tk field trip ideas

Ready to Make Circle Time Amazing?

Sign up for our FREE newsletter and receive my ebook 7 Circle Time Mistakes

Thanks for subscribing! Please check your email for further instructions.

Field Trip Ideas

Field Trips for Preschool and Kindergarten

Field trips are not only lots of fun but they can also be very valuable learning experiences for young children.

They can help build background knowledge and vocabulary that are important for success in school and life.

Free Field Trip Ideas for Preschool and Kindergarten

Some field trips will require an entrance fee, but others may be free. Check with your local places of business to find out if they would be willing to offer your class a free “tour”.

• Fire Station
• Grocery Store
• Home Improvement Store
• Nursing Home
• Animal Shelter
• Beach (if nearby)

Fun Field Trip Ideas for Preschool

The following are popular places for field trips that usually charge a fee for entrance.

• Apple Orchard
• Children’s Theater
• Pumpkin Patch
• Science Museum (designed for children)
• Ice Skating
• Roller Skating
• Kid-Friendly Bowling Alley

The ice skating, roller rink, and bowling alley trips could all be tied to academic science objectives.

Regional Field Trip Ideas

Different parts of the world may offer unique opportunities for field trips such as:

• Coastal: Beach
• Coastal: Lighthouse
• Southwest: Rodeo
• Wildlife Sanctuary
• Planetarium

Field Trips that May Come to You

Some field trips may even come to your location if travel isn’t possible or in your budget.

• Agricultural Outreach Center (cows or other livestock)
• Rodeo History and Education Center
• Petting Zoo
• Wildlife Outreach Center (exotic animals)
• Animal Shelter, ASPCA, or other animal group to teach about caring for pets

How to Plan a Field Trip

The following are some steps you can follow to help you plan for your field trip.

• Check your school field trip policy and read it thoroughly before scheduling any field trips.
• Determine the educational benefits of this particular field trip.
• Check your school policy on field trip chaperones. The general rule of thumb is, the younger the child, the more chaperones you will need.
• Calculate the distance from your school to the location you would like to visit.
• If a fee is involved, calculate how much the field trip will cost per child. Don’t forget to take into consideration any additional costs such as transportation or meals.
• Ask permission from school administrators to book the field trip
• Notify the parents of the date and cost of the field trip. Also let them know if you need chaperones and the procedure for signing-up.

Field Trip Questions

There are lots of questions to take into consideration when planning a field trip for young children. Here are some of the most common questions to consider.

• What type of travel is allowed? Will you need to hire a school bus or can parents drive?
• Can parents take their children home after the field trip, before returning to the school? (this will happen!)
• What paperwork is needed for parents to volunteer as chaperones?
• How many adults will you need to help chaperone the field trip?
• Will this trip help your students meet academic goals? List the specific academic standards that this trip will help your students meet. Remember, most field trips will help develop vocabulary, which in turn supports reading.
• How long will you be away from school? Calculate the travel time to and from your destination into your final number.
• Will students be eating lunch on the field trip? If so, will they be bringing their own lunches, will the school be providing them, or will they be purchased on-site?
• Do any students in your classroom take medication that will need to be administered on the field trip? If so, provisions will need to be made.
• Can parent chaperones bring their younger or older children along on the field trip? If so, how will those children be transported to and from the location? How will payment be handled- if any?

Field Trip Preparation

While field trips are fun for the students, they often require extraordinary amounts of extra preparation and effort on the teacher’s part. If something goes wrong you need to have a plan in place to occupy your students.

Every single minute of your trip has to be planned out in advance or chaos will reign. Expect the unexpected and prepare for delays such as waiting for a bus, waiting in lines, waiting for others to finish lunch.

As you can see, preparing for the trip in advance is only half the battle!

Preparing for Field Trips

Having something on hand to occupy your students on a field trip is a lifesaver.

Field trip recording sheets or scavenger hunts are a great way to keep your students alert and on-task as they look for the items listed.

You can give these forms to your students to complete during the trip or pass them out when needed.

Field Trip Scavenger Hunt Printables

These activities will provide students with practice paying attention to details, recalling events, and vocabulary development.

Picture cues are provided for non-readers so no reading is necessary to complete the activities.

Volume 1 of the 8 page Field Trip Recording Sheet packet includes scavenger hunts and recording sheets for the following field trips:

More Teaching Tips from Pre-K Pages

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

10 exciting in-person and virtual STEM field trips

Engaging stem field trips help students link classroom learning to real-world possibilities.

STEM field trips are no longer limited to traditional science centers–today’s STEM trips are interactive, engaging, and bring classroom concepts to life for students.

Every student loves a field trip, and with a little planning, it can be mostly fun and low-stress for teachers and chaperones.

One of the best things about a STEM field trip is that it gives students a chance to apply their classroom learning to a real-life situation. This kind of engagement helps students see how professionals use STEM each day, and it also prompts them to consider STEM for their own future.

While in-person field trips are exciting, they’re not always feasible for schools with funding or geographic challenges. In those cases, virtual STEM field trips might be the best option.

We’ve put together a list of in-person and virtual STEM field trips to get you thinking about where your next trip might take your students.

1. Sports games offer a fun and engaging way to challenge students to use STEM concepts they’ve learned in class. Many minor-league baseball teams offer STEM days for students at all grade levels, featuring simple concepts and demonstrations for younger students and more complicated challenges for older students. Check out the nonprofit Science of Sport to get started.

2. If you’re near an iFLY indoor skydiving center , a field trip is a great way to illustrate STEM learning. iFLY’s STEM program uses a vertical wind tunnel to inspire and educate students through an interactive presentation, demos in the wind tunnel, and grade-appropriate lab activities.

3. Roller rinks double as a great throwback to your younger days and as a fun STEM activity, covering topics such as friction, physics, design, and engineering. Here’s an intro from the Roller Skating Association International , and don’t forget to check out your area’s local roller skating rinks.

4. If you want to learn or brush up on some basics, check out this Microsoft Education crash course on using Skype for virtual field trips.

5. EarthEcho features a wide variety of virtual STEM field trips, including topics on water and sustainable futures, how one female biologist forged her career path, and engineering and its contributions to everyday life.

6. Exploring by the Seat of Your Pants hosts 20+ Google Hangout events for classrooms each month. Full day, week-long, and month-long events focus on oceans, biodiversity, women in science, space exploration, and more.

7. Discovery Education’s STEM field trips  let students examine the annual polar bear migration on the tundra, investigate real-life STEM professionals and what a day on the job entails, take a peek at a space center, and more.

8. These three science and nature virtual field trips take students across the globe as they tackle climate change, ecotourism, combating desertification, and different ecosystems.

9. With a Navy STEM virtual field trip, students will hear personal stories from service members and learn about how STEM takes these professionals from an F-18 to the flight deck control on an aircraft carrier.

10. Local science centers and science exploration zones shouldn’t be overlooked–many of them have updated their field trip curriculum to be more modern, relevant, and engaging for students.

Sign up for our K-12 newsletter

• Recent Posts

• Friday 5: Blended learning - May 10, 2024
• Cybersecurity is top priority for K-12 edtech leaders - May 8, 2024
• New group targets AI skills in education and the workforce - May 6, 2024

Want to share a great resource? Let us know at [email protected] .

Username or Email Address

Remember Me

eSchool News uses cookies to improve your experience. Visit our Privacy Policy  for more information.

The Homeschool Resource Room

creative ideas, practical advice, genuine support

40+ Fantastic Field Trips for Kids

This post may contain affiliate links. See our disclosure policy for details.

40 fun and educational field trips . Check out these fantastic field trips ordered by category. Find likes and resources available in communities all over the US and virtual field trip resources too!

Ready to get your kids excited about learning? Take them out for a field trip! Check out these fun field trips listed by category:

• Art and Music

Virtual Field Trips

Science field trips.

1.Science Museum – Get hands-on with science at your local science museum or science center. Check for shows and special tours for kids.

2. Natural History Museum – See the history of science and learn about plants, animals, and the history of our natural world.

3. Planetarium – Look up for a tour of the starts and learn all about outer space with IMAX movies projected onto a dome.

4. Aquarium – Get up-close and personal with a variety of sea creatures at an aquarium.

5. Botanical Garden – Tour a beautiful botanical garden to see local and exotic plants.

6. Local Animal Sanctuary or Zoo – Animal lovers will love to visit their local sanctuary or zoo. Be sure to ask about demonstrations and animal feeding times!

7. Visit Local, State, or National Parks – Your park system has a lot to offer! Check the websites of your local, state, and national parks to find out about programs, tours, and the natural and historical landmarks you can visit.

Art and Music Field Trips

8. Art Museum or Gallery – Start here to get kids interested in art and culture. You’ll find everything from ancient artifacts to today’s contemporary art.

9. Art Walk or Outdoor Craft Fair – When the weather is nice, take a walk around a local art walk or craft fair. A great time to meet local artists and talk to them about their craft.

10. Orchestra – Don’t miss a trip to the orchestra or children’s orchestra. A field trip that both a budding musician and music novice will love.

11. Ballet, Play, or Concert  – Whether you’re watching community theater or seeing a Broadway show, a field trip to a performance is a must!

12. Tour Urban Art or Music – Search for urban art, street musicians, and outdoor art. A great way to explore and learn about your city.

13. Local Music Festival – Hit a festival and enjoy some music from your local musicians.

History Field Trips

14. Presidential Library – A fantastic field trip if you have one near you! Learn all about the president’s life and work. 14 Presidential Libraries

15. Renaissance Fair – What a fun way to get your kids into history! Look for local Renaissance or Medieval Fairs. List of Renaissance Fairs by State

16. Reenactment – Do you live by a historical reenactment site? Check your local tourist attractions to find all kinds of reenactments from Civil War battles to early American daily life.

17. Native American Historical Sites – Delve deeper into US history by visiting a Native American historical site near you. A list of sites from the National Park Service

18. Holocaust Museum – Learn about the history of the Holocaust and how the events still impact us today at one of our nation’s Holocaust Museums .

19. African American History Museum – Tour an African American History Museum in the US to learn about civil rights, culture, and history of black Americans.

20. Local Landmarks and Historical Sites – Learn this history of your town or city by finding local historical sites. A great place to start is your city or town’s library or visitor’s center for information.

21. Visit your State Capitol – Make a trip to your state capital to visit the Capitol Building and your state’s historical sites. Request information from the city’s tourism website for free guides and details about what to visit.

22. Memorials or Monuments – Do you have a National Memorial near you? Visit memorials or monuments to learn about the people and events that changed our country’s history.

Community Field Trips

23. Fire or Police Station Tour – A great way to learn about our community helpers and safety for young children.

24. Library Tour – Go behind-the-scenes in your local library to see how books are processed and repaired.

25. Farm – Learn about life on the farm, the food we eat, and farm animals when you visit a local farm and meet a farming family.

26. Farmer’s Market – Check out local produce grown by farmers in your area. A great time to meet a variety of people and learn about different jobs in your community.

27. Grocery Store Tour – Contact your local grocery store for a tour of the store! You’ll meet your local butcher, baker, see the big freezers, and the loading dock where deliveries are made. A great field trip to pair with the farm or farmer’s market to learn where our food comes from.

28. Recycling Center or Local Dump – A surprisingly fun and interesting tour. Learn all about where our trash goes after you put it in the bin. Also, check out our Garbage and Recycling unit !

29. Local Factory Tours – Contact a local factory for a tour. You’ll meet the factory employees and see how things are made, by hand or by machine.

30. Sporting Events – Root for your local teams or make a trip to a professional sporting event. Learn about all types of sports from baseball and basketball to swimming or rowing.

31. Dentist, Hospital, or Veterinarian Office Tour – Take a tour or schedule a presentation with your group at a local dentist’s office, hospital, or vet’s office. A great way to learn about these careers.

32. College Campus Tour – Checking out college campuses isn’t only for seniors! Tour your local campus, take a look at student exhibits or displays, or catch a game while you’re there!

33. Television or Radio Station Tour – Contact local stations or colleges for a tour of their studios.

If you want to travel somewhere a little more exotic, you can find a slew of virtual field trips free online.

Through Google Arts and Culture you can visit places all over the world including:

• 34. The White House
• 35. The Metropolitan Museum of Art
• 36. The Colliseum
• 37. The Eiffel Tower

38. You can also tour the Presidential Libraries through their individual websites. List of 14 Presidential Libraries from the National Archive

Head on over to Google Streetview to tour historical and natural sites around the world including:

• 39. Australian Parks and Wildlife
• 40. International Space Station
• 41. Machu Picchu
• 42. The Amazon River

Ashley helps parents who want to homeschool find the resources they need to successfully teach their children. Ashley is a former teacher, current homeschooler, published author, and designer behind Circle Time with Miss Fox printables as well as the creator of this website, The Homeschool Resource Room.

