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260+ Field Trip Ideas for Grades Pre-K Through 12 (In-Person and Virtual)

Get out of the classroom and explore the world!

Field trips are a quintessential school experience. You usually only get one or two a year so it’s important to do it right! Our roundups of unique field trip ideas have something for every age, subject, and interest. We’ve even got resources like permission slip forms and chaperone tips. Get ready to leave the classroom behind to take learning on the road!

Preschool Field Trip Ideas

Early-grade field trips help kids learn about the world and also teach them good field trip behavior. These are our top picks for the pre-K crowd, but many of the options on our kindergarten list are perfect for this age group too.

• Library: Not every student’s parents take them to story time. Schedule your own trip, and show kids that having fun isn’t hard when you have a library card!
• Farm: Whether you learn how vegetables are grown or where milk and eggs come from, the farm is always a hit.
• Grocery store: Go behind the scenes at the supermarket, and use this trip as the foundation for lessons on healthy eating.
• Park: From local playgrounds to majestic national parks, it’s always worth getting kids into the great outdoors.
• Children’s museum: This is the age group most children’s museums were designed for! They’ll love all the hands-on fun and excitement.
• Post office: Learn how mail is sorted and shipped, and teach students about stamps and other mail-related items.
• Bank: Money is a new concept for these kiddos, and they’ll be fascinated to step inside the vault and learn other bank secrets.
• Fire station: There’s just something about a fire truck that gets every little one excited.
• Nursing home: Is there anything sweeter than watching seniors and wee ones spend time together?
• Animal shelter: For kids who don’t have pets at home, this can be a good introduction to animals. Others will just enjoy the time with dogs and cats waiting for their forever homes.

Elementary School Field Trip Ideas

@mjdstoronto

These are the prime field trip years! Here are our favorite trips for every grade.

• 14 Kindergarten Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 15 First Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 15 Second Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 15 Third Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 23 Fourth Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)
• 22 Fifth Grade Field Trips (Virtual and In-Person)

Middle and High School Field Trip Ideas

@salinasvalleybasingsa

For this age group, you’ll need to step up your game a bit. (They’ve probably already been to the zoo, the aquarium, and the art museum.) Try some of these locations, which offer educational, social-emotional, and real-life learning opportunities.

• Food bank: Hold a food drive, then arrange a trip to your local soup kitchen or food pantry. Volunteering makes for truly meaningful field trips.
• Recycling facility: In a time when reducing landfill waste is more important than ever, a trip to a recycling facility can help drive home the message.
• Theater: Many theaters offer behind-the-scenes tours for schools and discount pricing when you buy tickets in bulk. (Want to go virtual? Check out the Hamilton Education Program !)
• Community college: Parents sometimes take kids on college visits, but a community college trip offers opportunities for even more students to see themselves getting a higher education.
• TV station: Kids interested in communications or technology will find this completely fascinating.
• Courtroom: There’s no better way to understand the justice system than to see it in action.
• State or county capitol: Every government class should visit a local capitol to meet with officials and see how the government works.
• Local business: This can be a cool way to learn about managing a business, working with customers, or discovering how products are made.
• Wildlife rehab facility: Introduce students to the people who help injured wild animals recover and live free once again.

Virtual Field Trip Ideas

@edtech_tusd

The terrific thing about virtual field trips is that they eliminate so much of the hassle. No need to collect permission slips, arrange for buses, or recruit chaperones. Plus, they’re usually free!

• 40 Amazing Educational Virtual Field Trips
• 20 Terrific Virtual Art Museum Field Trips
• 18 Incredible Virtual Zoo Field Trips
• 15 Fascinating Aquarium Virtual Field Trips
• 3 Science Virtual Field Trips Let Kids Travel the World

Field Trips by Location

If you live in one of these cities, check out some of our favorite spots.

• 16 Cool Field Trips in Houston, Texas
• 21 Terrific Field Trips in Chicago, Illinois
• Top 10 Washington D.C. Field Trip Ideas

Field Trip Tips and Resources

There’s a lot to do when you’re organizing an off-site field trip. These resources are here to help.

• Preparing Parent Chaperones for a Field Trip
• Free Printable Field Trip and School Permission Forms To Make Your Life Easier
• Things To Do Before Taking Your Students on a Major Field Trip
• Mistakes To Avoid When Planning a Field Trip for Students
• Why I Hate Field Trips (And How I Learned To Deal)
• Help! Is There Any Way I Can Get Out of Our End of the Year Field Trip?

Bonus: Looking for a laugh? Check out  Ways School Field Trips Are Like The Wizard of Oz !

What are your favorite field trip ideas? Come share your thoughts in the  We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook !

Plus,  virtual college campus tours to explore from home ..

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From the ballet to the farm. Continue Reading

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Top 20 School Trip Ideas

Written by Dan

Last updated February 13, 2024

Teaching can be a gratifying job, and it’s even more fun when you get the chance to take your students on a school trip. Trips are a great way to connect with your students while they learn something new outside the classroom—something that will stay with them for years to come.

But as any teacher knows, planning a successful school trip can be challenging in terms of organizing transport and activities and finding one that fits your budget.

That’s why we’ve put together this list of top 20 school trip ideas, which are full of fun learning opportunities for all ages at different price points so teachers everywhere can take their classes on an unforgettable educational journey!

Related : For more, check out our article on  Top 20 Assembly Ideas  here.

Table of Contents

School Trip Idea 1: Local Museums.

A day spent exploring a local history museum, art museum, science centre, or planetarium can be both educational and fun. Students can learn about different cultures and periods, as well as gain an appreciation for the work of artists and scientists past and present.

School Trip Idea 2: Outdoor Adventures.

Nothing gets students outdoors like a school trip to a campground or state park. Kids can explore nature while learning about the environment, and they’ll get to try new activities like canoeing, rock climbing, zip-lining and more!

School Trip Idea 3: Cultural Destinations.

Embark on an educational adventure at a cultural destination such as a historic site, a cultural centre, or an archaeological site. Students can explore the customs and beliefs of different cultures, gain insights into people’s lifestyles in other countries and periods, or even participate in interactive workshops to learn about various topics.

School Trip Idea 4: Farm Visits.

One for younger kids! Farms offer the perfect opportunity to explore nature up close and personal. On a farm trip, students will learn about the importance of sustainable farming practices, animal husbandry, and healthy food choices. Plus, they can have plenty of fun collecting eggs or feeding animals!

School Trip Idea 5: Aquariums & Zoos.

Aquariums and zoos offer a wealth of educational opportunities for students. Kids can learn about animals in their natural habitats and uncover the ocean’s mysteries and inhabitants. Plus, it’s always a treat to see some incredible wildlife up close!

School Trip Idea 6: Art Galleries & Historic Sites.

Immerse yourself in art and history by visiting an art gallery or historic site. Here, students can explore the works of famous artists, view unique artefacts from centuries past, and gain a greater understanding of different cultures and traditions worldwide.

School Trip Idea 7: Theater & Dance Performances.

Encourage appreciation of the performing arts by taking your students to a theatre or dance performance. Not only will they be exposed to different forms of art, but they’ll also pick up on important lessons about collaboration, communication, and expression.

School Trip Idea 8: Amusement & Theme Parks.

Give your students a thrilling educational experience at an amusement or theme park. Here they can learn about physics and engineering while riding rollercoasters, find out what it takes to run a successful business by exploring different attractions and practice mathematics by figuring out the cost of rides and food.

School Trip Idea 9: Sports & Recreation Facilities.

Take your students to the sports facility for a day of physical activities. Not only can they get some exercise, but they’ll also learn about teamwork, competition and fair play. Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity for kids to develop skills like problem-solving and coordination.

School Trip Idea 10: Factories & Industrial Sites.

Bring your students to a factory or industrial site and watch how things are made. Here they’ll learn about the manufacturing process, discover the importance of safety measures, and gain insights into the production of everyday items.

It’s an eye-opening experience that can help them understand the value of hard work and effort.

School Trip Idea 11: STEM Centers.

A trip to a STEM centre is an excellent opportunity for students to explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a hands-on environment. Kids can participate in interactive workshops, build robots or learn about coding—all while having fun!

School Trip Idea 12: National Parks.

Give your students a chance to experience nature in all its glory at a national park. Here, they can observe the wildlife, explore different ecosystems and gain insights into conservation efforts. Plus, there are usually plenty of activities for them to try, like camping, hiking and canoeing.

School Trip Idea 13: Local Rivers and Streams.

To help kids understand the importance of conservation, take them on a trip to a nearby river or stream. Once there, they can collect data about water quality and identify different species of fish and plants. Plus, it’s always fun fishing or playing water games!

School Trip Idea 14: Transport Museums.

Give your students a fascinating glimpse into transportation by taking them to a transport museum. Here they can learn about the history of different modes of transport, explore how vehicles are made and operated, and gain insights into the science behind motion and energy.

School Trip Idea 15: Planetariums & Observatories.

Take your students to a planetarium and observatory for an unforgettable experience. Here they can learn about the stars, planets and galaxies, as well as fascinating facts about solar systems and astrology. Plus, they’ll have a chance to use telescopes and gaze up at the night sky!

School Trip Idea 16: World War Historical Sites.

To help your students understand the impact of World War II, take them to a nearby historical site. Here they can learn about important battles and key figures from that era, better understand different political ideologies and gain insights into how wars are fought and won.

School Trip Idea 17: International Trips.

Take your students on an international trip and give them a taste of another culture. Here they can explore different customs, sample exotic cuisines, learn about foreign languages and appreciate the beauty of other countries. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience for everyone!

School Trip Idea 18: Profesional Sports Games.

Bring your students to a professional sports game and give them a chance to cheer for their favourite teams. Not only can they learn about the game’s rules, but they’ll also experience the energy and excitement of watching live sporting events. It’s sure to be an unforgettable experience!

School Trip Idea 19: Charity Events & Fundraisers.

Let your students give back by taking them to a charity event or fundraiser. Here they’ll learn the importance of helping others and gain insights into how even small contributions can make a big difference.

Plus, it’s an excellent opportunity for kids to develop teamwork, competition and public speaking skills.

School Trip Idea 20: Business Tours.

Take your students on a business tour and let them explore the world of entrepreneurship first-hand. Here they can learn about different industries, gain insights into how businesses are run and even meet entrepreneurs who can share their inspiring stories. It’sIt’se to be an invaluable experience for all!

School trips are an excellent way to help students develop essential skills and gain fresh perspectives. From national parks and observatories to charity events and business tours, plenty of exciting options can create an educational and unforgettable experience.

With careful planning and consideration, you can make a successful school trip that will benefit your students in many ways.

So what are you waiting for? Start planning your next school trip today!

Related Posts

About The Author

I'm Dan Higgins, one of the faces behind The Teaching Couple. With 15 years in the education sector and a decade as a teacher, I've witnessed the highs and lows of school life. Over the years, my passion for supporting fellow teachers and making school more bearable has grown. The Teaching Couple is my platform to share strategies, tips, and insights from my journey. Together, we can shape a better school experience for all.

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Top 12 Educational School Trip Ideas for Student Success

Table of Contents:

Learning is a never-ending process. It’s not only an educational institution that teaches you! And when it comes to students, what better way than a fun and engaging field trip!?

After all, who doesn’t enjoy a great field trip? It allowed students to leave life’s routine and experience something completely different. And, when it serves the purpose of an educational trip, students can’t wait!

But planning a school trip is more than just fun and excitement! It must add value to the students learning! If you have ideas for student educational trips, this article is for you!

Here, we list the 12 best school trip ideas to help students enhance their learning journey.  

We are your companions, like the best essay writing websites that help you prepare the paper by offering abundant ideas, knowledge, and understanding of your requirements.  

We’ve listed the fun learning opportunities for students of all ages at different price points that teachers can have a look at. Let’s get started!  

Idea 1: Local Museums

What better way than spending a day at the local museums that hold the history of the places?  

It doesn’t have to be a history museum; it could be art, science, or a combination!  

Museums and school trips are both fun and educational. Students get to learn about different cultures, periods, and history and gain appreciation for the work of artists and scientists.  

It is also a great approach to give a sense of belonging to them about their place’s history.  

Museums are also a great way to help students write a paper about it. Instead of having to reach out to a research paper writer who already holds the ideas and expertise to write the best essay, students can do the job on their own with a bit of help from them.  

Idea 2: Outdoor Adventures

Often surrounded by four walls and classes, why wouldn’t students love a fun outdoor activity? Nothing gets students outdoors like an educational trip. A trip with the teacher ensures that they are aware of what to do and what not to do, but in all, they will have great fun.  

An idea of the campground or state park sounds excellent. Students will get to explore nature while learning about the environment. Further, other activities include rock climbing, zip-lining, and hiking. With, outdoor adventure trips seek additional care from teachers!  

Idea 3: Cultural Destinations

When planning a school trip, consider embarking on an educational adventure at a cultural destination that speaks history and culture. It could be a historic site, a cultural center, or an archaeological site.  

In such trips, students explore customs, beliefs, and cultures. Museums are also a great idea, but the cultural destination holds its value! Students can gain insight into the people’s lifestyles in other countries and the periods they lived through, and even participate in workshops to learn more about them.  

Idea 4: Farm Visits

Educational trips for students , especially younger children, demand simplicity and fun learning. They barely understand the history of exploring around the museums. Here, a fun farm visit is both exciting and educational!  

Farms are perfect for exploring nature closely. Such a trip with the teacher will help students learn about the importance of sustainable farm practices, healthy food choices, and animal husbandry. Plus, they’ll enjoy watching and feeding animals.

Idea 5: Aquariums and Zoos  

Next on our list of school trip ideas are Aquariums and zoos. They offer many educational opportunities for students, especially the younger ones! Here, they will be able to learn about animals and their habitat.  

In fact, it is a way for them to see the animals they’ve always seen on screen and paper.  

In aquariums, they can uncover the ocean’s mysteries and lifestyles. Plus, it is always great to see some wildlife close!

Idea 6: Art Galleries

Art has its own way of expressing itself. It speaks differently to everyone. With art gallery trips, students can immerse themselves in art and history.  

They can explore the work of famous artists, view unique art, and get a deeper understanding of cultures and traditions worldwide.  

Idea 7: Theater and Dance Performance

A bit of entertainment included in the learning process does no harm. A field trip for students to theater and dance performances encourages appreciation of performing arts.  

To ensure that these cultures stay extinct, the student must know what theater and dance performance is! They will be exposed to different forms of art. Further, it can be an essential lesson to them on collaboration, communication, and expression.  

Idea 8: Theme Parks

The theme park is also a great field trip suggestion, depending on the subject. You can give students a thrilling educational experience at amusement or theme parks.  

They can learn more about physics and engineering while riding and playing! Further, from a business perspective, they get the idea behind what it takes to run a successful business . Amusement parks are also a place to practice mathematics by calculating the cost of food and rides.  

Idea 9: Industrial Sites

If your students are more into business, visiting factories and industrial sites can significantly help them.  

Here, they can learn how things are made from scratch. They can learn the manufacturing process, discover the importance of safety measures, gain insight into the product, and more.  

Factories can be eye-opening experiences for students to help them understand the value of hard work and effort.  

Idea 10: Charity Events and Fundraisers

A learning journey towards sympathy and affection teaches a lot. When you let your students attend charity events and fundraisers, you teach them the importance of helping others.  

Charity events provide great insight into how a small contribution can make a big difference. Further, charities and fundraisers can be something other than a school trip. Students can volunteer in these activities.  

Idea 11: Business Tours

Business tours are a great initiative to explore the world and entrepreneurship firsthand. On such a trip, students learn about different industries and how they operate, and they even meet entrepreneurs who can share inspiring stories.  

Going on a business tour and exploring a part of the world they want to become familiar with can be an invaluable experience for students.  

Idea 12: International Trips

While it might be a bit costly, compared to other ideas mentioned on the list, an international trip gives the students the taste of another culture.  

Here, they can explore different customs and businesses, learn about foreign languages and foreign cultures, and accept the beauty of the places. International trips are an unforgettable experience for everyone!  

Wrapping Up

This summarizes our list of the top 12 best school trip ideas for students.  

We have listed some of the most popular ideas, from museums and art galleries to amusement parks and international tours. Depending upon the subject, curriculum demand, and students’ wants, you can go with the trip that best suits the student.  

Further, consider the age and learning perspective of the students. A school trip is a significant responsibility for teachers and must be carried out carefully to be a success. With these ideas, you can come up with the best suit!

Have you ever planned any of the school trips? What ideas did you move forward with? Do let us know!

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Yes, Field Trips Are Worth the Effort

Culturally enriching trips can boost grades and decrease absences and behavioral infractions, new research reveals. 

As a teacher, Elena Aguilar often looked for opportunities to get her students out of the classroom and into different neighborhoods or natural environments. “We did the usual museum trips and science center stuff, but I loved the trips which pushed them into unfamiliar territory,” writes Aguilar , an instructional coach and author. Nudging kids out of their comfort zones, she says, “taught them about others as well as themselves. It helped them see the expansiveness of our world and perhaps inspired them to think about what might be available to them out there.”

Aguilar’s thinking made an impact: 15 years after traveling with her third-grade class to Yosemite National Park, a student contacted Aguilar on Facebook to thank her for the life-changing excursion. “You changed our lives with that trip,” the student wrote. “It's what made me want to be a teacher, to be able to give that same gift to other kids.”

