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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!

Students on field trips to the local theater and a fire station.

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

Preschooler wearing a fire helmet and standing in front of a fire truck (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

Child looking down on stage set up for orchestra concert

@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

Middle school students on a field trip to a water reclamation facility

@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

Students taking a virtual field trip to Glacier Bay

@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

Young student visiting a pumpkin patch in the rain

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 ..

Looking for some exciting new field trip ideas? Find them here! Unique ideas for every grade and interest, including virtual options.

Paired images of the small inexpensive things teachers love: a line a day journal and cute planter

30 Small, Inexpensive Things Teachers Say Have Made Their Lives Better

I tried out the small, stretchy dinosaurs with my middle schoolers—you would have thought they were cash prizes. Continue Reading

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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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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24 Best Ideas for Field Trips for Schools for All Ages

Leah Nguyen • 08 Aug 2023 • 6 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!

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:

• Provide hands-on, experiential learning: Students learn best when they have opportunities to directly experience and interact with what they are studying. Field trips allow students to make real-world connections to classroom concepts, for example, a field trip to the science museum will let students interact with real experiments that they only have seen through textbooks.

• 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.

Field trips for schools - Primary school

#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.

Host fun quiz games with AhaSlides

Lessons can be learned in a fun way. Make engaging quizzes for students with our free education templates❗️

Field trips for schools - Middle and high school field trip ideas

#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.

Field trips for schools - Homeschool field trip ideas

#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 · Coordinate logistics · Plan pre-trip lessons · Prepare chaperones · Conduct the field trip · Conduct post-trip debrief · Evaluate and improve.

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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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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41 Exciting Project-Based Learning Field Trip Ideas

August 14, 2023 // by Lauren Du Plessis

Discover a world beyond your classroom with 41 vibrant project-based learning field trip ideas. As teachers, we continually seek new ways to engage and inspire our young learners. For this reason, we’ve curated a list of unique educational destinations- each offering a wealth of hands-on learning experiences for you and your young explorers! From museums to farms, TV stations to local startups, these trips will ignite curiosity and enhance learning, so let’s jump right in to explore more.

Preschool (3-5 years)

1. puppet theater.

Ever wondered what your puppets would say if they could talk? It’s time to unleash creativity and weave magic with a charming puppet theater. The stage is set, the lights dim, and your young puppeteers have a chance to spin enchanting tales for all of their peers to enjoy.

Learn More: Bob Baker Marionette Theater

2. Children’s Museum

This next field trip idea allows your littles to discover something new with every step they take! Children’s Museums are a galaxy of interactive exhibits- with every room designed to pique curiosity and spark fascination.

Learn More: MCM

Let’s swap those classroom walls for sun-drenched fields and wide-open skies. Among the chirping birds and friendly farm animals, your kids can delve into the heart of rural life; discovering a new respect for farmers and all the hard work they complete.

Learn More: YouTube

4. Local Library

Let the local library shelves whisper tales of mystery, adventure, and knowledge into your students’ ears. Watch as their curious minds unearth the joy of reading and embark on countless journeys through the pages of their favorite books.

Learn More: The Colorful Apple

5. Petting Zoo

Ready for a fuzzy, furry adventure? The petting zoo awaits to greet your students with an assortment of friendly wildlife. As your kids pet and care for these adorable animals, they’ll learn important lessons about empathy and responsibility.

Learn More: Seattle’s Child

6. Fruit Picking Farm

Swap the hustle and bustle of the city for a day amidst vibrant orchards. A fruit-picking farm offers an opportunity to pluck, taste, and learn about various fruits. As your students reach out for those ripe apples and juicy strawberries, they are sure to experience the farm-to-table journey firsthand.

Learn More: Smith’s Nursery Inc.

7. Toy Factory

Step into a life-sized playhouse with your students by taking them on an enchanting trip to the toy factory! Watch the wonder evolve as they discover the intriguing process behind how their favorite toys get created.

Learn More: Trip.com

8. Children’s Art Studio

Welcome to the colorful chaos of a children’s art studio! Here, creativity reigns supreme, and messes are masterpieces in the making. Let your little Picassos unveil themselves through their imaginative designs and creations.

Learn More: Art Fun Studio

9. Aquarium

Dive into a magical underwater realm with a trip to the aquarium! As your students marvel at the vibrant marine life, they’ll gain insights into the mysteries and beauty of our oceans.

10. Local Bakery

Tell your students to grab their chefs’ hats as you step into the aromatic world of a local bakery. During this scrumptious adventure, they will discover the science behind baking and might even get to try their hands at decorating cookies!

Learn More: Good Time DIY

11. City Park

There’s more to city parks than meets the eye. These spaces are living classrooms nestled in nature- offering lessons about local wildlife and providing countless outdoor activities for your students to indulge in.

Learn More: City Park Conservancy

12. Dance Studio

Let your students be entranced by the beat of the music and the flow of movement at a local dance studio. This field trip provides a space where your little ones can discover the joy of dancing, paired with the harmony between body and mind. Get their feet tapping and their hearts racing on this rhythmic journey.

Learn More: Jadore Dance

13. Botanical Garden

Envision the botanical garden as a living book of floral wonders just waiting to be explored by your kiddos. As they wander through a stunning array of plants, they’ll uncover the fascinating world of nature’s extraordinary diversity.

Learn More: Naples Garden

Elementary School (6-10 years)

14. planetarium.

Buckle up and prepare your pupils for a cosmic journey as they visit a local planetarium! As they gaze at the starlit dome, the mysteries of the universe are displayed- sparking curiosity and wonder about the cosmos with a quick voyage amongst the stars!

Learn More: HRM

15. Historical Museum

Step back in time with a trip to the historical museum. Each artifact tells a riveting tale; bringing history to life for your young explorers. From stone tools to vintage attire, every exhibit is a time capsule for your elementary learners to enjoy.

Learn More: History Colorado

16. Art Museum

Embark on a kaleidoscopic journey by visiting an art museum. This artistic adventure is sure to awaken your students’ creative side and inspire a deeper appreciation for the arts.

Learn More: The Art of Education

17. Recycling Center

Reduce, reuse, recycle! At the recycling center, your everyday trash gets transformed into treasures! Here, your children can discover the importance of recycling and how it preserves our planet- making this a memorable lesson in waste management.

Learn More: Rethink Waste

18. Science Museum

How about a trip to the science museum to ring home those hard-to-explain concepts? Interactive exhibits morph complex scientific concepts into fun-filled experiences; resulting in a hands-on approach to learning that lets your kids experience the thrills of scientific discovery.

Learn More: EdSurge

19. Historic Houses

Peek into the past with a visit to historic houses. As your students walk through these corridors of history, they’ll develop an appreciation for the heritage and culture of eras gone by.

Learn More: Simple Homeschool

20. Conservatories

Welcome to the conservatory, where every plant holds a lesson in biology, conservation, and ecology. As your children discover the wonder of our green planet, they’ll be encouraged to take better care of our Earthly home.

Learn More: Phipps Conservatory

21. Music Studio

Transport your students to a world of rhythm and rhyme with a trip to the music studio. Here, your learners are sure to strike the right chord in more ways than one- getting an introduction to different instruments and the recording process at large.

Learn More: PBS

Middle School (11-13 years)

22. tech company.

What does the future look like? Let your students discover this answer for themselves at a tech company! In our ever-changing world of technology and innovation, your children will gain insights into the possibilities of tomorrow!

Learn More: The Tech Interactive

23. Archaeological Sites

Give your students the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of their ancient ancestors by visiting an archaeological site. As they explore these open-air museums of human history, they’ll connect with the past and unravel the threads of evolution and civilization.

Learn More: Explore Hampi

24. University Laboratory

Enter the frontier of scientific discovery with a visit to a university laboratory. In this bustling hub of investigation, your student’s experimental ambitions are sure to be sparked; feeding their curiosity and opening their eyes to the wonders of scientific exploration.

Learn More: The Cre8ive Zone

25. Theater

Lights, camera, action! Let your students experience the enchanting world of performing arts with a visit to the theater. From costume design to dramatic performances, they’ll get a glimpse of the magic behind the curtains- igniting a passion for drama and possibly even playwriting!

Learn More: KMS Drama

26. Sports Complex

As your students sprint on the tracks or score goals on the fields, they’ll learn the importance of teamwork, physical fitness, and healthy competition. Taking them to the local sports complex teaches them that not only winning is celebrated, but taking part matters as well.

Learn More: LA Galaxy

A fun-filled adventure to the zoo is a classic field trip idea! Every enclosure will provide your learners insight into the beauty of the animal kingdom; inviting them to discover facts relating to animals from around the world and learn more about the importance of conservation efforts.

Learn More: Lincoln Park Zoo

28. Community Service Centers

At community service centers, kindness isn’t just a virtue; it’s a way of life. Here, your children will learn about the power of empathy and helping others- reinforcing the crucial lesson of giving back to the community. This field trip will allow them to grow, not just as individuals; but as compassionate members of society.

Learn More: Lancaster Edu

29. Local Newspaper

The bustling newsroom of a local newspaper opens a window into the world of journalism. Amid the clattering keyboards and the urgent phone calls, your learners can grasp what goes into the process of news creation, from just a spark of information to a published article.

Learn More: English Classes Cygnaeus Pori

30. Historical Reenactment Sites

Journey back in time by taking your students to historical reenactment sites. Here, history gets brought to life through vibrant performances where your kids can learn about the past in a way that textbooks could never teach them!

Learn More: Student Travel Planning Guide

31. Weather Station

I’m sure all your students have wondered how the forecast predicts if you need an umbrella or sunglasses! Answer their burning questions by taking them to your local weather station. From temperature readings to radar images, they’ll get a firsthand experience of meteorology!

Learn More: CW3E Edu

High School (14-18 years)

32. national park.

In the national park, lessons are etched in the rings of trees and whispered on the wings of butterflies. It’s here that your children can learn about the harmony of nature and the importance of conservation- bonding with the great outdoors and having a well-deserved break from classroom life.

Learn More: Global Travel Alliance

33. TV Station

The TV station pulls back the curtain on the captivating world of television production. From script writing to broadcasting, your learners will get the chance to witness the exciting process of how their favorite shows get created.

34. Biotech Company

Venture into the cutting-edge world of Biotech! Here, your students will get a glimpse into the science that is shaping the future of health and medicine. It’s an awe-inspiring experience that could inspire the next generation of biomedical innovators.

Learn More: Promega Connections

35. Local Government Office

With this field trip your pupils can learn about the inner workings of local governance- getting a practical understanding of civics that no textbook could provide. Bonus: It’s a hands-on lesson in leadership and responsibility.

Learn More: Nations Classroom Tours

36. News Studio

Enterinto the bustling energy of a live broadcast studio. From the anchors’ desks to the control room, your children will get a dynamic view of live journalism to fuel a deeper understanding of the world we live in.

Learn More: Olympic High School

37. Courthouse

Step into the halls of justice with a visit to the courthouse. Given the opportunity to learn about all kinds of legal processes, your learners can gain real-world insight into the judicial system; promoting a better understanding of their rights and responsibilities as citizens.

Learn More: FHN Today

38. Botanical Research Institute

Green thumbs at the ready! Taking your kids to the botanical research institute offers a unique opportunity for them to learn about the importance of plants and their environmental significance. Who knows, this could be the seed that grows into a future career in botany!

Learn More: GITM Edu

39. Architectural Firms

Explore the nitty-gritty blueprints behind society with this field trip! As your learners observe how architects design and build, they’ll gain an appreciation for the relationship between art, science, and community at large.

Learn More: Arch Design

40. Local Startups

Welcome to the ambition playground! On a trip to local startups, your students will witness the journey of how an idea transforms into a thriving business. This trip might inspire them to become the startup heroes of tomorrow

41. Film Studios

Take a behind-the-scenes tour of the big screen! From script to screen, your learners will witness the mesmerizing process of filmmaking. This cinematic adventure might inspire the next generation of filmmakers within your school!

Learn More: NST Group

Nature Center
NATURE PRESCHOOL

School Field Trips

Attention teachers we are currently scheduling field trip programs at the environmental nature center and enc tucker wildlife sanctuary for the 2024-25 school year book now to assure your spot next school year, as our current school year calendar is very nearly full..

Field trips can be transformative experiences for students: Having the chance to get outside of the classroom, learn from passionate educators, and encounter new places and ideas can broaden the educational horizons for young learners.

The ENC presents field trip programs to preschool – 12th grade classes throughout the school year. The curricula for each program supports the Next Generation Science Standards for each grade level. Our unique grade-specific programs enable students to return year after year to build on previous learning. Students develop a coherent and scientifically-based view of the world around them as they engage in practices to build, deepen, and apply their knowledge. These core ideas build on each other, and on what they’re learning in their classrooms. We are currently scheduling field trip programs for the 2022-23 school year at the Environmental Nature Center.

Call (949) 645-8489 or email Mindy to schedule a program!

Field Trips at the ENC (Newport Beach)

Field trips at tucker (modjeska canyon), nature changes.

Children ages 3 to 5 learn that everything in nature changes. As they hike through the Center they learn about the life cycle of frogs and touch a real, live toad. They learn about the life cycle of butterflies and visit the butterfly house (seasonal). Children learn that snakes shed their skin to grow, examine snakeskin with a magnifying lens, and get to meet a real, live snake! They learn that mammals have fur to keep them warm when it’s cold, and gently touch the fur of several local animals. Along the trail children enjoy story time under the dappled shade of oak trees. $8/student. 10min/60max. 1hr

Ecosystem Investigators

Students will observe, analyze, and interpret patterns between what plants, animals, and humans need to survive. As they hike through our trails they will survey our meadow area to determine different types of food items animals eat in nature, build a model to demonstrate how animals and humans can change the environment, touch, smell, and taste different natural resource items, and enact how they can help reduce the impact humans have on the local environment. NGSS alignment: K-Ls1-1: LS1.C, K-ESS2-2: ESS2.E, ESS3.C, K-ESS3-1: ESS3.A, K-ESS3-3:ESS3.C, EST1.B. 1.25 hours, $9/student.Minimum 10/maximum 120.

Nature Detectives

Oh no! There’s a mystery at Tucker and our Naturalists need your students’ help! Students will examine clues, such as tracks, and meet a few of our ambassador animals to help solve a mystery. Length: 1 hour and 15 minutes

NGSS alignment: K-Ls1-1: LS1.C, K-ESS2-2: ESS2.E, ESS3.C, K-ESS3-1: ESS3.A, K-ESS3-3:ESS3.C, EST1.B. 1.25 hours, $9/student.Minimum 10/maximum 100.