2 replies on “ 40+ Fantastic Field Trips for Kids ”

• Pingback: 10 FUN Alternatives to Summer School: Avoid the Summer Slide! – The Homeschool Resource Room
• Pingback: Homeschool Nature Study: 35 FUN Activities for Kids!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Discover more from The Homeschool Resource Room

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

• Homeschool 101
• Plan and Organize
• Grade Levels
• All Categories

42 Homeschool Field Trip Ideas + Planning Tips & 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. 

5 Benefits to Using a Timeline in Your Homeschool

Favorite Kids Books Also Made Into Movies: Fun Homeschool Study Ideas

Summer Camp at Home: A DIY Guide for Homeschoolers

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Most Popular

Article categories.

• Back to School
• Encouragement
• High School
• Middle School
• Homeschool Basics
• Planning, Organizing, and Scheduling
• Reading and Literature
• Sarita's Word
• Scholarship Winners
• Sonlight Spotlight
• Special Needs
• Summer Learning
• Uncategorized
• Where Are They Now

#sonlightstories

Love to learn, love to teach™

8042 South Grant Way Littleton, CO 80122 USA

1-800-903-1675

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!

• Grades 6-12
• School Leaders

Free end-of-year letter templates to your students 📝!

The Best PreK and Kindergarten Field Trips (Both Virtual and In-Person!)

From the pumpkin patch to the fire station.

Kinders are a wild bunch and taking them anywhere might seem daunting, but field trips provide kids with the kind of real-world learning that really sticks with them. These kindergarten field trips will keep your young students interested and (mostly) out of trouble.

Not all of these trips will be possible everywhere, but keep in mind local treasures that are unique to your area. And when you can’t manage a trip—for whatever reason—try our virtual kindergarten field trips below.

In-Person Kindergarten Field Trips

1. the pumpkin patch.

Is it even kindergarten if you don’t go to the pumpkin patch? Many locations offer tours via hayride and the opportunity to learn how vegetables like pumpkins grow. And, of course, picking out your own pumpkin is the best part!

2. The Grocery Store

A behind-the-scenes trip to the supermarket can teach kindergarteners everything from how their food is sourced to the concept of paying for goods with money. They can explore different roles and departments and—everyone’s favorite—try food samples.

Going to the zoo provides students with the chance to observe animal behaviors and learn about wildlife conservation. Most of them, like the San Diego Zoo , have educational programs, including keeper talks and up-close animal encounters.

4. A Children’s Museum

At children’s museums, the rule is: Please touch! If you’re lucky enough to have a children’s museum close by, most have areas specifically designed for children ages 5-6. Look for role-play areas, climbing structures, and water play.

5. The Fire Station

Grades K–2 are big on learning about community helpers, so the fire station is a great choice! A visit can help ease young children’s anxiety (sometimes firefighters can look scary in all their gear). And they’re sure to be fascinated by the trucks and equipment.

6. An Apple Orchard

Who doesn’t love apple activities ? A visit to the orchard allows little ones to learn how apples are raised and harvested. This is a great opportunity for them to pick their own apples and taste different varieties.

7. The Public Library

It’s never too early to teach kids about the amazing place that is their local library. On a trip to the public library, you can show your kinders how a library works, introduce them to the librarians (ask in advance for a storytime), and maybe even sign them up for their own library cards!

8. The Aquarium

If you’re not lucky enough to have a zoo close by, an aquarium is another good choice. Students will get a window into life under the sea, and lots of aquariums have touch pools that are sure to delight littles.

9. A Bakery

On a bakery field trip, curious kindergarteners can learn about how bread, cakes, and pastries are made. Take a tour of the kitchen and watch the mixing of ingredients and the baking process. Some bakeries even offer kids’ activities, like cookie decorating!

A farm field trip is a great way to connect children to agriculture. Plus, there are all kinds: dairy farms, poultry farms, apiaries, and more. You might try a large commercial dairy farm or a smaller family-owned hobby farm.

Virtual Kindergarten Field Trips

1. an egg farm.

We love these virtual egg farm field trips from the American Egg Board. Make sure you catch the elementary-friendly versions of Hertzfeld Poultry and Creighton Brothers Farms.

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6wbfVWVk8Q[/embedyt]

Most zoos have live webcams in some of their most popular exhibits, such as the Panda Cam at Zoo Atlanta . However, some zoos offer a more in-depth look. You’ll definitely want to check out the San Diego Zoo .

3. The Aquarium

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mY8__n13tKM[/embedyt]

It’s a similar story with aquariums. You have your pick of live webcams, but our favorites are the Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Voyager webcam (wait for the whale shark!) and the “jellycam” at Monterey Bay Aquarium (so soothing). And definitely check out  The Maritime Aquarium where you can register for their virtual programs (try Fish Tales, A House for a Hermit Crab, or Shark Safari).

4. Boston Children’s Museum

“Walk” through all three floors of the Boston Children’s Museum on this virtual tour . Direct your students to the Countdown to Kindergarten exhibit.

What are your favorite kindergarten field trips? Come and share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the  Best Field Trip Ideas for Every Age and Interest (Virtual Options Too!)

You Might Also Like

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

Get out of the classroom and explore the world! Continue Reading

Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256

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.

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.

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. 

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. 

Calendar Template for Early Education Programs

A template for creating a school year calendar for families.

Subscribe to the brightwheel blog

Recent Posts

• Preschool Assessments 101: What Early Educators Need to Know May 10, 2024
• A Guide to Scope and Sequence for Your Preschool Curriculum May 9, 2024
• Navigating Childcare Grants and Other Funding Resources in Louisiana May 9, 2024
• Navigating Childcare Grants and Other Funding Resources in Nevada May 8, 2024
• Team Building Activities for Preschool Teachers May 8, 2024

Posts by Tag

• Running a business (194)
• Child development (164)
• Curriculum (83)
• Staff development (47)
• Financial health (46)
• Family engagement (40)
• Small business funding (33)
• COVID-19 (30)
• Technology (27)
• Family communications (15)
• Staff retention (15)
• ECE career growth (13)
• For Parents (10)
• Diversity and inclusion (8)
• Enrollment (7)
• Staff appreciation (7)
• Marketing (6)
• Public policy (6)
• Staff hiring (5)
• ECE current events (4)
• Family retention (4)
• Salary guides (4)
• Leadership (2)

25 Fantastic Field Trip Ideas

Fuel Your Imagination and Planning

Nothing captivates students and youth groups more than the thrill of FIELD TRIPS! These special excursions give kids a chance to encounter new experiences, expand their horizons, cultivate fresh interests, and revel in fun with friends. Below, we’re sharing 25 of our favorite field trip ideas to fuel your imagination and planning.

Terrific Tips for Field Trip Planning 

Wherever you decide to venture, remember these tips to ensure a safe and splendid experience for everyone: 

Align field trips with educational objectives or significant milestones in the school year.

Choose age-appropriate venues and activities, and come prepared with a game plan and instructional materials.

Provide enough chaperones to ensure the safety of all students/group members. ( Pro Tip:   Use SignUp to recruit parent volunteers! )

Follow school/group guidelines for arranging transportation, collecting permission slips, organizing buses, carpooling, etc. 

Communicate expectations for bringing or buying snacks, lunch, and beverages.

For elective and costly field trips, provide  fundraising opportunities  to enable more students to participate.

Educate both children and chaperones on safety measures and emergency procedures.

Fantastic Field Trip Ideas 

Art Museum:  Ignite creative expression and cultivate an appreciation for cultures, history, and identity by visiting a local museum. Many offer curriculum tailored to specific age groups, along with knowledgeable guides and engaging activities for your class or group.

Aquarium:  Dive into the world of ocean life and ecosystem conservation by exploring an oceanarium or aquarium.

Bank : Extend financial literacy lessons with a visit to a main bank branch, offering insights into opening savings accounts, understanding money flow, and even a glimpse into the vault.

Bakery or Candy/Ice Cream Factory : Arrange a tour of a local bakery or industrial food production site to discover the intricacies of food production, complete with delicious samples!

Botanical Garden : Embark on a journey through diverse plant species, learn about local ecosystems, and marvel at the beauty and wonders of nature.

Civil Rights Landmarks : Explore historical sites related to civil rights to enhance students' understanding of the enduring struggle for racial and social equality .

College Campus : Introduce students to the college experience, sparking excitement about higher education and future possibilities.

Cultural Neighborhood Tour : Roam through culturally vibrant neighborhoods to gain insight into various traditions, cuisines, and customs.

Environmental Cleanup Expedition:  Participate in a cleanup event at a local park, lake, or trail promoting environmental awareness and community engagement.

Farm or Dairy:  Gain hands-on knowledge of sustainable agriculture, interact with farm animals, and learn about the farm-to-table process.

Government : Foster civic participation with a tour of local, state or national houses of government, complete with an introduction to elected representatives.

Graveyard : Pay a visit to the resting places of local heroes and significant historical figures to pay respects, and to discover their life stories and the influence they've had on your community.

Historical Reenactment:  Immerse in living history at reenactment events while giving students an experiential understanding of the past.

Local Business/Factory : Take a revealing tour of a prominent local business or factory to learn about their products, manufacturing processes, and community impact.

Nature Photography : Organize a nature photography expedition where students can capture the beauty of the outdoors and showcase their creativity.

Performing Arts Showcase : Attend a theater performance, dance show, or concert to foster an appreciation for the performing arts and encourage creative expression.

Preserve or Park : Explore local green spaces to study wildlife, conduct nature walks, and emphasize the importance of nature conservation.

Pumpkin Patch:  Embrace fall with a visit to the nearby pumpkin patch where students can enjoy hay rides, corn mazes, face painting, and the delight of picking their own pumpkins. 

Science or Innovation Center:  Explore a science or technical innovation center where students can participate in interactive exhibits, conduct science experiments, and learn about exciting future technologies.

Skating : Mark a school year milestone with a party at your local (ice or roller) skating rink, complete with beginner lessons, pizza, and treats.

Stadium or Sports Arena:  Visit the home of your local sports team and get a behind-the-scenes tour of the venue, complete with team autographs. 

Theme Park:  Celebrate hard work with a recreational outing to a local amusement park, water park, or other entertainment center. 

Virtual Reality Tours : Transport students to renowned museums and iconic sites around the world through virtual reality, offering a unique way to explore art and history.

Volunteer Experience : Dedicate a day to community service at a local nonprofit, teaching students the importance of supporting their community and offering insight into nonprofit operations.

Wilderness Surviva l: Collaborate with a local guide or company to arrange a wilderness survival camp that teaches students essential skills like shelter construction, fire-making, foraging for food, water purification, and more.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE...

School Activities Planning Center    

Parent Teacher Conference Planning Center

• Find My SignUp

Help & Resources

• Help Center
• Quick Tip Videos
• Collect Money
• Logos & Buttons
• Company Press Releases
• Team SignUp.com
• Company Fact Sheet [pdf]
• In the News
• Partners & Pages
• Responsible Disclosure Policy
• Responsible Disclosure Hall Of Fame
• Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• Advertise With Us

About SignUp.com

At SignUp.com, we believe that when people get together, great things happen. That’s why parents and teachers, business and community leaders, and friends and coworkers trust our coordination resources and applications to save time and achieve remarkable outcomes. Our simple, intuitive SignUp sheets and scheduling tools make it easy for people to join together and say YES to pitching in, signing up, and helping out. No waiting for approvals and passwords, no software to install—just free, easy scheduling and SignUp tools for everyday heroes. Use SignUp.com for anything including school activities, potlucks, service projects, carnivals and walk-a-thons, class parties, teacher appreciation events, swim meets, tournaments, charity races, office hours, car pool, parent-teacher conference SignUps and more. Automatic reminders help participants keep their commitments, and easy online calendar editing, reporting and messaging saves time and energy, so everyone can do more GOOD!

Bummer! An error has occurred on this page. We have sent an error report back to the geeks.

Possible recovery paths:

• You may be able to refresh the page and continue.
• Is it a repeated error? Please email Support with the details.

Bummer! An error has occurred on this page. Unfortunately you are using an unsupported browser. SignUp.com is not able to support technology this old.

• You should upgrade as soon as possible . It's free!

Homeschool Field Trip Ideas for Kindergarten

Museums: A World of Wonders for Your Kindergarten Student

Museums are an excellent destination for homeschool field trips. They offer a world of wonders that cater to the inquisitive minds of young learners while being engaging and fun at the same time. Museums come in all shapes and sizes, from history museums to science centers and art galleries. Visiting museums can help your child build on their knowledge about different cultures, historical events, or scientific concepts using interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. For example, they can learn about dinosaurs by examining the skeletons up close or learn about ancient civilizations by exploring artifacts from long-lost societies.