As schools grapple with pandemic-related concerns about balancing in-seat instructional time with non-essentials like trips, new research published in The Journal of Human Resources argues that field trips, and the vital educational experiences that they provide—whether it’s a visit to a local museum or a big commitment like Aguilar’s national park trip—deliver a host of positive social and academic outcomes and are worth the effort.

“The pandemic should not keep schools from providing these essential cultural experiences forever,” asserts Jay P. Greene , one of the study’s co-authors and a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, in an opinion piece for the Daily News . “If schools make culturally-enriching field trips an integral part of the education experience, all students—especially those whose parents have a harder time accessing these experiences on their own—would benefit.”

In the study, researchers assigned more than 1,000 fourth- and fifth-grade students in Atlanta to two groups. One group participated in three to six “culturally-enriching” field trips—visits to an art museum, a live theater performance, and a symphony concert—while students in the control group stayed put in class. The outcome? Kids in the field trip group “scored higher on end-of-grade exams, received higher course grades, were absent less often, and had fewer behavioral infractions,” compared to students in the control group, according to a ScienceDaily brief . Benefits lasted two to three years, Greene writes, and were “most visible when students were in middle school.”

“We are able to demonstrate that a relatively simple intervention—and we consider it pretty low-touch; three field trips in a year, maybe six field trips in two years—can actually have some substantial impacts,” says lead study author Heidi Holmes Erickson in an interview with The 74 . “They’re not just limited to social benefits. It shows that smaller interventions can actually have some significant effects on academics as well.”

Field trips aren’t a threat to in-class instruction, Erickson notes, they’re a tool to help bolster engagement and expand students’ horizons. “It's possible to expose students to a broader world and have a culturally enriching curriculum without sacrificing academic outcomes, and it may actually improve academic outcomes,” Erickson says. Far from harming test scores, the researchers found that culturally rich excursions reinforce academics and “students who participated in these field trips were doing better in class.”

Meanwhile, class trips don't need to be elaborate productions to make an impact: small excursions outside the classroom—"low-touch," as the researchers call them—can pack a punch. Here’s how three educators recommend dialing it back with low-stakes options that are both engaging and stimulating for students, but might not require days to prepare and plan:

Make Them Bite-Sized : Instead of allocating an entire day to a field trip, educational consultant Laurel Schwartz takes her classes on micro field trips , or “short outings that can be completed in a single class period.” These real-world encounters, she says, are especially beneficial for English learners and world language students. A micro field trip to a nearby park or around school grounds, for example, can be a great opportunity to “enhance a unit on nature and wildlife while reinforcing vocabulary for senses, colors, and the concepts of quantity and size,” Schwartz writes. “Afterwards, students might write descriptive stories set in the place you visited using vocabulary collected and defined together by the class.”

Try Teacher-Less Trips : To encourage exploration and learning outside of the classroom, former social studies teacher Arch Grieve removes himself from the equation with teacher-less field trips rooted in students’ local communities. Grieve only suggests options that are directly tied to a unit being discussed in class—like attending a talk at a local university or visiting a museum or cultural festival—and offers extra credit to incentivize students. “These trips allow for a greater appreciation of my subject matter than is possible in the school setting, and perhaps best of all, there's little to no planning involved.”

Explore Virtual Options : It may not be as fun as visiting in person, but the Internet makes it possible to visit museums like The National Gallery of London and The Vatican Museums without leaving the school building. Middle school English teacher Laura Bradley likes to search the Museums for Digital Learning website by topic, keyword, and grade level, to find lessons and activities that meet her unique curricular needs. The site grants access to digitized museum collections, 3D models, audio files, documents, images, and videos. 

• UK & Europe +44 (0)20 8064 0592 / USA +1 (617) 334 7755 / China +86 139 1651 9541 / Middle East +971 50 867 4801

Planning a School Trip: What to Consider and How to Plan

Planning a school trip can be daunting, but with the right company and a good checklist it can even be enjoyable follow this guide and you can embrace the excitement of taking your students anywhere in the world., start planning early.

There are numerous things to consider with a school trip, and to ensure the trip runs smoothly it is essential to start planning early on. A year in advance for the majority of trips is plenty, however if you are going further afield then there is no harm in planning around 18 months in advance.

Not only will this reduce the stress surrounding the trip, but it means the teachers and students can get excited about the prospect of the travels without worrying or stressing !

Find a Good Tour Operator

A good tour operator is essential to your school trip. They can make or break the experience, and you want to be able to trust them to get the most out of the trip you can! 

A good tour operator will plan a full itinerary for you based on yours and the students’ needs. This can include taking into consideration the subjects studied, the amount of students and what you want to get out of the trip. 

The Learning Adventure personalises every schools’ itinerary and creates an original, fun and unique trip experience. We listen to exactly what you are looking for and deliver!

Risk Assessment

A detailed and well thought out risk assessment is essential to planning a school trip. This is when the tour group operator can really help. Operators usually offer 24 hour emergency support throughout the trip, however it is good to ask a few questions to make sure you are with the right operator:

How do you deal with emergency situations?

Are there testimonials from schools that have used you in the past?

Do you offer 24 hour emergency support?

There are plenty of resources online to help you build a risk assessment, take a look HERE for a good comprehensive guide to risk assessments.

Consider Additional Costs

When you receive a quote from a tour operator, look in depth at what is covered and what is not, for example: meals, entrance costs, travel, ETC. 

By knowing your budget inside and out and what is being spent and where, you will be able to cover unexpected costs that inevitably crop up. 

It is also a good idea to ask your operator about currency. As the exchange rate fluctuates the price of the tour can as well, so it’s good for the operator to buy currency in advance.

Be Experimental

We know it’s easy and tempting to run the same school trips year after year, but there are endless possibilities for your school and its students! Be experimental and brave, push the boat out because it will be well worth it. 

We offer school trips all around the world, so drop us an email or give us a call if you want to discuss your ideas and we can work together!

We offer a wide range of trips for schools and universities. We tailor the adventure to your school’s priorities and the subjects being studied, so if you’d like to start planning drop us an email or give us a call! In the meantime take look at our services here!

Download the learning adventure brochure >, related posts.

How to Prepare for a School Trip to Korea: Korean Basic Phrases, Customs & Schooling 

World Book Day 2024

Turing Scheme 2024 now open! Funding for international school trips.

• The Journal
• Vol. 14, No. 1

The Educational Value of Field Trips

Jay P. Greene

Brian Kisida

Daniel H. Bowen

Jay P. Greene joined EdNext Editor-in-chief Marty West to discuss the benefits of field trips, including how seeing live theater is a more enriching experience to students, on the EdNext podcast .

Crystal Bridges; Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art; School Tour © 2013 Stephen Ironside/Ironside Photography Bo Bartlett – “The Box” –  2002 • Oil on Linen • 82 x 100 – Photographer is Karen Mauch

The school field trip has a long history in American public education. For decades, students have piled into yellow buses to visit a variety of cultural institutions, including art, natural history, and science museums, as well as theaters, zoos, and historical sites. Schools gladly endured the expense and disruption of providing field trips because they saw these experiences as central to their educational mission: schools exist not only to provide economically useful skills in numeracy and literacy, but also to produce civilized young men and women who would appreciate the arts and culture. More-advantaged families may take their children to these cultural institutions outside of school hours, but less-advantaged students are less likely to have these experiences if schools do not provide them. With field trips, public schools viewed themselves as the great equalizer in terms of access to our cultural heritage.

Today, culturally enriching field trips are in decline. Museums across the country report a steep drop in school tours. For example, the Field Museum in Chicago at one time welcomed more than 300,000 students every year. Recently the number is below 200,000. Between 2002 and 2007, Cincinnati arts organizations saw a 30 percent decrease in student attendance. A survey by the American Association of School Administrators found that more than half of schools eliminated planned field trips in 2010–11.

The decision to reduce culturally enriching field trips reflects a variety of factors. Financial pressures force schools to make difficult decisions about how to allocate scarce resources, and field trips are increasingly seen as an unnecessary frill. Greater focus on raising student performance on math and reading standardized tests may also lead schools to cut field trips. Some schools believe that student time would be better spent in the classroom preparing for the exams. When schools do organize field trips, they are increasingly choosing to take students on trips to reward them for working hard to improve their test scores rather than to provide cultural enrichment. Schools take students to amusement parks, sporting events, and movie theaters instead of to museums and historical sites. This shift from “enrichment” to “reward” field trips is reflected in a generational change among teachers about the purposes of these outings. In a 2012‒13 survey we conducted of nearly 500 Arkansas teachers, those who had been teaching for at least 15 years were significantly more likely to believe that the primary purpose of a field trip is to provide a learning opportunity, while more junior teachers were more likely to see the primary purpose as “enjoyment.”

If schools are de-emphasizing culturally enriching field trips, has anything been lost as a result? Surprisingly, we have relatively little rigorous evidence about how field trips affect students. The research presented here is the first large-scale randomized-control trial designed to measure what students learn from school tours of an art museum.

We find that students learn quite a lot. In particular, enriching field trips contribute to the development of students into civilized young men and women who possess more knowledge about art, have stronger critical-thinking skills, exhibit increased historical empathy, display higher levels of tolerance, and have a greater taste for consuming art and culture.

Design of the Study and School Tours

The 2011 opening of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Northwest Arkansas created the opportunity for this study. Crystal Bridges is the first major art museum to be built in the United States in the last four decades, with more than 50,000 square feet of gallery space and an endowment in excess of $800 million. Portions of the museum’s endowment are devoted to covering all of the expenses associated with school tours. Crystal Bridges reimburses schools for the cost of buses, provides free admission and lunch, and even pays for the cost of substitute teachers to cover for teachers who accompany students on the tour.

Because the tour is completely free to schools, and because Crystal Bridges was built in an area that never previously had an art museum, there was high demand for school tours. Not all school groups could be accommodated right away. So our research team worked with the staff at Crystal Bridges to assign spots for school tours by lottery. During the first two semesters of the school tour program, the museum received 525 applications from school groups representing 38,347 students in kindergarten through grade 12. We created matched pairs among the applicant groups based on similarity in grade level and other demographic factors. An ideal and common matched pair would be adjacent grades in the same school. We then randomly ordered the matched pairs to determine scheduling prioritization. Within each pair, we randomly assigned which applicant would be in the treatment group and receive a tour that semester and which would be in the control group and have its tour deferred.

We administered surveys to 10,912 students and 489 teachers at 123 different schools three weeks, on average, after the treatment group received its tour. The student surveys included multiple items assessing knowledge about art as well as measures of critical thinking, historical empathy, tolerance, and sustained interest in visiting art museums. Some groups were surveyed as late as eight weeks after the tour, but it was not possible to collect data after longer periods because each control group was guaranteed a tour during the following semester as a reward for its cooperation. There is no indication that the results reported below faded for groups surveyed after longer periods.

We also assessed students’ critical-thinking skills by asking them to write a short essay in response to a painting that they had not previously seen. Finally, we collected a behavioral measure of interest in art consumption by providing all students with a coded coupon good for free family admission to a special exhibit at the museum to see whether the field trip increased the likelihood of students making future visits.

All results reported below are derived from regression models that control for student grade level and gender and make comparisons within each matched pair, while taking into account the fact that students in the matched pair of applicant groups are likely to be similar in ways that we are unable to observe. Standard validity tests confirmed that the survey items employed to generate the various scales used as outcomes measured the same underlying constructs.

The intervention we studied is a modest one. Students received a one-hour tour of the museum in which they typically viewed and discussed five paintings. Some students were free to roam the museum following their formal tour, but the entire experience usually involved less than half a day. Instructional materials were sent to teachers who went on a tour, but our survey of teachers suggests that these materials received relatively little attention, on average no more than an hour of total class time. The discussion of each painting during the tour was largely student-directed, with the museum educators facilitating the discourse and providing commentary beyond the names of the work and the artist and a brief description only when students requested it. This format is now the norm in school tours of art museums. The aversion to having museum educators provide information about works of art is motivated in part by progressive education theories and by a conviction among many in museum education that students retain very little factual information from their tours.

Recalling Tour Details. Our research suggests that students actually retain a great deal of factual information from their tours. Students who received a tour of the museum were able to recall details about the paintings they had seen at very high rates. For example, 88 percent of the students who saw the Eastman Johnson painting At the Camp—Spinning Yarns and Whittling knew when surveyed weeks later that the painting depicts abolitionists making maple syrup to undermine the sugar industry, which relied on slave labor. Similarly, 82 percent of those who saw Norman Rockwell’s Rosie the Riveter could recall that the painting emphasizes the importance of women entering the workforce during World War II. Among students who saw Thomas Hart Benton’s Ploughing It Under , 79 percent recollected that it is a depiction of a farmer destroying his crops as part of a Depression-era price support program. And 70 percent of the students who saw Romare Bearden’s Sacrifice could remember that it is part of the Harlem Renaissance art movement. Since there was no guarantee that these facts would be raised in student-directed discussions, and because students had no particular reason for remembering these details (there was no test or grade associated with the tours), it is impressive that they could recall historical and sociological information at such high rates.

These results suggest that art could be an important tool for effectively conveying traditional academic content, but this analysis cannot prove it. The control-group performance was hardly better than chance in identifying factual information about these paintings, but they never had the opportunity to learn the material. The high rate of recall of factual information by students who toured the museum demonstrates that the tours made an impression. The students could remember important details about what they saw and discussed.

Critical Thinking. Beyond recalling the details of their tour, did a visit to an art museum have a significant effect on students? Our study demonstrates that it did. For example, students randomly assigned to receive a school tour of Crystal Bridges later displayed demonstrably stronger ability to think critically about art than the control group.

During the first semester of the study, we showed all 3rd- through 12th-grade students a painting they had not previously seen, Bo Bartlett’s The Box . We then asked students to write short essays in response to two questions: What do you think is going on in this painting? And, what do you see that makes you think that? These are standard prompts used by museum educators to spark discussion during school tours.

We stripped the essays of all identifying information and had two coders rate the compositions using a seven-item rubric for measuring critical thinking that was developed by researchers at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston. The measure is based on the number of instances that students engaged in the following in their essays: observing, interpreting, evaluating, associating, problem finding, comparing, and flexible thinking. Our measure of critical thinking is the sum of the counts of these seven items. In total, our research team blindly scored 3,811 essays. For 750 of those essays, two researchers scored them independently. The scores they assigned to the same essay were very similar, demonstrating that we were able to measure critical thinking about art with a high degree of inter-coder reliability.

We express the impact of a school tour of Crystal Bridges on critical-thinking skills in terms of standard-deviation effect sizes. Overall, we find that students assigned by lottery to a tour of the museum improve their ability to think critically about art by 9 percent of a standard deviation relative to the control group. The benefit for disadvantaged groups is considerably larger (see Figure 1). Rural students, who live in towns with fewer than 10,000 people, experience an increase in critical-thinking skills of nearly one-third of a standard deviation. Students from high-poverty schools (those where more than 50 percent of students receive free or reduced-price lunches) experience an 18 percent effect-size improvement in critical thinking about art, as do minority students.

A large amount of the gain in critical-thinking skills stems from an increase in the number of observations that students made in their essays. Students who went on a tour became more observant, noticing and describing more details in an image. Being observant and paying attention to detail is an important and highly useful skill that students learn when they study and discuss works of art. Additional research is required to determine if the gains in critical thinking when analyzing a work of art would transfer into improved critical thinking about other, non-art-related subjects.

Historical Empathy. Tours of art museums also affect students’ values. Visiting an art museum exposes students to a diversity of ideas, peoples, places, and time periods. That broadening experience imparts greater appreciation and understanding. We see the effects in significantly higher historical empathy and tolerance measures among students randomly assigned to a school tour of Crystal Bridges.

Historical empathy is the ability to understand and appreciate what life was like for people who lived in a different time and place. This is a central purpose of teaching history, as it provides students with a clearer perspective about their own time and place. To measure historical empathy, we included three statements on the survey with which students could express their level of agreement or disagreement: 1) I have a good understanding of how early Americans thought and felt; 2) I can imagine what life was like for people 100 years ago; and 3) When looking at a painting that shows people, I try to imagine what those people are thinking. We combined these items into a scale measuring historical empathy.

Students who went on a tour of Crystal Bridges experience a 6 percent of a standard deviation increase in historical empathy. Among rural students, the benefit is much larger, a 15 percent of a standard deviation gain. We can illustrate this benefit by focusing on one of the items in the historical empathy scale. When asked to agree or disagree with the statement, “I have a good understanding of how early Americans thought and felt,” 70 percent of the treatment-group students express agreement compared to 66 percent of the control group. Among rural participants, 69 percent of the treatment-group students agree with this statement compared to 62 percent of the control group. The fact that Crystal Bridges features art from different periods in American history may have helped produce these gains in historical empathy.

Tolerance. To measure tolerance we included four statements on the survey to which students could express their level of agreement or disagreement: 1) People who disagree with my point of view bother me; 2) Artists whose work is critical of America should not be allowed to have their work shown in art museums; 3) I appreciate hearing views different from my own; and 4) I think people can have different opinions about the same thing. We combined these items into a scale measuring the general effect of the tour on tolerance.