Creature Features

On a hike through the Center, students participate in hands-on activities to learn how seeds are dispersed and grow into adult plants. Along the trail, they observe the skulls of various animals to determine adaptations of how an animal detects sound and how adaptations of animals influence human problem solving. Students dress up for an animal “fashion show” to learn that animals have external features that help them thrive in different kinds of places. They visit a toad to talk about how the young look different from adults and must go through metamorphosis. Standards: 1-LS1-1, LS1.A, LS1.D, 1-LS3-1, LS3.A, LS3.B. $9/student. 10min/120max. 1.5hrs

Animal Habitats

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is home to so many different native insects and animals! For this program, students explore Tucker by mapping out all the places that animals could make homes, find food, and survive while meeting a few animal ambassadors along the way. Length: 1.5 hours

Standards: 1-LS1-1, LS1.A, LS1.D, 1-LS3-1, LS3.A, LS3.B. $9/student. 10min/100max. 1.5 hrs

Eco-Observers

On a hike through the Center, students map out landmarks, as well as where water has changed the shape of the land. In a hands-on experiment students discover that some landforms are created quickly and others develop over a time too long for a human to observe. They play a fun game to discover that most plants depend on animals for pollination and to move seeds around. They discover the importance of biodiversity and learn that there are many different kinds of living things in an area, and they exist in different places. Standards: 2-LS2-2, LS2.A, 2-LS4-1, LS4.D, 2-ESS1-1, ESS1.C, 2-ESS2-1, ESS2.A, 2-ESS2-2, ESS2.B. $10.50/student. 20min/120max. 2hrs

The Wonders of Plants

The “green blur” is when plants are seen as one mass instead of as the individuals that make up an ecosystem. In this program, students will learn how to look past the “green blur” to explore what makes plants unique. Students will discover the life cycle of a plant, test out how different seeds disperse, discuss why different plants grow in different areas, and observe pollinators! Length: 2 hours

Standards: 2-LS2-2, LS2.A, 2-LS4-1, LS4.D, 2-ESS1-1, ESS1.C, 2-ESS2-1, ESS2.A, 2-ESS2-2, ESS2.B. $10.50/student. 20min/100max. 2 hrs

Tongva Trail

3rd Grade Tongva Trail. Students travel back in time to learn about the tools, trade, and customs of the Tongva (Gabrielino) and Acjachemen (Juaneño) people of Orange County. Along the trail students see, touch, and smell the plants used centuries ago by Native Americans. They make string out of plants, use “rabbit sticks” to “hunt,” perform music using authentic Tongva instruments, make “money” using pump drills, and play authentic Native American games. 2 hours, $10.50/student, minimum 20/ maximum 120. (Standards: 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.4)

Animal Abilities

Students will participate in activities that help them understand that animals have unique characteristics and life cycles. These unique abilities help them interact with and survive in their specific environment. Standards: 3-LS1-1, LS1.B, 3-LS2-1, LS2.D, 3-LS3-2, LS3.B, 3LS4-3, LS4.C, 3LS4-4, LS2.C. $10.50/student. 20min/120max. 2hrs

Adaptation Investigation

Biology is all about investigating and sometimes getting dirty. Students search for invertebrates in the soil or creek and hypothesize what adaptations help them survive in their habitats. Students also investigate plant adaptations through observations, experimentation, and nature journaling. Length: 3 hours

3 hours, $15/student, minimum 20/ maximum 100. (Standards: 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 3.2.1, 3.2.2, 3.2.4)

Native American Adventure

4th Grade Native American Adventure. Along the trail, students experience the technologies and lifestyles of indigenous people from throughout California. Using a mortar and pestle, the students grind acorns and “boil water” to leach them. They explore hunting methods and tools, practice making “fire” using fire drills, practice weaving baskets and mats. Students become archeologists, and dig for artifacts in the ENC’s midden. During a visit to the ENC’s green building, students enter a life-size Tongva dwelling and listen to a native California legend. 2 hours, $10.50/student, minimum 20/ maximum 120. (Standards: 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.5)

Natureology

Students explore science careers while participating in hands-on activities and experiments. They become botanists to study plant adaptations and wildlife biologists to study the adaptations of animals. As geologists they differentiate between igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. Students act as entomologists to examine the differences and similarities of preserved butterflies, moths, and beetles. As microbiologists they observe decomposing materials under a microscope to see the work of beneficial microorganisms. Students visit the ENC’s green building, to see how the staff recycles organic materials in our Composting Learning Lab! Standards: 4-LS1-1, LS1.A, 4-ESS1-1, ESS1.C, 4-ESS3-2, ESS3.B. $10.50/student. 20min/120max. 2hrs

Sensory Explorations (Structure and Function)

How do we experience the world around us? How does a plant or an insect? In this program students perform a dissection on a cow’s eye to learn how the structure of eyes relate to the function of seeing. Students also hike around Tucker to make observations on how different organisms interpret and interact with the world around them using their senses! Length: 3 hours

$15/student, minimum 20/ maximum 100. (Standards: 4.1.5, 4.2.1, 4.2.3, 4.2.5)

Ecosystem Ed-venture

Students will perform water quality tests between two aquatic ecosystems. From those ecosystems, they will take water samples and look at them under a microscope. Along the trail, students learn about photosynthesis and transpiration. Students discuss the water cycle and water distribution, and play a game to learn about ways that water is polluted and cleaned. Standards: 5-PS3-1, PS3.D, 5-LS1-1, LS1.C, 5-LS2-1, LS2.A, LS2.B, 5-ESS2-2, ESS2.C. $12/student. 20min/120max. 2.5hrs

Everything is Connected

“When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”- John Muir. This idea is the essence of the academic field of ecology. Students will hike in the wilderness exploring our partner site, the Modjeska Wilderness Preserve, discovering how everything in nature is interconnected through abiotic testing, explorations, and nature journaling. Length: 3 hours

Standards: 5-PS3-1, PS3.D, 5-LS1-1, LS1.C, 5-LS2-1, LS2.A, LS2.B, 5-ESS2-2, ESS2.C. $15/student. 20min/100max. 3 hrs

Special Groups

Sensory journey (special needs).

Children & adults of all ages & abilities can join us for a Sensory Journey. As we explore our Nature Center, we journey through our native habitats and provide opportunities to have personal encounters with our Animal Ambassadors: maybe a toad, salamander, snake, or rabbit. The journey is designed to invite the use of our senses to experience our native wildlife. During Springtime, we may also visit our Butterfly House to experience butterflies & native plants up close. This live animal encounter can be customized to meet the cognitive/physical needs of all participants: from hiking our trails, to gathering in a quiet place out in our nature center, to having a circle time presentation in one of our classrooms. Naturalists guide small groups limited to 10 participants & their chaperones, to provide a unique opportunity to engage with nature for all ages & abilities. $8/student. 10min/60max. 1 hr.

“Intro to Birding” (Home School Groups)

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary was the home of Benjamin and Dorothy Tucker in the early 1930’s. Benjamin Tucker was the inventor of the hummingbird feeder and nectar recipe that is still used today. This class explores the Tuckers’ love of birds by learning about the different characteristics of birds, where they live, and how to be a good bird watcher.

Grades: Kinder-High School
Length: 1 hour

“Animal Showcase” (Home School Groups)

California is a biodiversity hot spot with many native plants and animals that can only be found right here in our state. Come explore a few of the native animals that call California home by meeting Tucker’s animal ambassadors. Students will learn about the different animals that live here and what adaptations they have that help them survive.

“Naturalist for a Day” (Home School Groups)

Naturalists are people who continually learn about the world around them. In this in-depth class, students will learn how to be a naturalist and about the ecology of the Santa Ana Mountains by conducting abiotic tests, observing animal adaptations, and going on a chaparral hike.

Grades: 3 rd – High School
Length: 2.5 hours
$12/student

Middle School

Ecosystem examiners.

Students will conduct field research to assess the abiotic factors in two different California plant communities at the ENC. After conducting research, students will then compare physical features of each ecosystem and present their findings to their fellow classmates. With the newly gained information, students will design their own animal that can survive in that environment. Standards: MS-LS2-1, LS2.A, MS-LS2-2, MS-ETS1-2, MS- ETS1-3, ETS1.B. $12/student. 20min/48max. 2hrs

Fire Ecology

High school, nature surveyors.

Students will conduct field research to assess population diversity of plants and animals in two different ecosystems in the Nature Center. They will then organize their data collected to analyze biodiversity of each ecosystem. Standards: HS-LS2-2, LS2.C, HS-LS2-6, LS2.C, HS-LS2-7, LS2.C. $12/student. 20min/48max. 2.5hrs

Frequently Asked Questions:

But what about COVID-19?

Students and adults are NOT required to wear masks indoors or outdoors while visiting the ENC. Our field trips only take place indoors in the event of heavy rain or smoke.

Do you offer any discounts for schools?

There is a 10% Discount for booking a program to occur in September. We also offer scholarships for Title I Schools to attend field trips at the ENC Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. Please also check out our Teacher Funding Resources page for grant opportunities that may offset the cost of your field trip.

Can we eat our lunch or snack at the ENC?

We do not allow schools to bring food on-site. This is partly due to the fact that an abundance of crumbs on our grounds is not good for our local wildlife. The other reason is that the ENC is committed to diverting 95% or more of its waste from the landfill. Please review our Zero Waste Policy prior to visiting the Center. We recommend you visit Bob Henry Park across the street before or after your field trip – it’s a great place for a picnic!

What is your cancellation policy?

If you need to cancel your program for any reason, please email [email protected] so that we have it in writing. We will respond via email that we received your cancellation. If you do not receive a response to your email, please call (949) 645-8489 and speak with Mindy or Lori. If cancellations occur at least two weeks before the program, no fees apply. If cancellations occur within two weeks of the scheduled program, the minimum fee for the scheduled program will be charged. Fees do not apply if cancellations occur due to inclement weather.

Do you require a deposit?

As deposit is required in order to secure a date on our programs calendar. The deposit amount will be equivalent to the minimum fee* for the program and will be credited towards the final cost of the program. This deposit is refundable in the case of the ENC needing to cancel the program due to unforeseen circumstances. If a school cancels their field trip within two weeks of their scheduled date, the deposit will be used as a penalty fee and a new deposit will be required to reschedule the program. If a school cancels their field trip with at least two weeks’ notice, the original deposit can be applied towards a rescheduled date.

*Minimum fees are:

30+ Awesome Homeschool Field Trip Ideas Kids Will Love

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30 homeschool field trip ideas written below a group at a museum

Homeschoolers get to take the best field trips. We are not limited to only places that can accommodate massive groups of children and we can usually work more than 1 or 2 into the annual budget . . . especially because many of these field trip spots are FREE!

I can recommend these homeschool field trip ideas because I have personally taken my kids to many of these places. Many of these homeschool field trip ideas can even accommodate babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

Field trips are great because there is almost always something for every grade level. Homeschool students of all ages love to go on field trips!

Gather your homeschool group or a few friends and make a day of it!

If you can’t get out on a field trip, a virtual field trip is a great idea! You can actually see more in one day because you are not limited by location.

30+ Homeschool Field Trip Ideas

the best field trip ideas for homeschoolers written over a map

Zoos are a favorite spot for many children, making them one of the top homeschool field trip ideas. Kids can observe animals they might not otherwise see in the wild. Kids can learn map reading skills, animal facts, and even a bit of geography as they read the descriptive plaques.

Bring along one of these zoo scavenger hunts to keep everyone focused.

Can’t get to a local zoo? Try a virtual zoo field trip instead!

Check out our field trips to the National Zoo and the Woodland Park Zoo .

2. Aquarium

Aquariums let kids observe aquatic animals that they couldn’t see otherwise. After all, it is difficult for humans to view aquatic animals in their natural habitats. Kids learn to care about protecting our planet when they see the wide range of animals impacted by their choices.

Check out these aquariums that are all offering free aquarium webcams .

30 awesome homeschool field trips written under an elephant in a museum

Working farms are amazing places for kids to visit. Some local farmers have farm animals and others focus on growing produce. Our summer with a CSA taught my children so much about life on a farm and where our food comes from. They were able to pick fresh produce right when it was ripe!

They learned that things grow in seasons and that sometimes hard work is involved in getting food to our table. Find a nearby farm here .

4. Nature Center

Nature centers frequently host kid-friendly educational opportunities. The employees are an excellent resource for learning about your environment. Outdoor field trips are a great way to get some fresh air while also learning about your local environment. I love adding in related books, either before or after, our nature center visits.

5. Historical Site

I highly recommend checking out the historic sites near your home. My kids love history and I think that is in part due to all of our field trips. We have moved around the country a bit and every time we move I search for more historic homeschool field trip ideas. There are field trip spots that focus on American history all around the United States.

Field trips to historic spots allow your children to really get a feel for what people of the past struggled with in their daily lives. Every historic site is a little different, but my family always enjoys seeing historic houses.

Check out our field trip to Williamsburg .

Factories are excellent places to learn about manufacturing and assembly lines. Touring the Seattle Chocolates factory was one of our favorite field trips last year.

You can even tour an Amazon fulfillment center ! Tours are offered virtually or in person at a select few locations.

7. Planetarium

A planetarium is an excellent spot for a homeschool field trip if you are studying the solar system or constellations. The light displays are amazing. This is one of the best homeschool field trip ideas if you are studying astronomy!

It does get dark right before the show starts, so it might not be the best field trip idea if your child is afraid of the dark.

Be sure to ask around your community though. You might find smaller planetariums in specialty high schools.

8. Recycling Center

If you have a child who is fascinated with trash trucks, I highly recommend a visit to a recycling center. You can even take a virtual field trip tour of a recycling center online.

9. Great Wolf Lodge

A water park might not be at the top of your homeschool field trip ideas list, but P.E. totally counts! This is a great place to burn off some extra energy during the months spent inside due to the weather.

Some locations even host homeschool weeks.

two kids sitting in front of Great Wolf Lodge sign

10. Fire Station

You know how important I think it is to teach fire safety to kids . Taking a field trip to visit a fire station is an important part of that lesson.

Kids can tour the station, but most importantly, they can see a firefighter wearing all of the gear. That can look kind of scary and kids have been known to hide from firefighters during rescue attempts.

Seeing a fully dressed firefighter in a safe setting helps prepare them. Here is a great field trip response worksheet to help kids process everything they learned.

This is one of those homeschool field trip ideas that I can really make a difference in terms of safety.

11. Police Station

Police stations are a natural fit for any child learning about community helpers or the criminal justice system. I recommend setting up a field trip with your local police station AND the helicopter unit.

My kids thought the police station was interesting, but they really gained useful information from the helicopter unit tour. These are the officers who respond to situations such as lost children and catastrophic injuries, so they reinforce safety tips, like always wearing a bike helmet when riding on wheels.

12. Grocery Store

Grocery stores provide another piece of the ‘where does my food come from’ puzzle. Kids also learn about point of sale, bakeries, and delis. Some grocery stores even offer nutrition lessons.

Print out this grocery scavenger hunt and kids can find items and compare prices.

13. Pet Store

Pet stores are one of the easiest homeschool field trip ideas if your child loves animals. Many pet stores sell a very limited variety of animals, but they do sell everything needed to care for a pet.

Use this pet scavenger hunt at the pet store to lead a discussion about proper pet care.

14. Art Museum

Even young kids can enjoy art museums if they have the right preparation and their parents have the right expectations.

Plan to keep the visit fairly short if your kids are young or high-energy. We found it worked well to focus on one exhibit each visit until Hannah and Ben were older and had longer attention spans.