Besides being informative, museum visits also encourage children’s imagination and creativity as they explore new worlds beyond their everyday experiences. Whether it’s discovering a world hidden deep beneath the waves at an aquarium or finding inspiration in paintings by famous artists like Picasso or Van Gogh, there is something for every kindergartener at a museum.

In conclusion, museums provide unique educational experiences that foster curiosity while promoting learning through exploration. So why not take advantage of these wonderful resources available nearby? Plan a homeschool field trip today with your kindergarten student -you both will have loads of fun!

Nature Parks: A Fun and Educational Way to Explore the Great Outdoors

Nature parks are a great way to explore the great outdoors and have a fun and educational experience. They provide an opportunity for children to learn about plants, animals, and habitats while enjoying nature’s beauty. Nature also known as state parks offer activities such as hiking trails, wildlife viewing stations, and guided tours that can help children understand the importance of conservation efforts. By exploring nature parks with your kindergarten student during homeschool field trips, you can foster their curiosity for the natural world. Observing different plant species or identifying animal tracks on a trail can help them develop critical thinking skills in a hands-on manner. Moreover, spending time outside is beneficial for both mental and physical health.

Whether it’s observing birds at a nearby wetland or walking through towering redwoods at a state park, there is something awe-inspiring about being immersed in nature. With careful planning and preparation, visiting these outdoor destinations can be an enriching learning experience for all involved – so go out there with your little one and discover what wonders are waiting!

Farms and Zoos: Up Close and Personal with Animals and Agriculture

Farms and zoos are excellent choices for homeschool kindergarten field trips, as they offer unique opportunities to experience animals up close and personal. At a farm, your child can learn about agriculture by seeing how crops grow, observing farm animals such as cows, pigs, and chickens, and even participate in hands-on activities like milking a cow or feeding baby goats. This is an excellent opportunity to get some fresh air and exercise while learning something new!

At a zoo, children have the chance to see exotic animals from around the world that they may not otherwise can encounter. They can observe these creatures in realistic habitats designed to mimic their natural environments – this helps them develop empathy towards wildlife early on in their lives! Many zoos also offer educational programs where kids can learn more about animal behavior, diets, and conservation efforts.

Overall both farms and zoos provide endless possibilities for homeschooling kindergarten students; there are so many things that children can discover during these types of adventures beyond what textbooks generally teach. With lots of fun ways to explore nature firsthand with the assistance of professional guides at either location it’s easy for your child’s imagination run wild as they learn- especially when done together!

Local Landmarks: Discovering the History and Culture of Your Community

One of the best ways to teach kindergarten students about their community is by exploring local landmarks. These landmarks represent events, people or places that were significant in the history and culture of your town or city. Visiting these historical sites can be an enriching educational experience for children as they learn more about the past and how it has shaped their present. There are many local landmarks to choose from when planning a field trip for homeschool kindergarteners. Some options might include visiting historic homes, touring a famous building or monument, walking through historic neighborhoods, or visiting museums and cultural centers. For example, you could take your child to see a statue commemorating a beloved public figure who has made an impact in your community’s development over time.

Local Businesses

One of our favorite field trips is to local business. This does take some prep work prior because you have to ask for permission but we love to job shadow and see how things work. For example, our local pizza place gives tours on how to bake a pizza and allows kids to bake their own too. They practice throwing the dough and everything. Furthermore, visiting the local police station and fire station are also popular field trip ideas too. 

Overall, taking kindergarten students on field trips to local landmarks helps them develop appreciation for their surroundings while expanding their understanding of different aspects of society-cultural heritage networks-teaching valuable lessons about history and its influence on daily life that will last long beyond infancy years.

hey friends!

My name is Nicole and I am so glad you are here! I have always loved photography and have taken classes. Then I started my teacher journey and fell in love with creating resources for what I needed in the classroom. Now I have combined both of my passions to bring you spectacular resources!

Let's connect!

Christian Homeschool Resources & Homeschooling Advice

• BROWSE TOPICS X
• Devotionals
• Newsletters

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 .

Recently On Homeschool

Editor's Picks

Popular Today

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• Crosswalk App
• California - Do Not Sell My Personal Information
• California - CCPA Notice

• Outreach Performances & Programs
• Fundraising
• Field trip lesson plans
• Field Trips Grants
• Service Learning
• Hot Springs
• Little Rock
• Los Angeles
• San Francisco
• Statewide / Region
• Daytona Beach
• Fort Lauderdale
• Gainesville
• Jacksonville
• Orlando-Metro
• Palm Beach Metro
• Space Coast
• Tallahassee
• St. Augustine
• St Petersburg-Clearwater
• Atlanta-Metro
• Chicago-Metro
• Springfield
• Central Region
• East Region
• Indianapolis
• North Region
• South Central Region
• South Region
• West Region
• Bowling Green
• Baton Rouge
• New Orleans
• Baltimore-Metro
• The Berkshires
• Boston-Metro
• Cape Cod/Plymouth
• Greater Lowell
• Greater Springfield
• Capital-River Region
• Delta Region
• Gulf Coast Region
• Hills Region
• Pines Region
• Jefferson City
• Kansas City
• Springfield-MO
• Delaware River Region
• Gateway Region NJ
• Greater Atlantic City
• Shore Region
• Skylands Region
• Southern Shore Region
• Capital District Region
• Central New York Region
• Finger Lakes Region
• Hudson Valley Region
• Long Island
• Mohawk Valley Region
• New York City
• North Country Region
• Southern Tier Region
• Western New York Region
• Canton Ohio
• Cincinnati Ohio
• Cleveland Ohio
• Columbus Ohio
• Oklahoma City
• Allegheny Mts. & Valleys
• Gettysburg/York
• Harrisburg-Metro
• Lakes & Erie Regions
• Lancaster-Metro
• Lehigh Valley
• Philadelphia Metro
• Pittsburgh & Laurel Highlands
• The Poconos
• Scranton/Wilkes-Barre
• Chattanooga
• East Tennessee
• Middle Tennessee
• The Smokies
• West Tennessee
• Bryan - College Station
• Corpus Christi
• Dallas/Fort Worth
• Panhandle Plains Region
• San Antonio
• Central Virginia
• Chesapeake Bay Region
• Coastal Virginia -Eastern Shore
• Coastal Virginia-Hampton Roads
• Northern Virginia
• Shenandoah Valley
• Southern Virginia
• Southwest Virginia-Blue Ridge Highlands
• Southwest Virginia-Heart of the Appalachia
• Virginia Mountains
• Martinsburg
• Madison Wisconsin

St Petersburg-Clearwater Field Trips

The FieldTripDirectory.com is a resource of St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida field trips for elementary school students thru high school students, camp groups, homeschool groups and scout troops for day field trips, overnight field trips and youth retreats. Learn about St. Petersburg-Clearwater’s museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, nature centers, historic sites, amusement parks, recreation, performing arts and more, CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below for further field trip information. For those unable to travel to these locations, check out our  Virtual Field Trips  section or  Outreach Field Trips & School Assembly Programs  section.    

• Financial Support
• Children's Museums & Indoor Fun
• History Museums, Exhibits & Sites
• Multicultural & Heritage
• Team Building
• Adventure Parks, Climbing, Ninja & Ropes Course, Ziplines
• Indoor Amusement & Recreation Centers
• Laser Tag/Laser Maze
• Botanical Gardens & Arboreta
• Environmental Studies, Outdoor Education, Conservation, Sustainability
• Science Museums & Exhibits
• STEM/STEAM Enrichment
• Art Museums, Design, Exhibits, Photography & Films
• Theater, Dance, Music, Movies, Shows
• Early Childhood
• Elementary School
• Middle School
• High School

Laser Ops Gaming Arcade

Learn about the inner workings of a Family Friendly Arcade and Laser Tag Center on this fun and educational Field Trip. Laser Ops is a 25,000 sf Indoor Amusement Center in Tampa Bay.

Pathfinder Outdoor Education St. Petersburg

Pathfinder’s mission is to deliver fun, challenging adventures that help people learn about themselves, others and the environment.

American Stage Theatre Company

Join the American Stage Theatre Company for live performances that will introduce your group to the theatre. Pair your trip to the theater with an in-class workshop.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

The Boyd Hill Nature Preserve, on 245 acre, features an environmental center, living history museum, 6 miles of trail and boardwalks, unique ecosystems, sand pine scrub, pine flatwoods, willow marsh, swamp woodlands, and more.

Chihuly Collection by the Morean Arts Center

Admire the permanent Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center in St. Petersburg, FL. This collection, filled with works by Dale Chihuly, merges art and architecture.

Dali Museum

The Dali Museum celebrates the life and work of Salvador Dali, featuring works spanning his entire career. The collection holds over 2,000 works in every medium of his artistic activity including 96 oil paintings, many original drawings, book illustrations, prints, sculpture and more.

Florida Holocaust Museum

The Florida Holocaust Museum honors the memory of millions who suffered or died in the Holocaust with emphasis on teaching tolerance.

Great Explorations Children's Museum

Great Explorations Children’s Museum provides learning and play with hands-on exhibits and programs. Choose between self-exploration, an interactive show, and a Learning Lab.

Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts’ exhibits spans 4,000 yrs of art from antiquity to the present, including African art, European paintings &  also as well as sculpture garden, photography and a glass gallery.

Saint Petersburg Museum of History

The St. Petersburg Museum of History has shared stories of the Sunshine City for nearly a century, presenting exhibits depicting the birth of the City and its history.

Science Center of Pinellas

The Science Center of Pinellas is dedicated to providing innovative, dynamic learning experiences for curious young minds, while laying a foundation in STEM for future career options.

Sunken Gardens

The historic Sunken Gardens features meandering paths, exotic plants from around the world, waterfalls,  demonstration gardens, and more than 50,000 tropical plants, and flowers.

FieldTripDirectory.com offers field trip ideas for class trips, scout group trips, camp group field trips, and homeschool group field trips in St. Petersburg—for early childhood through college. Search for class trips in St. Petersburg/Clearwater 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 St. Petersburg art museums, theater, dance, and music concert field trips.
• EARLY CHILDHOOD Find class trips to St. Petersburg children’s museums, petting zoos, and kids’ shows.
• HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES View St. Petersburg history museums, government & civics, historic sites, living history museums, and multicultural field trip ideas.
• LIFE SKILLS Find St. Petersburg team building field trips, health & safety exhibits, and character education experiences.
• SCIENCE & NATURE Find St. Petersburg aquariums, botanical gardens, environmental studies & nature centers, farms & mazes, planetariums, science museums, STEAM & STEM field trips, dinosaur exhibits, and zoos.
• RECREATION Find St. Petersburg  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.

TK Field Trip Ideas

Pennypickle's workshop temecula children's museum.

Location: Temecula

Time: Tuesday-Saturday: (Time closed is to sanitize the facility) 

        Session I   - 10 am to noon

​        Session II  - 12:30 - 2:30 pm

        Session III - 3:00 - 5:00 pm

Cost: Is $10 for adults and children 18 months and over.

Located: 42081 Main St, Temecula, CA 92590

Click Here to be Redirected to Pennypickle's Workshop Temecula Children's Museum

Kenny's Strawberry Farm

Location: 953 RAINBOW VALLEY BLVD, FALLBROOK, CA, 92028  

Time open: Opening day 4/1/23 (Seasonal openings) - Open Fridays - Sundays

Reservations are required due to ensuring enough strawberries available for picking. 

Cost: Pay for what you pick Small bucket $8 large bucket $20

Click Here to be redirected to Kenny's Strawberry Farm

Gardenworks For Kids

Location: 10966 Bryant Street, Yucaipa, CA 92399  

Time: Open play available every Tuesday & Thursday from 8:30am-12:00pm. 

No need to sign up, just show up and enjoy exploring our amazing garden! 

Cost: Free (Donations are welcome to help pay for snacks and popsicles)

Click Here to be redirected to Gardenworks for Kids

Romp-o-Rama

Location: 4300 Green River Road, Suite 109B Corona CA, 92878 

Time: 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM Daily - Open play times may vary due to special events

Cost: $12 1-Hour Play Session/per child 12mo+ (Adult ticket included)

Click Here to be redirected to Romp-o-Rama

Fullerton Arboretum

Location: 1900 Associated Rd. in Fullerton, California  

Hours and days of operation are subject to change, Please visit our website in advance to check for holiday closures.  The Arboretum observes all CSUF holidays. 

Parking :  $4 per hour or $10 a day payable through ParkMobile. Parking is available at the Arboretum and adjacent Lot G.  More information about parking at CSUF can be found here CSUF Parking and Transportation Services .  