Overall, receiving a school tour of an art museum increases student tolerance by 7 percent of a standard deviation. As with critical thinking, the benefits are much larger for students in disadvantaged groups. Rural students who visited Crystal Bridges experience a 13 percent of a standard deviation improvement in tolerance. For students at high-poverty schools, the benefit is 9 percent of a standard deviation.

The improvement in tolerance for students who went on a tour of Crystal Bridges can be illustrated by the responses to one of the items within the tolerance scale. When asked about the statement, “Artists whose work is critical of America should not be allowed to have their work shown in art museums,” 35 percent of the control-group students express agreement. But for students randomly assigned to receive a school tour of the art museum, only 32 percent agree with censoring art critical of America. Among rural students, 34 percent of the control group would censor art compared to 30 percent for the treatment group. In high-poverty schools, 37 percent of the control-group students would censor compared to 32 percent of the treatment-group students. These differences are not huge, but neither is the intervention. These changes represent the realistic improvement in tolerance that results from a half-day experience at an art museum.

Interest in Art Museums. Perhaps the most important outcome of a school tour is whether it cultivates an interest among students in returning to cultural institutions in the future. If visiting a museum helps improve critical thinking, historical empathy, tolerance, and other outcomes not measured in this study, then those benefits would compound for students if they were more likely to frequent similar cultural institutions throughout their life. The direct effects of a single visit are necessarily modest and may not persist, but if school tours help students become regular museum visitors, they may enjoy a lifetime of enhanced critical thinking, tolerance, and historical empathy.

We measured how school tours of Crystal Bridges develop in students an interest in visiting art museums in two ways: with survey items and a behavioral measure. We included a series of items in the survey designed to gauge student interest:

• I plan to visit art museums when I am an adult.

• I would tell my friends they should visit an art museum.

• Trips to art museums are interesting.

• Trips to art museums are fun.

• Would your friend like to go to an art museum on a field trip?

• Would you like more museums in your community?

• How interested are you in visiting art museums?

• If your friends or family wanted to go to an art museum, how interested would you be in going?

Interest in visiting art museums among students who toured the museum is 8 percent of a standard deviation higher than that in the randomized control group. Among rural students, the increase is much larger: 22 percent of a standard deviation. Students at high-poverty schools score 11 percent of a standard deviation higher on the cultural consumer scale if they were randomly assigned to tour the museum. And minority students gain 10 percent of a standard deviation in their desire to be art consumers.

One of the eight items in the art consumer scale asked students to express the extent to which they agreed or disagreed with the statement, “I would tell my friends they should visit an art museum.” For all students who received a tour, 70 percent agree with this statement, compared to 66 percent in the control group. Among rural participants, 73 percent of the treatment-group students agree versus 63 percent of the control group. In high-poverty schools, 74 percent would recommend art museums to their friends compared to 68 percent of the control group. And among minority students, 72 percent of those who received a tour would tell their friends to visit an art museum, relative to 67 percent of the control group. Students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, are more likely to have positive feelings about visiting museums if they receive a school tour.

We also measured whether students are more likely to visit Crystal Bridges in the future if they received a school tour. All students who participated in the study during the first semester, including those who did not receive a tour, were provided with a coupon that gave them and their families free entry to a special exhibit at Crystal Bridges. The coupons were coded so that we could determine the applicant group to which students belonged. Students had as long as six months after receipt of the coupon to use it.

We collected all redeemed coupons and were able to calculate how many adults and youths were admitted. Though students in the treatment group received 49 percent of all coupons that were distributed, 58 percent of the people admitted to the special exhibit with those coupons came from the treatment group. In other words, the families of students who received a tour were 18 percent more likely to return to the museum than we would expect if their rate of coupon use was the same as their share of distributed coupons.

This is particularly impressive given that the treatment-group students had recently visited the museum. Their desire to visit a museum might have been satiated, while the control group might have been curious to visit Crystal Bridges for the first time. Despite having recently been to the museum, students who received a school tour came back at higher rates. Receiving a school tour cultivates a taste for visiting art museums, and perhaps for sharing the experience with others.

Disadvantaged Students

One consistent pattern in our results is that the benefits of a school tour are generally much larger for students from less-advantaged backgrounds. Students from rural areas and high-poverty schools, as well as minority students, typically show gains that are two to three times larger than those of the total sample. Disadvantaged students assigned by lottery to receive a school tour of an art museum make exceptionally large gains in critical thinking, historical empathy, tolerance, and becoming art consumers.

It appears that the less prior exposure to culturally enriching experiences students have, the larger the benefit of receiving a school tour of a museum. We have some direct measures to support this explanation. To isolate the effect of the first time visiting the museum, we truncated our sample to include only control-group students who had never visited Crystal Bridges and treatment-group students who had visited for the first time during their tour. The effect for this first visit is roughly twice as large as that for the overall sample, just as it is for disadvantaged students.

In addition, we administered a different version of our survey to students in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Very young students are less likely to have had previous exposure to culturally enriching experiences. Very young students make exceptionally large improvements in the observed outcomes, just like disadvantaged students and first-time visitors.

When we examine effects for subgroups of advantaged students, we typically find much smaller or null effects. Students from large towns and low-poverty schools experience few significant gains from their school tour of an art museum. If schools do not provide culturally enriching experiences for these students, their families are likely to have the inclination and ability to provide those experiences on their own. But the families of disadvantaged students are less likely to substitute their own efforts when schools do not offer culturally enriching experiences. Disadvantaged students need their schools to take them on enriching field trips if they are likely to have these experiences at all.

Policy Implications

School field trips to cultural institutions have notable benefits. Students randomly assigned to receive a school tour of an art museum experience improvements in their knowledge of and ability to think critically about art, display stronger historical empathy, develop higher tolerance, and are more likely to visit such cultural institutions as art museums in the future. If schools cut field trips or switch to “reward” trips that visit less-enriching destinations, then these important educational opportunities are lost. It is particularly important that schools serving disadvantaged students provide culturally enriching field trip experiences.

This first-ever, large-scale, random-assignment experiment of the effects of school tours of an art museum should help inform the thinking of school administrators, educators, policymakers, and philanthropists. Policymakers should consider these results when deciding whether schools have sufficient resources and appropriate policy guidance to take their students on tours of cultural institutions. School administrators should give thought to these results when deciding whether to use their resources and time for these tours. And philanthropists should weigh these results when deciding whether to build and maintain these cultural institutions with quality educational programs. We don’t just want our children to acquire work skills from their education; we also want them to develop into civilized people who appreciate the breadth of human accomplishments. The school field trip is an important tool for meeting this goal.

Jay P. Greene is professor of education reform at the University of Arkansas, where Brian Kisida is a senior research associate and Daniel H. Bowen is a doctoral student.

Additional materials, including a supplemental study and a methodological appendix , are available.

For more, please see “ The Top 20 Education Next Articles of 2023 .”

This article appeared in the Winter 2014 issue of Education Next . Suggested citation format:

Greene, J.P., Kisida, B., and Bowen, D.H. (2014). The Educational Value of Field Trips: Taking students to an art museum improves critical thinking skills, and more . Education Next , 14(1), 78-86.

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Field Trip Ideas for Elementary School Students

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Elementary field trips teach kids about science, business, animals and more. Teach children important fundamentals outside of the classroom while staying safe on your field trip and having fun when you visit one of these locations. Plan your next outing with one of these field trip ideas for elementary school students.

Recycling Center

A guided tour through a recycling center shows kids how recyclable materials are sorted but also teaches them about recycling, reusing and waste reduction. They can take this knowledge with them to build a recycling center at home. Contact the recycling center to set up a group tour in advance.

Planetarium

The planetarium is an excellent way to introduce elementary students to the solar system. Students will love the shows and exhibits that will teach them about space and astronomy. Call the planetarium's admission office to schedule a tour.

You may visit the aquarium all the time. But have you ever been behind the closed doors of the aquarium? Many of the larger aquariums have more aquatic life on the premises than they can possibly display and they would be happy to take the kids on a private tour to show you how the aquarium works. Call the aquarium director's office to set up a tour.

See how candy is made, cars, guitars, soda and more. There are factories all over the country that offer tours. Some are even free. Contact the factory directly to schedule a tour.

Taking a group of kids to see zoo animals is always fun. But you can also schedule a tour to see how the zoo's staff works behind the scenes. Educational docents can give your tour group a one-on-one experience with all sorts of animals. Call the zoo's front office to get more information.

Fire Station

Kids will love touring a working fire station. Firefighters can show students the fire engine, turn on the sirens and educate the children on fire safety to keep your family safe. One of the most valuable lessons kids will learn is how a firefighter will look in full uniform, complete with mask, if he or she ever enter a burning house. Seeing firefighters fully dressed teaches kids that they don't have to be scared. Call any local fire station and ask to speak to the station commander to set up a tour.

Police Station

Tour the police station to learn crime prevention tips, how a police department functions, police equipment that's used and how patrol cars work. Contact the station's crime prevention officer.

A farm is a great idea for a field trip because there are so many types of farms to visit. One week you can visit a dairy farm and visit with cows. The next week you can visit a crop farm to see how cotton, fruits, grains or vegetables are grown. Contact the farmers themselves to ask if your group can come out for a tour or call your state's agricultural department to find out more about the types of farms in your city.

Farmer's Market

After you visit the various types of farms, take the lesson to a farmer's market. Kids can see how fruits and vegetables grow at the farm and then turn around to see how farmers try to sell their crops at the farmer's market. You may even run into some farmers you met on a previous tour. Contact the farmer's market for a guided tour or simply take your group during farmer's market hours to mingle with the customers and farmers.

Any kind of museum presents an opportunity for kids to learn and have fun. Take the kids to art, children's, natural history, technology and science museums, to name a few. The museum director can schedule your group for a behind-the-scenes tour.

Sporting Events

Take the kids out to a ball game for a field trip. Baseball can be a great field trip at the end of the school year to celebrate great academic efforts from the kids. Football is a good first field trip when the kids are getting restless as the school year seems to drag on right before the holiday break.

Veterinary Hospital

Veterinarians are usually happy to show off their hospitals. Kids can see the operating rooms, equipment used, recovering patients and learn all about the field of veterinary medicine. Contact any veterinary hospital to set up a tour.

What goes into producing a newscast? Take the kids to a TV station to find out. Children can get a firsthand look at the sets, meet the TV personalities and see the many types of equipment used to get a newscast on the air. Many stations will even put the kids on the news just for dropping by. Call the program director to set up a tour.

Radio Station

It's easy to think a radio station and TV station would be too similar to tour. But you'll notice a lot of differences when you visit both. You may even get to watch as the radio personalities play music or host a local call-in show. Contact the radio station's program director and tell him you're interested in a tour.

The inner workings of the newspaper industry are something every child should see. Meet the reporters who write the stories, learn about the history of newspapers, see how newspapers are laid out and watch the newspaper roll off the printing presses. Call the city editor to let him know you're interested in a private tour.

Fish Hatchery

Kids can learn all about the life cycle of fish, fish anatomy, water quality and more at a fish hatchery. Most hatcheries require advance reservations because of their popularity with educational tour groups.

Hospital administrators have worked hard to arrange tours that introduce kids to the hospital environment without giving them a scary experience. This helps prepare them for what to expect should they ever need to visit a relative or become a patient themselves.

It's also an educational experience because children can see how the doctors and nurses work together and use high-tech medical equipment to treat their patients. Contact the hospital's main number to request a tour. If your local hospital doesn't allow in-person tours, type "hospital tours for kids" in your favorite search engine to take the children on a virtual field trip from home.

The system that keeps the library up and running is worthy of a field trip visit for kids. Kids not only develop a deeper appreciation for books, but they also get to learn about the catalog system, how a book is entered into the system so it can start getting checked out and how the staff operates the library. Contact the head librarian at your local library branch to schedule a tour.

Pumpkin Patch

Visiting a pumpkin patch is the perfect way to celebrate fall. Most pumpkin patches also have fun activities planned for the kids, including horseback rides, inflatables, corn mazes, hayrides and more. If you would like a private tour or you're taking a large group, contact the pumpkin patch directly. Otherwise, just show up during regular business hours.

Movie Theater

Kids love the movies so take them behind the scenes to see how a movie theater operates. They can visit the projection room, see how the concession stand operates and they may even get to sample a movie and popcorn. Call the movie theater manager to arrange a tour.

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Best School Trip Ideas for Students Across All Age Groups

School time can be a wonderful and enriching experience, but sometimes it needs a little bolt – a fresh perspective, a departure from the norm, an element that goes beyond the standard classroom tools. Discovering the most enriching learning experiences beyond the classroom, school trips stand out as invaluable for students. These excursions provide hands-on, practical learning opportunities, fostering engagement and creating cherished memories. A well-planned break from the routine not only helps maintain motivation but also allows students to forge unforgettable school experiences.

School trips play a pivotal role in education by augmenting traditional learning with practical, experiential opportunities. These excursions serve as dynamic catalysts for academic and personal growth, embodying Confucius’ wisdom that “doing” leads to understanding. Beyond textbook knowledge, school trips stimulate curiosity, uncover latent interests, and act as cultural gateways, fostering a sense of global citizenship.

Socially, these experiences promote teamwork and camaraderie, facilitating the development of friendships and providing teachers with valuable insights into students’ personalities in a relaxed setting. Moreover, school trips contribute significantly to personal development, serving as practical training grounds for life skills. Students navigate new environments, manage budgets, and gain a taste of independence, preparing them for the complexities of the real world.

But school trips are not just educational and socially stimulating, they’re also a lot of fun! It’s a fantastic opportunity to bring some life into the class and remind students that there are many ways to learn. School outings offer students the chance to discover exciting things alongside their friends. Since not every family can go on trips to new places, it’s important that schools can provide this experience for children.

In this article, we’ll delve into a variety of the best school trip ideas suitable for students of all ages and applicable in most cities around the world. Join us for a practical approach to uncovering the best school trip ideas that will leave a lasting impact on students’ education and memories.

School Trips for Preschool and Kindergarten

Early childhood is a pivotal stage in the development of our minds. It is often said that young brains are like a sponge, and it is important to soak that sponge with nurturing and engaging activities that will stimulate those neural connections and bring the classroom to life. The real-world experience with peers is an invaluable moment in the life of preschoolers.

Best School Trip Ideas for Preschoolers

Selecting destinations for your preschool class outings is a thrilling aspect of planning. Explore these captivating and educational field trip suggestions for preschoolers:

1. Visit a science center or museum

Science centers feature a wide array of engaging hands-on activities designed for children to explore and learn about nature, physics, geology, states of matter, energy, and numerous other scientific concepts. Additionally, many Science Centers offer fantastic activities specifically tailored for preschoolers. The best part is that these young learners are so immersed in the fun and play that they don’t even realize they’re absorbing valuable knowledge while enjoying themselves!

2. Go to Aquariums and Zoos

Aquariums are a great option during the winter, while zoos are better suited for when the weather is more predictable. However, both can serve as excellent destinations for preschool field trips, regardless of the season. Enhance the experience by incorporating a biology lesson, specifically focusing on animals. Explore topics such as how fish can ‘breathe’ underwater and the distinctions between plant-eating and meat-eating animals. Before heading to these venues, it’s advisable to call ahead and check for available kid-friendly programming. Many places offer pre-made lessons and presentations tailored for school classrooms. Some establishments schedule presentations throughout the day for all ticket-holders, and if you’re lucky enough to secure “VIP school access,” you might enjoy additional privileges like petting or feeding animals. The level of access varies by organization, so calling in advance is a wise move. It’s definitely worth trying!

3. Experience a Farm

Kids forge lasting ties to nearby food sources and agricultural settings after engaging in farm excursions. By picking sugar snap peas, processing dried corn, and tending to pigs, students create enduring and transformative recollections. The farm setting breathes life into classroom teachings on topics such as soil, life cycles, community dynamics, and storytelling. Students establish connections with the individuals cultivating their food, fostering a heightened appreciation for rural lifestyles. Through active participation in farm field trips, youngsters delve into novel concepts, unearth their innate abilities, and kindle fresh interests.

4. Take the kids to a fire station

Preschoolers should visit a fire station as it provides them with essential knowledge about fire safety and emergency procedures. Firefighters offer a thorough introduction, covering various fire-causing situations and educating children on how to contact authorities during emergencies. The visit includes hands-on experiences, where preschoolers learn about different firefighting equipment, the importance of giving way to fire vehicles on the road, and various fire extinguishing techniques. This outing successfully instills in children the importance of using their presence of mind during crises, highlighting the crucial role of firefighters and fostering an appreciation for their contribution to community safety. Overall, the visit serves as both an educational and enjoyable experience, significantly increasing awareness about fire safety and the vital role firefighters play in our lives.

5. Visit a library

Taking a school trip to the library offers a unique and enriching experience, allowing them to actively engage in a world often dominated by passive media. In the library, children interact with individual books, participate in group stories, connect with peers, and even communicate with adults. The library provides a safe space for young ones to practice independence by seeking help from librarians, exploring the shelves on their own, and making choices about what to read next. This freedom to select and take home books for free fosters a love for reading, exposing children to a broader range of literature than they might affordably acquire. Additionally, the library serves as a testing ground, helping identify books with lasting appeal that families may choose to purchase. Even if a specific title is not available at the local branch, the interlibrary loan system ensures access to materials from various locations, offering a wealth of resources for exploration with just one library card.