Choose 1 or 2 pieces to analyze with this handy guide.

Check out our field trip to the Portland Art Museum .

two kids in front of art work in portland art museum

15. History Museum

History museums make the list of homeschool field trip ideas because they can tie in with history curriculum lessons. These museums come in a range of sizes and cover a plethora of topics.

You might even find small local history museums located in little old towns.

16. Science Museum

Science museums usually contain a wide range of science topics so you are almost guaranteed to find something that correlates with a lesson. These museums are usually full of hands-on exhibits and experiments to keep little learners interested and engaged.

Be sure to check out the online exhibit guide before you go, so you can see everything you want to see. Here is a list of science centers in the US . Sort it by state to search it a little easier. Hopefully, you can find an interesting exhibit near you to add to your homeschool field trip ideas list.

17. Children’s Museum

Children’s museums are a great place for the 3-8 crowd to burn off a little energy while learning a bit too. Typical exhibits include building with large blocks, water play, light tables, and make-believe. Interactive exhibits are always a hit with kids.

Many children’s museums offer discount nights every so often.

18. Fish Hatchery

Fish hatcheries are perfect if your kids have any interest in fish.

We toured our local fish hatchery as the salmon were returning to spawn and were able to see gorgeous salmon in all stages of life.

My kids care a little more about keeping our streams healthy because they have seen salmon fighting their way back to the hatchery.

19. Pumpkin Patch

Pumpkin patches feel like one of the iconic homeschool field trip ideas. I am partial to pumpkin patches that actually grow pumpkins instead of the fall entertainment centers that seem to be common.

Some pumpkin patches host a homeschool day each year with discounted entrance and educational classes.

20. State Parks

State parks frequently host seminars led by park rangers. Some of these seminars are open to the public and some are special requests. Check out the state park website for your state and see what is available.

21. National Parks

National parks tend to either have gorgeous scenery or historical sites. Kids can even take part in the junior ranger program. Be sure to check out the visitor center.

Many National Park Service visitor centers display exhibits that explain what the children will see in the park. Find a national park near you here.

Check out our field trip to Fort Clatsop .

22. Post Office

Post offices are busy places with lots of moving parts. Schedule a behind-the-scenes tour and see how mail gets from one part of the country to another.

Print out this copy of Post Office I Spy and keep toddlers entertained while their older siblings learn all about the mail process.

23. Military Base Museum

Military bases can be tricky places to visit, so I hesitated to add them to this list of homeschool field trip ideas, but if you have access to a military base museum I recommend you arrange a visit. The exhibits will be specific to the base. When we were in Barksdale, LA, we saw old bomber planes. The base in Quantico, VA featured marine involvement in various wars.

24. State Capitol

Touring your state capitol building is a great way to garner interest in state politics.

Every state capitol follows a different protocol for setting up field trips, so you will need to check with your state officials to find out how to set up a tour.

25. Botanical Garden

Botanical gardens are beautiful enchanting places. We like to just walk around and enjoy all of the gorgeous plant life. If you have an artist on your hands, be sure to bring a sketchbook.

Check out these reasons why visiting a botanical garden is important .

26. Symphony

Attending a symphony or concert is a great way to foster a love for music . Many symphonies perform special concerts for children. They are shorter in length and play more recognizable tunes.

Some even host instrument petting zoos so the kids can get up close and personal with the instruments.

27. Restaurant

A restaurant might seem like a weird addition to a list of homeschool field trip ideas, but they can be great! Gather a few friends and call up a local restaurant to schedule a homeschool field trip.

Restaurant field trips often include a behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchen. You might even be able to get a little snack. Here is a list of restaurants that offer field trips.

28. Movie Theater

My family is a big fan of heading to the movie theater after we finish reading a book.

Read the book, watch the movie, and compare which you liked better. My kids start looking forward to this as soon as they start seeing the new movie trailers.

29. Performing Arts Center

Live performance homeschool field trip ideas include puppetry arts shows, plays, and dances, just to name a few. Kids seem to love watching live performances.

Follow all of the coupon and local mom blog/Facebook pages for your area because they usually have the inside scoop on performance dates and reduced-price tickets.

30. Storytime

Story times are often hosted by libraries or bookstores and they are perfect for young children. Many times the story times have themes. It is great when you can coordinate the theme with a lesson or unit study, but listening to stories is always educational in its own right.

31. Civil War Battlefields

Civil War battlefields are scattered all throughout the Southeast portion of the United States. Visiting these fields can be a great addition to a United States history curriculum. Check out Battlefields.org to see if there are any sites near you. If not, try their virtual tours.

32. Governor’s Mansion

Many states allow visitors to the Governor’s Mansion, however, this is definitely a field trip that requires advance planning. The website for each state’s executive mansion typically explains the field trip procedure.

If you live near DC, or will be in town, consider planning a field trip to the White House !

Frequently Asked Questions About Homeschool Field Trips

How do homeschool field trips work?

Every homeschool field trip is different, but generally, they work the same way any family trip works. Choose when you want to go and make reservations if necessary.

You can go on the field trip alone or with multiple families. Sometimes there are discounts available for large groups, so it might be worth a little extra planning work to coordinate.

What are good field trip ideas?

Good field trips are anything that keeps your kids interested and learning. I think the homeschool field trip ideas listed above are great educational experiences.

What is the best homeschool field trip?

The best homeschool field trip is one that:

Is interesting to your family
Is affordable for your family
Is in your area

Every family will have a different opinion about the best field trip and that is okay. My personal favorites have been Colonial Williamsburg and the Seattle Chocolate Company.

Should field trips be educational or fun?

Ideally, a homeschool field trip will be educational and fun. They are a unique learning experience. If a child isn’t having fun, they are likely tuning out anything educational.

What if I don’t live near many field trip locations?

Virtual field trips are a great option if you don’t live near many traditional field trip opportunities. Taking a virtual tour can be even better sometimes because you don’t have to stand in any lines.

Need field trip inspiration? Check out these posts:

8 Homeschool Field Trip Planning Tips
Favorite Seattle Field Trips
20+ Free Virtual Field Trips
Field Trip Scavenger Hunt Bundle
15 Fun Virtual Zoo Field Trip Options
Tips for Williamsburg Homeschool Days
Homeschool Field Trips That Are Perfect for Winter

What are your favorite homeschool field trip ideas?

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Welcome! My name is Jennifer. I am a teacher at heart. Before my children were born I was a public school teacher. Now, I am a homeschooling mom of two.

We took a behind-the-scenes your of a local racing speedway and drag strip for a homeschool field trip. It was so much fun!

That sounds like a great field trip!

Science Fun

We provide In-school and Virtual (NEW) science field trips that allow kids to become a “Scientist For the Day” and learn by doing REAL experiments. Programs are engaging, fun and meet the Science Standards. Please call (919) 460-5800 for more information about our new programming options.

We will deliver your Science Supplies to you (FREE SHIPPING)!

Our true passion is to provide teachers and students with FUN, educational, and convenient science programs.

We will transform your experience into a Living Laboratory!

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42 Homeschool Field Trip Ideas + Planning Tips & Printable Log

42 Homeschool Field Trip Ideas: Plus Planning Tips and Printable Log

Are you looking to get out of the field trip rut of zoo and science museum? This article has unique field trip ideas to add zest back into your day trips!

Not sure how to get started with field trips for preschoolers, how often to take field trips, how to plan them, or where to get a printable homeschool field trip log? This article has you covered!

Are field trips good for students?

Field trips are great for students! They are an extension of learning and one of the biggest perks of being a homeschooler. After all, how many field trips can a public school class have each year? Maybe two at best, right? They take an inordinate amount of planning for a school: boxed lunches, buses, permission forms, chaperones, etc. But as a homeschool family , you can pick up and go with much less preparation. In fact, many homeschoolers take a field trip nearly every week!

What are the benefits of a field trip?

Since you’re reading this article, you probably don’t need convincing, but here are eight concrete advantages that field trips offer your children (and you). Yes, they’re fun, and that’s reason enough! But they offer additional perks, too!

1. Real Life Learning Beyond the Books

Books are great! They are the foundation of the literature-based Sonlight curriculum . But there’s an entire world out there that can be experienced firsthand— beyond the books. While books make far off cultures and distant histories accessible to our children, there are many topics we can see, touch, and hear for ourselves either instead of (or in addition to) a book.

So don’t only read about Native Americans. Visit an Indian mound museum and go deeper! Attend a public pow wow to observe and ask questions.
Don’t just read about plant root systems. Visit a local nursery or botanical gardens and get pointers from the professional gardeners who serve there.

2. Socialization

One of the best parts of homeschooling is being able to open our front door and use our community as a classroom. So much for the stereotype of unsocialized homeschoolers ! No way! Homeschoolers are out and about in the community, going on field trips, and interacting with all kinds of people .

3. Motivation

Getting outside the house, exploring new places, and immersing yourself physically in a topic is an ideal way to erase monotony. When you find you’re falling into a boring rut with your homeschool schedule or attitudes are getting prickly, take a field trip! Mix things up! Take an adventure with your kids and experience the wonder of the larger world alongside them.

Field trips raise spirits, renew zest for learning, and give kids a break from the challenging tasks of pencil-to-paper work.

Field trips can be used as a culminating activity after a unit of study—a reward after a period of challenging academic work .

4. Retention

The more senses that are engaged when learning something, the more likely it is to be retained. Field trips are memorable , so kids tend to retain what they soak up on these outings.

5. Family Bonding

Field trips can smooth over the normal annoyances of homeschool family life. Instead of fussing about folding laundry, leave the chores and go explore the zoo! You’ll laugh at the antics of the animals instead of crying over math.

You and your children will create lasting memories of shared moments . When they are adults, these field trips (no matter how simple) are the things they will remember and cherish! So make more happy memories by taking more field trips.

6. Exercise

Many field trips involve quite a bit of walking. Some may even include climbing, leaping, and other physical exertion. In our tech-driven world, let’s not forget that we have bodies that need to move for optimum health! Field trips provide an ideal catalyst for meaningful movement .

Experiencing a sense of awe is a remedy to depression and anxiety. What a gift for our children, and one that we parents need as well!

God’s creation is amazing! So the potential for awe awaits you at any nature-focused field trip destination. Go! And then look, smell, listen, and feel. Let your senses absorb the wonder of God’s creation. The mindfulness and delight will lift your spirits !

8. Small Steps of Career Exploration

In some cases, a field trip gives kids a window into possible career fields. They can get a feel for workplaces and ask questions of the professionals who work there.

What are the disadvantages of a field trip?

The advantages of field trips practically negate the possible downsides, so don’t let these discourage you! But field trips can be a disruption to your normal routine (a feature , not a bug!).

There are field trip logistics that can be possibly annoying: driving distance, parking, where to eat a picnic on premises, rough terrain that makes pushing a stroller a challenge, finding diaper changing facilities, etc. Again, pushing to find solutions is worth the benefit your family gets from the outing!

Some field trip destinations can be pricey, but free homeschool field trips exist! Be sure to ask your desired venues about family passes, special discount days, or community events that are free of charge. Alternate free homeschool field trips with paid field trips to keep costs low, and carpool with another homeschool family to save on gas. Skip the gift shop and take a picnic instead of eating at the kiosks. There are ways to make field trips doable even with a tiny budget.

Bad weather can ruin an outside field trip, but you have the flexibility to move that trip to a prettier day!

There aren’t really any disadvantages inherent in field trips for homeschoolers. But there are small irritations of life that come along with any kind of day trip.

What are good field trip ideas?

The sky's the limit, but here are forty-two suggestions to get you started with homeschool field trips for all ages and grades. Start with lower cost local field trips, and then expand out to more distant destinations as your children mature.

theater, opera, or ballet performances
local house of worship, especially of a faith that is not your own (Muslim mosque, Hindu temple, Jewish synagogue, Greek Orthodox church, etc.)
factories (like a bakery or an automotive factory)
fish hatchery
orchard, farm, or farmers market
local power plant
bike trails, hiking trails, or river canoeing
space centers
water treatment facility
cemetery tours
city capitol or state capitol, including the courthouse
historic landmarks like battlefields or birthplace museums (think famous artists, musicians, athletes, writers, presidents, etc.)
archaeological dig
fire station, ambulance, or police station
the post office
historic reenactments
Native American pow wows
festivals
county fairs
science museums
college tours
science lab tours (could be industry or educational)
planetarium
observatory
dams and bridges
arboretum, botanic gardens, or greenhouse
aquarium, zoo, or wild animal park
local or county parks
state parks and forests
national parks
recycling center
animal shelter or veterinarian’s office
food bank, homeless shelter, or other charity organization
semi-professional sporting events
amusement parks
military bases
TV station or radio station
music recording studios

What are the types of field trips?

The weather will influence your choice between indoor field trips and outdoor field trip s. Your budget impacts your decision between free field trips and trips that cost money.

And your own preferences for planning will affect whether you go for easy field trips or those that take more advance preparation. For example, venues like zoos, galleries, and museums are already optimized for easy field trips. But there are a myriad of other locales that can make for a great field trip when you connect with someone who can arrange it for you—think local newspaper, the fire station, a historic house of worship, or a local factory.

There are local field trips and more distant trips . Typically a field trip is a day trip —you return home the same day and sleep in your own bed.

Free Family Travel Guides from Sonlight

But some field trips expand into complete family vacations like these two East Coast destinations for American history buffs.

A Family Travel Guide to Historic Williamsburg

One ticket. Five parks. Seven days. An unforgettable trip. Virginia is home to some of the greatest historical landmarks of colonial America. The Historic Triangle provides a peek into America's journey from English settlement to the independence of a new nation. When you are ready to visit, make the most of your time with these practical, tried-and-true tips.

Navigating Thomas Jefferson's Monticello

Enjoy a day or a long weekend exploring Monticello and the surrounding area. Visiting this estate can be a wonderful addition as you study American History. Download this full-color free digital travel guide today to help you navigate Monticello and all the additional historical locations surrounding Monticello.

What are the most popular field trips?

The most popular homeschool field trips are those locations that are already set up for large groups with ample parking, pre-designed tours, clearly defined hours, and even amenities like picnic areas or shuttles/trains.

These family pleasers have rotating exhibits or frequent workshops/events that deliberately cater to homeschool families. Examples are

nature preserves
botanic gardens
art galleries
history museums
historic sites
and national or state parks

These locales are typically large and well-established. Visit their websites to see what they offer. Sign up for their email newsletters so you’re always in the know about special events, bargain days, and new exhibits.

Field Trip Planning, Preparation, and Printables

Some field trippers spontaneously jump in the car and head off for an unscripted adventure. But most moms probably prefer to set the stage with some basic groundwork. In fact, field trip planning can be part of your annual curriculum shopping as you lay out a course for your school year.

Free printable homeschool field trip log

A homeschool field trip log can pull double duty as a place to record your plans beforehand and/or a place to document the trips you took afterwards. If you’re required to keep a homeschool portfolio or verify a certain number of school days, a homeschool field trip log is essential! (Don’t rely on your memory alone. Record those field trips!)

Download a free homeschool field trip form here to use as you work through the seven steps below.