Click Here to be redirected to Fullerton Arboretum

Prehistoric Pets

Location: 18818 Brookhurst Street Fountain Valley, Ca. 92708 714-500-0591  

Hours of Operation: The Museum Store is OPEN: Monday – Sunday 10am – 5pm

Admission: Free general admission on all days. We gladly accept cash donations! Ask about our Kids Scavenger Hunt!

Parking: Two-hour parking is available on Marine Ave. You can park in the surrounding neighborhood for an extended day.

Click Here to be redirected to Prehistoric Pets

Field Trip Ideas

Field trips are something I’m passionate about, and that’s why I’m sharing all of my best field trip ideas today.

When I first began homeschooling 17 years ago, there were fewer resources for homeschoolers, so I just created what I had grown up — school at our kitchen table. But I wanted our homeschool to be better than what I had grown up with, only I couldn’t really define better. I thought and researched, and the only I idea I could come up with for “better” was more rigorous.

So I bought mountains of textbooks and curriculum, overjoyed at the thought that we’d all be speaking Latin and solving multivariable equations by Christmas!

I laugh about it now!

The one thing I did do right that year was join a field-trip group full of more experienced homeschoolers. 17 years ago is a little blurry for me, but I do remember attending their first meeting, where they were organizing field trips for the year, and thinking to myself, “We can’t take off school every Friday!”

I was probably wondering how it would affect our Latin syllabus.

During that first meeting the group leaders assigned out dates for field trips (each mom had to plan and execute two field trips during the year) and I received an assignment. And then I talked with a few other moms about their ideas, which sounded fantastic. How I could not join?  

Why Field Trips Matter to Your Homeschool

That decision ended up drastically influencing my homeschool for the better — and not just because we attended field trips every Friday. That field trip group helped me to see, through experience, that my kids learned more from a fascinating, two-hour, Friday morning tour of a water treatment plant than from an entire Geological study of the water cycle.

It was our first foray into delight directed learning!

Children are born with boundless curiosity. They want to learn about and make sense of the world around them. You can only stop them by, well, forcing them to sit in a desk in a classroom.

When you take a child someplace interesting (I call interesting place question-pullers) you are opening a whole new world of rabbit trails for that child. To you, it might look like your child is hopping back and forth, criss-crossing a landscape in no particular order.

But your child is learning all about everything to do with that new place, digging deeper into the things that particularly interest him, just scratching the surface in others, and just generally creating an immense file in which to organize all of the things he is learning about this wide, wondrous world — all the things that help him to make sense of it.

My kiddos weren’t all that excited about their textbooks, but they would ask five million questions before, during and after each Friday field trip. Those questions always led to voluntary research and learning, followed by more questions, and more research and learning.

We once visited a beaver farm. While visiting, we learned that Beavers particularly enjoy wood from fruit trees. My kiddos wanted to run right home and chop limbs off our fruit trees to bring back for the cute beavers, so we were able to discuss proper pruning techniques and learn about how fruit trees grow and why we prune them, which led to a discussion about blossom pollination and bees and other pollinators.

When we closed the books after school M-Th, they stayed closed until the next lesson. But Friday field trips would lead to continuous, voluntary and joyous, nonstop learning. It was truly the kind of learning that can be described as passionate.

One of the best parts of homeschooling is seeing that “ah-ha moment” when our children truly understand the importance of what we are teaching them. It’s like the circuit is finally connected and the light goes on. That was happening as a result of our field trips, and not as a result of our day-to-day learning.

Luckily, I was able to see the difference in the two types of learning, and make necessary changes to our M-F homeschool. That’s not to say we gave up our Latin. I might still be a little obsessed with Latin declensions.

Nothing will make learning come alive for your kiddos like field trips. It’s one thing to learn about the history of the U.S. by reading about it, it’s another thing entirely to take a US History Road Trip and visit those historical sites in person.

While field trip opportunities will vary from place to place, every family has access to unique field trip opportunities. So use the list below to brainstorm as you are deciding what field trips to add your homeschool schedule.

How do you get started?

First, you need someplace interesting to visit.

25 Field Trip Ideas for Homeschoolers:

Here are some field trip ideas that will help inspire a love of learning in your homeschool.  

1. Visit Historical Sites

As you learn history together, you’ll find historical sites (either local or not) to visit that pertain to the current curriculum you’re studying at home. We’ve visited battlefields and monuments all over the United States, but some of the very most interesting historical sites we’ve visited ( Mesa Verde , Chaco Canyon , Hovenweep and Dun Angus ) are from ancient history rather than modern history — so don’t forget all the historical periods.  

2. Attend A Reenactment

Bring history to life by attending a war reenactment or renaissance fair. My state, Utah, has a Golden Spike (the transcontinental railroad meeting) reenactment, a mountain man rendezvous and so much more. One year, we visited Boston April 19, which is the anniversary of the ‘shot heard round the world’, and watched their incredible Patriot’s Day reenactment . Google the events you are interested in (historical events you’ve studied) coupled with the word reenactment to see if something is available.  

3. Visit a Birthplace or a Cemetery

Visit the birthplace of a famous person from your state. Google settlers, presidents, politicians, military heroes, inventors, artists, musicians or any person who correlated with your own interests.  

4. Tour Your State Capitol

Most State Capitol buildings offer free tours. The public can even observe legislation sessions, if you schedule your field trip accordingly. This is a great opportunity to learn more about how government works and some historical facts about your state.  

5. Take a Civic Field Trip

Tours of your local police or fire department, post office, airport, or campaign headquarters can usually be arranged for groups of a certain size. It’s fun to team up with other local homeschoolers to have access to these tours. We like to bake homemade cookies in advance to thank our civil servants.  

6. Visit a Museum

Science museums are fun because they typically provide so many hands-on exhibits for kids, which will really get your kiddos thinking and asking questions. Natural history museums, art museums, and historical museums all over the place. Our local children’s museum has a reciprocal agreement with other children’s museums, so we can get free admission other places with our annual pass to our own museum. Just Google Museum+your city for a list of all the available museums. I’m always surprised at the number of museums in my are I haven’t even heard of!  

7. Watch a Star Show in a Planetarium

We have a big planetarium with displays and all sorts of star shows (and IMAX shows) but our local university also has a small planetarium with a very nice telescope and star shows. The university planetarium is staffed by enthusiastic astronomy students who want to share everything they have learned and who are willing to spend hours (okay, that’s an exaggeration) helping my kids find things with the telescope.  

8. Explore Your Community

Call around to local restaurants, eye doctors, dentists, and veterinarians and ask if they give tours. Once we took a tour of a local pizza place, and they let each of the kids make and bake a pizza to take home. Be sure to consider unusual community offerings, too, such as mining operations, movie studios, newspapers and such. Many business owners love to talk with children about what they do and your students just might discover a future career.  

9. Visit a Farm

We live on a farm, and my kids have their daily farm chores, so they are not particularly enthralled with farm animals. But before we bought our farm, one of their favorite places to visit was a local farm with a small petting zoo. It’s funny how kids want to milk cows until they have to.  

10. Visit the Zoo or the Aquarium or a Pet Store

Kids and animals just go together, don’t they? Our local zoo has several free days during the winter, and the aquarium has one homeschool day each year when homeschoolers can get in free with an affidavit. If you don’t have a local zoo or aquarium, even the pet store can make a really fun and educational field trip.  

11. Learn About Bees

Speaking of animals, wouldn’t it be interesting to visit a beekeeper and learn all about bees?  

12. Learn About Your City’s Public Works (Water, electricity, sewage…)

I don’t know if all water treatment facilities are as interesting as ours, but we really enjoyed touring our local water reclamation facility. Some more favorites have been touring the hydroelectric dam below Lake Powell and the Bonneville Lock, dam and fish hatchery on the Columbia River near Portland, Oregon.  

13. Factories are Fascinating

Factories will often offer educational tours. We’ve toured several, from Sweet’s candy factory and Don Julio’s tortilla factory (both give out free samples!) to an Intel factory that produces computer chips, to the Waterford Crystal factory in Waterford, Ireland.  

14. Try to Visit All the Parks in Your County

I don’t know about you, but we have some awesome parks nearby. One is a giant reservoir where we can swim, canoe and paddleboard during the summer and ice skate and sled during the winter. A couple of our parks have phenomenal rope climbing equipment. We have skate parks and bike parks, and a few of our parks have amazing splash pads. Parks can be just as interesting during winter as summer.  

15. Hike in a National Park

As a resident of Utah, National Parks are one of our favorite places to learn. It’s amazing how much you can learn from hanging out in a national park!  

16. Tour a Bank

We toured the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C. once, and watched their process for creating and destroying money. That was interesting. But it could be really interesting to tour a local bank, too. They probably won’t show you their vault or anything that requires security clearance, but they can show you how the tellers work, how the automated tellers work, and talk about the jobs all of the employees do. It would be fun to let your kiddos open a savings account at the same time.  

17. Shop for Groceries

Touring the grocery store is one of our favorite homeschool field trips EVER. They took us back into the bakery to watch their big mixers at work and taste bread samples, then through the refrigerator where the kids learned about produce and picked out an apple, then through the freezers where all the kids got to sample some ice cream. If your kiddos help you menu plan (learn about good nutrition), budget (learn about personal finance), and actually purchase your groceries (they learn about money and arithmetic) this can be an incredibly educational field trip!  

18. Learn How Your Favorite Foods are Made

Speaking of groceries, wouldn’t you like to learn how your favorite foods are made? Is there a creamery near you? How about a bakery? Or maybe you’d like to visit a cheese factory and see how cheese is made. We visited a fascinating maple syrup farm in Vermont a couple of years ago.  

19. Visit a Hospital

This is especially meaningful if you have a friend or loved one in the hospital. But make sure you call ahead and see whether a nurse will have time to show you around. The hospital has really cool machines they can tell you all about!  

20. Base Your Field Trip on Your Children’s Interests

Do you have an animal-lover in your house? Call your local animal shelter for a tour. Do you have a young artist? Visit an art gallery or two. Young thespians will be inspired by the theater and young cowboys by the rodeo. Don’t forget to check sports venues — I know most of the big ones offer paid tours. Or find an active archaeological site and volunteer to help dig! Using your child’s interests to generate field trip ideas guarantees a successful field trip.  

21. Don’t Forget the Library!

After all, isn’t the library a homeschoolers best friend? I’m sure your local librarian would be happy to give your family a tour of the library and show your kiddos how it runs.  

22. Check out Science and STEM festivals

Here in Utah, all of the STEM-related industries get together and put on a STEM fest every October. Each company hosts a booth where they explain and demonstrated something related to their business. There are always hundreds of booths, each with hands-on experiments, demonstrations, cool gadgets and lots and lots of information for your kiddos to wonder about. Both of the major universities in my area also host science weeks. One holds a chemistry week and invites the public to view classes and displays put on by the students, another holds a biology week and even opens the cadaver lab to families who sign up in advance. Google will help you look for things like this in your area.  

23. Look for School Days at Cultural Events

You can often find discounts to the symphony or to see musicals or plays. We’ve been to the symphony for free, and we were also able to go backstage and see several instruments and talk with the musicians. We also had the same experience at the ballet. Just google a local event with school days (e.g. ballet+west+school+days) because most of those events have time set aside for schools. Homeschools are schools and are able to reserve free tickets as as such.  

24. Look for Discounts to Try New Things

If you search Groupon locally, you’ll find all kinds of things you never even knew were things. Maybe not all of them are worth your time, but some of them could make really fun, educational field trips!  

25. Worldschooling Field Trip Ideas

Okay, this field trip idea is not even close to cheap, let alone free. But it will be well worth the investment! Plan a vacation around something your family is studying. After studying Geology and volcanoes, we visited Mount St. Helens, Crater Lake , and bowling ball beach . After studying Marine Biology, we visited various tide pools in California. After studying Chinese history and culture, we visited China . Because these field trips are more costly, you probably can’t take them as frequently, but they sure are fun to intersperse with local, free field trips!

Pin these fun field trip ideas for later!

Please share your field trip ideas in the comments below!

Similar posts.

What About Socialization in Your Homeschool?

Homeschool Socialization If you’ve homeschooled at all, you have surely been asked, “What about socialization?” What an utterly laughable question! But I…

Need Saxon Help? ‘My Math Assistant’ Review

My Math Assistant Hey, friends! You probably have questions about Saxon Math, and you’re probably wondering about the amount of time you’ll…

List of Math Manipulatives Every Home Should Have

Are you trying to assemble a fun math manipulative kit without spending a fortune? Check out this list of math manipulatives.