School Trips for Elementary Students

School outings for elementary-aged kids aren’t merely educational adventures; they are captivating journeys that spark their curiosity and awe. These are, after all, prime school trip years!

Best School Trip Ideas for Elementary Students

1.  participate in children’s theatre.

Visiting a children’s theater offers a transformative and enriching experience. Their work engages children’s minds, bodies, and spirits, encouraging positive behavior and critical thinking. Live performances at children’s theaters provide a unique opportunity for elementary school kids to actively participate in the theatrical experience, fostering independence as they make choices about what to watch. The interactive nature of theater, distinct from passive media like television, allows children to question characters’ values and choices actively. Such experiences not only develop aesthetic sensibilities but also promote educational objectives and enhance social awareness and skills. Live theater complements and enriches school-based arts programs, offering children exposure to creativity, problem-solving, communication, and critical thinking skills essential for success in both the classroom and the workplace. Despite challenges in arts education, visiting children’s theaters remains a powerful and meaningful way to engage elementary school children in the arts, preserving the ancient learning rhythms that draw contemporary children.

2. Visit a police station

Visiting a police station provides children with a firsthand understanding of law enforcement operations. While each police station may offer unique tours, typical visits involve exploring the station’s layout and observing officers as they carry out various tasks. Students may tour the dispatch center, gaining insights into how the station handles emergency calls. They might get a glimpse of offices, holding cells, and fingerprinting centers, witnessing the different facets of police work. Some stations may even allow students to see police cruisers or motorcycles, providing an opportunity to understand the functionality of sirens and the transportation of criminals. Beyond the physical tour, kids learn essential lessons in personal safety, including how to dial the emergency service number in emergencies, self-protection strategies, and ways to avoid dangerous situations. The experience also educates them on the arrest process, police equipment usage, and the duties of officers both on patrol and at the station. Such field trips serve as a practical means to reinforce academic learning and help students retain crucial information about law enforcement.

3.  Visit a local Geographical feature

Embarking on a visit to a local geographical feature offers tangible, experiential learning opportunities that enhance their understanding of the natural world. Exploring nearby geographical landmarks, such as rivers, mountains, or parks, allows students to witness the concepts they study in geography classes come to life. These visits foster a connection between theoretical knowledge and real-world observation, promoting a deeper appreciation for the environment. Additionally, hands-on experiences in nature instill a sense of environmental stewardship, encouraging responsible attitudes toward preserving local ecosystems. 

4. Check out the Planetarium

Planetariums offer immersive and interactive experiences that go beyond traditional classroom learning. Planetarium field trips provide live and interactive content, allowing students to delve deeply into the intricate motions of celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and planets. They gain valuable insights into the patterns formed by stars in constellations and learn about the unique properties of these distant celestial entities. The immersive nature of a planetarium setting enhances engagement and comprehension, offering a dynamic platform for students to grasp complex astronomical concepts in a visually stimulating environment. These visits supplement textbook knowledge, and also inspire a sense of wonder and curiosity about the vastness of the universe, fostering a lifelong interest in astronomy.

5. Do a scheduled visit to a Factory

A visit to a factory provides valuable insights into various industries. For instance, a visit to a plastic manufacturing company aimed at broadening student’s understanding of the manufacturing process and the company’s efforts in addressing environmental concerns related to plastic. These visits usually involve a presentation on the company, a tour of its showrooms displaying a diverse range of products, and a firsthand exploration of the factory site. The experience allows the students to witness the scale of manufacturing and learn about sustainable practices, such as upcycling and recycling. By connecting students to local businesses and demonstrating environmentally responsible practices, such factory visits contribute to fostering a deeper awareness of product origins and the manufacturing processes, with the hope of encouraging further engagement with local schools.

School Trips for Middle School Students

Field trips for younger students typically involve simple, hands-on experiences with a focus on exploration, often of their local community or nature. These trips are of shorter duration and often heavily rely on parental involvement as chaperones. In middle school, field trips take on a more explicit academic focus, aligning with specific subjects in the curriculum and allowing for greater independence among students. The range of subjects broadens, providing opportunities for exploration in various areas of interest.

Best School Trips for Middle School Students

1. visit your local tv station and newspaper offices.

A firsthand visit to a media outlet provides students with a behind-the-scenes look at the dynamic world of journalism and broadcasting. They can witness the various stages of news production, from gathering information to editing and broadcasting or publishing. This immersive experience helps students understand the importance of accurate reporting, the role of journalists, and the impact of media on society. Most TV stations have a window from which students will be able to see the news broadcasting in action.

2. Take a trip to the recycling facility

Now more than ever, it’s important for students to understand the ecological implications of our daily lives and many people today still aren’t sure on how to recycle properly. Visiting a recycling center offers the opportunity to understand the process of recollection, sorting, and processing of our trash. This teaches students what is and isn’t recyclable, the impact of their daily choices, and an appreciation of the hard work that goes into making this system work. 

3. Explore a historic landmark

Teens tend to have the perception that history is boring, but that is usually because it feels so distant to them. A visit to a historic landmark and an explanation of how these series of events led to them standing where they are could bring history to life and engage them in a unique way. Visits to landmarks allow students to see, touch, and experience the physical remnants of bygone eras, enhancing their comprehension of historical events and the people who shaped them. 

4. Catch a play at the theater

In an era dominated by digital distractions, these field trips provide a unique and enriching experience beyond the classroom. Theater visits instill valuable life skills, such as active listening and critical thinking, while also promoting a sense of civility in shared cultural spaces. Encouraging regular theater visits within the school curriculum contributes to ongoing cultural enrichment, preparing students for thoughtful engagement in various aspects of their adult lives.

5. Enjoy nature at a national park

Connecting with the outdoors has proven educational benefits, improving students’ ability to learn, and national park school trips offer a range of activities, from hiking and biking to tram tours and scenic exploration. National parks offer hands-on learning programs and breathtaking views, making them ideal destinations for student groups. From distinguishing between different types of soil and rocks to learning about animal migratory routes, a visit to a national park immerses the student into appreciating a world that is much larger than themselves.

School Trips for High School Students

High school students are about to step into the real world, one that is bigger and more complex than they can imagine. School trips provide an invaluable opportunity to expose students to a wide array of possibilities, from science and technological fields to artistic expressions and everything in between. The motivation and engagement generated by these experiences, along with the opportunity to navigate new environments independently, contribute to their personal growth and maturity, preparing them for the challenges of higher education and the workforce.

Best School Trips for High School Students

1. experience hands-on learning at a fab lab.

A Fabrication Laboratory, also known as a FabLab, is a place to play, to create, to learn, to mentor, to invent: a place for learning and innovation. Equipped with a range of computer-controlled tools spanning different scales and materials, the primary goal is to enable the creation of a wide array of items, challenging the perception of products limited to mass production. While fab labs may not yet rival mass production’s economies of scale, they empower individuals, particularly high school students, to craft personalized smart devices that cater to local or individual needs, addressing practical and economic limitations associated with mass production. The fab lab movement aligns closely with the DIY, open-source hardware, maker culture, and free and open-source movements, sharing not only technology but also a philosophy that emphasizes empowerment through hands-on creation and innovation. High school students stand to benefit from visiting fab labs as these spaces provide a unique opportunity to engage with cutting-edge digital fabrication technologies, fostering creativity, and encouraging exploration of practical solutions tailored to their specific interests and needs.

2. Tour a Food Production Facility

Consider sites where food items are manufactured, including facilities that can fruits or vegetables. Observing the vast amounts of ingredients and the substantial machinery in use is truly captivating. Exploring the daily usage of pounds of sugar or flour for food preparation in such places provides valuable insights. The processes often entail the use of sizable mixers, conveyor belts traversing through ovens, and specialized cooling rooms, creating an engaging and informative experience for high school students. It is beneficial for students to explore food production facilities firsthand, gaining a deep understanding of the complexities involved in large-scale food manufacturing and cultivating an appreciation for the intricacies of the food industry.

3. Step Inside Your Local Government Building

How many branches of government are there? How does one vote? What is the difference between a parliament and a senate? Government structures can be daunting, even for adults. A visit to a local government building can provide a great opportunity to learn and explore the system behind the way one’s country works. If you’re lucky, you might even get to talk to elected officials and have a more personal experience with the democratic process. A visit to a government building not only enrich civic education but also instills an appreciation for democratic values and the multifaceted role of government in addressing community needs.

4. Get Physical at an Amusement Park

Amusement parks are great fun, and they’re also a fantastic opportunity to bring the physics class lessons to life. Students can explore math, science, and physics through observation (and riding) of roller coasters and other rides. Amusement park rides are designed with the principles of physics in mind, making the experience both enjoyable and educational. Students can delve into the physics of various rides, such as bumper cars, where Newton’s three laws of motion come to life as collisions showcase inertia, mass, and equal and opposite reactions. The carousel provides insight into centripetal force, illustrating how a platform acts as the force keeping riders in circular motion. Free fall rides demonstrate potential and kinetic energy transformations as motors build potential energy, which converts to kinetic energy during the descent. Roller coasters, in particular, encapsulate the amalgamation of laws, forces, and energies, showcasing the interplay of gravity, inertia, potential, and kinetic energy. Such experiences not only make physics tangible but also provide a unique context for understanding and applying scientific principles, making a visit to an amusement park an exciting and educational endeavor for high school students

5. Explore a Science Museum

It is one thing to experience the joy of a science museum as a child, but a completely different one to experience it as a young adult with a better grasp of how things work. Science museums provide a dynamic and immersive learning environment that enhances their understanding of scientific concepts taught in the classroom. They offer hands-on exhibits and interactive displays that make abstract theories tangible and engaging, fostering a deeper appreciation for various branches of science. These experiences not only reinforce classroom learning but also spark curiosity and critical thinking skills. These school trips encourage collaboration, inquiry-based learning, and the development of a scientific mindset, ultimately inspiring students to pursue further studies or careers in STEM fields.

School trips serve as a transformative and enriching element in the educational journey, offering students invaluable hands-on experiences that go beyond the confines of the traditional classroom setting. These excursions provide not only practical and experiential learning opportunities but also create lasting memories, fostering engagement and motivation among students. From preschoolers exploring science centers to high school students delving into cutting-edge technologies at fabrication laboratories, each phase of education benefits from well-planned and thoughtfully executed field trips. Beyond academic enrichment, these outings contribute to personal growth, promoting independence, decision-making skills, and a sense of responsibility.

While these trips are undoubtedly educational and socially stimulating, they also embody the essence of fun and excitement. Beyond the classroom, school outings offer students the chance to discover exciting things alongside their friends, providing a unique and enjoyable learning experience. As not every family can embark on trips to new places, schools play a crucial role in ensuring that children have access to these enriching experiences.

In this pursuit of educational excellence, we extend an invitation to visit World Schools . Committed to providing you with the information needed to make the best educational choices for your child, World Schools stands as a global resource. No matter where you are in the world or where your travels may take you next, our dedication remains unwavering. Let us be your guide in navigating the educational landscape, ensuring that each school trip becomes a catalyst for your child’s academic success and personal development.

24 Best Ideas for Field Trips for Schools for All Ages

Leah Nguyen • 08 August, 2023 • 9 min read

The best part of when you’re a student is probably going on a school field trip (no homework, no sitting around waiting for recess, who doesn’t like it?)

That’s why as a teacher, coming up with a field trip that ensures the students are having the time of their life but also educative has been the top priority.

Here are 24 awesome ideas for field trips for schools that offer tons of fun and great lessons!

Table of Contents

The importance of field trips in education, kindergarten field trips ideas, primary school field trips ideas, middle and high school field trip ideas, homeschool field trip ideas, bottom line, frequently asked questions.

Field trips for schools provide many positive aspects to students’ learning pathways. They can:

• Supplement the curriculum: Field trips can complement and reinforce what students are learning in the classroom. Visiting places related to curricular topics brings lessons to life.

• Develop real-world skills: Field trips provide opportunities for students to practice skills like observation, critical thinking, collaboration and communication in authentic settings outside of school.

• Inspire continuous learning: Experiencing new places can spark students’ curiosity and motivation to learn more about related topics when they return to the classroom. Field trips ignite students’ imagination and natural sense of wonder.

• Foster social and emotional growth: Field trips for schools in groups give students opportunities for social interaction, teamwork, responsibility and independence – skills that contribute to social-emotional learning and development.

• Expose students to new people and places: Field trips broaden students’ experiences and exposure to the world, helping them build background knowledge and vocabulary. This can be especially valuable for underserved students.

What are Good Ideas for a Field Trip?

From homeschooling to high school, these field trips for schools will bring great memories to students and enrich their experience with the outer world.

#1. Zoo – Kids love seeing and learning about different animals at the zoo. Focus on the smaller animals and insect exhibits. You can collaborate with the zoo to have tour guides talk about wildlife and animal behaviours.

#2. Farm – Seeing farm animals up close like fluffy sheep and cute rabbits will surely enchant all the young kids. They can also pick produce, and experience rural life firsthand. Petting zoos are especially fun for kindergarteners.

#3. Botanical garden – Colourful flowers, plants and outdoor spaces make botanical gardens a sensory-rich experience for kindergarteners. Consider a children-friendly space if available.

#4. Fire station – Seeing a firefighter in real life is like observing a superhero on missions, and your little ones sure are fond of that! Kids love seeing a real fire truck, meeting firefighters and learning basic fire safety. Many stations offer station tours and demonstrations.

#5. Orchard – Picking and tasting fresh produces in an orchard connects kids to the cycle of nature while engaging multiple senses. You can contact a local orchard and plant out in advance, but be aware if there’s any kid that is allergic to the fruit.

#6. Cooking class – A hands-on cooking or baking lesson allows kindergartners to develop early math, literacy and fine motor skills through food prep and following recipes.

#7. Nature centre – Field trips to nature centres provide opportunities for kids to experience and learn about the outdoors through guided hikes, activities and exhibits.

#8. Nursing home – Intergenerational field trips for schools give kids a chance to talk with and learn from seniors while bringing joy to residents. Kids this age often connect easily with the elderly.

#9. Aquarium – Tanks full of fish, turtles, rays and other aquatic creatures inspire wonder in primary school students. Many aquariums have interactive programs and touch pools.

#10. Theatre – Watching a live performance designed for children gives students an introduction to the performing arts in an interactive and engaging way.

#11. Camping – A 1-day outdoor camping provides plenty of activities. Nature observation, outdoor cooking (don’t forget the S’mores), campfire programs and games will bring the camping experience to life for students.

#12. Virtual museum visit – Can’t organise this year’s field trip? Not a problem because there are plenty of exciting virtual museum tours that you can show students in the class. You can triple the engagement and discussion by organising an interactive quiz to test students’ knowledge after that.

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#13. College campus – Visiting a local college campus can inspire and expose students to future possibilities as well as provide an engaging learning experience.

#14. Art museum – Art museums offer exhibitions and programs tailored for teens that expose them to new artists and develop their visual literacy and critical thinking skills.

#15. Science museum – Hands-on exhibits and interactive activities at science museums bring concepts to life in engaging ways that capture teenagers’ interests.

#16. Community service project – Volunteering as a class for a community service project teaches valuable skills while engaging students in important social issues and causes. You can choose an animal shelter, a food bank, or a community shelter. The choices are endless, depending on what your learning objective is.

#17. Business/industry tour – Touring a local business or area of industry relevant to student’s interests can provide real-world connections and potential career exposure. It also encourages students to know the importance of small businesses in supporting the local economy.

#18. Indoor recreational areas – These areas are often equipped with exciting activities such as indoor rock climbing, zipline and adventure games that will bring the adrenaline rush to the young blood. They also have team-building activities that are perfect for bonding and learning the spirit of teamwork.

#19. Farmers market – Bring your kids to a local farmers market to learn about produce, talk to farmers, and get ideas for meals. Kids can help pick out fresh items to cook at home, making this a nice bonding lesson.

#20. Artisan workshop – Sign up for group knitting or crocheting lessons just for kids. It’s a great hands-on way to learn a useful life skill.

#21. Trampoline park – Great for all ages, trampoline parks are a unique indoor field trip option for physical education and socialising during homeschooling. Kids get lots of exercise too.

#22. Working studio – Artisans like ceramicists, glassblowers, woodworkers and more may welcome student groups to observe and learn from their creative process. Kids come away inspired.

#23. World cultures VR – In the age of technology, we can tour around the world from the comfort of our houses. Equip the kid with a VR headset and let them explore different locations around the world to learn about each distinctive culture immersively.

#24. Performing arts venue – Theaters, orchestra halls, opera houses and dance companies offer backstage tours, workshops and lectures for students of all ages. Kids can get inspired by the creative process.

With proper planning, guidance and age-appropriate structure, field trips for schools can provide students opportunities for hands-on learning, team building, developing responsibility and independence, and unplugging in the outside world – all valuable educational benefits. Just be sure safety, preparedness and educational goals are prioritised in your planning.

What is a field trip in the classroom?

A field trip in the classroom is an excursion outside of the school that has an educational purpose.

What is the purpose of a field trip?