(This free page is taken from the larger Sonlight Planner .)

PRO TIP : Print multiple copies (or sets)—one for planning and one for recordkeeping.

How do you plan an educational field trip?

For those of you who like to plan ahead, here are seven steps for making a comprehensive field trip plan for your homeschool.

1. Brainstorm fun homeschool field trip ideas

This is the fun part! Looking at the list of 42 suggestions above, jot down the ones that seem appealing to you and your children.

Alternatively, consider your curriculum . What are you studying this term or year? What field trips can you plan to go along with the science and history topics you’ll be covering? What Readers and Read-Alouds have field trip tie-ins?

Don’t rule out field trips for teens! Advanced courses mesh well with learning excursions! Here are some examples:

Biology field trip ideas : a butterfly vivarium, an Audubon Center , a wolf preserve
Chemistry field trip ideas : a manufacturing laboratory, a college research lab, fire department, wastewater treatment plant

2. Look for specific locations

Head to Google and input your desired type of field trip. For example, when you search TV station tour , your local station will likely pop up with contact information to get started! Or search for planetariums near me . Yelp and Tripadvisor are two great apps for reading user reviews of many field trip destinations.

3. Outline the logistics

Once you have specific venues in mind, start charting out the details like hours of operation, ticket costs, special tours/exhibits/workshops, etc.

4. Contact the specific venue for insider information

Don’t be nervous to send an email or pick up the phone to inquire about details. Even established venues like museums and zoos may be able to offer you special accommodations or workshops as long as you let them know you’re coming.

Directly ask for insider tips: “Is there anything else that I should know before we come? Anything that’s not on the website?”

5. Make a field trip calendar for the year

Now you have the information you need to start filling out an annual field trip calendar. Pencil in your ideas based on your curriculum , the weather, and other family events. It’s common to have a monthly field trip, but you may want excursions more or less frequently.

6. Consider providing structure to the trip—or not!

There are different approaches to taking a field trip. Some families drop all the academics and simply enjoy the experience, letting the fun unfold naturally.

Other families read about the place beforehand and assign homeschool field trip activities . These activities provide structure to the trip by giving kids a task to focus their exploration:

a worksheet to fill out
a journal for sketching
a scavenger hunt

If your children tend to race through an exhibit without truly appreciating anything, an on-site assignment can help slow them down and center their attention on key facts.

Check with the venue ahead of time because many of them already offer these activities either in hardcopy when you enter the destination or in digital format for you to print at home.

P RO TIP : If you expect your child to do a written activity at the field trip, bring clipboards or bring homeschool field trip journals with a cardboard backing.

There’s no right or wrong here, but realize that you don’t have to add anything school-ish to justify a field trip. It’s enough to simply soak in great works of art or wander around an arboretum. Your kids are learning!

7. Consider review or documentation—or not!

Once you’re back home, you may want to document the trip or review what you experienced. Again, this step is optional and doesn’t have to be formal or burdensome.

How to write a homeschool field trip report

For upper elementary ages, middle schoolers, and high schoolers, it’s appropriate to assign a written project. This homeschool field trip report can take the format of a notebooking page, a journal entry, a scrapbook page , or a short composition.

Here are the basics to include in a field trip report:

the date of the trip
the full name and address/location of the destination
the significance of the location (if historic)
the primary places/exhibits/topics that were experienced along with a brief description of each
insights, opinions, and reflections

Add these extras to add to the field trip report to make it more of a homeschool field trip journal:

diagrams and sketches made at the venue
photographs or postcards
actual items from the site (where allowed, of course) such as leaves, moss, feathers, etc.

You could help your kids write a review of the location to post on Google, Yelp, or Tripadvisor.

Or maybe you simply have a discussion about what you experienced. Here are a few discussion starters:

What was your favorite part of today? Why?
What surprised you today?
If we do that field trip again, what would you like to spend more time doing?
Tell me 3 facts about [topic, person, place].
Imagine you have to convince someone to go on a field trip to that place. What would you say to them?
Quiz me/your sibling by asking me three questions I should have the answer to after our field trip today.

What to carry with you on a field trip?

If you’re not sure what to take along on your field trip, call the venue and ask! Find out what kinds of amenities they offer and what they suggest.

Aside from that, you already know the basics: snacks, wipes, a few adhesive bandages, drinking water, sunscreen, hats, etc.

Unique field trip ideas

Because field trips have the potential to be so powerful, and because we have such an abundance of resources in our communities, it’s important to think beyond the norm to get our kids—and ourselves—out there, gaining fresh experiences and better understanding. Nearly any place that’s not unsafe for kids has the potential to be a field trip destination.

Any process, any job, any business has fascinating aspects to uncover on a family field trip for homeschool. Simply drive around your community with an open mind. Nearly every business you see is potential fodder for a field trip!

That locally owned coffee shop? Yep!
The beauty parlor? Why not?
The dentist’s office. For sure.
That manufacturing plant? Probably!

Start with your connections. Ask friends about their place of work, their family businesses, their connections. Having a contact smooths the path to set up a family tour and an unlikely field trip destination. Most folks are thrilled to show off what they do to a handful of kids (and an interested parent). So don’t be afraid to ask!

Your community is full of experiences, and those experiences can easily be tied to your curriculum. Here are four examples to get you started with fun homeschool field trip ideas:

1. Small Engine Repair Shop Field Trip

Kids (and adults) of all ages will be fascinated to see what goes into maintaining and repairing the many machines we use every day. Lawnmowers, chainsaws, generators, and scooters all fall under the small engine category.

The history of these machines is intriguing, and it’s a great introduction to more complex engines, too! This field trip ties in nicely with any of these books (or programs):

Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day
Sonlight’s Science H- Technology
A History of US
The Story of Eli Whitney

2. General Aviation Airport Field Trip

Even better than flying on a commercial airliner is the experience of walking and talking with the pilot of a General Aviation (GA) plane. These smaller models operate under the same principles, and are in much wider use than the jumbo jets we board to fly cross country. You may be able to arrange to tour the actual facility or even take a short flight! If you’re reading these books, a field trip to an airport fits well:

The Wright Brothers
Around the World in 80 Days
Catching Their Talk in a Box

3. Ethnic Food Market Field Trip

Pick a country, and find a shop! From the delicacies of Asia to the exotic (to us) foods of the Middle East, chances are excellent that you’ll have a market hidden somewhere in your community that specializes in foods of other lands. While you can order individual items online, nothing beats walking the aisles, smelling the smells, and seeing what’s on offer on the shelves.

There are so many Sonlight books that tie in to this field trip, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out that HBL F: Eastern Hemisphere is crying out for a whole year of such outings!

4. Radio Station Field Trip

If you’re reading Catching Their Talk in a Box or Window on the World , or your child is studying physics, definitely make time for a trip to a local radio station . Choosing a smaller, local station to tour means the chance to walk into booths and likely get an up close and personal glance of the inner workings of a broadcast in progress. Missionaries of the past and present have utilized radio as an evangelism tool, and the science behind it is fascinating.

Where to get the best homeschool field trip ideas

Need inspiration for field trip ideas for kids? Marry books and field trips as often as you can to cultivate an adventurous learning environment. Here are examples:

Visit an aquarium after Dolphin Adventure .
Tour an art museum after From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler .
Trek to a farm after Mountain Born , Thimble Summer , or The Year at Maple Hill Farm .

Getting out and seeing firsthand the elements of a story or work of nonfiction cements it in our understanding. Not only do children hear how the mail system works in Richard Scarry’s What Do People Do All Day , but then they see it in action when they visit the post office. All the senses are engaged!

The details that may have escaped them in the book are suddenly prominent and yes, maybe even a door is opened to a new occupational calling. You just never know!

Suggested Field Trips by Age

The list of 42 ideas above are for all ages, stages, and grades, but admittedly some destinations are more suitable for younger or older students. Here’s how to work out your field trip decisions based on ages or grades.

Field trips for toddlers & preschoolers

Since toddlers and preschoolers are probably still napping, you want local field trip ideas that won’t require lots of driving. Thanks to the mid-day pause for nap time, you’ll choose trips that can be done in the morning or afternoon but don’t demand a full day.

Avoid stodgy venues where quiet is expected and children can’t touch things. Instead opt for field trips with lots of hands-on, active exploration and frequently changing things to observe.

Your best bets are anything related to animals:

animal shelters and preserves
butterfly gardens

Or any venue that has a nature or science slant:

children’s museum
arboretum or botanic gardens
science museum

Call ahead or scour the website to find programs or exhibits especially designed for very young children to touch and physically experience the content.

Children at this age are still developing vocabulary, so exposing them to new experiences and talking about what you see is invaluable.

Outdoor or large open spaces where it’s okay to run are ideal for little kids. And you’ll want to consider field trip spots where strollers can drive easily when little legs finally tire.

Keep field trips short in duration and leave while everyone is still happy!

Homeschool kindergarten field trip list

Although some parents consider kindergarten their first year of formal schooling , there’s no need to restrict yourself to learning at the kitchen table with books, pencil, and paper. Field trips are rich learning experiences for 5-year-olds since so much of the world is brand new to them!

During grades K-2, think of field trips as opportunities to expose your child to the larger world and don’t worry about retention or academic tie-ins. Just get out there and immerse yourself in the joy and awe of all the field trip options in your local area.

Save the elaborate, far-off destinations for later years when your child has more maturity and physical stamina. At the kindergarten through second grade level, you’re still enjoying repeat visits to the places you frequented during the toddler and preschool years:

Now your visits may last a bit longer (no need for that daily nap!) and may include more actual academic material. For example, you may stand and listen to a zoologist give a short talk or show your child key facts on a display board.

You’ll want field trips at this stage to still be very tangible. For example, touring a cave where a child can touch the damp stone, smell the wet air, and hear water dripping is more age appropriate than an opera, a tour of a house of worship, visiting the county courthouse, or a science lab excursion where the experience is more abstract or passive.

Opt for trips where you can get your kindergartener involved:

picking strawberries at a farm
making gravestone rubbings in a cemetery
making a sculpture in a special kids room at the art museum

How often should you do field trips in kindergarten homeschool? As often as you and your kindergartener would like to! Aim for at least monthly at this age, giving yourself a few mulligans to skip a month here or there depending on other family dynamics, health concerns, etc. Your kindergarten field trips could be as often as weekly if your family is up to it!

Field trip ideas for elementary students

Grades 3-5 are a sweet spot for homeschool field trips! These children have the physical stamina for full day trips and are growing in the mental maturity to appreciate more abstract types of experiences. They generally have the self-control not to touch what shouldn’t be touched. They are curious and can ask great questions of docents and guides. You’ll see children at this stage start to make connections between their book-based lessons and what they experience on field trips.

So basically, anything from the 42-item list above that interests your elementary students is fair game! Even if some of the content goes over their heads, it’s still exposure to new ideas! If a field trip seems a bit too advanced for your elementary student, just cut it short or inject additional context to make it more understandable for them.

Virtual field trips for homeschoolers

What can you do instead of field trips? The pandemic has taught us all the value (and yes, limitations ) of virtual experiences as a substitute for in-person events. Sometimes a field trip is simply out of reach. In those situations, turn to virtual field trips to meet the need.

How does a virtual field trip work?

With a virtual field trip, you use the magic of the internet to explore a place you can’t visit in person. You rely on live cams, 360° virtual tours, virtual reality tours, and even live online video conferencing sessions held on-site.

If these tools are new to you, here are fun homeschool field trip ideas that are totally online:

Old Faithful Geyser live webcam
The giraffe cam at the San Diego Zoo
The Louvre online tour
National Museum of Natural History virtual tours
California State Parks Home Learning Programs
Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration programs

What are the best virtual field trips for students?

Large and well-known zoos, science museums, art galleries, and history museums make for the best virtual field trips simply because they tend to have top-notch websites with the video tours and live webcams you’ll want to access. State and national park systems are good options as well. Smaller venues, while fascinating in person, often don’t have the digital resources to provide a great virtual field trip experience to online users.

Here’s a list of virtual field trip favorites:

Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China
San Diego Zoo
Mars (via NASA)
Monterey Bay Aquarium live cams
Farm Food 360
Boston Children’s Museum virtual tour
Paris Catacombs virtual visit
The Vatican virtual tour
Virtual tours: Buckingham Palace
Anne Frank House
The White House 360 virtual tour
Virtual Field Trip to the Butterfly Conservatory
Metropolitan Museum interactive map

How do I create a virtual field trip for students?

1. Choose a website (or a series of related ones).

The education departments of zoos, museums, and parks strive to make their facilities accessible to the maximum number of users, so scan their websites first for all the resources they have to offer: curriculum, printables, videos, virtual tours, live web cams, live and recorded workshops, lesson plans, etc.

2. Set your child loose on the website to freely explore.

You will likely want to be nearby to enjoy the discovery process alongside them.

3. Or give your child an activity to do while exploring.

This step is totally optional. But if you feel the need to document the learning , there are plenty of ways to do it! Provide more structure with printables, worksheets, scavenger hunts, or notebooking pages.

Choose a curriculum that does the planning for you so you can spend more time on field trips with your kids.

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MASSACHUSETTS Field Trips

To help plan MAY curriculum focused classroom activities, field trips and school assembly programs, these May themed celebrations might be a helpful focus. Monthly : National Inventors Month. May 6-10 : Teacher Appreciation Week. May 3 : World Press Freedom Day. May 5 : Cinco de Mayo. Museum Lover’s Day. National Space Day. May 6 : Herb Day . National Fitness Day . May 8 : World Red Cross Day. May 12 : National Limerick Day. May 13 : International Migratory Bird Day. May 16 : Love a Tree Day. Do Something Good for your Neighborhood. May 17 : National Endangered Species Day. May 18 : International Astronomy Day. May 22 : National Maritime Day. May 28 : Amnesty International Day. May 29 : Learn About Composting Day. May 30 : International Jazz Day. May 31 : National Smile Day. CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below for activity type of field trips to learn about. For those unable to travel to these locations, have the fun come to you. Check out the Outreach Field Trips & School Assembly Programs section.

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Transportation: Boats, Planes, Trains, & Trollies
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Alden Digital Planetarium

The Alden Digital Planetarium features Digital Light Processing technology from Sky-Skan, using images from NASA and the Hubble Space Telescope to create a three-dimensional solar system projected onto a 40-foot dome.

Barnstable Harbor Ecotours

Join us on Barnstable Harbor Ecotours a two-hour ecotour of the quiet and majestic Barnstable Harbor aboard our brand new, spacious and comfortable 25-passenger pontoon boat, the Horseshoe Crab! Tours feature a wealth of natural and historic sites.

Bassett Planetarium

Bassett Planetarium, located in Morgan Hall, has provided programs about the night sky to regional community organizations and school groups. The Planetarium is the perfect place to learn about the heavens.

Berkshire East Zip Line Canopy Tours & Whitewater Rafting

Berkshire East Mountain Resort is home to zip lining, whitewater rafting, Thunder Mountain Bike Park, an Aerial Adventure Park, and the Thunderbolt, North America’s longest mountain coaster.