Online Coding Classes for Kids

Online Coding Classes for Kids (perfect for homeschoolers) I might be a little biased (I’m a software engineer) but I believe that…

Lazy Homeschoolers Raise Geniuses

I hate to brag and all, but I’ve raised a couple of geniuses so far, with a few more percolating in the…

25 Christ-Centered Christmas Books for Children

(Please note that this post includes affiliate links. Read my full disclosures here.) Several Christmases ago I really wanted to focus on the…

• Pingback: Adventuring on a Budget: Unique Yet Inexpensive Family Field Trips - Noah Webster Educational Foundation
• Pingback: Adventuring on a Budget: Unique Yet Inexpensive Family Field Trips - NWEF

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Little Rock Family

The ultimate arkansas field trip guide: destinations around the state.

About Our Cover Model: Presley is 7 years old and took the top spot with the most votes in our 2019 Cover Kid Contest ! She takes piano lessons, swim lessons and is a cheerleader at Maumelle Gymnastics and Cheer.

Welcome to Little Rock Family's 2019 Field Trip Guide, a complete list of educational destinations around Arkansas, with options focused on nature, arts, history, science and more.

Featured Field Trips

Central Arkansas Nature Center

Clinton Presidential Center

Altitude Trampoline Park

Arkansas State Capitol

Central Arkansas Library System

Heifer International Campus

MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History

Museum of Discovery

Arkansas 4-H Center Programs

Choose from Little Rock Family's extensive list of field trip adventures the next time you venture outside of the classroom with your students. Click on one of the category links above or scroll down to see them all!

* Denotes Field Trip Guide sponsor

Arkansas Alligator Farm & Petting Zoo 847 Whittington Ave., Hot Springs | 501-623-6172 Ages: All ages Rates: $4.50 ages 12 & under; $7.50 adults This attraction is one of Hot Springs’ oldest and features alligator feedings, a petting zoo and a mini museum. Groups of 20 or more should call ahead.

Holtzman Riding Academy 4618 Highway 5 South, Benton | 501-860-2378 Ages: Up to 10  Rates: $8 The academy emphasizes the care, health, and responsibility of owning a horse and each child will have personal contact with one.

Lichterman Nature Center 5992 Quince Road, Memphis | 901-636-2221 Ages: Grades K-12  Rates: Varies This urban nature center offers exciting exhibits, nature walks, wildlife programs and many other entertaining activities designed to put students in touch with nature.

Little Rock Animal Village 4500 Kramer St., Little Rock | 501-376-3067 Ages: 4-17  Rates: Free Visit this animal shelter for the city of Little Rock for a tour lasting up to an hour.

Little Rock Zoo 1 Zoo Drive, Little Rock | 501-661-7200 Ages: 3 & up Rates: $9.95 ages 3-12; free under age 3; $12.95 adults Expose students to more than 500 different species of animals and teach them about nature and conservation in a fun, interactive environment. Customized educational programming and lunches are available for an extra fee. Group reservations for 15 or more people must be made 10 days in advance.

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge 239 Turpentine Creek Lane, Eureka Springs | 479-253-5992 Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies Turpentine is one of the largest big cat sanctuaries in North America and provides a lifetime home to neglected and abused victims of the exotic pet trade. Admission includes a guided walking tour and access to the self-guided area.

(Return to top)

Arkansas Repertory Theatre 601 Main St., Little Rock | 501-378-0405 Ages: 10-18  Rates: $8 per seat Student Matinee Program performances have reduced-price tickets, study guides and talk-backs with cast and crew. Tours of the theater let students explore backstage magic and talk with the production crews.

Arkansas Symphony Orchestra P.O. Box 7328, Little Rock | 501-666-1761 Ages: 8-12  Rates: Varies The ASO offers 30-minute, in-school quartet demos that are tied to the teacher’s curriculum. Add to the experience with program features like an instrument petting zoo or recorder karate. The ASO also holds a children’s concert performance customized for young audiences.

Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas 701 S. Main St., Pine Bluff | 870-536-3375 Ages: 5 & up  Rates: Free; $2 donation per student suggested for field trips. School groups, day camps and child care centers are welcome to schedule a guided tour and/or hands-on activity.

Ballet Arkansas 520 Main St., Little Rock | 501-223-5150 Ages: 3 & up Rates: $5-$8 student matinee Ballet Arkansas exposes students to the power and beauty of live dance with four student matinee performances during the 2019-2020 season: “Sleepy Hollow,” “Nutcracker Spectacular,” “Cinderella” and the “Master/Works” mixed bill.

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art 600 Museum Way, Bentonville | 479-657-2395 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free A variety of tours focus on subjects such as the Wild West and Modernism, and specific artists like Georgia O’Keeffe and Alfred Stieglitz. Teachers can submit applications to visit the museum on the website; each year, school groups are selected in a lottery.

Walton Arts Center 495 W. Dickson St., Fayetteville | 479-443-5600 Ages: Grades pre-K-12 Rates: $10, reservation required The center offers live matinee performances in a variety of art forms including dance, theater, puppetry and world music. Free guided tours of the art gallery must be reserved in advance.

COMMUNICATIONS

AETN 350 S. Donaghey Ave., Conway | 501-682-2386 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free Visit the studio and production facilities where programs about Arkansas are made. Technical-oriented tours can be arranged for high school or college broadcasting classes.

ENTERTAINMENT

Altitude Trampoline Park 15707 Chenal Parkway, Little Rock 501-353-1281, AltitudeTrampolineParkLR.com Ages: All ages Rates: $11 per person (1 hour) Bounce around on 125 interconnected trampolines, jump into a 60-foot foam pit, play dodgeball and experience a virtual reality arcade.

Arkansas Skatium 1311 Bowman Road, Little Rock | 501-227-4333 Ages: All ages Rates: $9 for roller skating or ice skating; $11 for both Open year-round for roller and ice skating activities.

Arkansas State Fair 2600 Howard St., Little Rock | 501-372-8341 Ages: 4-18 Rates: Free from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. weekdays, $5 otherwise A variety of livestock shows and displays are held during the fair each October. Students can enjoy magic shows, a petting zoo, arts and crafts displays, exhibitions and activities.

Big Rock Fun Park 11411 Baseline Road, Little Rock | 501-455-3750 Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies Enjoy mini-golf, bumper boats, a lazer frenzy maze, arcade games with prizes, go-karts and more. Counting, adding, following directions, team building and other educational features are incorporated into activities.

Celebrity Attractions 426 W. Markham St., Little Rock | 501-244-8800 Ages: 4 & up  Rates: Varies The 2019-2020 production lineup for student groups includes “Wicked,” “Cats” and “The Play That Goes Wrong.”

DEFY Little Rock 4711 Talley Road, Little Rock | 501-313-0100 4699 S. Dixieland Road, Rogers | 479-802-0140 Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies DEFY gravity at this 30,000-square-foot trampoline park that offers dodgeball, a ninja obstacle course, silks and slacklines, a zipline and more.

Josephine Tussaud Wax Museum 250 Central Ave., Hot Springs | 501-623-5836 Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies Wax sculptures of famous politicians, entertainers and historical figures will fascinate your tour group.

Loco Ropes! Ozark Folk Center State Park, 1025A Park Ave., Mountain View | 870-269-6566 Ages: All ages   Rates: Varies Loco Ropes offers group, team-building and high adventure events with more than 35 heart-pumping obstacles. Discounts are available for school groups.

Magic Springs Theme and Water Park 1701 E. Grand Ave., Hot Springs | 501-318-5370 Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies During “Education in Motion” in May, the park is open only to pre-booked school groups, perfect for year-end field trips. Select water attractions will be running.

National Park Duck Tours 418 Central Ave., Hot Springs | 501-624-3825 Ages: All ages Rates: Varies depending on total group participants Climb aboard an amphibious World War II DUKW and enjoy a 75-minute sightseeing tour by land and water of sites including Lake Hamilton and Bathhouse Row.

Silver Dollar City 399 Silver Dollar City Parkway, Branson, Missouri | 800-417-7770 Ages: All ages   Rates: Varies This field trip blends educational elements with fun rides, shows and attractions. Silver Dollar City offers a living history lesson as well as an education in earth science, applied physics, drama and American craftsmanship.

Verizon Arena 1 Verizon Arena Way, North Little Rock | 501-340-5660 Ages: All ages   Rates: Free Take a tour of the state’s largest arena to see the arena bowl, backstage area, meeting rooms and suites. Tours last 30-45 minutes but are not available on event days.

Wild River Country 6820 Crystal Hill Road, North Little Rock | 501-753-8600 Ages: All ages Rates: $12.50 Make a splash at this 26-acre water park in North Little Rock, which reserves two days each year exclusively for school field trips.

Arkansas Food Bank 4301 W. 65th St., Little Rock | 501-565-8121 Ages: 8 & up  Rates: Free Students can have team-building experience through volunteer shifts to sort and box donated food. Groups of volunteers ages 8-15 require one adult for every five students. Groups with ages 16-18 need one adult for every 10 students.

Kilwins Little Rock 415 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock | 501-379-9865 Ages: All ages  Rates: $10-$15 Experience the nostalgia of an old time soda fountain from the making of handmade fudge to dipping ice cream. Kids get to be a part of the process and make their own tasty treat to enjoy.

GOVERNMENT/CIVICS

Arkansas Governor’s Mansion 1800 Center St., Little Rock | 501-324-9805 Ages: 5 & up  Rates: Free Tour the grounds, gardens and public rooms of the Governor’s Mansion.

Arkansas Secretary of State 500 Woodlane, Little Rock | 501-682-5080 Ages: 5 & up  Rates: Free The Secretary of State’s Education Department uses traveling classroom presentations, workshops and guided tours of the Arkansas State Capitol to teach about the state’s history, the importance of voting and how elections are conducted.

Arkansas State Capitol 500 Woodlane Ave., Little Rock 501-682-5080, SOS.Arkansas.gov Ages: All ages  Rates: Free Students can see several historic points of interest throughout the building on a guided or self-guided tour.

Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum 120 Riverfront Park Drive, North Little Rock | 501-371-8320 Ages: 5 & up Rates: Reduced group rates available Enjoy an educational tour of the USS Razorback submarine and ask about the museum’s other Navy vessel, the tugboat Hoga.

Arkansas Post National Memorial 1741 Old Post Road, Gillett | 870-548-2207 Ages: All ages   Rates: Free Arkansas Post Visitor Center provides a museum, educational tour and a 22-minute orientation film. Historical sites related to more than 300 years of Arkansas history are situated on the park grounds, as well as a picnic area and three miles of walking trails.

Arkansas State University Museum 320 University Loop W., Jonesboro | 870-972-2074 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free See Native American artifacts, war memorabilia, a replica of a mastodon skeleton and how the early settlers once lived. Students can also do some tinkering in the Tinkering Studio.

Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site 2120 W. Daisy L. Gatson Bates Drive, Little Rock | 501-374-1957 Ages: Grades 4-College   Rates: Free The National Park Service visitor center offers exhibits and Ranger-led programs that explore the history of the 1957 desegregation of Central High School. Tours are by reservation only.

Clinton House Museum 930 W. Clinton Drive, Fayetteville | 479-444-0066 Ages: Grades K-12  Rates: Free The Clinton House Museum focuses on the lives of Bill and Hillary Clinton during their time in Fayetteville. Its programs match the Arkansas Curriculum Frameworks for history, social studies and government.

Clinton Presidential Center 1200 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock 501-374-4242,  ClintonPresidentialCenter.org/Education Ages: Grades pre-K-12 Rates: Free with reservation The Clinton Center offers a unique perspective of the work of President Bill Clinton. We offer a variety of interactive exhibits, including a White House Cabinet Room reconstruction and a full-scale replica of the Oval Office, as well as unique temporary exhibits.

Delta Cultural Center 141 Cherry St., Helena | 870-338-4350 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free The museum focuses on the 27 counties of the Arkansas Delta and the history of its people. Topics include exhibits on Native Americans, European explorers, the Mississippi River, the Civil War, Delta towns and music of the Delta. Tours are available upon request.

Historic Arkansas Museum 200 E. Third St., Little Rock | 501-324-9351 Ages: Grades K-12  Rates: Varies Historic Arkansas Museum offers many field trip programs that bring pioneer Arkansas to life. The multilevel programs progress as students advance in school so they can come back year after year to fresh experiences.

Historic Curran Hall-Little Rock Visitor Information Center 615 E. Capitol Ave., Little Rock | 501-371-0076 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free Tour the garden and home, while hearing a short talk on the home’s history and occupants. Call to arrange a tour.

Historic Washington State Park 103 Franklin St., Washington | 870-983-2684 Ages: 8 & up Rates: $5 ages 6-12, $9 adults Historic Washington offers student tours, extended learning programs and overnight programs. Distance learning through CILC lets students experience the park without leaving school, if desired.

Hot Springs National Park Visitor Center and Museum 369 Central Ave., Hot Springs | 501-620-6715 Ages: All ages   Rates: Free Students can discover the park’s various attractions such the bathhouses and hot springs through group or self-guided tours. Make reservations at least six weeks in advance.