The primary purpose of field trips for schools is to provide students with educational experiences beyond textbooks and classrooms that complement and reinforce curricular aims while developing important skills and social tendencies in students. Field trips offer “invisible” benefits that transcend direct academic goals.

How do you organise a school field trip?

Here are the key steps to organise a successful school field trip: · Identify learning objectives · Get administrative approval

Leah Nguyen

Words that convert, stories that stick. I turn complex ideas into engaging narratives - helping audiences learn, remember, and take action.

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50 Fun & Educational Field Trip Ideas

• Katie Layne Contributing Writer
• Updated Aug 29, 2023

Homeschool Field Trips

Sometimes our homeschooling needs "something," some spark, something new and different, something that doesn't necessarily involve pencils and paper, something that gets our bodies moving and our spirits refreshed. Sometimes, we need a field trip!

Field trips can be used for wide and varied purposes. Sometimes a field trip is just what is needed to kick off a unit study or to pull everything together at the end of a period of study. Field trips can spark interest in various topics, fields of work, or study, which may lead to our students making a new invention or getting interested in a field that may one day become their life's work.

Get our awesome PDF of the Ultimate Field Trip Bucket List to print out and check off the ones you do!

Have you ever wondered why so many public school classes take field trips in the spring? Could the students and teachers be tired of being cooped up all year in a classroom and just want to get out and about in the fresh air? Oftentimes, the field trips are not even what you could consider "educational," but nonetheless, everyone in the class gets on a school bus, and off they go for the day. Therefore, I believe we can add one more purpose for field trips to our list above--fun! Field trips can be taken just for the fun of it.

If you are going to tour a facility that is not normally open to the public, or anywhere else that you will require a tour guide, be sure to call ahead to set up a time for your tour and find out if they have any special instructions for you.

Here are 50 awesome field trip ideas! 

1. Manufacturing facility . This would include any factory where cars, equipment, tools, toys, packaging or anything else is manufactured. The mechanized equipment and assembly lines are fascinating to watch and it is interesting to learn which raw materials are used and how they are used to make the final product.

2.  Farm. This could be a "specialty" farm that grows some specialty crop, a dairy farm, a farm that grows more ordinary crops such as wheat or corn, maple syrup farm, apple orchard or anyplace where food is grown. Think about the best time of year to visit each type of farm based on what operations may be going on at the time-planting, harvesting, cider making, sap gathering, etc.

3. Fire Department. Learn a bit about fire safety, how firemen fight fires, the gear they wear, and how they live.

4. Daily Newspaper . See the huge rolls of paper used and how the printing process works.

5. Post Office . When we toured our local post office, we were told to bring along postcards addressed to ourselves and were able to watch the postal workers process our own cards, which we then received at home in the mail a day later.

7. Military or National Guard Installation. Learn about what their duties are, what gear they use, what training they receive, and what types of situations they respond to.

8. A State or National Park . Learn about nature, plants and animals of the area. (Note: In these types of parks - as well as in the other science-oriented places listed in this article - the theory of evolution is usually presented as fact. This can provide a good opportunity for your family to study the Biblical account of creation and the scientific basis for the Christian viewpoint.)

9. Museum. There are large, well-known museums, but there are often small, little-known museums around as well that are quite interesting to visit. Check around your area to see what is available. Again, be prepared for evolutionary content. In addition, some museums (particularly art museums) may contain displays that don't fit your family's standards. Use appropriate parental caution when planning a field trip to these types of places.

10. Lock and Dam. Often there is a display area showing the history of the area and displays where you can learn how a lock and dam works. Plan your visit around a time when a ship or ships are due to pass through.

11. Pioneer Day Events. Many places across the country have special festivals or events where the lifestyle of the pioneers is the main focus. Here you can see pioneer craftsmen, equipment, cabins, clothing, animals and "experience" life as it was in our earlier history.

12. Jewelers Shop . Find a jeweler in your area that creates or repairs jewelry and plan a visit to see the tools and skills used.

13. State Capitol . Visit when congress is in session and sit in the visitor's gallery for awhile. Tour the building looking especially for pictures or plaques commemorating our Godly heritage. As you pass through the halls, pray for our leaders!

14. Lumber Mill. See how lumber is milled and hauled.

15. Ceramics Shop . Learn about the craft and how a kiln works.

16. Veterinarian . Learn about the profession and pet care.

17. Library. Learn about the Dewey Decimal System and how to use it. Learn to use the card catalog or computerized cataloging system your library uses.

19. Bank . Visit a local bank or credit union to learn about the different types of accounts and services they offer. This is a great way to follow-up #18 above. If your children don't already have savings accounts, this may be a great time to open one!

20. Recycling Center . Learn about what they recycle, how they do it and what their end products are used for.

21.  4-H Fair. See the different projects 4-H kids are involved in, from crops and animals, to baking, crafts and more.

22. Zoo . I've always enjoyed trips to the zoo! A word of caution, however: You may want to avoid the zoo during the spring season when many animals are "active" in ways you may not want to view as a family.

23. Old Cemetery . Make rubbings of old markers. Find the oldest marker. Look for interesting names and dates.

24. Planetarium . Watch out for evolutionary content here as well.

25. Local TV Station . Plan your trip to coincide with the News program. A trip to the TV Station ties in nicely with a unit study on weather, especially if you can talk with the weatherman and learn more about his job.

26. Dental Lab . See the different tools and methods used to make or fix teeth or dental appliances.

27.  Botanical Garden . This is a great opportunity to see a wide variety of plants.

28. Power Company. Learn about how power is generated and supplied to your area.

29. Wood Worker's Shop . Learn about the different tools and skills involved in making fine furniture or crafts.

30. Eye Doctor. Learn about eye care, diseases/problems, diagnosis equipment and treatment.

31. Print Shop. See the huge printing presses, trimmers and other equipment in operation.

32. Historical Sites . Most areas of the country have a variety of historical sites. Some are well-known (historical buildings, etc.), while others may just be an obscure marker commemorating some event that happened there. To supplement your historical ramblings, visit the local library to see if you can learn more about the people or time period.

33. Wildlife/Nature Preserve . Learn all about plants and animals native to the area.

34. Blacksmith. Sometimes you can actually find a working smithy shop, other times blacksmithing is part of a special pioneer or old-time event (see #11).

35. Local Bakery. This would be an operation on a much smaller scale than a food processing plant discussed earlier in this list, but can also be very interesting.

37. Pet Store. See a wide variety of pets, learn about their habits and care.

38. Symphony Orchestra. See if you can visit during a rehearsal, then go to the actual performance as well.

39. Historical Society. You can often obtain a wealth of information about your area at a local historical society.

40. Paper Mill. Learn about the paper making process from trees to tissue paper.

41. National Weather Service. Learn about how they predict weather and the science behind weather, what equipment is used, and how the public is informed of the upcoming forecast.

42. Basket Maker. Learn all about the various materials and tools used.

43. Fish Hatchery. Learn about different types of fish and how area lakes and ponds are stocked.

44. County Courthouse . Learn about what goes on in a local courthouse, enjoy the oftentimes beautiful architecture and look for pictures or plaques showing our godly heritage.

45. Nursery or Lawn/Garden Shop. Learn about different plants for your area, plant and soil care, insect control and beneficial insects.

46. Police Station . Learn about what policemen do, K-9 units, technology used, etc.

47. Make your own "old-fashioned day." Go out to a pretty park (or even your own backyard), and try to do everything the "old-fashioned" way. Gather wood and cook over fire, do without electricity, read, play string games like cat's cradles, whittle, sing, use your imagination and travel back in time for a day.

48. Water Treatment Plant. Learn about where your water comes from, how many gallons go through the plant, water purification and testing.

49. Exotic Animal Farm. Look around, there may be a farm in your area raising mink, llamas, ostriches, mini-burros, African pygmy hedgehogs, emus, cockatoos, iguanas, rheas or other unusual animals.

50. Caverns.  Learn about the geological history of your area and have fun exploring the caves!

One last note: don't forget the educational value of family vacations! Even if your family can't take a two-week trip across the country, check out opportunities for day trips within a 2-3 hour driving distance of where you live, or in a neighboring state. We took many such trips during years when we couldn't afford a "real" vacation. It provided an opportunity to see some things beyond our immediate area with much less expense.

I hope I've been able to spark your imagination and give you some new ideas that your family will enjoy. Have a fun (and educational!) summer!

------------------------------

This article was originally published in the May/Jun '05 issue of Home School Enrichment Magazine. For more information, visit http://HomeSchoolEnrichment.com . To request a FREE sample copy, visit http://homeschoolenrichment.com/magazine/request-sample-issue.html .

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Don't miss out on these fun activities for your next school trip.

Learn how you can turn your fun school trips into educational experiences for the children!

School trips are great opportunities to expand the learning process outside the walls of your school. They can help you bring concepts from the classroom and show their real-world applications. This article will give you some fun examples of fun learning opportunities that a school trip can really benefit.

An Amusement Park

At first glance, an amusement park seems more fun than educational, but there are so many ways to introduce educational topics in with all the fun that an amusement park brings to a class of kids. One of those real-world applications is math. There are so many little stations for food and games at amusement parks. Have the child be responsible for creating their own budget for extra snacks and souvenirs. Remind them that the money they have is all they will have for the whole trip and help them come up with a plan that will help them each makes the most of their money. These are real-world decisions that are grounded in things we all learned in school. Also, for older students that may be studying topics like physics, then roller coasters are great ways to show the effects of force and gravity. Experience is a great teacher.

If possible taking the children to see pieces that you may have studied in class is a great way to help their textbooks come to life. They can see the world in person and describe to the class what the piece art makes them think or feel. Natural history measures are great for any class studying prehistoric times as well.

No matter how old you are, the zoo is a pretty fun place to visit. Every zoo will have many different species of animals covering several acres of land to explore. The zoo is the only place to see exotic animals like tigers, or pandas. It is fun to immerse yourself in the lives of the animals you could never do otherwise. For younger students, many zoos have petting zoos where students can see and touch different animals and experience them up close.

Planning school trips can be fun and exciting, but it also can be difficult to find ideas that will work for the whole class. An easy way to try to figure out what would be best is to get help from online resources. If you are planning a local trip then Dunsborough leavers with SureThing can be a great way to get started planning.

Sporting Events

Taking the kids to a ball game can be such a fun way to reward them for their academic achievement. They can provide a fun group event that will give them lasting memories. Many times this can be an affordable trip especially if you opt for a college game. Usually, these events have plenty of space and reasonable pricing while still being very exciting. It is also a trip that is great for large classes where chaperones can be a challenge. All of the children will be in one place and things like bathroom or snack trips can be done in small groups rather than having all of the children spread our look at different things.

A Food Processing Facility

Many times food processing facilities will give tours for students. This is a particularly fun outing because students can see how their favorite sodas, snacks, or desserts are made. It is interesting to learn how many pounds of potatoes it takes to make all the chips a facility needs to per day. Another fun benefit is that the facility will often let the children leave with free snacks as souvenirs!

School trips can turn out to be the best trips one can have, so whenever planning for such trips one can always keep all this fun things in mind which are definitely worth a visit and should be done in such a manner that you don’t miss out anything out of it. 

Helen Cartwright

Helen Cartwright is a passionate blogger who, over several years, have written content that spans a broad range of industries. Topics she has covered till date include a variety of verticals that contain niches like Health, Food, Travel; to a very different niche of Business, and trending marketing agendas. Since childhood, Helen was under the influence of reading different stories that ultimately created her profession as a writer.

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55 Simple and Memorable Field Trip Ideas

We all know that field trips are fun- we have all been there. But when you are on the side that you have to plan them, it becomes a bit less fun, and a lot more stressful. It does not really need to be, though, because there are so many fun things out there that your middle schoolers will love to do.

In this article, we will give you 29 excellent field trip ideas. And remember, these are just ideas- there are tons more out there! Get creative!

I don’t know what it is about the zoo, but there is just something about the zoo that makes it one of the best places on earth. And this is true for most ages, not just preschoolers. Running around, finding favorite animals, discovering new ones, and learning more about animals that may be endangered is so fun.

Your middle schoolers will think so, too. Many zoos offer free (or at least discounted) admission for field trips, as long as they’re booked in advance. ( Source )

2. Water Park

Visiting a water park is a great way to either say goodbye to warmer weather or to celebrate the return of it. The best thing about many water parks is that they have arcades too, so those who do not like swimming can just try to win the giant plushies and lava lamps that we all envied as children.

3. Art Museum

An art museum is a great way to infuse culture into middle schoolers. Most are old enough to know museum etiquette, and the museum can introduce them to so many different art styles, types of people, and countries. They may come out thinking about art in a completely different way.

4. State and National Parks

If you live by a state or national park, consider yourself incredibly lucky, and then go get in there! This is a great way to expose middle schoolers to nature, and it helps them to love the outdoors if they do not already. State and national parks are beautiful, and they give the perfect opportunity to teach about the importance of taking care of the environment!

5. Movie Theater

You can never go wrong with a movie. All kids like movies. As long as it’s rated G or PG, and you have parental approval, the employees will be ready with popcorn and drinks in excess for your middle schoolers to enjoy.

6. Aquarium

Like the zoo, it is impossible to go wrong with a trip to the aquarium. Many aquariums have rehabilitated animals, which presents a great opportunity to teach about the importance of picking up after ourselves, and not throwing trash in the ocean. It is never too early to help kids become environmentally conscious.

7. Botanical Gardens

Botanical gardens give the wonderful chance to be outside, and it provides a controlled environment to do so. They are beautifully landscaped, and they usually have pretty fountains and waterfalls that provide a really calming atmosphere.

An added bonus: it is easy to reinforce what your middle schoolers have been learning about plants in science classes with what you see!

8. An Actual Theatre

Exposing middle schoolers to the arts should be considered an essential part of their education. And, what’s more, going to plays just makes kids feel mature and important. Maybe it is just because of the way the phrase “going to the theatre” sounds when someone says it with a British accent. If that wasn’t enough, then the fact that education in fine arts is proven to increase students’ self-confidence, self-understanding, communication skills, and cognitive abilities. ( Source )

9. Go on a Hike

This is a good field trip for many reasons. Exercising is an important thing to get in the habit of at a young age, and nature is something that everyone should appreciate. And, as if that was not enough, learning about rocks and rock formations is fascinating, too. This is a great way to combine what you’re teaching in class with what the kids are experiencing in real life.

10. Planetarium

The planetarium is another one of those places that are impossible for someone to not enjoy, even if they are starting to act more and more like a teenager. Besides, middle schoolers will understand the concepts and words used at the planetarium a lot better than elementary schoolers would.

11. Local High School

If there is one thing middle schoolers love, it is that they are going to be in high school soon. Take advantage of that! Take them to high school productions of plays, on tours of the high school they will be going to, and to other high school concerts and athletic events.

12. Local Colleges

While college is still far off for middle schoolers, it’s never too early to give them a good impression of college. Communicate how important a college education can be, and do not forget to mention how fun college life is, either. Get them excited about college before the application process rolls around. The best part about this trip: it’s free!

13. Library

Going to the local library is always a good idea. There is so much to learn (Dewey Decimal System, anybody?), and it is a great way to encourage kids to read. Making this trip coincide with a book report project or readathon might help them to check out books, too!

14. Government Buildings

A government building may be fun to tour. This includes things like the state Capitol building, or maybe even a local government office. There are often tours of the bigger buildings, and these are great opportunities to help students learn more about the government system in our country.

15. Local Festivals

Taking your middle schoolers to local festivals is another great field trip idea. Every town has some sort of interesting festival that they are known for. Take advantage of teaching the kids about the history of their town! Some examples are music festivals, farmers’ markets, local races, and holiday events.

16. Railroad

Local railroads may be hard to come by, but if you are lucky enough to have one in your area, they have tons of history. In addition to this, taking train rides is so much fun. Middle schoolers will love learning about the history of the railroad, taking a ride, and let’s be honest- the concessions on the train will help, too.

17. Local Factories

Going to local factories or businesses is another really great opportunity for middle schoolers. Exposing them to how things work is a great way to help them on the path toward finding out what they want to do in their life. When they see how many types of businesses work, they can better figure out what they like and what they don’t.

18. Amusement Park

Amusement parks are tons of fun. That said, they do require a bit more effort as a field trip. Especially if you are a public school teacher taking 20-30 kids with you, you will need chaperones, permission slips, and plenty of focus, because middle schoolers can wander off.

19. Just a Regular Park

This one is almost effortless, and it is still so much fun. Going to a park, sitting in nature, having a picnic, and then just playing exploring is so good for kids. Getting that time to just relieve stress is key to creating a balanced lifestyle for middle schoolers.

20. Historical Monuments

Historical monuments are there for a reason. They exist to teach us about the people and events that came before us. So why not introduce your middle schoolers to these amazing monuments? They are beautifully built, and being in a historical spot to learn about something that happened before is such a cool experience. What if there is not a monument in your town? There probably is, but if not, a neighboring town will definitely have one.

Caving is such a blast. If you live near a cave, taking middle school students caving would be a fantastic field trip. Before you go, make sure you check the difficulty level of the cave, so that everybody can participate. This is a great way to either introduce or just reinforce what students are learning about rocks, erosion, weathering, and more.