Boston Bowl Dorchester

Boston Bowl is where Boston comes to bowl! We provide a safe, clean & fun environment for all ages to bowl candlepin & tenpin, play state of the art arcade games & billiards.

Boston Bowl-Hanover

Boston Bowl – Hanover is where the South Shore comes to bowl! We provide a safe, clean & fun environment for all ages to learn candlepin & tenpin bowling & play state of the art arcade games.

Boston City Cruises

Boston Harbor City Cruises offers memorable dinner and lunch cruises showcasing the Boston skyline and famous landmarks like Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, USS Constitution, and the Seaport District. Ideal for school and youth group events.

Boston Pizza Tours

Discover historic Boston slice by delicious slice! Boston Pizza Tours serves up fun and educational food tours, exploring the city’s oldest neighborhoods. Along the way, enjoy slices from Boston’s very best pizzerias.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Join Samuel Adams and the Sons and Daughters of Liberty in protest of King George’s unjust taxes at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Explore via virtual tours and the research library.

Boston University Events & Conferences

From Memorial Day through mid-August, Boston University opens its residence halls, allowing groups to utilize campus facilities for overnight stays, on-campus dining, and a range of educational activities.

Bunker Hill Monument

Popularly known as “The Battle of Bunker Hill,” bloody fighting took place throughout a hilly landscape of fenced pastures that were situated across the Charles River from Boston. The Bunker Hill Monument was a tribute to the memory of the Battle.

Cape Ann Whale Watch

Cape Ann Whale Watch provides guaranteed whale sightings for every whale watching tour out to Stellwagen Bank, a national marine preserve about 12 miles off the coast of Gloucester.

FieldTripdirectory.com offers educational experiences for Massachusetts school groups, scout groups, homeschool groups, camp groups and families at Massachusetts Museums.

Massachusetts museums offer field trips that offer hands-on exhibits, guided tours and guided activities for early childhood through high school grades. Massachusetts has art museums , science museums , history museums , multicultural museums and children’s museums . All museums listing on fieldtripdirectory.com offers programs and tours for youth groups and families. Beside museums, you can search for other learning attractions such as Massachusetts Botanical Gardens, Planetariums, Living History Programs, STEM & STEAM, Planetariums, Farms, Zoos and Aquariums, Theaters and Concerts, Service Learning and more

Can’t go on a field trip to a museum, your students, scouts, and families can still experience these fun enriching experience by scheduling a Museum Virtual Field Trip anywhere and at anytime.

Want the fun to come to you- book a School Assembly Programs, Outreach Field Trips or Residency at your school, homeschool association or scout council. They support and enhance a school’s curriculum, offers opportunities for scout badge achievement and enriches a camp program. There are mobile museum exhibits, traveling planetariums and classroom and grade level workshops and residencies.

To help fund field trips, virtual programs and school assembly programs visit our section on Grants and Fundraising Programs .

FieldTripDirectory.com offers field trip ideas for class trips, scout group trips, camp group field trips, and homeschool group field trips in Massachusetts—for early childhood through college. Search for class trips in Massachusetts 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:

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Find Massachusetts art museums, theater, dance, and music concert field trips.
EARLY CHILDHOOD Find class trips to Massachusetts children’s museums, petting zoos, and kids’ shows.
HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES View Massachusetts history museums, government & civics, historic sites, living history museums, and multicultural field trip ideas.
LIFE SKILLS Find Massachusetts team building field trips, health & safety exhibits, and character education experiences.
SCIENCE & NATURE Find Massachusetts aquariums, botanical gardens, environmental studies & nature centers, farms & mazes, planetariums, science museums, STEAM & STEM field trips, dinosaur exhibits, and zoos.
RECREATION Find Massachusetts 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 & 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.

School, Educational Ideas & Learning / Back to School / Camps & Classes for Kids / Guides for Kansas City / Homeschooling / Kansas City Resources / Local News / Things To Do

33 Fun Field Trips & Things to Do: Plan Group Activities in KC

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Whether you’re a PTA member, an educator looking for fun field trip ideas, or a parent searching for educational activities for kids, you’re in the right place.

We’ve gathered fun field trip ideas and educational things to do with kids in and around Kansas City. So, start planning your field trip now!

Easily plan your field trip or group activities with this guide. Find field trip ideas, educational events, and options that will come to your group’s location—we’ve done the searching for you!

Also, find the Best Museums in Kansas City for more educational activities, or check out the After School Activities Guide ! If you’re looking for Fall Fun, pick apples at a local apple orchard . If you have younger children, check out the Preschools Guide !

What are Good Field Trip Ideas, Group Activities, and Educational Things to Do in and Around Kansas City?

Kansas and Missouri Field Trips and Group Activities:

Kansas city invention convention.

The Kansas City Invention Convention (KCIC), the region’s top invention competition, is open to Kansas City metro students in grades 5 through 12.

Linda Hall Library presents KC Invention Convention for KC metro students.

At KCIC, STEM meets invention and entrepreneurship. Students practice creative problem-solving to help invent our future, while educators are provided with a FREE project-based curriculum to inspire the innovators of tomorrow.

Educators can sign up today at KCInvent.org or email [email protected]

Learning2Fly

Mission, KS

The habits of health are the focus of this field trip. Children will participate in aerial fitness & aerial yoga, an art project, the 7 Habits of Health, and hammocks!

If you are an educator, teacher, or administrator and would like to tour their aerial fitness studio to see what they offer, call 913-262-2600 or email [email protected] .

TasteBuds Kitchen

Leawood, KS

Learn to cook at TasteBud’s Kitchen! Their mission is to be the top culinary entertainment experience for kids, families, and adults by engaging budding chefs in the kitchen.

Any age can participate, with many kids-only classes available! Children as young as 2 can participate in parent-child programming.

Explore camps, classes, programs, parties, & other special events. If you have a scout group or homeschool group, organize a special event for them to learn culinary skills! They make the kitchen exciting, and we create it all from scratch—from pasta to sushi and everyone’s favorite cupcakes!

Cooking Field Trips for kids and students at Taste Buds Kitchen

CW Par ker Carousel Museum

Leavenworth, KS

Open February through December, the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum celebrates all that is beautiful and good about carousels. Come explore restored carousels, carousel horses, and historically registered carousels.

All visitors and field trips are also invited to ride a 109-year-old carousel!

The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is located in Leavenworth, KS, and is one of several museums sponsored by the Leavenworth Historical Museum Association. The Carousel Museum is a non-profit organization that operates through community donations and volunteer efforts. While you’re there, learn about entrepreneur Fred Harvey and his significant impact on business in Kansas. Grab your class and come visit the Carousel Museum today!

Ernie Mille r Nature Center

Ernie Miller Nature Center provides an opportunity for learning, understanding, and admiring nature’s ever-changing ways during educational field trips & group events.

The center offers a wide variety of educational opportunities, including cultural, historical, and environmental programs. Explore activities for all ages—perfect for classes, scout groups and troops, homeschool groups, and any group in between!

Midwest Trust Center Arts Ed

Overland Park, KS

Catch a theater performance at the Midwest Trust Center and learn about the arts! The shows are affordable and fun for students of all ages. Family shows are also offered in the evening for scout groups, team activities, or a fun family night.

There are performances from Messner Puppet Theatre, as well as concerts and other performances. You can find the upcoming school events here .

Daytime performances begin at 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. and cost $6 per person or $5 for school groups .

Lanesfield Historic Site

Edgerton, KS

The Lanesfield Historic Site offers the Farm Family Program for preschoolers to 3rd grade or the Living History Program for 4th and 5th graders.

Come experience the history of Kansas with your class or group and be taken back in time! You can complete registration forms online for Lanesfield or the Arts & Heritage Center , or contact the Museum’s Education Department at 913-715-2570 or by email .

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm

Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop allows students to discover history where it happened. During the field trip, kids participate in activities with animals, wagons, and the stagecoach!

School field trip programs are two hours long and are offered Tuesday through Friday in morning and afternoon sessions. You can also choose multiple programs to create a full-day field trip. Times are also flexible to accommodate bus and pick-up schedules.

Half-day program: minimum of 20 students for $6 per student.
Full-day program: minimum 20 students for $10 per student.
$1 reduced admission per student for Title 1 schools

TimberRidge Adventure Center

TimberRidge Adventure Center (TRAC), offers a wide range of opportunities for families, friends, class field trips, and work groups. Activities will challenge students, teach better communication, solve problems, and work together. Team building activities are for everyone from Boy Scouts to executive boards. So, experience fun and excitement in a non-competitive, safe and supportive atmosphere.

The challenge course features 28 low activities, a zip line (300 ft.), a climbing tower & 3 high climbing ropes activities. These allow participants to problem-solve & explore communication in high-intensity environments. You can also participate in other activities like fishing, canoes, paddle boats, archery & hiking!

Nerman Museum

3D art hunt & Saturday programs are just a few of the unique features at the Nerman Museum. The interactive art program is FREE, so be sure to check out this educational thing to do, no matter your group size!

You will explore how art connects with different mediums including literature, math & science.

Paint Glaze & Fire

Get creative for your next group outing or activity!

Paint, Glaze, & Fire is a great option for scout groups, girls’ night, team parties, and other group activities. They provide all the supplies, you just bring the creativity. Choose from a wide variety of projects to accommodate many group activity budgets!

This is the perfect option for creativity, fun, and savings. They have project options to fit every budget, so call 913-661-2529 today with questions or to schedule. Walk-in options are also available.

Field Trips at Paint, Glaze and Fire provide creative fun and team building.

KC Watersports

KC Watersports is the best wakeboarding destination in the Midwest. For beginners, they offer day camps and lessons to perfect your skills. Experts won’t find a more challenging set of rails, ramps, and sliders anywhere in the region.

For the family and groups, they have a shaded beach, where you can relax and watch the kids ride or play. Their Surf Shop is well stocked with the best gear in the industry, with rental equipment available. All skill levels are encouraged, so plan your visit to KCW with your group and enjoy some active fun in the sun!

Ce ramic Café

Pottery painting field trips at Ceramic Cafe KC.

Ceramic Cafe is a paint-your-own-pottery and glass fusing studio serving the Kansas City area. The helpful staff at Ceramic Cafe will guide your group through the creative process using ceramic techniques and supplies to create artistic masterpieces.

If you’re looking for a place to host your next group outing or class field trip, Ceramic Cafe is the place for you. They also donate to charitable groups and can help your school or organization with a fundraising project.

Come to paint your pottery piece or create a beautiful work of glass in their vibrant Leawood, Kansas studio. The process to paint, glaze, and fire your masterpiece takes about a week.

Johnson County Museum

Kids in Kindergarten & older can attend historically rich programs from the Johnson County Museums – learning about their own city! There are multiple programs available for children:

Community Helpers
History Detectives
Community Planners Challenge

School of Economics

Blue Springs, MO, and Kansas City, MO

Students engage through real-world learning to promote lifelong financial capabilities. SOE helps students to understand and apply basic marketplace concepts and skills and exposes them to business-related careers. While at SOE, students learn experientially about:

Having jobs and managing their earned money
Working as a business team
Producing and selling merchandise (supply and demand)

School of Economics field trips for KC students.

Anita B Gorman Conservation Discovery Center

Kansas City, MO

The Anita B. Gorman Conservation Discovery Center is a unique, hands-on, urban conservation education center. Located in the heart of KC, it is near a large portion of schools.

The Discovery Center offers free educational field trips that follow curriculum standards for your school. Educational programs provide a variety of hands-on learning experiences and workshops for your class or group, including a butterfly garden, bird feeding garden, and Grow Native demonstrations including prairie wildflowers, wetland, water garden, and manicured upland and lowland forests.

Additionally, families and groups are welcome to attend any of the demonstrations, activities, and self-guided hikes available at the center. There are also tours of the building and grounds showing environmentally friendly ways to build an urban environment in harmony with nature.

The Discovery Center also has a 0.25 mile disabled-accessible sidewalk that takes visitors through the Grow Native Gardens on the site.

Kansas City Young Audiences

Almost 200 artists work with KCYA to bring educational arts programs to schools, community centers, hospitals & libraries throughout the KC metro.

You can find many different activities including live performances, art workshops, after-school programs & artist residencies for every age range. These programs are available for nearly all arts, as well as many academic subjects.

KCYA’s School and Community Programs reinforce core curriculums for your grade level & promote art in children. Come get creative while practicing problem-solving skills at their educational art programs!

Kemper Outdoor Education Center

Blue Springs, MO

The Kemper Outdoor Education Center staff offers guided interpretive programs for classroom field trips, youth groups, and organizations. In April, May, and September, the X-Stream Green field trip program offers multi-station outdoor education for 1st to 6th-grade classrooms. The interpretive staff conducts programs on Snakes, Bats, Skins and Skulls, Butterflies, Birds and Binoculars, Fishing, Recycling, Nature Hikes, and much more.

Inside the Nature Center, you’ll find rock and fossil exhibits, a natural resource library, and mounted examples of native wildlife. The grounds feature nature trails, butterfly and water gardens, wildlife viewing areas, an arboretum, a shelter house, a large pond, and a day camp site. The Outdoor Classroom offers a valuable resource for hands-on environmental education. Hikers on the Habitat Trail can explore a variety of ecology: wetland, prairie, woodland, and cactus glade. Self-guided tours are free of charge.

Missouri Town 1855

Lee’s Summit, MO

See what a progressive farming community, spread across some 30 sloping acres, looked like in the mid-1800s. Missouri Town 1855 is composed of more than 25 buildings dating from 1820 – 1860. This living history museum uses original structures, furnishings, and equipment. Also depicting the 19th Century lifestyles are interpreters in period attire, authentic field and garden crops, and rare livestock breeds.

Explore an authentic Missouri town during your next field trip or event for an excursion your group will never forget. Visit professional living history interpreters on this self-guided tour.

Burr Oak Woods

Discover the beauty of nature with the Missouri Department of Conservation at Burr Oak Woods Nature Center in Blue Springs. The nature center offers free programs and activities for classes, troops, field trips, and groups throughout the fall and winter. The center also hosts activities, classes, and events for families and individuals.

Families and groups are also welcome to visit the center to explore the nature center’s open savannas, prairies, and woodland areas during visiting hours. For more information, visit the Missouri Department of Conservation’s website and be sure to check out their “Nature & You” newsletter to stay up to date on nature programs and events happening in the Kansas City, Missouri region.

Lecompton Historical Society

Lecompton, MO

Lecompton Historical Society would like to extend an open invitation for you to take a step back in time, to look at the rich heritage that led to the formation of their town and the State of Kansas.

Come explore the Lecompton Territorial Museum for your next field trip or group event and learn about Kansas history up through today! Lecompton was founded in 1854 and in 1855, the town became the permanent and only official capital of the Kansas Territory.

During the group activity, you will participate in a “Bleeding Kansas” play, set in the 1850s. So, you will be right in the middle of the action!

College Basketball Experience

Come discover and play while learning! Kids can explore college basketball in interactive experiences in downtown Kansas City.

Kids can shoot hoops, try to beat the clock, and even be a sportscaster! But it’s not just fun, learn about the history, and walk through the Gallery of Honor and Mentor’s Circle. They also offer group discounts for your class or group.