Jacksonville Museum of Military History 100 Veterans Circle, Jacksonville | 501-241-1943 Ages: 6 & up  Rates: $1 per student The museum focuses on local and regional military history from the Civil War era to current day engagements. Call in advance for tours for more than five students.

MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History 503 E. Ninth St., Little Rock 501-376-4602, ArkMilitaryHeritage.com Ages: All ages Rates: Free Take a guided tour of the historic arsenal, learn about the contributions that many Arkansans have made during military conflicts and see the birthplace of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. Interactive programs, arts and crafts, and special programs are available upon request.

Mosaic Templars Cultural Center 501 W. Ninth St., Little Rock | 501-683-3593 Ages: Grades 4-12  Rates: Free The Mosaic Templars Cultural Center is dedicated to telling the story of Arkansas’ African American history and using those stories to encourage understanding and excite the imagination. Reservations are required three weeks in advance.

Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie 921 E. 4th St., Stuttgart | 870-673-7001 Ages: 5 & up  Rates: Free The Museum of the Arkansas Grand Prairie demonstrates how the prairie pioneers lived, worked and played. With more than 10,000 artifacts, the museum has exhibits ranging from waterfowl to agriculture and all points in between. Call to make arrangements for groups of more than six people.

National Civil Rights Museum 450 Mulberry St., Memphis | 901-521-9699 ext. 2224 Ages: 4 & up Rates: $11 ages 5-17; $12 college students; $14 adults; free for bus drivers The National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, the site of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., chronicles key episodes of the American civil rights movement and  its legacy through collections, exhibitions and educational programs.

Old State House Museum 300 W. Markham St., Little Rock | 501-324-8642 Ages: Grades K-12   Rates: Free The Old State House Museum’s guided tours are an exciting way to learn about Arkansas history. They feature the museum’s permanent exhibits, changing exhibits and the history of the Old State House.

Ozark Folk Center State Park 1032 Park Ave., Mountain View | 870-269-3851 Ages: 9 & up Rates: $2 discount per child ticket; free for teachers and bus drivers The folk center offers programs and tours where elementary students can experience music, folk arts and crafts and learn the history of the region.

Parker Homestead 16944 Homestead Road, Harrisburg | 870-578-2699 Ages: All ages Rates: Call for details Students can experience how Arkansans once lived and worked by touring the grounds of the homestead. A tour of the grounds includes a general store, grist mill and more.

Plantation Agriculture Museum State Park 4815 State Highway 161 S., Scott | 501-961-1409 Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies Exhibits and programs interpret the history of cotton agriculture and farm life in Arkansas. Learn about growing and picking cotton, as well as ginning and storing the seeds. Tour the 1912 museum building, Dortch Gin Building and Seed Warehouse #5.

Scott Settlement Tours County Road 84 & Alexander Road, Scott | 501-351-5737 Ages: 6 & up Rates: $3 per person; free for teachers and bus drivers Scott Connections created this special setting depicting early settlement life in Scott. All tours are conducted by guides who grew up in the area.

Shiloh Museum of Ozark History 118 W. Johnson Ave., Springdale | 479-750-8165 Ages: Grades K-12   Rates: Free Come experience Ozark living from historic days to the present. The Shiloh Museum focuses on the northwest Arkansas Ozarks and the everyday people who lived there. Visit a modern museum, seven historic buildings and shaded grounds.

The Walmart Museum 105 N. Main St., Bentonville | 479-277-8923 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free See where the Walmart retail empire began. Enjoy a three-part experience with a world-class exhibit gallery, Walton’s 5&10, and the Spark Cafe, a 1950s-style soda fountain.

Toltec Mounds Archaeological State Park 490 Toltec Mounds Road, Scott | 501-961-9442 Ages: All ages Rates: $3 per student; free for teachers and bus drivers Visit a Native American site and its facility where students can participate in educational activities.

War Eagle Mill 11045 War Eagle Road, Rogers | 479-789-5343 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free Take a guided tour of the Mill and the historic bridge, learn how the grist mill operates and hear stories about battles, legends and ghosts.

MISCELLANEOUS

Pink Palace Family of Museums 3050 Central Ave., Memphis | 901-636-2362 Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies This wide-ranging collection of attractions offers students the experience of hands-on inquiry and discovery with a variety of educational programs and activities for groups.

The Wonder Place 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road, Suite E2, Little Rock | 501-225-4050 Ages: 0-8 Rates: $6.75 for groups of 15 or more This is a creative play space for kids featuring interactive stations for imaginative play that includes a tree house, an artist studio, a drama stage and puppet area, a mock River Market, an infant/toddler area and more.

OUTDOORS/NATURE

Arkansas Frontier 1625 Wesley Chapel Road, Quitman | 501-589-3122 Ages: Grades pre-K-8 Rates: $9-$11, varies by package This living history farm is open each October. Field trips include a pumpkin patch and farm tour and hayride. Students can tour a pioneer homestead, Native American village and a one-room schoolhouse. There are also pig races, an enchanted forest, a dinosaur dig and more.

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission 2 Natural Resources Drive, Little Rock | 501-223-6300 Ages: 4 & up  Rates: Free AGFC nature and education centers across the state use hands-on experience and education to focus on the natural elements and ecosystems found around the state.

Arkansas Outdoor School Arkansas Four-H Center, 1 Four-H Way, Little Rock 501-821-6884, UAEX.edu/AOS Ages: Grades K-12   Rates: Varies The school’s day and overnight programs combine an outdoor setting (indoor options available) with hands-on, experiential activities including orienteering, outdoor cooking, geology, astronomy, map reading, GPS technology and more.

BoBrook Farms 13810 Combee Lane, Roland | 501-519-5666 Ages: K-5 Rates: $8 per child, $5 per parent; free for teachers Trips to BoBrook include a short presentation on crops, hayrides, a sunflower maze, farm zoo, hay pyramid, corn pit and more.

Crater of Diamonds State Park 209 State Park Road, Murfreesboro | 870-285-3113 Ages: All ages Rates: $5 ages 13 & up; $3 ages 6-12; ages 5 & under free Request a mining demonstration or another program when making reservations.

Forrest L. Wood Crowley’s Ridge Nature Center 600 E. Lawson Road, Jonesboro | 870-933-6787 Ages: Grades K-12  Rates: Free The center offers programs and exhibits on the wildlife, natural history and topography of the Crowley’s Ridge area. There is an observation deck in the education complex and a series of trails for nature walks.

Garvan Woodland Gardens 550 Arkridge Road, Hot Springs | 501-262-9603 Ages: 6-12  Rates: $5 Take a walking tour of this 210-acre botanical garden and explore a children’s adventure garden and huge tree house. Topics include forest ecology, plant identification and dendrology.

Good Earth Learning Center 511 Ernie Davis Road, Austin | 501-732-0321 Ages: Grades pre-K-6  Rates: $10 Students can gather eggs, feed chickens and lambs, pet rabbits, learn how worms create compost, plant or harvest food and more.

Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center 8300 Wells Lake Road, Fort Smith | 479-452-3993 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free The center lets groups enjoy exhibits, nature trails and native plants on the grounds, and fishing at Wells Lake.

Lake Ouachita State Park 5451 Mountain Pine Road, Mountain Pine | 501-767-9366 Ages: All ages Rates: Varies but several programs are free Park interpreters offer year-round programming to provide recreational and educational opportunities. There are barge and kayak tours, nature talks, hikes, activities and crafts for all ages.

Ozark Gateway Region 453 Batesville Blvd., Batesville | 870-793-9316 Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies Experience six state parks, float on a beautiful river, discover Blanchard Springs Caverns and have treetop adventures. Find rich history in state parks and museums in the area.

Ozark Natural Science Center 1905 Madison 1305, Huntsville | 479-202-8340 Ages: Grades 4-12  Rates: Varies Students explore, discover, experiment, question and observe in this 15,000-acre classroom without walls. ONSC teacher naturalists guide students through hands-on outdoor science classes and overnight programs are also available.

Petit Jean State Park 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road, Morrilton | 501-727-5441 Ages: All ages Rates: Free, unless otherwise noted Programs include tours of Bear Cave, Rock House Cave and Cedar Falls Overlook. Students can learn the legend of Petit Jean and take the C.C.C. History Stroll of Petit Jean State Park.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park 11901 Pinnacle Valley Road, Little Rock | 501-868-5806 Ages: All ages Rates: Free but special rates may apply for use of facilities Interpretive programs include guided trail hikes, canoe and kayak floats on the local rivers, boat cruises on Lake Maumelle and more.

Ron Coleman Mining 155 Crystal Ridge Lane, Jessieville | 501-984-5396 Ages: 5 & up  Rates: $5 per activity Students dig into a quartz mine and get to keep everything they find. They can also take a tour and ride the Army truck into the mine and see where and how crystals form. Fly across the mine on a zip line for extra excitement!

Roseberry Farms 12223 Hwy. 9, Benton | 501-722-8545 Ages: All ages Rates: $6 per student/parent; free for teachers and bus drivers Take a hayride or barrel ride, play in a hay fort, try a beanbag toss, visit farm animals and more. Educational activities include learning how to grow pumpkins and other fall crops.

The Vines Center 1 Four-H Way, Little Rock | 501-821-4444 Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies The center’s educational programs put students in natural settings for hands-on learning adventures. Options include the Arkansas Outdoor School or ExCEL and programs are offered on- or off-site.

Wildwood Park for the Arts 20919 Denny Road, Little Rock | 501-821-7275 Ages: Grades K & up Rates: Donations only Take a tour of the theater, garden, and nature and art galleries.

Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center 602 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock 501-907-0636, AGFC.com Ages: All ages  Rates: Free The center offers conservation education with programs focused on water, animals, habitats and outdoor skills.

Wye Mountain Flowers & Berries 20309 Hwy. 113, Roland | 501-330-1906 Ages: 5-10  Rates: $6 per child Learn about locally grown flowers and berries. Children can make and decorate their own basket and then pick berries. See bunnies and other farm animals and stop by farm funland to try slides, swings and ride the berry choo-choo.

Central Arkansas Library System 100 Rock St., Little Rock 501-918-3000, CALS.org Ages: All ages  Rates: Free Tour the library and participate in programs and events for all ages. Visit the website for information about programming at the other 13 branches in Pulaski and Perry counties.

Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library & Learning Center 4800 W. 10th St., Little Rock | 501-978-3870 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free The library includes a computer lab, teaching kitchen, large activity area, a greenhouse, individual and group study rooms, theater and community room in addition to a collection of more than 21,000 books, DVDs and CDs.

Saline County Library 1800 Smithers Drive, Benton | 501-778-4766 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free Visiting groups are welcome anytime the library is open. The library offers tours, storytimes, crafts, makerspace activities, database training and scavenger hunts.

Arkansas Archeological Survey 2475 N. Hatch Ave., Fayetteville | 479-575-6550 Ages: All ages  Rates: Free Groups of 30 or less are invited to learn about how archeologists do their jobs and what kinds of information they discover. Tour the University Collections and try fun, hands-on educational activities.

Arkansas Regional Innovation Hub 204 E. 4th St., North Little Rock | 501-794-8106 Ages: Grades 4 & up Rates: $6-$12 per student The Innovation Hub offers educational experiences that support each class that comes through its doors. Field trips can cover electricity, laser cutting, flight and video game design. The Hub Immersion field trip is available for groups of 50-100.

Coon Creek Science Center 2983 Hardin Graveyard Road, Adamsville, Tennessee | 901-636-2362 Ages: Grades K-12 Rates: Varies Coon Creek Science Center contains one of the most important fossil sites in North America. Students can see impeccably preserved marine shells and vertebrate remains left on the site 70 million years ago.

Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority 11 Clearwater Drive, Little Rock | 501-376-2903 Ages: Grades 6 & up  Rates: Free Visit local treatment facilities and walk through the treatment process. It is an industrial site so closed-toe shoes are recommended for visitors.

Mid-America Science Museum 500 Mid-America Blvd., Hot Springs | 501-767-3461 ext. 115 Ages: All ages   Rates: $7 per student Discover all of the great possibilities that are available for encouraging hands-on science education for students and adults. See the online Field Trip Guide on the website for information.

Museum of Discovery 500 President Clinton Ave., Little Rock 501-396-7050, MuseumOfDiscovery.org Ages: All ages  Rates: Varies Ignite students’ imaginations with more than 40 educational programs on science, technology, engineering, math, health and social science. All hands-on classes are taught by trained museum educators.

Reynolds Science Center Planetarium 1100 Henderson St., Box 7784, Arkadelphia | 870-230-5417 Ages: All ages  Rates: $3 per student The Planetarium is open to the public for shows, star-gazing events, field trips and private functions.