22. Historical Buildings, Homes, or other Sites

This is a great way to learn about specific people that may have had a huge influence on your town, organizations that shaped how your town functioned, or just other historical events that may have caused your town to be built in the first place.

Middle schoolers will love seeing places that appear in books they have read or movies they have seen, and if they are not familiar, they will just enjoy seeing the collection of old things.

23. Local Fire Station

Visiting the local fire station would be a very fun field trip for those who have dreams of being a fireman, but it will also be fun for those who don’t. Kids find it fascinating to learn about the process of it all: seeing the fire station, the fire trucks, and asking the firemen what their typical day looks like is a great way to get them engaged.

24. Local Police Station

It’s the same for the local police station. Not only will kids learn a lot about the government and what police do, but they’ll also learn that they don’t have to be afraid of all police officers. This is a great way to help middle schoolers become more comfortable around police and other emergency personnel. In addition to this, seeing the inside of a police officer’s car is sure to keep middle schoolers occupied: there’s a lot there!

25. Pottery Studio

There are several commercial pottery studios sprinkled around the country that anybody can use. So why not make a field trip out of it? Middle schoolers love working with their hands, and one thing that always makes field trips extra special is a souvenir that they can take home at the end of the day.

26. Fish Hatchery

If you live near a fish hatchery, this would be a really interesting field trip for middle schoolers. It does smell weird, but kids will love seeing the process that they go through in the hatchery. They will get to see a couple of different kinds of fish, and this field trip also gives the added benefit of some outdoor time.

27. Aviation Museum

An aviation museum is another excellent idea for a field trip for middle schoolers. Even if some students are not obsessed with planes and vehicles, the things that one can see at an aviation museum are undeniably fascinating.

Students will get to see several different types of planes, learn about famous pilots and wars, maybe see a rocket, and learn how aviation has changed since it first came into practice.

28. Local Power Plant, Dam, or Locks

This is another information-filled field trip. Though many dams and locks may not have tours, they usually have plenty of signs with blurbs to read that will provide for a lovely, self-guided tour. A lot of power plants will offer tours, though. In these places, middle schoolers will learn so much about modern technology, how things are powered, and more.

29. A Walking Tour of Your Town or City

Obviously, if you live in a big city, this may not be the safest idea, but if you feel you can conduct a safe walking tour of your town or city, do it! Even if they have lived in the town or city for a long time, many middle schoolers may still learn something about the town, and they may find something new to do. Pick a few destinations beforehand so that you can show your students the best-kept secrets of your city.

Remember that these ideas only scratch the surface of possibilities for fun field trips for middle schoolers. Students will appreciate any effort to add variety to their learning, so get creative!

30. Farmers Market

The Farmer’s Market is a great way for students to become involved in the community. Beforehand you can teach them about farming and how important it is to support your local farmers. Then you can take them to the market and let them pick something out or learn about all of the different produce. There are also sometimes animals there that they can pet.

Many communities host Farmer’s markets on Saturdays, so you might need to find out if your local farmer’s market takes place during the week!

31. Animal Shelter

The Animal Shelter is an awesome field trip not only for the kids but for the dogs and cats as well. The animals in animal shelters have often been neglected and abused. All they want is some love, which the kids will gladly give. It may inspire some families to adopt and give the animals a loving home.

32. Recycling Center

Learning about recycling is important. Visiting a Recycling Center might not be the most entertaining for the kids, but they will learn a valuable lesson about the importance of recycling and why we do it. They will also learn how to recycle and what can be reused, from plastic to paper to clothes.

33. A Hospital, Clinic, Dentist’s Office, etc

It is always a great idea to take the children to certain places where they can learn about different professions and what they could be when they grow up. Some kids may be scared of the hospital or doctor, but this way they can learn that doctors and nurses are here to help them.

If you can’t get the hospital to offer a tour, consider a tour of just any local clinic of a medical professional. Perhaps even a parent of a student in the class could offer a tour so that kids can learn about different professions.

Going to the bank may not sound the most fun to elementary school students, but they can learn important information that isn’t being fully taught in schools. Kids can go behind the scenes and possibly get a tour of the vault as well as learn how to write a check and what the purpose of a credit card is.

35. News, TV, or Radio Station

These field trips are fascinating because you can see the behind-the-scenes of the studio that the online viewers or listeners don’t get to see. The children will love to see the cameras and recording equipment, maybe even meet the people that their parents watch on TV every morning. Some kids could decide that this is the career path they want to move towards. The world always needs people to tell stories and report on what’s happening.

36. Local Business

It’s always important to highlight and remember local businesses. Local business owners would love to give back to the community by giving a tour to the students, inspiring them to chase their dreams. You never know which field trip is going to spark interest and help a kid decide what they want to be someday.

37. Restaurant or Bakery

Going to a restaurant or local bakery is something that children will love because they can get a behind-the-scenes tour, as well as some sampling of the food or treats. It will probably end up being one of their favorites since food is involved. Many local businesses will offer tours free of charge. ( Source )

38. Senior Care Facility

Taking the elementary school students to a retirement home is a great opportunity to teach them about the importance of service and learning from their elders. Children can oftentimes be egotistic because their brains aren’t fully developed. Volunteering is a great way to teach them compassion and kindness, and it will make the residents’ day as well.

39. Sporting Game

Sporting games are purely an entertaining field trip, and the students will be very excited. Most areas in the United States have a sports team, but even if you don’t live near a major city, you can find some minor league teams as well. Taking the students to a baseball or soccer game is probably the most common sport for a field trip. ( Source )

40. Theatre

Going to a theatre to see a play is also very exciting and entertaining. Communities almost always have a local theatre putting on a play for all ages to enjoy. You could even take the students to a play at the middle school or high school in the area. Make sure to pick an age-friendly play that they are willing to sit through for a few hours since young kids have a hard time sitting for long periods of time.

Going to the movies is a great indoor winter activity and very exciting for the children. It can get expensive, but there are also oftentimes group rate discounts, especially for schools. Maybe the movie field trip can be at the end of a big test as a reward. Don’t forget to get popcorn!

42. Orchestra

Going to the symphony or orchestra is a very special experience that not every child would normally experience. Classical music is very healthy for the brain. These days, everybody wants to listen to recorded music, but it’s important to instill a love of live music in the newer generations as well.

43. Pumpkin Patch

Fall is always a fun time of the year, and there are so many activities to do! This includes going to the pumpkin patch. Oftentimes, pumpkin patches not only have pumpkins to pick out and carve, but hayrides, mazes, and fun foods to try. My favorite pumpkin patch treats as a kid were apple cider donuts.

Picnics are easy and simple, probably costing zero dollars to the budget. All you have to do is make sure that every student brings a lunch from home and a blanket to sit on. Then all you have to do is take the class outside, set up the blankets, and they can sit with their friends and eat their lunch. Field Trips don’t always have to be big and extravagant.

45. Waterpark

The waterpark could be a great end-of-the-year activity since it needs to be warmer weather to go swimming. This field trip idea would probably need the most organizing, but it will be much worth it when it all comes together and you can celebrate the year together with students, parents, and teachers. This activity is recommended for older elementary school students that know how to swim.

There are endless opportunities for elementary school field trips! These young students are excited and curious about everything. Many of these places are free of charge and are happy to give a tour or experience to the students. Just make sure to plan everything out in advance and find enough chaperones to supervise the kids alongside the teachers. Good Luck! ( Source )

46. Explore a Local Recreation Center

Another great local resource that students can explore is a local recreation center. Finding and understanding available resources in the community is an important skill for kids as they transition to adulthood. A field trip to a recreation center can also emphasize the importance of health and lifelong physical activity to students as they begin to have more control over their lives.

47. Volunteer at a Food Pantry

Field trip education can be about more than just the sciences; giving high school students opportunities to serve in the community can be an important way for young adults to build character.

Many local food pantries would welcome the assistance of a large group of high school students. Taking a field trip day to volunteer at a local food pantry can help students understand more about supply chain management, while simultaneously helping them to build empathy.

48. Visit a Technology Company/Area

Technology is another area experiencing lots of growth. Helping to expose more students to areas like this can help give them direction when they may have none, and can also help fill a societal need.

If possible, arrange for students to take a field trip to a local software company where they can have opportunities to see the background processes of coding, system networks, and other tech phenomena. Showing students something like a server room, or cable management practices could be beneficial as well!

49. Visit the Capitol or Other Government Building

Whether it’s for History class, Political Science, or just to increase students’ social understanding, taking students to visit a capitol building or other government building can be both interesting and thought-provoking. This can be beneficial for all students as citizens, whether they are interested in pursuing education or careers in government or not.

50. Plan a College Visit

With students looking to the future, being able to get them on a university campus can be extremely helpful in guiding them in their decisions. Planning to visit a campus—or multiple campuses—could be a beneficial experience, especially for those on the fence about going.

Many colleges love to welcome high school students for campus visits and tours. Additionally, students may feel more comfortable being able to do a visit with friends and other peers with similar interests. Since Juniors will be thinking about which colleges to apply to, plan these trips preferably during students’ Junior year!

51. Plan a Photography Trip

With the invention of smartphones, and the popularity of Instagram, all students like to be both the photographer and the model. You can provide a field trip for them by taking them somewhere unique to take pictures and teaching them about principles of good photography, like lighting, balance, and the rule of thirds!

Alternatively, you could take them to a studio and allow them to take portraits or shoot other professional pieces, such as jewelry.

52. Plan a Painting Trip

For your more artsy individuals, you could consider planning a day trip to somewhere scenic where they could practice their painting skills. They could practice landscapes, nature scenes, or even portraits in nature.

53. Plan a Geological Trip

Another trip that could be fun is a trip to a location of geological significance. This could be something visual, such as being able to identify different strata on the side of a mountain, or something more tactile, like digging in an area for pieces of archeological or historical significance. It could even be something as simple as comparing rocks and their features depending on the area in which they’re found.

54. Do a Service Project Using Just Serve

We mentioned service in some of the above ideas (food pantry or homeless shelter), but you could also consider planning your own service project! Whether that’s planting trees locally, visiting an old folks’ home to visit with the residents there, or picking up trash.

There’s actually a great free website called Just Serve that allows you to quickly find service project needs for local non-profits. You could probably find something easy.

Allowing students to plan and prepare their own service activity can get them more engaged and help them feel like they can make a difference themselves.

55. Visit an Escape Room — or Any Activity Just for Fun!

Finally, we’d encourage you to be okay with some field trips being just for fun. Let your students go to an escape room, an amusement park, or a pool just for fun. Students need a break sometimes too!

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Here are some citywide opportunities for teachers to supplement traditional classroom instruction with hands on, experiential learning for their students. See a list of current offerings below, organized by borough. 