Sunset Trails Stables

Sunset Trails Stables offers field trip opportunities for a number of organizations including daycare facilities, elementary and home schools, Girl Scouts & Boy Scouts, church youth groups, and many others.

Field trips are available all days of the week, rain or shine, and include two hours of instruction from our staff. You can also eat lunch at the picnic area before or after the field trip. Visitors are encouraged to bring lunch and/or snacks.

The cost is $10 per person for two-hour field trips that include horseback riding. If they do not include horseback riding is $7 per person. Prices are for children and adults regardless of age. All field trip participants are required to have a release form signed by their parent or guardian prior to the day of the field trip. Release forms can be picked up at the Sunset Trails Stables office or printed online. Riding helmets will be provided. Closed-toed shoes are required.

Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch

Liberty, MO

Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch is Kansas City’s Original Pumpkin Patch and a “must-visit” fall destination! With easy access from all parts of the Kansas City area, Carolyn’s is just 2 miles south of Liberty, Missouri. The farm offers the freedom of a self-guided tour around the Pumpkin Patch to allow educators the opportunity to work within their school or group’s curriculum.

School tours include…

* A special book reading featuring the “Spookley the Square Pumpkin” series

* Wagon rides through acres of our pumpkin fields

* Pie pumpkin picking

Students will also enjoy a tractor-drawn wagon ride, a pie pumpkin, a honey stick, and Carolyn’s award-winning coloring book (available in 8 languages). Also offered at the Patch are Uncle Earl’s Educational Mining Camp & School Tours, options for homeschool groups and families, as well as activities for special needs children. Visit Carolyn’s Pumpkin Patch online for further details about all of their offerings during pumpkin season.

Fort Osage

Journey back to a time when Missouri was “out West” in the wilderness, and experience the lives of the men and women who pioneered the American frontier. Authentically dressed characters provide living-history insights into the daily life of both the military and civilian populations during the tour.

Built in 1808 under the direction of William Clark, co-leader of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Fort served a dual role. It was both a military garrison and trade center. Overlooking the Missouri River, this historic site has been reconstructed to portray Fort Osage as it was in 1812. Your group will be transported in time to experience true frontier life.

Wayside Waifs

If your group loves animals, plan a field trip at Wayside Waifs!

Their “No More Bullying!” anti-bullying programs focus on preventing violence against animals and people. Visit them online to learn more about the violence prevention program & how to book your group.

Kaleidoscope

Your class will get creative when they visit Kaleidoscope. This local fave is free and full of endless creativity.

Kauffman Center

The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts has a variety of educational experiences. Tickets are only $2. Contact [email protected] for more details.

Urban Air Adventure Park

Take your class field trip to new heights at Urban Air.

With two locations, Lenexa and Overland Park, Urban Air Adventure Park is a great field trip option for your class. There are warrior courses, zip lining, trampolines, and more.

Lee’s Summit and Kansas City

Sky Zone's two locations provide group discounts for field trips.

Sky Zone is a must for field trips. They have two locations across the metro and your class will definitely enjoy features like their SkySlam, Ultimate Dodgeball, SkyJoust, Ninja Warrior Course, and more.

YaYa’s Alpaca Farm

YaYa’s Alpaca Farm is another metro favorite. They offer tours all year round for large and small groups. This is a great option for animal lovers and a unique field trip experience.

Science City

Kansas City

Science City at Union Station is THE best place to get hands-on science. Your class can explore the world around them including the way we move, think, and more. Science City is a must-visit for your class.

Other Fun Online Resources & Activities:

You can also check out the Field Trip Guide Book to read online!

The Best Subscription Boxes for Kids – cooking, art, science, sports & more.
Best Homeschool Programs & Curriculum (most online)
Free Disney Imagineering Course for Kids – Build your own theme park!
Companies providing free subscriptions to their educational programs !
Library programs for families – all free!
Free Educational Websites for Kids to practice STEM concepts. You can find educational companies here too.
Our favorite museums in KC

We’re so grateful to live in a city with so many incredible resources, activities, & opportunities for your young learners, troops, and field trip groups.

We invite you to use this guide full of field trip ideas as you plan your school year and SHARE, SHARE, SHARE with teachers, troop leaders, after-school programs, and any parent planning educational and fun activities to do in Kansas City for their kids!

For more educational resources, KC things to do & kids activities sent right to your inbox, sign-up for The Scoop .

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20 Engaging and Educational Field Trip Ideas for Preschoolers

brightwheel
Child development

Field trips are momentous times in a preschooler’s life. Preschool field trips allow children to enjoy a change of scenery and spend time outside the classroom doing more hands-on learning.

In addition to the memories children create on field trips, they’re a valuable opportunity for educators to reinforce lessons. With the right planning and preparation, field trips for children can be an engaging, educational day for all involved.

Children standing on the shore pointing out toward a body of water

Why are preschool field trips important?

Field trips are more than extra-curricular activities. They can be an integral part of a child’s early education. Preschool field trips afford many substantial benefits for children:

Broadens their education

Children are exposed to only so much in a classroom setting. Field trips allow children to get a richer picture of educational subjects by observing them outside of books, lessons, or videos.

Exposure to real-life experiences

In preschool, children are developing their understanding of life and the world around them. Field trips expose them to everyday life in a setting where their teacher can help them connect what they’re learning to what happens in the real places in their community. Experiential learning (authentic, first-hand, sensory-based learning) through field trips is a way for children to reflect on and apply their new knowledge.

Research shows academic improvement

Studies support the idea that field trips have real effects on a child’s education. Field trips are linked to improvements in academic performance. According to a study on youth educational trips by the Wagner Group and the U.S. Travel Association, adults who took educational trips when they were younger…

Had better grades (59% of study respondents)
Graduated from high school at a higher rate (95% of study respondents)
Reported that educational trips had a positive impact on their education (89% of study respondents)

Expands their world

Field trips allow all children to experience more of the world. Whether they live in a busy city or a rural town, field trips introduce children to experiences and environments they may not have access to otherwise. Preschool teachers have the opportunity to make a child’s world a little larger with each field trip and show them new places, people, and adventures.

Child holding pinecones outside in nature

How to plan and prepare for preschool field trips

A lot of preparation goes into a successful field trip. For teachers and administrators, there are people, places, and schedules to coordinate weeks or months in advance.

Consider the below areas as you plan your trip:

Teaching moments

Sometimes preschool field trips are planned around a specific topic the class has been covering. Sometimes trips are simply a good learning opportunity that you’ll weave a lesson into. No matter which scenario you’re in as a teacher, it’s helpful to have your notes and activities prepared in advance.

How many adult chaperones will you need for the field trip? When you’re planning field trips for kids, it’s crucial to have a confirmed, appropriate number of chaperones based on the number of children attending.

You can request family volunteers or set up a rotating schedule so families can plan ahead. Consider offering incentives like free lunches or gift cards and remind them it’s a great opportunity to have a meaningful experience with their child and get to know the other children and families in your program.

Plan to bring extra snacks in case meal times run late. Prepare to answer questions from parents about whether to pack a lunch or work out an eating arrangement at the field trip location. If you'll be serving meals on the field trip, prepare the food before and determine how you will transport it. Consider packing a cooler for any perishable foods that need to be kept cold, and pack plenty of water if there is no water available at your destination.

Transportation

Some preschool policies require that school vehicles are used for field trips. Before the trip, determine transportation needs, such as how many vans or buses will be needed and if parents are permitted to drive.

If there’s a cost associated with the trip, how will you secure funds from the school or handle payments from parents? Use your communication platforms to alert parents of any expenses they’ll need to cover as far in advance as possible.

Sometimes drop-off and pick-up schedules can be impacted by field trips. Create an agenda and itinerary that shows where the class will be and breaks down how long you’ll be at each location. This helps parents plan their day and gives school administration information they would need in an emergency.

If any children have medication, medical equipment, or anything else that needs to be on hand for them, it needs to be accounted for in field trip planning. Bring any health and safety documents such as an accurate roster to count the children and emergency contact information. Teachers should also pack first aid kits and antibacterial hand wipes if there is no access to clean running water on your trip.

Families' participation on field trips is a great way to include them in the curriculum and share a day in the life of the class. Check out our calendar template to keep families up-to-date with all major school events and spark new ideas for family engagement year-round.

Download our free calendar template for early education programs for more activity ideas!

Field trip safety tips

Taking young children on a field trip can be an overwhelming experience without the right preparation. Field trips are very exciting, so be aware that the children may have extra energy or be more distracted. To have a fun, safe, and smooth trip, focus on safety measures before and during the excursion.

Before the field trip

Review the schedule with the children and tell them what to expect
Give children safety guidelines and procedures to follow
Assign pairs or small groups for headcount checks
Involve children in checking the field trip supply checklist
Instruct children to wear bright clothes or a certain color to make them easy to spot
Prepare and bring a first aid kit

During the field trip

Do headcount checks frequently and always before leaving or entering any location
Follow pedestrian rules carefully when walking such as using sidewalks and crosswalks and only crossing the street when traffic signals say it is safe
For traveling by bus or van, check every seat before exiting
Ensure children understand and follow the security and safety measures of the field trip location
Continue practicing basic hygiene, such as washing hands or using hand wipes before eating
Keep a copy of emergency contact lists with you at all times
Take bathroom breaks together as a group

Field trip ideas for preschoolers

Choosing where to take the children in your preschool class is one of the most exciting parts of field trip planning. Here are 20 engaging and educational field trip ideas for preschoolers:

Apple orchards and pumpkin patches can show children how these foods are grown and offer a truly hands-on education as they pick their own.

Nature walk

Nature walks are an educational adventure that allow children to discover various plants, leaves, critters, and trees. It’s also great physical activity!

Farmer’s markets

A field trip to the local farmer’s market or grocery store can be an opportunity to teach children lessons about nutrition and where their food comes from.

Many children’s books are full of stories and illustrations of sea creatures, so the aquarium is sure to be a hit with preschoolers. They’ll get a chance to see these creatures up close and learn more about them.

A local bakery is another food-focused field trip that supports a small business and allows children to see how some of their favorite sweet treats are created.

Zoos are a common preschool class favorite! Children can visit and hear facts about a wide variety of animals, including birds, mammals, and reptiles.

Local library

Libraries are often a familiar place for young children, but a preschool field trip to the library gives children a chance to learn details about what a librarian does and the many types of books available to them.

Fire station

Preschoolers tend to love fire trucks. Use a field trip to a fire station to teach them about the work that happens behind the scenes and age-appropriate fire safety tips.

Local events

Sometimes the best educational events don’t need to be booked—they’re already happening in your community! From holiday celebrations and parades to the annual fair, local events can provide children with a wealth of learning opportunities.

Farmers have so much they can teach young children, from lessons about the way food is grown to how the animals are raised.

Children’s museum

Museums that cater specifically to young children are educational and interactive places that are ideal for preschool field trips. They also tend to change exhibits regularly, which means they’re a great choice for multiple trips.

Home improvement store

Show children how chairs, tables, and other items they use on a daily basis are built. Another way to do this is to find a local builder with a small shop who’s willing to give a workshop tour and demonstration.

If you have a child-friendly state park nearby, they make excellent field trip destinations. State parks are a beautiful place to teach about the great outdoors and ways to protect and respect our planet.

Recycling center

Teach children the importance of recycling and how everyday items like plastic water bottles and aluminum soda cans are recycled.

Local ponds are perfect for a low-cost, science and nature focused field trip. They’re often home to frogs, ducks, and aquatic plants, making great lesson topics for preschool children.

Around town scavenger hunt

Teach children about where they live with a scavenger hunt in your community. Downtown areas are usually ideal locations for this field trip activity.

Expose children to the performing arts with a preschool field trip to the local theater. This trip can teach them about storytelling on the stage, theater etiquette, and stage acting as a career.

Train station

Learning about different types of transportation expands children’s minds and view of the world. Add in a train ride to make it both engaging and educational!

Botanical garden

Botanical gardens are a stunning environment to teach children about the beauty of nature and various types of plant life.

Historic monuments

A field trip to an age-appropriate historic site can provide early lessons on important historical figures and events.

Post-field trip actions and education

Get the most out of your day away from the classroom by following up with children and their families after your field trip. Parents will appreciate knowing what their children learned and children will get a chance to relive the best moments of their trip.

To update families, consider including a brief summary of your field trip in your preschool newsletter . Ask children to share their favorite parts of the trip and include photos!

Plan a memorable outing

There are plenty of details to consider and plan when it comes to executing preschool field trips. Taking a trip is a great opportunity for educators to build upon everything their children are learning in the classroom and engage them in hands-on, memorable experiences.

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Travel Tips

What To Bring On A School Field Trip

Published: December 4, 2023

Modified: December 28, 2023

by Magdalen Jaworski

Plan Your Trip
Sustainability
Travel Essentials & Accessories

Introduction

Embarking on a school field trip is an exciting adventure. It’s an opportunity for students to explore new places, learn outside the classroom, and create lasting memories. To make the most of this experience, it’s crucial to come prepared with the right items. Whether you’re heading to a museum, nature reserve, or historical site, knowing what to bring can ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip.

In this guide, we’ll provide you with a comprehensive list of essential items to pack for a school field trip. From clothing and accessories to food and supplies, we’ll cover all the necessary bases so that you’re well-equipped for any situation that may arise during your excursion.

Before we dive into the specifics, it’s important to consider the nature of your field trip. Is it a day-long adventure or an overnight trip? Are you visiting an urban area or a rural location? Understanding the context of your trip will help you tailor the items you need to bring. Additionally, check if there are any specific instructions or restrictions provided by your school or the destination you’ll be visiting.

Now that we have the groundwork laid out, let’s start by exploring the essential items you’ll need for a successful school field trip.

Essential Items to Bring

When preparing for a school field trip, it’s important to pack a range of essential items to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience. Here are some must-have items to include in your backpack:

Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial, so pack a reusable water bottle to keep yourself refreshed throughout the day.
Sunscreen: Protect your skin from harmful UV rays by applying sunscreen before heading outdoors. Consider bringing a small travel-size bottle for convenient reapplication.
Comfortable Shoes: Opt for closed-toe shoes with good support to keep your feet comfortable during long walks or hikes.
Rain Gear: Check the weather forecast and pack a lightweight raincoat or umbrella to stay dry in case of unexpected showers.
Backpack: Choose a sturdy backpack that is spacious enough to carry all your belongings. Look for one with multiple compartments to keep things organized.

These are just a few examples of essential items to bring on a school field trip. The specific requirements may vary depending on the destination and activities planned. Make sure to consider any specific recommendations provided by your school or trip organizers.

Additionally, it is crucial to remember any necessary documentation, such as permission slips, medical forms, or emergency contact information. Check with your school in advance to ensure you have all essential paperwork completed and ready to go.

Now that we have covered the essential items, let’s move on to the next category: clothing and accessories.