Scott Family Amazeum 1009 Museum Way, Bentonville | 479-696-9280 Ages: Grades K-4 Rates: $6 per person for groups of 20 or more The museum’s Unfield Trips are hands-on experiences that use the museum to help students connect concepts taught in the classroom.

SIGHTSEEING

Little Rock Tours & Travel 3100 Interstate 30, Little Rock | 501-868-7287 Ages: All ages   Rates: Varies Little Rock Tours offers affordable transportation to field trip destinations in and out of state. Popular destinations include Toltec Mounds in Arkansas, Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia and Space Camp in Huntsville, Alabama.

WORLD CULTURE

Heifer International Campus: Featuring Heifer Village and Urban Farm 1 World Ave., Little Rock 501-907-2697, Heifer.org/Village Ages: All ages Rates: Free The Heifer International Campus features interactive exhibits and programs that provide a stimulating and challenging educational experience for people of all ages.

Heifer Ranch 55 Heifer Road, Perryville | 855-343-4337 Ages: All ages  Rates: $10 The Ranch offers tours, overnight experiences, service-learning programs and more. Programs use an experiential approach to teaching about hunger and poverty, which inspires and challenges participants to become the change that creates a better world.

Get Little Rock Family In Your Inbox

Thank you for subscribing.

130+ Amazing Florida Field Trip Ideas

By Author DaniFNW

Posted on Published: February 25, 2020

Categories 50 State Unit Study , Field Trip Ideas , Florida

Sharing is caring!

Going on field trips is the highlight of any family’s life, especially if you homeschool your kids. There aren’t a lot of crowds, during the school year, and it’s just plain fun for the whole family. You can consider the day family time, but also know that they’re learning at the same time. Here are a few Florida field trip ideas the whole family will love also keep in mind Disney makes a great field trip option.

Table of Contents

Everyone always thinks of Disney and Universal Theme Parks when they think of Florida. But Florida is such a big state (trust me when you are driving north to south you will understand!).

Florida has so much more to offer than just theme parks! 

Related: 10 Ways to Take a Disney Vacation on a Budget  

Field Trip Ideas Tampa Bay Area

Orlando tour passes.

There are so many options for bundling attractions at a fraction of the cost to get more bang for your buck. In the Orlando area, these are your best options:

Orlando City Pass – Save on tickets to famous theme parks

Orlando GoCity Explorer Pass – Choose from 2-5 attractions. You will have 60 days to use the pass.

Orlando Sightseeing Pass – Entry to 2-5 attractions. Over 25 attractions to choose from.

Orlando Tours – 25+ tours and excursions to choose from.

Visiting Winter and Hope at Clearwater Marine Aquarium – If you have seen the Dolphin Tale movies then you know all bout the story of Winter and Hope and you can see them in person. 

You can also learn all about their journey and the recovery efforts at CMA. Get discount admission with the Tampa Bay CityPASS .

Related:  Top 28 Free Things to do in Tampa Florida

Dinosaur World – Do your kids love dinosaurs? Taking them to Dinosaur World is going to open up their world. The interactive shows, prehistoric museum, and the dino activities are going to have everyone excited. 

Busch Gardens Tampa – Come on, if you haven’t visited Busch Gardens, then you’re missing out. This is the perfect family-friendly place to visit, plus a great way to spend time as a family learning.

Busch Gardens has a lot of history, so make sure you check it out! Get discount admission with the Tampa Bay CityPASS .

Related: Top 8 Reasons to Visit Busch Gardens Tampa Florida

Raymond James Stadium Tour – Your tour will include a luxury suite, the Hall of Fame Club, the famous pirate ship, the ALL-NEW West Club, the University of South Florida Home Team locker room, the field, and more!

Tour of the Pinellas County Heritage Village Largo Florida – This is a free open-air museum of buildings from all over Pinellas County and it brings the history of the area to life. 

From a sponge company to an old firehouse, and an old grocery store. Around the property, there are a lot of hands-on activities for kids to learn how things used to be done. Things like laundry and how they put out a fire. 

Related:  Ultimate Guide to the Bay Area Renaissance Festival

MOSI (Museum of Science and Industry) –  Located in Tampa, I remember several field trips here as a child. It’s a hands-on science museum for kids that they will love. Get discount admission with the Tampa Bay CityPASS .

Manatee Viewing Center – Apollo Beach Florida – Just south of Tampa is one of my favorite places to spot Manatees in the winter. They are there from January until April and it’s a free activity!

Make sure to go on a sunny day. The more daylight the easier they are to see! 

Related:  The Florida State Fair – Tampa Florida

11 of the Absolute Best Places to View Manatees in Florida – If manatees are your thing then make sure to check out the top spots across the state to spot them in the wild! 

Weeki Wachee State Park – The Home of the Mermaids – This is a state park just north of Tampa and it was one of the first roadside attractions in Florida in the 1940s. These women train and swim underwater for the 30-minute show.

There is also a water park, animal attractions, and a boat ride down the river. 

Related:  21 Weeki Wachee Mermaids Facts You Never Knew!

Florida State Parks – You already know how much my family enjoys state parks. Visiting Florida State Parks as a special field trip is always so much fun.

Utilizing the park as an outdoor classroom, the exploring opportunities are endless. You may even be able to get into the park for free if you can prove the park trip is related to educational purposes. 

Historic Sunken Gardens St Petersburg Florida – This is such a great relaxing getaway in the city. Not only can you take in the gardens but they make a great place for family photos too! 

Related:  St Armands Circle – Sarasota Florida

Mote Marine Aquarium – Just south of Tampa right on the water of the Gulf of Mexico is Mote Marine Aquarium. They do a lot of animal rescue but also have a fun interactive aquarium to visit as well. 

Fort De Soto Park, Historic Fort, and Museum  St. Petersburg Florida – This is a historic park right on the water with an old fort and museum along with camping, fishing, hiking, beaches, and more. 

Related:  Venice Florida Shopping – Venice Ave Shops

Florida Botanical Gardens – Another free activity you can explore is the gardens full of local plants and beautiful relaxing settings. YOu never know what you might see from alligators to beautiful butterflies. 

Guide to Hunsader Farms Pumpkin Festival and Events – Hunsaders Farms is just east of Tampa and they have a great Pumpkin Festival and Christmas lights show. But all year long they have petting zoos events and Upick fruits and veggies. 

Related:  Legoland Resort – 6 Reasons Why the Legoland Hotel is Totally Worth Your Stay

The Florida Aquarium – With their 500,000-gallon coral reef tank you can see over 2,000 different animals who call the coral reef home. They also have a rainforest-themed splash pad and a 2-acre outdoor water play area. Get discount admission with the Tampa Bay CityPASS .

LEGOLAND Amusement Park, Winter Haven Florida – An entire amusement park and waterpark based on Legos. Everything that can be made out of legos and you can find anything lego-related here.

This is built on the old Cypress gardens grounds so it’s just as beautiful as it is fun. Get discount admission with the Orlando GoCity Explorer Pass . 

Related:  7 Little-Known Legoland Secrets

ZooTampa at Lowry Park – They have a manatee hospital and lots of animals and plants native to Florida. They have a safari and a down under section as well. Get discount admission with the Tampa Bay CityPASS .

Field Trips in Orlando and Central Florida

There is so much to do in the Orlando area outside of Disney and the theme parks. The Orlando GoCity Explorer Pass can save you up to 20% on admission. 

Gaylord Palms Resort  Check out this destination hotel in Kissimmee with a four-acre glass-enclosed atrium, home to a microcosm of Florida habitats including an alligator-filled swamp, Spanish style fort, 60-foot sailboat, and more.

Related:  25 Free Things To Do in Orlando Fl

Bok Tower Gardens  – Take an educational spin on your visit to Florida by checking out Bok Tower Gardens. The gardens are a beautiful ode to Frederick Law Olmsted Jr.

You can consider this place a historic landmark. Make sure you check out the Singing Tower while here. Located in Lake Wales Florida. 

Gatorland  – Located in the Orlando area this is an Alligator rescue. They had their own TV show for a while and this is where now they do alligator wrestling and educational shows here daily. Get discount admission with the Go Orlando® Card . 

Related:  What to do at Epcot – 25 Bucket List Items

Chocolate Kingdom Factory Tour   – If anyone is going to talk about spending time with chocolate, I’m going to be there. The kids are going to love a Florida field trip to the Chocolate Kingdom. This factory tour will show you an amazing time! Located in Orlando. 

Kennedy Space Center – This is where they launch the space shuttles into space. Growing up in Florida we lived close enough (still hundreds of miles away) that I could sit on my grandpa’s back porch and see the shuttles being launched.

They offer tours and other great info now. Get discount admission with the Go Orlando® Card . 

Related:  The New Disney World Pandora at Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Regal Marine Industries Boat Factory Tour – Learn how boats are made in this fun factory tour. You can then visit their showroom floor to see the finished products. You do need to make reservations for this tour. 

Davidson of Dundee Factory Tour – Learn about Florida’s produce and how it is processed from the grove and even get some free samples to taste. They not only have jams but also citrus chocolate! 

Titanic Orlando Museum – See thousands of Titanic artifacts and walk through replicas of rooms from the ship including the grand staircase. Get discount admission with the Go Orlando® Card . 

Field Trips in South Florida

A large part of southern Florida is covered in the Everglades but southern Florida also has the Florida Keys! 

Edison Ford Winter Estates – Thomas Edison and Henry Ford had winter estates on the water in Fort Myers Florida. They were also neighbors now you can tour not only their homes and the grounds but also Thomas Edison Florida laboratory. 

Related:  Planning a Trip to Key West on a Budget

Barrier Island Sanctuary – Located down near Miami you can experience Brevard’s barrier island ecosystem firsthand. Topics include sea turtles and soil and water analysis. 

Biscayne National Park – This National Park is located just off the coast of Miami . It’s really an underwater National Park that protects coral reefs, pirate ships, and other shipwrecks. 

Related:  The Ultimate Guide to The National Park Service Junior Ranger Program

Big Cypress Seminole Reservation –  Located in the Everglades near Miami is this Native American Reservation. It’s a great place to see a lot of the untamed parts of the Everglades and learn how the Natives adapted to survive in the area. 

Everglades National Park – The Everglades is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States. This National Park is home to several endangered animals all of which can be quite deadly so make sure to listen to the rangers! 

Related:  15 Must-See Free Things to do in Key West Florida

AH-TAH-THI-KI Museum – This museum includes a Seminole Village. The Seminole Indians are native to Florida and so much of the heritage is still found in the state. The museum offers tours, crafts, demonstrations, and more. 

Dry Tortugas National Park – located off the coast of Key West, this is the home to Fort Jefferson and it’s only accessible by boat or seaplane. But once there the beauty is unmatched! Make sure to go snorkeling off the island too! 

Related:  24 Free Things to do in Naples, Florida

The Children’s Museum in Naples – If you and the kids love spending time together and exploring, then this may be a good field trip option.

This museum allows kids to play, learn, and dream. There are hands-on exhibit galleries that the kids can enjoy for hours.   

Florida Field Trip Ideas for the Rest of the State

As you head to the northern part of the state you hit the panhandle to the west and the historic shore of St Augustine to your east and all have so much to offer! 

Must-Sees When Visiting Amelia Island, Florida With Your Homeschoolers – Amelia Island is a great vacation beach town but a small town that has so much history being to close to St Augustine. 

Related:  What to Expect When Visiting Amelia Island, Florida

Fort Menendez at Old Florida Museum – What if you could see history as it once was? Fort Menendez is such a fun way for kids to have a field trip and a history lesson at the same time. 

National Naval Aviation Museum – With Pensacola being the home of the Navy’s Blue Angels there is a lot of aviation history here and the kids will love being able to see some of the planes up close. 

Related: What to do While in Panama City Beach

Ancient City Tours – If you’ve ever wanted to see the historical part of Florida, then you’ll want to head to St. Augustine for Ancient City Tours.

This company will take you on a historical guide, showing you things you didn’t even know! You can take tours in other cities too. 

Daytona International Speedway – Do your kids have a need for speed? If so, they may just love a field trip to the Daytona International Speedway! The kids get a first-hand experience with the world of racing.

They’ll love everything this field trip has to offer from visiting the start/finish line to having their picture taken with a Champion DAYTONA 500 car. 

So now I want to know what are some of your favorite Florida Field Trips ?

Get Our Travel Tips and Freebies!

Join our travel community and get weekly updates with travel tips, locations, and freebies. Can't wait to connect with you!

Privacy Overview

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TheHomeSchoolMom

Homeschooling help and encouragement from experienced homeschoolers - find out how homeschooling works and how to start, get tips & ideas for when things need adjusting, read curriculum reviews before buying, learn how online schools work, gain confidence about homeschooling high school, and more.

