxford Bus Museum on December 15 and 16 (a bargain £3, including present). The big man will also be at Museum of Oxford in St Aldate’s on December 15, 20, 21 and 22 with storytelling, a Christmas exhibition and the Exploration Station.

And Didcot Railway Museum has the mindbogglingly star-studded Day Out With Thomas To visit Father Christmas every weekend in the run-up to Christmas. The Fat Controller will also be there, so you can unbuckle that belt knowing you’re in good company. Choo choo!