Clothing and Accessories

Choosing the right clothing and accessories for your school field trip is essential to ensure comfort and preparedness. Consider the weather conditions and the activities you’ll be participating in. Here are some key items to pack:

Layered Clothing: Dressing in layers allows you to adjust your clothing based on the temperature. Pack lightweight, breathable clothes for warm weather, and don’t forget a sweater or jacket for cooler temperatures.
Comfortable Pants or Shorts: Opt for comfortable bottoms that allow for easy movement, such as jeans, leggings, or cargo pants. Avoid wearing skirts or dresses if they may hinder your participation in certain activities.
Appropriate Footwear: Choose comfortable, closed-toe shoes suitable for the terrain you’ll be traversing. Sneakers or hiking shoes are often the best options for most field trips.
Hat and Sunglasses: Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a hat and sunglasses to shield your face and eyes from harmful UV rays.
Extra Socks: It’s always a good idea to have an extra pair of socks in case your feet get wet or sweaty.

In addition to clothing, consider packing a few essential accessories:

Back-up Phone Charger: To stay connected and capture memorable moments, bring a portable phone charger in case your battery runs low.
Camera or Smartphone: Capture the highlights of your field trip with a camera or smartphone. Just make sure you have enough storage space or an extra memory card.
Daypack or Waist Bag: If you don’t want to carry a bulky backpack, consider using a smaller daypack or waist bag to keep your essentials handy.

Remember to pack clothing and accessories that are appropriate for the specific activities and environment you’ll be in. Always check if there are any dress code guidelines provided by your school or the destination you’ll be visiting.

Next, we’ll delve into the importance of food and snacks on a school field trip.

Food and Snacks

When it comes to school field trips, keeping yourself fueled and energized is crucial. Packing nutritious and convenient food and snacks will ensure you have the energy to fully participate and enjoy your trip. Here are some tips for planning your meals:

Packed Lunch: If the field trip doesn’t include meal arrangements, pack a nutritious lunch that includes a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fruits or vegetables. Opt for foods that don’t require refrigeration or can be kept in a small cooler with an ice pack.
Snacks: Pack a variety of snacks to keep you going throughout the day. Granola bars, fresh fruit, trail mix, or individual portions of crackers or pretzels are all great options.
Water and Drinks: Stay hydrated by bringing an ample supply of water. Avoid sugary drinks and opt for water or natural fruit juices instead.

If your field trip involves visiting restaurants or stopping for meals, make sure to ask your teacher or trip organizer about any specific dietary restrictions or preferences. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, it’s important to communicate that in advance and plan accordingly.

Remember, it’s always a good idea to pack extra snacks, especially for long days or unexpected delays. Having a stash of nutritious snacks will help keep your energy levels up and ensure you don’t go hungry during your journey.

Now that we’ve covered food and snacks, let’s move on to the next section: medications and first aid supplies.

Medications and First Aid Supplies

When going on a school field trip, it’s important to be prepared for any potential health issues or emergencies. Packing medications and first aid supplies will ensure you have the necessary items to address common ailments or injuries. Here’s what you should consider including:

Personal Medications: If you take any prescribed medications, make sure to bring an ample supply for the duration of the trip. Keep them in their original packaging, properly labeled, and consider carrying a copy of the prescription.
Pain Relief Medication: Pack some over-the-counter pain relief medication, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, in case you or your fellow students experience headaches or minor aches.
Allergy Medication: If you have allergies, don’t forget to bring antihistamines or other allergy medication to manage any potential allergic reactions.
First Aid Kit: Carry a compact and well-equipped first aid kit that includes adhesive bandages, gauze, antiseptic wipes, tweezers, scissors, and any other items specific to your needs. Make sure someone in your group knows how to use the items in the kit.
Emergency Contact Information: Have a list of emergency contact numbers, including your parents’ or guardians’ phone numbers, stored in your phone or written on a piece of paper to ensure quick and efficient communication in case of an emergency.

It’s essential to inform your teacher or trip organizer about any specific medical conditions, allergies, or requirements you may have. They should be aware of your needs and be able to provide necessary assistance if required.

Even if you don’t anticipate any health issues, it’s always better to be prepared. Packing these essential medications and first aid supplies will give you peace of mind and ensure that you’re ready to handle any unexpected situations that may arise during your field trip.

Next, let’s explore the importance of personal hygiene items.

Personal Hygiene Items

Keeping clean and maintaining personal hygiene is important, even while on a school field trip. Packing essential personal hygiene items will ensure you stay fresh and comfortable throughout your journey. Here are some items to include:

Toothbrush and Toothpaste: Maintain your oral hygiene by bringing a travel-sized toothbrush and toothpaste.
Hand Sanitizer: Keep germs at bay by carrying a small bottle of hand sanitizer to clean your hands when soap and water are not readily available.
Tissues or Wet Wipes: Pack a travel pack of tissues or wet wipes for quick clean-ups or refreshing yourself.
Deodorant: Stay fresh throughout the day by packing a travel-sized deodorant or antiperspirant.
Menstrual Supplies: For those who menstruate, be sure to pack an appropriate supply of menstrual products.

Additionally, consider any other personal hygiene items that you may need based on your specific requirements. It’s essential to prioritize cleanliness and comfort during your field trip.

If your field trip involves staying overnight, consider packing additional items such as shampoo, conditioner, body wash, a towel, and any other toiletries you typically use. Check with your teacher or trip organizer for any guidelines or restrictions regarding personal care products during the trip.

Now that we’ve covered personal hygiene items, let’s move on to the importance of communication and entertainment on a school field trip.

Communication and Entertainment

Staying connected and entertained during a school field trip can enhance your overall experience. Here are some essential items to pack for communication and entertainment:

Cell Phone: Bring your cell phone with a fully charged battery and a portable charger or power bank to stay connected with your group and capture memorable moments.
Emergency Whistle: In case of an emergency or if you need to get the attention of your group, carry an emergency whistle to alert others.
Portable Entertainment: If allowed, consider bringing headphones, a portable music player, or a small tablet with pre-downloaded games, e-books, or movies to keep yourself entertained during downtime or long journeys.
Map or Guidebook: For outdoor trips or visits to unfamiliar places, carrying a map or guidebook can help you navigate and learn more about the area you’re exploring.
Notebook and Pen: Take notes, jot down observations, or capture your thoughts in a notebook. It’s a great way to document your experience and reflect on the trip later.

While it’s important to have these communication and entertainment items, remember to use them responsibly and always prioritize the educational purpose and safety of the field trip.

Before the trip, make sure you have important contact information saved in your phone, including the phone numbers of your teachers and fellow classmates, as well as any emergency contacts.

Now that we’ve covered communication and entertainment items, let’s move on to the next section: school supplies.

School Supplies

Even though you may be leaving the classroom, it’s important to bring along some essential school supplies to make the most out of your field trip. Here are the key items to include:

Notebook and Pen: Bringing a small notebook and pen allows you to jot down important information, take notes, or complete any assignments or worksheets given during the trip.
Clipboard: A clipboard can come in handy if you need a firm writing surface while on the move or if you need to fill out forms or worksheets.
Camera or Smartphone: As mentioned earlier, having a camera or smartphone with you is useful not only for capturing memories but also for taking pictures of important information, exhibits, or research material.
Reusable Bag: Pack a reusable bag or folder to keep all your school supplies organized and easily accessible throughout the trip.
Calculator: If you anticipate needing a calculator for any calculations or measurements during the trip, be sure to pack a small, portable calculator.

While you may not need a full suite of school supplies, having these essential items will help you stay organized and make the most of any learning opportunities that arise during the field trip.

Now that we’ve covered school supplies, let’s move on to the importance of carrying money and identification during a school field trip.

Money and Identification

When going on a school field trip, it’s important to have money and proper identification on hand. Here are some key considerations:

Emergency Cash: It’s always a good idea to have some emergency cash with you. This can come in handy for unexpected expenses, such as food, transportation, or souvenirs.
Student ID or Identification: Carry your student ID or any form of identification provided by your school. It may be required for admission to certain attractions or for identification purposes during the trip.
Medical Insurance Card: If you have medical insurance, carry your insurance card with you. In case of any emergency or unforeseen circumstances, it’s important to have your insurance information readily available.

Additionally, it’s a good practice to inform your parents or guardians about the field trip and provide them with the itinerary and emergency contact information. They may want to ensure you have some money for meals or emergencies, so make sure to communicate with them about your needs.

While having money and identification is important, it’s equally essential to keep them secure. Consider using a small wallet or money pouch that can be securely tucked away in a compartment of your backpack or kept close to your person.

Now that we’ve covered money and identification, let’s move on to some additional considerations before wrapping up our guide.

Additional Considerations

Before embarking on your school field trip, there are a few additional considerations to keep in mind to ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience:

Review the Itinerary: Familiarize yourself with the itinerary provided by your school or trip organizer. Take note of the departure time, activities planned, and any specific guidelines or instructions.
Check the Weather: Keep an eye on the weather forecast for the day of your field trip. Dress appropriately and pack necessary items like umbrellas or sunscreen based on the predicted conditions.
Follow Dress Code: Your school may have a specific dress code or guidelines for field trips. Make sure to adhere to these guidelines to maintain a respectful and appropriate appearance during the trip.
Follow Safety Instructions: Listen to and follow the safety instructions given by your teachers or trip leaders. This includes staying with the group, following designated paths or areas, and being aware of any safety hazards.
Show Respect: Whether you’re visiting a museum, historical site, or natural reserve, always show respect by following the rules, being mindful of the environment, and treating the location and its artifacts with care.
Be Engaged and Ask Questions: Make the most out of your field trip by actively participating, asking questions, and engaging with the exhibits, activities, or educational opportunities presented to you.

Remember, a school field trip is not only a chance to explore and learn but also an opportunity to represent your school and yourself positively. Cooperation, respect, and a willingness to learn will contribute to a successful and memorable experience for everyone.

Now that we’ve covered the additional considerations, let’s wrap up our guide to what to bring on a school field trip.

Preparing for a school field trip can be both exciting and overwhelming, but with proper planning and consideration, you can ensure a successful and enjoyable experience. By packing the essential items we’ve outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to make the most out of your trip.

Remember to pack clothing and accessories suitable for the weather and activities, bring along nutritious food and snacks to keep you energized, and have the necessary medications and first aid supplies on hand. Pays attention to personal hygiene items to stay fresh, and don’t forget to bring along communication and entertainment items for connectivity and leisure.

Carrying money and identification is important for emergencies and identification purposes. And always make sure to follow the guidelines provided by your teachers or trip organizers, show respect, ask questions, and actively engage in the learning opportunities that arise during the field trip.

Lastly, keep in mind the additional considerations such as reviewing the itinerary, checking the weather, following dress codes and safety instructions, and maintaining a respectful attitude towards the locations you visit.

By taking these steps and being well-prepared, you can have a memorable and educational school field trip. So pack your bags, have a positive attitude, and get ready for an adventure outside the classroom!

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Bring Back In-Person Field Trips. Here’s Why

Just as peak field trip season was set to get underway in the spring of 2020, the pandemic hit. Schools, and the cultural institutions and countless other organizations that normally welcome K-12 students for experiential learning, closed their doors.

“The pandemic was absolutely devastating for field trips. They went off a cliff, even when schools went back to in-person,” said Susie Wilkening, principal of Wilkening Consulting, a Seattle-based audience research firm.

Statistics bear this out. In the spring of 2023, Wilkening Consulting and the American Alliance of Museums conducted a survey of 340 museum directors from around the country on post-pandemic visitation. Forty percent of respondents reported that they continued to experience lower on-site visitation from K-12 teachers and students.

Several factors may be keeping schools from venturing back to in-person field trips. Virtual field trips rose in popularity during the pandemic, allowing students to glimpse educational sites as far-flung as the Egyptian pyramids or the Louvre art museum in Paris from the comfort of their homes or classrooms—and those opportunities still exist.

Logistics and funding may also be preventing schools from returning to on-site field trips. Educational researchers have suggested that some schools prioritize putting resources toward activities that may improve student achievement on standardized tests over experiences like field trips, whose results aren’t as quantifiable. That may especially be the case for schools struggling to help students recover from pandemic-era learning declines.

The argument for doing field trips again

But a growing body of research, advocacy from some district-level officials, and anecdotes from students provide compelling reasons for bringing back in-person field trips.

Lin Tajeken Jeufack, a high school junior at Kenwood High School in Maryland’s Baltimore County schools, vividly recalls how a 6th grade field trip to the National Aquarium in Baltimore that offered a behind-the-scenes glimpse into husbandry of aquatic animals planted an idea in her head about one day becoming a marine biologist.

Lin described testing the water in the animal tanks, peering under a microscope in an onsite laboratory at the aquarium, and learning about a profession she knew little about. The 16-year-old, who is now enrolled in her school’s International Baccalaureate program, volunteers at a local hospital, and says she’s leaning toward majoring in math in college, though she hasn’t ruled out a career in marine biology. Lin still welcomes the opportunity to attend in-person field trips—like a recent outing to the Philadelphia’s Franklin Institute, an art museum that features a “Giant Heart” exhibit that allows visitors to walk through the organ’s enormous, lifelike chambers.

“I think students feel safer now [post-pandemic],” said Lin. “We have a really tough course load; we’re always working. It’s good for us to get away from school for a little while.”

Students from Centreville Elementary School in Fairfax, Va. release brook trout that they’ve grown from eggs in their classroom into Passage Creek at Elizabeth Furnace Recreational Area in the George Washington National Forest in Fort Valley, Va. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. The students spent the day outside bidding farewell to their class pet and participating in other outdoor educational activities.

Field trips are especially beneficial for disadvantaged students

The lasting benefits of field trips don’t necessarily register in students’ consciousness at the moment of the visit. But these experiential outings have been proven to increase student interest in, knowledge about, and motivation to study subject matter to which they’re exposed, according to a sweeping, decade-old report by Ohio University researchers on field trips. Students from disadvantaged backgrounds tend to reap the biggest benefits from these experiences, as they are less likely to have the opportunity to engage in these activities outside of school-sponsored trips.

That’s not lost on Kadee Anstadt, superintendent/CEO of Washington Local Schools in Toledo, Ohio, who’s committed to ensuring that the students in her high-poverty district take field trips routinely.

“We are quite intentional now about the breadth of experiences we are offering our students,” said Anstadt, who recently established what she refers to as “superinten-dates,” in which she personally takes groups of students on field trips they likely wouldn’t otherwise experience.

“As an urban district, our kids sometimes don’t get to see their larger community. We’ve been to the Detroit Auto Show, to hear a Holocaust survivor, experienced the Toledo Opera, and taken the entire junior class to the Henry Ford Museum,” she said.

Some of the field trips students in the Washington Local Schools take are culturally enriching; others, practical. The district has developed a partnership with two local YMCA branches in which every 2nd grader receives eight water safety lessons.

“This ensures our kids know the dangers of a pool, pond, or lake, and also know how to get help if they need it. Some learn to swim during this time. For so many, it’s the first time they’ve ever been in a pool,” said Anstadt.

Since last year, more than 1,000 of the district’s approximately 7,000 students have received the lessons.