• Bartow-Pell Mansion Museum Through touch-tours, open-ended inquiry challenges, craft projects, and interactive games, Bartow Pell’s curriculum-rich sessions build critical thinking and evidential reasoning skills that benefit students across disciplines.
• Bronx River Alliance The Bronx River Alliance's Education Program helps schools and community organizations use the river as a classroom, engaging youth and adults in a variety of enjoyable and educational activities. The Alliance provides teachers with training, curriculum consulting, lesson plans, equipment and supplies to support students in becoming river doctors, scientists and more.
• Bronx Zoo The WCS Education Department offers a variety of standards-based learning experiences at our parks and at schools.
• Rocking the Boat Rocking the Boat's On-Water Classroom exposes students to the joy of rowing and the ecological diversity of the Bronx River.
• Wave Hill Immerse your class in nature as you explore Wave Hill’s glorious gardens and woodlands. An experienced educator leads your class in outdoor exploration and hands-on activities that help students at all levels make meaningful connections to the environment.
• 826 NYC storytelling and bookmaking 826NYC hosts classes across New York City for Write Together: an interactive writing experience that encourages creative expression, explore the elements of storytelling and strengthens writing skills. Elementary and middle school classes collaborate on illustrated children’s books, middle schoolers can choose their own adventure with multi-ending stories, and high schoolers learn the art of memoir writing during a fast-paced and whimsical 90-minute narrative program. The Write Together program is now available as either a virtual workshop or an in-person field trip to a "secret library." Read about a 2nd-grade class trip to the Secret Library »
• Aviator Sports and Events Center This 175,000-square-foot facility has two regulation NHL ice rinks, a 20,000-square-foot field house, a gymnastics center, a rock wall and two outdoor fields. Groups can participate in basketball, volleyball, soccer, gymnastics, ice skating, flag football, rock climbing, team-building activities, swimming and bubble soccer.
• Brooklyn Botanic Garden Registered school groups can visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for free. The Garden also offers 90-minute guided workshop programs for students in pre-K through 8th grade ($150 per class; a discount is available for Title I schools) to help students explore trees, plants and flowers.
• Brooklyn Bridge Park Conservancy The Conservancy offers a variety of programs for children in grades K-12, with topics including the ecology of Brooklyn Bridge Park, engineering, geological formations, sustainability and more.
• Brooklyn Children's Museum The Brooklyn Children's Museum offers on-site school programs as well as "Museum on the Go" art, culture, math and science curriculum kits that can be used in your classroom. A limited number of free school programs for Title I schools are available.
• Brooklyn Navy Yard BLDG 92 at the Brooklyn Navy Yard partners with the Brooklyn Historical Society to offer free education programs. Students visiting the Brooklyn Navy Yard will learn to think like historians and engineers through hands-on investigation of Brooklyn’s material culture, art and written documents. Read about a 3rd-grade class trip to the Brooklyn Navy Yard »
• Brooklyn Robot Foundry Show your students the wonder of building robots with workshops on simple circuits, vibration, switches, LEDs and more.
• Environmental Study Center This 7,000-square-foot learning center in Bergen Beach, Brooklyn, is home to over 200 living organisms, four learning labs, an outdoor learning space with a pond habitat and urban garden, and a greenhouse laboratory.
• New York Aquarium Classes, group tours and self-guided tours are available for all grades.
• New York Transit Museum Led by a staff of skilled educators, school programs complement curricular exploration of the New York City history, the engineering sciences, the mathematics and art of subway and station design, and the urban landscape.
• Newtown Creek Alliance The Newtown Creek Alliance offers guided tours through the Newtown Creek watershed focusing on the history, industrial use and environment challenges in the area.
• Prospect Park Zoo Guided tours on themes including animal adaptations, animal families, animal defenses, diets and habits are available. Self-guided tours and classes are also offered.
• Waterfront Museum Docked in Red Hook, Brooklyn, this floating classroom helps students learn about geography, history, social studies and science aboard the last remaining covered wooden barge.
• Weeksville Heritage Center Weeksville Heritage Center, Brooklyn’s largest African-American cultural institution, is a multidisciplinary museum dedicated to preserving the history of the 19th-century African American community of Weeksville, Brooklyn — one of America’s first free black communities.
• Wyckoff House Museum The Wyckoff House Museum preserves, interprets, and operates New York City’s oldest building and the surrounding one-and-a-half acres of park. Through innovative educational and farm-based programs it builds cultural and agricultural connections within our community, emphasizing immigration, family, food, and community through history.
• American Museum of Natural History The Museum of Natural History is a top field trip destination in New York City: amazing new exhibits, over 32 million objects in their permanent collections, and exceptional programs, resources and classes for students and teachers. 
• Asia Society and Museum Building on the idea of the Museum as an extension of the classroom, Asia Society offers interactive guided tours for school groups in grades 3–12. In the galleries, teachers and students can learn about the works of art on view, discuss how art relates to their own experiences, and discover what’s new and compelling about art today.
• Battery Urban Farm Explore The Battery with lesson materials covering agriculture, urban ecosystems, nutrition and history.
• Cathedral of St. John the Divine This landmark building offers numerous field trips aligned with state standards, some free, for NYC schools. Programs are available in architecture and geometry, medieval journeys, immigration, shapes and patterns, world religions, civic engagement and more.
• Center for Architecture The Center for Architecture offers hands-on workshops at its SoHo location and school-based residency programs for K-12 students.
• Central Park Zoo Self-guided tours, guided tours and classes are available.
• Chelsea Piers Sports and Entertainment Center This 80,000-square-foot center offers a variety of sports activities, including soccer, rock climbing, gymnastics, basketball and more.
• Children's Museum of Manhattan The museum’s theme-based, 90-minute guided group visits for grades K-8 are led by a museum educator and include a tour of a thematic exhibition and a hands-on arts workshop. In-school residency programs are also available.
• Cooper Hewitt Design Cooper Hewitt offers two free design programs for K-12 students. 
• Democracy Now! Give students an opportunity to visit a news studio control room to view a live taping of Democracy Now!, followed by a discussion about independent news and investigative journalism. Trips are free.
• Drawing Center This SoHo center offers two free programs for K-12 students, comprised of on-site and in-school activities. The experience includes a guided tour and hands-on projects.
• El Museo del Barrio El Museo del Barrio offers guided tours of the museum as well as walking tours of the surrounding neighborhood, both of which allow students to participate in sketching, movement and writing activities.
• Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration On ranger-led programs, students in grades 3-12 can play the role of newly arrived immigrants. Self-guided activities for grades 2-12 are also available.
• Empire State Building The Empire State Building offers lesson plans connecting to social studies, science and technology, history and geography, as well as a virtual tour.
• Governors Island Teaching Garden In April through October, students will rotate through hands-on stations that typically include a farm tour, planting or farm work activity, cooking or harvesting and tasting activity, and possible fourth mini-lesson. 
• Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum The Intrepid offers social, studies, history and science programs for students in pre-K through 12th grade.
• Merchant's House Museum The landmark Merchant's House, preserved intact, offers an authentic glimpse into life in the mid-19th century. Students explore four floors of period rooms.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art Guided tours and self-guided group admission are available. Guided tour topics include exploring art across cultures, stories and legends, faces and masks and art explorations of particular locations and time periods.
• Metropolitan Opera Access Opera engages students with the unforgettable experience of watching a performance live on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House and provides teachers with resources for drawing connections across literature, social studies, foreign language, and the arts
• Morgan Library and Museum Explore curriculum in the sciences and humanities through direct observation of primary sources, such as Mesopotamian seals and tablets, medieval and Renaissance manuscripts, rare printed books, master drawings and period architecture. Read a New York Teacher article about a 5th-grade class trip to the Morgan »
• Morris-Jumel Mansion Tour "Manhattan's oldest house" and learn about the Revolutionary War, life in the 18th and 19th centuries, slavery, archaeology and more.
• Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust The Museum of Jewish Heritage is New York’s home for Holocaust education. Tours focus on various topics including issues of cultural identity and heritage, the Jewish immigrant experience, Israel and more.
• National Archives The National Archives offers free trips that explore rich primary sources.
• National Jazz Museum Educational tours and in-gallery workshops at this museum in Harlem allow participants to engage deeply with jazz history and discover timeless lessons of creativity, vision and collaboration.
• National Museum of Mathematics Experience the joys, wonders, and beauty of math at the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), the only museum dedicated to math in North America. At MoMath, teachers and students from pre-K through high school and beyond are able to explore more than 30 memorable, interactive exhibits designed to make math accessible and fun. Classes are also able to participate in MoMath’s many activities and workshops that bring math to life in exciting and innovative ways. Read a New York Teacher article about a class trip to the Museum of Math »
• New York City Center for Aerospace and Applied Mathematics The New York City Center for Aerospace and Applied Mathematics increases students’ interest and excitement about Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) through space and aviation science. Through hands-on activities that simulate real world experiences, students in grades K–12 apply math and science concepts learned in the classroom while working together to solve authentic problems. 
• New York City Fire Museum The museum, in conjunction with the New York City Fire Department, operates a world-class fire safety education program designed to teach participants how to prevent fires within the home and how to protect themselves and escape should a fire occur. The program consists of two components— classroom training and a simulated fire event in a mock home environment.
• New-York Historical Society Bring your students on a trip to the oldest museum in New York! Whether they are visiting a special exhibition or our beautifully redesigned permanent collection galleries, students will be actively engaged with the stuff of history — the artifacts, works of art, and documents that provide a window onto our collective past.
• New York Improv Theatre Interactive shows and workshops entertain audiences with creative comedy arts.
• Paley Center for Media Using programs from the collection of television and radio recordings as a means of illustration and investigation, Paley Center educators lead sessions on a wide range of subjects such as advertising, the documentary form, and the civil rights movement. Inquiry-based classes seek to build analytical thinking, viewing, and listening skills and attempt to provide insight into the roles television and radio play in our culture.
• Rubin Museum of Art Explore Himalayan Asia here in New York! Guided tours at the Rubin help K–12 students develop visual literacy and critical-thinking skills through engaging, inquiry-based discussions. Read a New York Teacher article about a 1st-grade trip to the Rubin »
• South Street Seaport Museum South Street Seaport Museum tells the story of how New York’s great natural harbor gave rise to the metropolis we know today. Dockside programs combine indoor and outdoor hands-on activities to show how the science of the harbor affects how we live today.
• Tenement Museum Through interactive tours of the tenement building and Lower East Side neighborhood, students investigate universal themes of cultural identity, discrimination, and human rights.
• Whitney Museum of American Art In free guided visits, students will learn to think critically, look closely and consider how art can be a voice for expressing different ideas. 
• Alley Pond Environmental Center Alley Pond's class workshops are available on a variety of topics, from invertebrate animals to ecosystems to seasonal species to ecology.
• Bayside Historical Society At its historic "Castle" building at Fort Totten, Bayside History Society offers a variety of hands-on programs for students in grades K through 12 that teach what life was like in Queens more than a century ago.
• King Manor Museum Programs focus on life and work at King Manor in Jamaica, Queens, in the 19th century and the history of the King family in early America and the anti-slavery movement.
• Louis Armstrong House Museum The Louis Armstrong House Museum sustains and promotes the cultural, historical, and humanitarian legacy of Louis Armstrong by preserving and interpreting Armstrong’s house and grounds and collecting and sharing archival materials that document Armstrong’s life and legacy. Read a New York Teacher article about a middle school class trip to the Louis Armstrong House »
• Materials for the Arts The Education Center at Materials for the Arts in Long Island City, Queens, offers programming focused on creative reuse: making art with readily available materials and the ever-changing MFTA warehouse inventory. The Center hosts field trips programs for students and P-Credit courses for teachers in two classroom studios, organizes exhibitions of artwork at MFTA Gallery, and sends teaching artists into schools to share reuse techniques.
• Museum of the Moving Image Exhibition tours, film and television screenings, and hands-on workshops help you teach the core curriculum with the support of a dynamic and interactive environment.
• New York Hall of Science The Hall of Science offers school workshops and programs for all ages, as well as an on-the-go option. Students can learn about design, ecosystems, STEM and more. 
• Queens County Farm Museum This 47-acre farm, the oldest continuously farmed site in New York State, includes historic farm buildings, a greenhouse complex, livestock, farm vehicles and implements, planting fields, an orchard and herb garden. Read a New York Teacher article about a kindergarten field trip to the farm »
• Queens Historical Society The Queens Historical Society offers walking tours of historic sites in Flushing, archaeology workshops, workshops about the Underground Railroad and more.
• Queens Museum The Queens Museum provides pre-K–12 students with fun learning experiences that integrate in-depth observation and interpretation of art and historical exhibits, and hands-on art-making activities.
• Queens Public Library Visit one of their 63 community libraries for student library cards, summer meals, activities for all ages, clubs for teens, as well as books, magazines, ebooks and other media in many languages and formats -- all for free.
• Queens Zoo The Queens Zoo offers guided tours on themes including adaptations, habitats and diets, birds, mammals and domestic animals. Classes and self-guided tours are also available.
• Vander Ende Onderdonk House At the oldest Dutch Colonial stone house in New York City, students can tour the house and grounds, see a slide presentation on early New York history and participate in a colonial craft activity.
• Voelker Orth Museum The Voelker Orth Museum occupies an 1890s immigrant family's house in Flushing, Queens and offers a variety of history, science and art programs. Read a New York Teacher article about a 1st-grade class trip to the Voelker Orth Museum »

Staten Island

• Historic Richmond Town Using history and culture as a foundation, the museum explores the roles and lives of men, women, and children throughout the centuries. School tours and workshops are available.
• Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanic Garden Snug Harbor on Staten Island offers four 90-minute outdoor tour varieties: New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden, Wetlands, Snug Harbor Pastoral Grounds and Gardens, and Snug Harbor Heritage Farm. Each tour may be paired with a class; topics include Chinese calligraphy, wetlands, the water cycle and more.
• Staten Island Children's Museum Guided by a museum educator, students will learn through hands-on experience. 
• Staten Island Museum School and educator programs use the Staten Island Museum’s collection and exhibitions to create a forum for ideas, debate, and exchange. Programs at the Museum and in the classroom offer students and teachers an interdisciplinary and hands-on learning experience.
• Staten Island Zoo The Staten Island Zoo offers animal presentations with topics including animals and folklore, ecosystems, rainforest, safaris and more. Traveling zoo programs are also available.

Everything Baby Showers

10 School Field Trips That End in Unforgettable Lessons

Posted: April 21, 2024 | Last updated: April 21, 2024

School field trips are more than just a break from the classroom routine. They often become the highlight of a student’s academic year. These outings offer invaluable real-world experiences that textbooks can’t replicate. From historic landmarks to scientific wonders, 10 school field trips leave students with unforgettable lessons.

Ellis Island, New York

A visit to Ellis Island offers students a profound glimpse into the immigrant experience, where they can trace the footsteps of millions who arrived searching for the American Dream. Walking through the halls where hopeful individuals awaited entry into the United States, students encounter firsthand accounts, photographs, and artifacts that convey the challenges and triumphs of those who embarked on the journey to a new land.

NASA Kennedy Space Center, Florida

The NASA Kennedy Space Center provides an unparalleled opportunity for students to delve into the wonders of space exploration. From a rocket launch to exploring interactive exhibits, students are immersed in the history and future of space travel. They gain insights into the scientific principles behind space exploration, the challenges of living and working in space, and the innovative technologies driving exploration forward. 

Gettysburg National Military Park, Pennsylvania

Visiting the hallowed grounds of Gettysburg National Military Park transports students to one of the defining moments of American history. As they walk among the battlefield’s monuments and markers, students gain a deep appreciation for the sacrifices made during the Civil War. 

Monterey Bay Aquarium, California

Situated along the scenic coastline of California, the Monterey Bay Aquarium offers students a mesmerizing journey into the ocean’s depths. With exhibits showcasing diverse marine life and interactive learning opportunities, students discover the importance of ocean ecosystems’ interconnectedness and conservation. From playful sea otters to graceful jellyfish, each encounter sparks curiosity and wonder.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C

As one of the world’s premier aerospace museums, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum offers students a thrilling exploration of humanity’s quest for the skies and beyond. From the Wright brothers’ historic aircraft to the Apollo moon landing module, students encounter iconic artifacts that have shaped the course of aviation and space exploration.

Alcatraz Island, California

A visit to Alcatraz Island provides students with a captivating glimpse into the history of one of America’s most notorious prisons. As they step inside the cellblocks and explore the island’s rugged terrain, students are transported to a bygone era of incarceration and escape attempts. Guided tours and exhibits highlight the daily lives of inmates and guards, highlighting the harsh realities of life behind bars. 

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York

Situated amidst the vibrant cultural landscape of New York City, The Metropolitan Museum of Art offers students an enriching journey through the history of human creativity. From ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces, the museum’s vast collections span continents and centuries, inviting students to explore diverse artistic traditions and styles. Through guided tours, interactive exhibits, and hands-on workshops, students engage with artworks firsthand, honing their critical thinking skills and deepening their appreciation for the power of visual expression.

Everglades National Park, Florida

Exploring the Everglades National Park immerses students in a unique and ecologically diverse landscape in the United States. As they traverse the park’s marshes, mangroves, and sawgrass prairies, students encounter various plant and animal species, including iconic inhabitants like alligators and manatees. Guided tours shed light on the importance of wetland ecosystems, biodiversity conservation, and environmental stewardship. 

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, Massachusetts

Stepping back to the eve of the American Revolution, students journey to the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum, where history comes alive through immersive reenactments and interactive exhibits. Guided by costumed interpreters, students participate in the pivotal events that led to the colonies’ struggle for independence, from the infamous tea protest to the stirring speeches of revolutionary leaders. 

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Washington, D.C.

Exploring the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture provides students with a profound journey through the triumphs and struggles of African Americans throughout history. From the horrors of slavery to the achievements of the Civil Rights Movement, students encounter potent stories of resilience, resistance, and resilience. Students gain insights into the complexities of race, identity, and social justice in America when they visit this museum.

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New York City Field Trips

The FieldTripDirectory.com is a resource for field trips for students, camp groups, homeschool groups and scout troops for day field trips, overnight field trips and youth retreats. Learn about NY’s museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, nature centers, historic sites, amusement parks, recreation, performing arts and more in New York City. CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below to learn about these types of field trips.

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Adventurers Family Amusement Park

Open since 1966, Adventurers Amusement Park, formerly Nellie Bly, is the perfect place to enjoy a fun day for your group field trip or family outing in Brooklyn.

Area 53 NYC

Area 53 NYC- 3 locations – triple the fun. Choose between Adventure Park, Indoor Paintball and Laser Tag. Field Trips and Parties for school, scout, camp0, homeschool groups and family celebrations.

CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

A one-of-a-kind NYC tradition, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes® brings the joy of Christmas to life in a show for all ages.

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum

Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum is the only museum in the US devoted exclusively to historic and contemporary design. Explore virtual exhibitions and the Digital Mansion.

Dave & Buster’s Brooklyn Atlantic

Groups will have a blast at Dave & Buster’s Brooklyn Atlantic! Start out with a delicious meal in the group-friendly restaurant and then move on to a large selection of games—in Dave’s Arcade.

Dave & Buster’s Brooklyn Gateway

Groups will have a blast at Dave & Buster’s Brooklyn Gateway! Start out with a delicious meal in the group-friendly restaurant and then move on to some games—12-lane bowling, shuffleboard, air hockey, and more—in Dave’s Arcade.

Dave & Buster’s Staten Island

At Dave & Buster’s Staten Island, your group will have a blast! Start out with a delicious meal in our group-friendly restaurant and then move on to some fun games for team building followed by a visit to arcade with the latest games.

Dave and Buster’s Times Square

Dave & Buster’s Time Square is your go-to place for FUN! For your next school event come eat, party, and play at Dave & Buster’s—your school group will thank you!

Disney On Broadway – The Lion King

More than 90 million people around the world have come to discover the thrill, the majesty, the one-of-a-kind Broadway musical that is “The Lion King.” Enjoy this landmark entertainment experience!

DISNEY ON BROADWAY – ALADDIN

Aladdin is an unforgettable experience that blends all the cherished songs from the film’s Academy Award®- winning score with new music written especially for this Broadway production.

Ferox Ninja Park

KingsFerox, the Biggest  ninja park with obstacles plus a whole floor of entertainment with massive trampolines, rock climbing and more.  Join the fun today!

Greenbelt Conservancy

Explore 2,800 acres dedicated to discovering the sounds, sights, and scents of nature. Programs include bird watching, learning about insects, spiders, and reptiles.

FieldTripDirectory.com (formerly ClassTrips.com and CampDirectorsResources.com) offers field trip ideas for class trips, scout group trips, camp group field trips, and homeschool group field trips in New York City—early childhood through college. Search for class trips in New York City by by group type, cost, activity/curriculum type, grade level, distance, and venue name or keyword. Day class trips are divided by curriculum and subject area:

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• RECREATION Find New York City field trip ideas for adventure parks, ropes courses, ziplines, boat excursions, amusement parks, waterparks, kayaking, rafting, tubing, laser tag paintball, roller skating rinks, ice-skating rinks, mini-golf attractions, indoor amusement & recreation centers, and outdoor amusement & recreation centers.

Overnight field trips include trips to NYC, trips to Boston, trips to Philadelphia, trips to Washington, DC, trips to Chicago, trips to Atlanta, trips to Austin, and other historic cities throughout the US. Retreats are available for environmental education, team building, and recreation. We created field trip lesson plans to help teachers, scout leaders, camp counselors, and homeschool parents provide an enriching experience for their groups. We know funds for class trips are limited, so we’ve included grants for field trips that cover admission, transportation, and more. It’s important that students and youth explore new environments, learn about other cultures, and develop an understanding of inclusivity as part of the educational process. People learn in different ways—through hearing, seeing, touching, talking, or doing. Class trips can provide a multi-dimensional learning experience. FieldTripDirectory.com can help you find the right trip for your group. A world of experiences is just a click away at FieldTripDirectory.com.

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Educational school trip ideas for primary school teachers based on the KS1 & KS2 National Curriculum

Find educational school trips the easy way

Class Trips is about helping primary school teachers find school trip ideas and educational class visits for infants and junior school children in the UK. We list only educational places to visit that are related to the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 subject areas.

School curriculum subjects

School trip ideas for primary schools based on The National Curriculum KS1 & KS2 subjects

School trip ideas for primary schools

Recently added school trips suitable for infant and junior school children

Edinburgh Zoo

The Ice Cream Farm

The Camp Hill Estate

The commandery – worcester.

The Hill End Centre

Allerton waste recovery park.

Bolton Castle

Victoria Art Gallery

Tudor world, worcester city art gallery & museum, wwt slimbridge wetland centre, skern lodge, sea life manchester, noah’s ark zoo farm, the silverstone experience.

Fairytale Farm

Animal education centre, east park, the kingswood trust, xscape yorkshire, worcestershire county museum, boundless outdoors, legoland discovery centre manchester.

The SSE Arena Wembley

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

The beatles story, treetop trek manchester, go ape, normanby hall – lincolnshire, wicked the musical, paultons park, find your next primary school educational trip.

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View our blogs with tips, ideas and suggestions on places to visit

Developing Children’s Cultural Capital

Mental Health And Wellbeing In Schools

Cadbury World Provides Introduction to Ancient Mayan Civilisation

How Educational School Trips Teach British Values

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24 Awesome US Graduation Trip Ideas for Your 2024 Senior

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Are you looking for some awesome graduation trip ideas for your senior? I’ve been there and I have a list of ideas that are perfect for your teen!

This year I have a senior in high school. When I started this blogging journey, it was to help families travel more before their kids’ grow up and move out . And now I’m here. My son is about to embark on his college journey and move out, at least for a little while. Which is why I needed some ideas for a graduation trip he won’t forget.