Fish hatcheries, hiking, ice fishing, and Native American landmarks

Laurie Barron, superintendent of the Evergreen school district in Montana, shares a philosophy on experiential field trips similar to Anstadt’s—but with vastly different surroundings to explore.

“We are in northwestern Montana bordering Glacier National Park, a recreation mecca,” said Barron, reeling off a number of recreational and cultural resources available within a quick bus trip: fish hatcheries, hiking, ice fishing, skiing, forestry opportunities, and Native American landmarks.

Barron says administrators aim for younger students in the K-8 district to go on between two and four trips per year, a number that increases to six to eight trips by the time students reach 8th grade.

“We love for them to have several off-campus opportunities each year, experiencing the great west Montana outdoors. It’s very relevant and easy to connect that to our curriculum and content,” Barron said. “And students remember a lot more that way than just reading about places in a book.”

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Various school representatives and parent liaisons attend a family and community engagement think tank discussion at Lowery Conference Center on March 13, 2024 in Denver. One of the goals of the meeting was to discuss how schools can better integrate new students and families into the district. Denver Public Schools has six community hubs across the district that have serviced 3,000 new students since October 2023. Each community hub has different resources for families and students catering to what the community needs.

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Highway 6 expected to flood at Navasota River Saturday

Highway 6 could flood at the Navasota River on Saturday

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - Officials in Navasota expect the Navasota River may flood over Highway 6 north of the City of Navasota by Saturday, which could result in the highway’s closure.

The City of Navasota is warning that due to surrounding lakes at high levels, dam releases will take place to control flooding. Those releases of lakewater could push an already full Navasota River over Highway 6 on Saturday.

The city, county and Texas Department of Transportation plan to have resources in place to monitor flooding and, potentially, close Highway 6. The city doesn’t anticipate flooding in any other locations.

Drivers are encouraged to stay off roads if possible. Flooding on roadways has been widespread throughout the Brazos Valley following this week’s storms.

The latest information on state road closures is available at DriveTexas.org . Navasota officials say a phone notification will be sent to residents if the highway is closed.

The full statement from the City of Navasota:

Heavy rainfall in the region over the last several days has resulted in flooding for many areas north and east of Navasota. The significant rainfall has led to record-high levels in many lakes, resulting in necessary dam releases in an effort to control flooding. This has resulted in higher-than-normal levels in many rivers, including the Navasota River. The City of Navasota is coordinating with Grimes County and the State in preparation for increased water levels in the Navasota River that could result in flooding over Hwy 6 in Navasota tomorrow, May 4th. The City of Navasota and TxDOT have resources in place in the event Hwy 6 needs to be closed in Navasota due to flooding tomorrow and will monitor river and road conditions closely over the next 24 hours. We will also be closely monitoring Business 6 on the north side of Navasota. Currently, the City does not anticipate street or structure flooding at any other locations in the city, but we will continue to monitor conditions and be prepared if additional flooding occurs. If you do not need to travel, we encourage you to stay off the roads and always avoid flooded roadways. Follow the City of Navasota on Facebook and social media for updates. We will send another phone notification tomorrow if a closure of Hwy 6 is necessary.

Road closures, flooding reported in parts of Brazos Valley Thursday morning

The road reopened Friday after closing Thursday for flooding

Highway 30 reopened in Grimes County after closure due to flooding

Several school closures reported Thursday following storms, heavy rain

City of Huntsville issues Disaster Declaration

City of Huntsville declares disaster for severe flooding

Vehicle partially submerged in flood waters.

Vehicle captured on video driving into flooded creek

Aggieland Humane Society Pet of the Week: Miranda

Aggieland Humane Society Pet of the Week: Darla

St. Joseph doctor shares illnesses circulating in the region

Brazos County Elections Administrator Trudy Hancock talks May 4 election

Local election results: Labour and Tories now think Khan has won in London, amid 'wild' rumours; Cooper says party 'needs to reflect' on Gaza after council election results

The Tories suffer historic losses in the local elections, while Labour admit the party's stance on Gaza was "obviously" a factor in its failure to do even better. Meanwhile, both main parties now think Sadiq Khan has won a narrow victory in the London mayoral race, despite "wild rumours".

Saturday 4 May 2024 03:58, UK

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Labour and Tories now think Sadiq Khan to win narrowly in London - amid 'wild' rumours
Labour shadow minister says 'we need to reflect' over Gaza stance
Labour wins mayoralty in PM's own backyard
Relief for PM as Tory mayor clings on in key race
But Sunak admits overall results are 'disappointing'
Tories could be 'almost annihilated' at general election
Starmer hails Labour wins - but admits Gaza cost him votes
And party fears possible result to come in London mayoral contest
Vote 2024: Council results in full | Mayoral results as they happen | Labour will fail to gain overall majority based on council election results - projection
Live reporting by Katie Williams , Emily Mee , and (earlier) Andy Hayes and Ben Bloch

The final election result for today has been declared - but there will be more to come on Saturday.

Seven mayoral contests will be announced: London, West Midlands, Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Liverpool City Region, South Yorkshire and Salford.

Fourteen London constituencies will also be announced, along with the London-wide top-up list that will elect another 11 assembly members.

Plus, four councils should be declared - North Tyneside, Stroud, Warrington and Epping Forest, where most of the results have already been announced.

A further eight police and crime commissioners will be revealed.

Over the course of last night and today, Labour has gained nine police and crime commissioner (PCC) posts from the Conservatives.

The party also held five posts, with another 10 to be declared over the weekend.

This means Labour holds 14 PCCs and the Conservatives 12, while Plaid Cymru has retained Dyfed-Powys.

While these elections get much less attention than those for mayors, councils and the London Assembly, they could be significant as they include many of the shires that traditionally lean towards the Conservatives.

We went into this set of local and mayoral elections with two big questions: Is Labour on course for a majority and how bad is it going to be for Rishi Sunak?

On the Sunak question, it's a very clear-cut story.

The Tories are having as bad a night as their worst nightmare.

There is a 19-point drop in the Conservative vote compared with the 2019 general election - one of its worst performances ever.

But it's not an all-out win for Labour, either.

Read more from our political editor Beth Rigby below...

The council is now under no overall control, with the Liberal Democrats, Labour and independents making gains.

The Tories had held Gloucester for 20 years.

Boundary changes in the area have helped the Liberal Democrats and meant all seats were up for election this year.

It's been a bruising day for the Conservatives as the party looks on track for its worst local election result ever.

Labour has taken control of a string of Leave-voting councils, secured victory in the mayoral election in Rishi Sunak's back yard and won the Blackpool South by-election.

Our economics and data editor Ed Conway picks out the example of Rushmoor - a typically Tory-voting council which Labour has taken control of for the first time - as an example of a significant Labour win.

"Even in the late Tony Blair period... the Labour share was always low and it's just climbed up in the last few elections," he says.

"We're seeing here unprecedented results, that's underlining the national swing."

Despite Labour's success, however, there are "other stories going on", Ed notes, with the party's vote in areas with larger Muslim areas falling, potentially as a result of its stance on Gaza.

It's a huge moment for the Lib Dems as they gain Dorset Council from the Conservatives.

The party took 13 seats from the Tories to secure an overall count of 42.

If you're just catching up, our political correspondent Serena Barker-Singh can get you up to speed in the space of a minute.

There's just a handful more council results set to be declared in what has been a bumper day of local elections.

We've had a few more through this evening - including a gain for the Lib Dems from no overall control in Tunbridge Wells.

The party won eight seats there, while the Tories lost three and Labour lost one.

The Lib Dems have also held Woking council after gaining four seats.

Elsewhere, Labour has held West Lancashire , while Elmbridge , Bristol and Cherwell remain under no overall control.

In the days running up to the elections, Number 10 was verging on the unsubtle.

Senior Downing Street figures were conceding that should Ben Houchen lose the mayoralty of the Tees Valley Combined Authority to Labour, there would be a challenge to Rishi Sunak. At that point they would be unable to stem the tide of letters sufficient to trigger a vote of no confidence.

In turn, this might have triggered an unwanted and catastrophic early election.

This is unusual behaviour - for the prime minister's closest allies to be openly speculating on his survivability - yet it is a sign of the turbulence of politics of the moment.

There was method in their madness.

Read more from our deputy political editor Sam Coates below...

People in Grimsby - one of Sky News's general election Target Towns - have been offering their views on the current state of politics in the country.

Bex Wright, who owns a barbershop in the town, tells our news correspondent Tom Parmenter that people don't "have trust in the government", while customer Matt Tucker says voters are "fed up" after being promised big changes in 2019.

You can watch the full clip below, and read all of our Target Towns coverage here .

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IMAGES

10 Fun + Educational Field Trip Ideas For Students
Educational Field Trips
School fieldtrips. Perfect for kids and groups. Tons of fun
Middle School Field Trips
6 Educational places to visit during a school trip
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COMMENTS

260+ Field Trip Ideas for Grades PreK-12 (In-Person and Virtual)
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)
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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. Find the perfect on-site or virtual field trip with the Field Trip Directory serving school, scout, camp, and homeschool, early childhood ...
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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! 1. Zoo. 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.
35 Field Trip Ideas
Coming up with fun, educational, affordable field trip ideas can be a challenge. But field trips offer great learning experiences that promote a sense of school pride and community within the student body. Even though schools operate on tight budgets, you can get creative and keep prioritizing field trips. Here are 35 field trip ideas broken up ...
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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 ...
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Field trips for schools - Primary school field trips ideas. #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 ...
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Here are my top ten picks (in no particular order) for both fun and educational field trips: Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium OR Carnegie Science Museum in Pittsburgh. Lake Tobias Wildlife Park near Harrisburg. The Franklin Institute, Independence Park, or the Art Museum in Philadelphia. Reading Art Museum and Planetarium in Reading.
50 Amazing Field Trip Spots in the U.S.
It is the quintessential field trip experience. In fact, it is almost explicitly designed for field trips and large groups to visit. The living history education is its calling card, but there is so much to do that students won't have time to wander off or get bored. Visit - rileysfarm.com #8 - The Freedom Trail (Boston, MA)
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5 Fun Field Trip Ideas for Elementary School. By Janelle Cox. 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.
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August 14, 2023 // by Lauren Du Plessis. Discover a world beyond your classroom with 41 vibrant project-based learning field trip ideas. As teachers, we continually seek new ways to engage and inspire our young learners. For this reason, we've curated a list of unique educational destinations- each offering a wealth of hands-on learning ...
Pennsylvania Field Trips
PENNSYLVANIA Field Trips. To help plan MAY curriculum focused classroom activities, field trips and school assembly programs, these May themed celebrations might be a helpful focus.Monthly: National Inventors Month.May 6-10: Teacher Appreciation Week.May 3: World Press Freedom Day.May 5: Cinco de Mayo.Museum Lover's Day. National Space Day. ...
St. Louis Field Trips
GRADE LEVEL - Elementary School, Middle School, High School, College PROGRAM TYPE - Day Trips, Self-Guided Tours, Guided Tours COST - Free GROUP TYPE - School, Scout, Homeschool MISSOURI. St. Louis TEL - 314-977-6631. 1. 2. 3. Find the perfect St. Louis field trip for school, scout, camp, and homeschool groups or plan a family outing with the ...
About School Field Trips
Liability/Responsibility: Please be advised: teachers, parents, or designated guardians need to be responsible for children at all times while at This Is The Place Heritage Park and during the guided field trips. Please contact us if you have any further questions at 801.924.7534 or [email protected].
School Field Trips
Field trips can be transformative experiences for students: Having the chance to get outside of the classroom, learn from passionate educators, and encounter new places and ideas can broaden the educational horizons for young learners. The ENC presents field trip programs to preschool - 12th grade classes throughout the school year.
6 fun field trip ideas for middle school students
6 field trips for middle school students. Photo credit: willian_2000. 1. The food bank. One of my most memorable, yet unique, field trips was to visit a local food bank that was five minutes down the road with my middle school students. It was a particularly special event because the kids were already invested in a mission to feed the hungry.
30+ Awesome Homeschool Field Trip Ideas Kids Will Love
Save these field trip ideas! 1. Zoo. Zoos are a favorite spot for many children, making them one of the top homeschool field trip ideas. Kids can observe animals they might not otherwise see in the wild. Kids can learn map reading skills, animal facts, and even a bit of geography as they read the descriptive plaques.
In-School Field Trips
We provide In-school and Virtual (NEW) science field trips that allow kids to become a "Scientist For the Day" and learn by doing REAL experiments. Programs are engaging, fun and meet the Science Standards. Please call (919) 460-5800 for more information about our new programming options. We will deliver your Science Supplies to you (FREE SHIPPING)! Our true passion is to provide teachers ...
42 Homeschool Field Trip Ideas + Planning Tips & Printable Log
Biology field trip ideas: a butterfly vivarium, an Audubon Center, a wolf preserve. Chemistry field trip ideas: a manufacturing laboratory, a college research lab, fire department, wastewater treatment plant. 2. Look for specific locations. Head to Google and input your desired type of field trip.
5 Best School Field Trips in the U.S.
Ancient fossils, futuristic 3-D theater shows, and a fascinating underwater world await you. Another school trip favorite is the Museum of Science and Industry, the largest science museum in the country. It's filled with top exhibits and compelling demonstrations. Getting In: Shedd Aquarium tickets, Adler Planetarium tickets, Field Museum ...
Massachusetts Field Trips
GRADE LEVEL - All Grades PROGRAM TYPE - Day Trips, Overnight Trips, Self-Guided Tours, Guided Tours, Self-Guided Activities, Guided Activities COST - Fee, Group Rates GROUP TYPE - School, Scout, Camp, Homeschool, Family MASSACHUSETTS. Cape Cod/Plymouth. Hanover TEL - 781-826-5263 Read More.
33 Fun Field Trips & Things to Do: Plan Group Activities in KC
School field trip programs are two hours long and are offered Tuesday through Friday in morning and afternoon sessions. You can also choose multiple programs to create a full-day field trip. Times are also flexible to accommodate bus and pick-up schedules. Half-day program: minimum of 20 students for $6 per student.
20 Engaging and Educational Field Trip Ideas for Preschoolers
Graduated from high school at a higher rate (95% of study respondents) Reported that educational trips had a positive impact on their education (89% of study respondents) ... Preschool teachers have the opportunity to make a child's world a little larger with each field trip and show them new places, people, and adventures.
What to Bring on a School Field Trip
Snacks: Pack a variety of snacks to keep you going throughout the day. Granola bars, fresh fruit, trail mix, or individual portions of crackers or pretzels are all great options. Water and Drinks: Stay hydrated by bringing an ample supply of water. Avoid sugary drinks and opt for water or natural fruit juices instead.
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Bring Back In-Person Field Trips. Here's Why. By Elizabeth Heubeck — April 29, 2024 4 min read. Students from Piney Branch Elementary School in Bristow, Va., arrive at Elizabeth Furnace ...
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The city along with county and state officials will have resources in place. ... State Track & Field 5A & 2A field events. Bryan elementary brings field trip to school after flooding cancels trip.
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The Tories have suffered some historic losses in Thursday's local elections, while Labour also claimed a big victory in the Blackpool South by-election. But in a relief for the prime minister, the ...