I promised each of my children to take them on fun senior trips. I fully believe travel helps us spend quality time together that we don’t get in our day-to-day lives. Travel removes the responsibilities of home life, school, activities, and obligations. And since I’ve focused on travel with teenagers over the last 10 years, many of our past vacations inspired me to create this list.

As a high school senior (who’s also dual-enrolled to earn his Associate’s Degree) there is a lot of stress and pressure of finishing school, choosing a college, moving away from home, meeting new people, and all that those life changes bring. One last hurrah and a trip of a lifetime is not only a way to celebrate this important time in his life, it’s a great way to have family time before his next big step.

As someone deeply passionate about family travel, I’ve been on this blogging journey to help families make the most of their grad trips. The following fun senior trip ideas cover everything from a group graduation vacation, travel with a senior class, or epic trips for high school graduates with friends or family .

Here’s the deal: Research consistently emphasizes the positive impact of well-planned graduation trips, not just on the graduating senior but on the entire family. Families who’ve followed my suggestions have had some incredible journeys.

Table of Contents

Graduation Trips on a Budget

High school graduation trips do not have to break the bank. Depending on the kind of trip your teen wants, finding affordable graduation trips in USA and staying on a small budget can still be a lot of fun.

1. New York City

I fully believe New York City not only is the ultimate travel experience today, but it is also well within a budget vacation option. It’s been one of our best graduation trips.

Flights to NYC are usually not too expensive, but they do increase as summer approaches. Book a trip immediately after graduation in late May if possible. Keep an eye on Skyscanner for the best flight prices.

What to do:

Places such as Times Square, Central Park, Statue of Liberty , Wall Street, Trinity Church (where the Hamiltons are buried and as seen on National Treasure), The New York Public Library, and Washington Square Park, are free to visit. Or in the case of the Lady Liberty, very reasonable cost.

These are places that your teen will know from TV and Movies. We have always had a great time seeing our favorite places in person. Hit Bedford and Grove to see the Friends building. Wander through Central Park. Search for filming locations of your favorite media and you’ll come up with a list to visit on your own.

Eating in the big city of New York can also be reasonable as well. Just stay away from the touristy section of Times Square when it comes to dining. Your best option is downtown for Chinatown or Little Italy.

Where to stay:

To make it reasonable, stay outside the city and take the subway in. We’ve found charming VRBOs in Jersey City (which isn’t too far from the Statue of Liberty Ferry and is only about 4 stops into the city.

Camping is another excellent choice for traveling on a budget . Your choice of destination is unlimited. If your grad wants to even try out a solo trip, look to one of the state parks near you. That way your teen gets some independence but isn’t too far away for their first time out on their own.

If you don’t want to go all-in on buying new camping gear , you can also consider one of your state parks with cabin accommodations.

3. Rent a Campervan

When my son and I started tossing around ideas for high school senior trip ideas, the one we landed on was renting a campervan to explore the National Parks in California .

We are renting with Escape Campervans , out of San Francisco. Drivers do have to be at least 21 years of age with a valid driver’s license, so this is not the kind of trip a high school senior could do. However, we found it’s an amazing way to see a lot at a lower cost. Our van rental costs about $300 more than a car rental for the same time period and includes our sleeping and cooking facilities. The only other things we are paying for are food (which we would have to do anyway) and campsites.

Escape Campervans have locations in:

• Los Angeles
• Salt Lake City
• San Francisco

You can rent round trip or between any of those destinations.

4. South Dakota

At first glance, South Dakota’s Badlands National Park and the Black Hills aren’t necessarily places that jump to mind for a graduation trip , but their rugged and untouched beauty will leave your senior in awe.

While most national parks require at least a few miles of hiking to reach their greatest points of interest, Badlands National Park gives you stunning views almost immediately—like Door Trail or Badlands Loop Road.

Feel as if you’re in an Epic Star Wars or Star Trek adventure with some of the landscapes as well. Notch Trail winds through canyon shelves and ends in dramatic views that will definitely give you the feeling of being on another planet.

Ideas for Graduation trips with Family

If your senior is moving away to college in the fall, this may be the last time you get to take whole family vacations for a while. With college breaks not always lining up with younger kids’ school holidays, it’s the perfect time to do one last big hurrah with the whole gang.

Plus these trips make for amazing travel photos .

5. Walt Disney World

If you haven’t done Disney as a whole family, this may be the time to do it. Not only is Disney better with older kids , in my opinion, it’s the perfect place to celebrate. With so much more attractions geared towards older kids such as Star Wars and Guardians of the Galaxy, Disney as one of your high school graduation vacation ideas is a fun for the whole family idea.

Walt Disney World is the kind of place where you can spend a few days or a few weeks and still have plenty to do. Don’t sweat trying to do it all, it’s nearly impossible. Pick a few of your must-dos, and enjoy the time together.

I would recommend staying on property in order to use Disney transportation.

Otherwise, consider getting a vacation home with a pool where you can have a day to chill poolside, yet still have all the things you need to snack and feed your hungry family.

Of course, if you’re in the Orlando area and are more thrill seeker fans, you can combine Disney with a trip to Universal. Grab my what not to miss at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter .

If you’re looking for ideas for a graduation trip that gives your senior a chance to bond with his family, then book a cruise .

You and your loved ones can enjoy sailing together while you soak up some Vitamin D on deck. Cruise ships also offer a variety of activities and events like spa treatments, scavenger hunts, dancing, and more—so everyone can find something they enjoy.

7. Alaskan Cruise or Alaska Road Trip

No matter what time of year, there’s never a bad time to visit Alaska—the northernmost U.S. state.

Although it can be expensive to fly, you’ll be able to experience wildlife, pristine landscapes, and exciting Alaskan festivities. This makes it one of the best places for a senior trip.

If you go during winter, you’ll get to see spectacular views of snow-covered mountains and frozen lakes that are sure to make your senior feel warm inside (no pun intended). Not to mention, this is a fantastic way to see the Northern Lights without leaving the country.

Consider either an Alaskan cruise as a bucket list to see incredible glaciers, or explore further inland with a road trip through the National Parks in Alaska.

Alaska was a bucket list item for us and an incredible way to view vistas we don’t see every day. Plus, your teen may be interested in summer employment in Alaska in the future. We met many college kids spending their summers in the Last Frontier.

8. All-Inclusive Graduation Trips

Like a cruise but on land, an all-inclusive resort is a fantastic way to make sure you’re taken care of during your vacation. Instead of paying for each individual part of your trip separately, you pay for it all in one fell swoop.

One of my favorite high school graduation family trip ideas, all-inclusive let you bond, do activities together or on your own, and generally just relax.

And, with options like room service and on-site dining, you can focus on spending time with your family instead of having to go out into town or eat in your hotel room. This can range from luxury Club Med destinations to horseback riding dude ranches.

Some top choices in the US include:

• Tyler Place Family Resort – Vermont
• Bungalows Key Largo – Florida Keys
• Fair Hills Resort – Minnesota

9. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Young adults who want to get away from their everyday lives for a few days will enjoy exploring Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Located on the big island of Hawaii, this popular park offers hiking trails, sightseeing, lava tubes, and much more. Backpacking is allowed at certain sites within park limits. A trip to Kilauea Iki can take visitors through many of these features in one hike, making it one of our favorite graduation trip ideas for young adults.

I would recommend one of the many charming VRBO rentals near the National Park for perfect family seclusion.

Group Graduation Vacation Ideas with Friends

If you’re willing to send your teen off with a group of friends, now’s the perfect time to learn some independence and responsibility. Of course, you may want to read my tips for a graduate here . These ideas for the best senior trips with friends are full of adventure.

10. Road Trips

Who doesn’t love a road trip ? With some careful planning, you can create an unforgettable experience that will be one of your teen’s favorite memories from high school. Whether it’s going to visit colleges or seeing national landmarks, there are so many great graduation trip ideas for teens.

For ideas, look to the miles and miles of ideas in Road Trip USA by Moon guides . Perhaps they want to re-enact the Oregon Trail?

11. National Park Hiking

Take a hike. The nation’s outdoor spaces are vast and beautiful, and they’re within easy reach of most towns. National parks are the best places for a senior trip.

Get your teen a National Parks Pass that they can use all year long and save on entrance fees.

Just because your teen graduated doesn’t mean he or she has to sit inside studying all summer! A hike is a perfect way to get some fresh air and test his or her new sense of responsibility. For bucket list destinations try Yosemite National Park or Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

12. White Water Rafting Grand Canyon

The Colorado River is one of America’s greatest rivers and it has a history steeped in both adventure and danger. Paddle through parts of the Grand Canyon.

They’ll get to see up close stunning views, and spend some quality time with their friends.

Plus you don’t need any previous experience to participate— professional guides will take care of all that for you! For a guided tour, search here .

13. South Padre Island

Is a beach destination worth considering if your grads want to head to an island? The island is located on South Padre Island along Texas’s Gulf Coast and offers tons of things to do including surfing, swimming, and fishing. These activities are perfect for spending time with their friends while giving them an adventure they won’t forget. There are also plenty of hotels to choose from that offer packages geared toward students, making it easy to plan a fun trip!

14. Music Festivals

For an experience that will bring your teen and her friends closer together, send her off to a music festival. Plus, it’s a great way to stay connected with your child in an age when texting and Snapchat takes precedence over phone calls and weekend visits. And because most music festivals take place at different times of the year, there’s sure to be one she’ll love no matter what time of year it is.

Beach Destinations

If a tropical destination is what your grad has in mind, you don’t need to leave the country. Either the island nation of Puerto Rico or the southernmost spot of Key West are great ideas for a graduation trip.

15. Puerto Rico

No passport is required to get to Puerto Rico. Because it’s a US Territory, you can travel here as you would within the United States. College students can take advantage of cheap flights and warm weather. A four day itinerary in Puerto Rico will hit some of the island’s best spots.

San Juan is home to several historic sites worth exploring. The city also has tons of restaurants that serve up authentic Latin American cuisine.

The island also has plenty of beaches and places to go surfing. You could even do a natural waterslide and rainforest hike .

16. Key West

The southernmost city in Florida, Key West is known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and eclectic nightlife. There’s no shortage of fun here; a visit to Mallory Square and Duval Street will provide you with everything from street performers to food vendors and lounges – just be prepared to see some serious sunburns if you plan on spending your time on the beach.

We’re back in Hawaii, this time to Maui for surf’s up. For a graduation trip you’ll never forget, Maui is one of our top picks. With its warm weather, beautiful beaches, and year-round sunsets, it’s one of Hawaii’s most popular destinations. There are plenty of things to do on your trip here including visiting historic sites like Pearl Harbor and snorkeling in Makena. There are also opportunities for surfing, hiking, and exploring rainforests.

For those who want to hit some waves while they’re in town, you can choose from several options when it comes to surfing lessons . At Kahului Beach Park (the birthplace of modern surfing), there are instructors available that will teach you how to ride surfboards as well as stand-up paddleboards.

**2024 Note** Maui, due to the fires, may not be ready to welcome visitors yet. Be sure to inquire with locals before booking your trip to ensure you’re not doing more harm than good by traveling there.

18. Tybee Island and Savannah

If you’re looking for remote beaches mixed with old world Southern charm, Tybee Island and Savannah are my choice for your graduation trip with your teens.

First, let’s talk about the beaches of Tybee Island. this is a true hidden gem along the Georgia coastline that offers pristine beaches, sandy shores, and fresh seafood.

Take a leisurely bike ride along the picturesque streets or embark on a kayaking excursion to discover the islands natural beauty.

Savannah, in addition to it’s ornate antebellum architecture, is home to the Savannah College of Art and Design. If your teen is into art, fashion, or film, this school has woven its creative influence throughout the charming city. See a mural in a local business, it’s likely a SCAD student may have worked on it.

Check out the SCAD fashion or film festival put on each year by the school and combine your kids love into a trip they’ll never forget.

Bright Lights Big Cities

If you have culture or movie buffs as kids, some of the bigger cities might be just what they want to experience. We’ve already mentioned what a great place New York City is on a budget. If you’re willing to splurge, look to add an On Location Movie Tour . They have TV & Movie Sites , Marvel , and more. Check out the NYC and Boston Tours here.

19. Chicago

I’ve always thought Chicago is a fantastic big city that feels like a small town. It’s midwest charm, history, and architecture offer plenty to see and do.

A trip to Chicago is a must for any comedy fan. Second City, one of comedy’s most famous institutions, is located just north of the Chicago River. Their interactive improv courses are also an awesome way to get your grad laughing. After class, you can grab dinner at any of the many restaurants that surround it—from Korean fried chicken to BBQ pizza and artisan cheeses.

And while you’re in Chicago, baseball fans will love checking out Wrigley Field.

And don’t miss such Chicago food staples as Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Pizza, and a Chicago-style dog from Portillos.

20. Los Angeles

No matter what you’re into, Los Angeles has it. The entertainment capital of America, LA is a great choice for your grad trip. Be sure to visit Rodeo Drive, Hollywood, and Malibu (the movie stars’ playground). You might even spot a celebrity or two!

One of LA’s top attractions is Universal Studios . It has rides, shows, and a lot more fun to offer. If your grad likes Harry Potter, this is the place to try all kinds of butterbeer . Everyone will be amazed by what they see there. Also, try to attend an NBA game at Staples Center.

21. San Diego

What teen doesn’t dream of an amazing trip to Comic-Con? In San Diego, your soon-to-be grad can bask in geek culture and look forward to a new adventure that his friends will envy—and remember. Make sure you take pictures of him with as many superheroes as possible for bragging rights. If there’s one thing we learned from The Hobbit, it’s that everyone loves Legolas!

22. New Orleans

I love New Orleans. Beyond Bourbon Street, there’s a lot for teens to do in New Orleans .

The birthplace of jazz, this city will give you and your teen a new appreciation for the cultural rich music on dozens of street corners in the French Quarter.

Then there’s the food. If you have a teen that loves to eat, they can explore their likes and dislikes with New Orleans staples such as beignets, gumbo, crawfish, po’boys, muffalettas, and jambalaya, just to name a few.

You can also get an authentic Mardi Gras experience, without the chaos that is Bourbon street the day of. Mardi Gras officially begins on January 6th (Three Kings Day) and there are events from January until Mardi Gras day throughout the city.

I’d recommend staying in the Warehouse District for ease of access to the best spots in the city.

23. Seattle

My daughter’s choice for her graduation trip is Seattle, Washington. She’s a music fan and coffee lover, as well as enjoying nature. This gateway to the Pacific Northwest makes it a perfect destination.

While in Seattle, explore the Pike Place Market , the Museum of Pop Culture, and a trip to the top of the Space Needle.

While many people know that Starbucks arose from Seattle, the Emerald City was some to quite the coffee culture long before Starbucks became a household name. Get your teen ready for late night studying with the Seattle Coffee Culture Tour .

And of course, if you’re like me, and grew up on 90s grunge, visiting the birthplace of your favorite artists with your teen is an incredible shared experience.

Outside the main city, visit Olympic National Park , a vast park of nearly a million acres with several distinct ecosystems, including a rainforest.

If you have a little extra time, about 3 hours from Seattle is North Cascades National Park.

24. Portland

Portland, Oregon is known for its weirdness. In fact, it’s their slogan, Keep Portland Weird.

Portland is filled with quirky neighborhoods, artisanal spirit, and a thriving food scene. The city has a vibe like no other.

Additionally, Portland is committed to sustainability and green energy. Be on the lookout for how they are keeping to “green” practices that connect it to the nature around it.

Favorites in Portland include Powell’s City of Books, one of the world’s largest independent bookstores, the Japanese gardens, and nearby drives to dozens of waterfalls.

FAQs High School Graduation Trip Ideas

Why is a graduation trip important.

A graduation trip for your high school teen is important as a last hurrah before they venture off to intense college academics or entering the workforce.

How do you plan a Senior Trip?

Planning a senior trip involves many of the same steps it takes to plan a regular trip. It depends on if you’re traveling as a family or with a high school group. Follow some graduation trip tips here .

What to do for Senior Trip

The options are endless. First decide if you’re interested in history, art, adventure, or just chilling on the beach.

What is a good Graduation Trip?

A good graduation trip is one that is personalized to the graduate and takes into account his or her interests, activity level, sense of adventure, and need for relaxation.

What are some good Senior Trip Destinations?

The best places to go for senior trip include places that have a variety to do, like a big city, or National Park.

Final Thoughts Trip Ideas for Graduation

As busy parents navigating the whirlwind of daily life, planning a graduation trip for your senior is not just a luxury but a meaningful investment in family bonds and cherished memories.

The array of destinations, from the vibrant streets of New Orleans to the serene landscapes of Tybee Island, caters to every taste and desire.

These handpicked grad trip ideas ensure that busy parents, yearning for quality family time, can effortlessly embark on an unforgettable adventure with their teenager.

Beyond the allure of picturesque locations, these trips offer a rare chance to pause, connect, and celebrate a significant milestone in your senior’s life. As your teenager stands on the brink of new beginnings, a well-planned graduation trip becomes a symbol of love, support, and the shared joy of accomplishments. It’s not just a vacation; it’s a testament to the unique bond your family shares, creating a tapestry of experiences that will be cherished for years to come.

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Tonya Denmark