• Subscriber Exclusives

Homeschooling 101

• Homeschool Blog
• Deschooling
• Homeschooling Styles
• Homeschooling High School
• Help by Subject
• Curriculum Reviews
• Local & State
• Homeschool Planner
• Meal Plans & Recipes

Florida Field Trips

Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's tips for improving homeschool field trips .

Our listing of Florida field trips for homeschoolers is ordered alphabetically by city. If you would like to submit a Florida field trip destination, you may do so using the red button above.

Historians believe the park name came from a mispronunciation of "San Francisco" by the Indians and early settlers. This preserve has one of the few remaining mature forests in Florida. This park offers bicycling, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, and is open to pets.

San Felasco Hammock Preserve State Park website

( Update this listing )

Bald Point offers beaches, camping, boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, trails, hunting, and wildlife viewing.

Bald Point State Park website

Educational programing for studetns to appreciate the history of Anna Maria island.

Anna Maria Island Historical Society website

The Orman house, was built in 1838 and is a antebellum home crafted in the federal and Greek revival styles. These styles feature wooden mantelpieces, molded plaster cornices, and wide heart-pine floorboards. Guided tours are offered when the park is open and there are ranger programs for kids. The park offers gardens, interpretive exhibits, tours and picnicking.

Orman House website

John Gorrie was a physician and an inventor. He developed a refrigeration unit used to cool the rooms of yellow fever patients. His machine was the groundwork for refrigeration and air conditioning. He holds the patent for the first ice machine. The museum pays tribute to his inventions as well as a look into the culture and history of the Apalachicola area. The museum has an interprestive center and picnic areas.

John Gorrie Museum State Park website

The name Wekiwa means 'spring of water'. For years, Timucuan Indians fished and hunted these lands. Today, the park offers bicycling, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions and restaurants, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, a playground, snorkeling, swimming, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Wekiwa Springs State Park website

This park offers bicycling, boating, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, and wildlife viewing.

Lower Wekiva River Preserve State Park website

A historical museum for Avon Park that offers visitors a research room for viewings old newspapers.

Depot Museum website

The Museum serves the Polk County community through special events, volunteer opportunities, and educational programs. A guided educational tour compliments the 4th grade state curriculum. There is a student oriented activity resource available online.

Polk County Historical Museum website

Bahia Honda offers a nature center, beaches, bicycling, birding, a boat ramp, boat tours, boating, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibit, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Bahia Honda State Park website

Located on a barrier island, Don Pedro is accessible only by private boat or ferry. The park offers a boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Don Pedro Island State Park website

The restored Boca Grande Lighthouse built, in 1890, is the centerpiece of this Gulf Coast barrier island. The park offers a beaches, biking, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Gasparilla Island State Park website

Visitors enjoy West Indian manatees, gopher tortoises, snowy egrets, least terns, and frigatebirds. Ranger-led nature hikes are available in the winter. The park offers beaches, boating, a boat ramp, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, shelling, swimming, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Stump Pass Beach State Park website

Cayo Costa is accessible only by private boat or ferry. Visitors flock here to see manatees and pods of dolphins. An amphitheater provides educational programs about the island's ecology and history. The park offers beaches, bicycling, boating, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions and restaurants, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Cayo Costa State Park website

The Museum collects, preserves and exhibits cartoon art from all over the world.

The International Museum of Cartoon Art website

Offers visitors educational programs, lectures, gallery tours, and studio art classes.

Boca Raton Museum of Art website

The Explorium was designed for hands-on learning for children 5 -- 12 years of age.

Children's Science Explorium website

Memorabilia and acheivements of famous sports legends.

Sports Immortals website

Originally a trading post, it was attacked and destroyed by renegade Indians in late 1849. Today, the park offers a camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, playground, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Paynes Creek Historic State Park website

The memorial commemorates the 1539 landing of Hernando de Soto and exploration of the southern United States. The visitor center offers historic armor, weapons and period artifacts. A theater displays the movie Hernando de Soto in America, about the DeSoto Expedition and the area's Native American population. There is a junior ranger program here.

De Soto National Memorial website

Opened in 1970, the park offers a boat ramp, boating, camping, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, playground, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Lake Manatee State Park website

During the Civil War in 1863, the steamboat Madison, was scuttled in the spring run to keep it from being captured. This park offers boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, and swimming.

Troy Spring State Park website

The park is named for a rare species of tree only grown on the bluffs along the Apalachicola River. On site is a fully furnished plantation house built in 1849. Rangers offer tours of the house when the park is open. This park offers camping, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, playgroung, and wildlife viewing.

Torreya State Park website

Chinsegut is a Fish and Wildlife Commission managed natural area with an education center. Throughout the year education programs are provided on a wide range of topics from environmental studies to wilderness skills and archery. Organized groups including Co-ops can book programs at no cost. Program list available at MyFWC.com/Chinsegut. Programs are available for ages 4 and up. Address

Chinsegut Conservation Center website

Haw Creek Preserve State Park offers a serene paddleway on a pristine blackwater creek through an old Florida cypress swamp that leads to Crescent Lake. The park can be accessed by launching a boat, kayak or canoe at the Flagler County public boat ramp called Russell Landing. The park contains 7 distinct natural communities, including forests, hammocks, flatwoods, marshes, swamps, and a blackwater stream.

Haw Creek Preserve State Park website

Each January, history lovers commemorate the battle that started the Second Seminole War. The park offers geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, historic site, a lodge, picnicking, a playground, tours, visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Dade Battlefield Historic State Park website

The museum contains exhibits that depict the history of Cedar Key during its 19th century time as a thriving port city and railroad connection. The park offers a museum, hiking and nature trails and is open to pets.

Cedar Key Museum State Park website

A picturesque park for hikers, cyclists and boat paddling enthusiasts. This park offers bicycling, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Cedar Key Scrub State Reserve website

The preserve can be accessed only by boat. It offers both fresh and salt water fishing. The preserve is home to the West Indian manatees, bald eagles, American alligators, and Florida black bears, all of which are on the endangered species list for Florida. This park offers boating, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, pets, and wildlife viewing.

Waccasassa Bay Preserve State Park website

The park closed the spring run to boat traffic to protect the manatee populations. This park offers bicycling, boating, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, playground, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, tours, and wildlife viewing.

Manatee Springs State Park website

Spanish explorers speculated there was oil in Falling Waters. A 1919 drill reach a small amount but not enough for commercial use. The well was capped in 1921. Today, the park offers camping, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, swimming and wildlife viewing.

Falling Waters State Park website

An Indian Trading Post and Museum on the western edge of the Everglades. At Historic Smallwood Store, visitors learn the story of the pioneers and settlers who tamed the area.

Historis Smallwood Store website

The park offer visitors a full size replica of Fort Christmas. There are seven restored historical 'Cracker' homes to tour. These homes represent pioneer life from the 1870s through the 1930s. Come learn about homesteading, cattle farming, citrus growing, hunting, fishing and trapping.

Fort Christmas Historical Park website

The aquarium is a marine life rescue and environmental education center. The website features, Winter, and the making of the movie, "A Dolphin Tale".

Clearwater Marine Aquarium website

This park offers bicycling, cabin, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, historic site, horse and equestrian trails, pets, and wildlife viewing.

Lake Louisa State Park website

Nestled in the heart of the Everglades on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum is home to more than 180,000 unique artifacts and archival items. Come and learn about the Seminole people and experience their rich cultural and historical ties to the Southeast and Florida, as they have made Big Cypress their home since creation.

Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation website

The FHS manages the Historic Rossetter House Museum.

The Florida Historical Society website

Colorful dioramas give visitors a look at a 7000+ year old Windover burial site, the customs of the Ais and Seminole Indian tribes, and the village lifestyle from the beginning of the 19th century.

Brevard Mueum of History and Natural Science website

The Barnacle house was built in 1891. It was owned by Ralph Middleton Munroe, a seaman, civic activist, naturalist, and photographer. Commodore Munroe also loved designing yachts. The park is a historic site and offers interpretive exhibits, a museum, picnicking, tours and wildlife viewing.

The Barnacle Historic State Park website

Nicknamed "the Amazon of North America", the Fakahatchee Strand is a swamp forest, that runs north and south. Tram roads, created to haul cypress logs from the swamp, are available for hiking. The park offers hiking and nature trails, tours, and wildlife viewing.

Fakahatchee Strand Preserve State Park website

These gardens educate visitors in the beauty and conservation of tropical plants.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden website

At the CSMOA we believe in Creating Community through the Arts! Our education program allows everyone, regardless of age or skill level, to learn a new skills, techniques and concepts while enjoying the arts. We have something for everyone and offer programs during the day, evening and weekends throughout the year taught by some of the best professional artists around!

Coral Springs Museum of Art website

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings was an American author who won a Puliter Prize for writing for her novel, The Yearling, in 1939. The park is her rural Florida homestead. This park offers gardens, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibit, pets, and tours.

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Historic State Park website

Europeans populated this area of Florida over 500 years ago. Much of the property in the park remains untouched. This park offers bicycling, boat tours, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, a visitors center and wildlife viewing.

Crystal River Preserve State Park website

The park is National Historic Landmark. There are Native American burial mounds, temple/platform mounds, a plaza area and a large midden located here. It is considered to be the longest continuously occupied site in Florida. This park offers birding, boat tours, fishing, interpretive exhibits, a museum, pets, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Crystal River Archaeological State Park website

Once this site was part of a thriving sugar plantation owned by David Levy Yulee. Today, the park offers pets and picnicking.

Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park website

Swimming with manatees is a life-changing experience. We offer eco-tours that include snorkeling with manatees in their natural habitat and participating in hands-on land based ecology lessons. All of our activities meet many of the FL Sunshine Standards and can be adjusted for all grade levels. We work with homeschool groups to tailor our tours for your group and its needs.

Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - Swim with Manatee website

The Pioneer Florida Museum consists of a number of historically significant buildings: the Old Lacoochee School, the John Overstreet House, The Trilby Depot, Enterprise Church, J.L. Bromley Shoe Repair, Mabel Jordan Barn, C.C. Smith General Store, the Blanton Packing House, a Cane Syrup Mill, and the Quilt Building. The museum hosts hundreds of school children each year as they study Florida heritage and pioneer life.

Pioneer Florida Museum website

The park is named for Civil Rights Movement leaders who led "wade-in" protests to desegregate South Florida beaches in the 1950s and 1960s. It was once the county's designated "colored beach" and bore the name of the Broward County attorney who was instrumental in transferring ownership of the land to the state, in lieu of being developed for residential high-rises. Now, the park is a popular location for swimming, fishing, boating, hiking, bicycling and picnicking, offering a haven where everyone can escape the hectic pace of the metropolis and reconnect with nature.

Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park website

Hands-on cultural, educational and arts experiences for little kids.

Young At Art of Broward website

An educational farm experience that last a lifetime! Families can experience farm animals, hayrides, pony rides, fruits, vegetables and flowers when in season.

Family Farms website

The museum presents visitors with a history of the greater Daytona Beach area. Artifacts date from 5,000 B.C. through local Native Americans, the Spanish and British colonial eras, early pioneer families, beach auto racing, WorldWar II and vintage toys. The museum itself is housed in the 100 year old former Merchant's Bank Building.

Halifax Historical Museum website

This exhibition center for the visual arts offers free admission.

Art League of Daytona Beach website

Museum contains the largest fishing library in the world.

IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame website

The museum offers K-12 educational programs, photo workshops, a research reference library, and educator resources.

Southeast Museum of Photography website

The Museum of Arts Sciences offers kids an on-hands Children's Museum, Summer Camps, Group Tour Guides, educational resources, and a planetarium.

The Museum of Arts & Sciences (MOAS) website

A museum that celebrates the hamburger, created by Harry Sperl, a German immigrant living in America. Includes a hamburger waterbed and a hamburger motorcycle.

International Hamburger Hall of Fame website

'Old Methuselah,' a 500 plus year old bald cypress tree greets visitors. Discarded piles of white or gray snail shells in the ground are evidence of centuries of occupation by Native American groups who came to the spring to gather food. Today, the park offers birding, a boat ramp, boat tours, boating, concessions and restaurant, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, playground, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, a visitor center and wildlife viewing.

De Leon Springs State Park website

Planet Air Sports is fitness made fun! Bounce on trampolines, climb rock walls, go through a challenging ropes course, or even zip line through the air! It's an all ages facility toddler through adults. Group special for schools or camps is $17 for two hours or $22 for three!

Planet Air Sports website

The museum presents visitors with a history of railroading in the South Florida area. Students can examine how trains affected the population growth and industry boom from the 1940's to the 1960's.

South Florida Railway Museum website

Educational programs and tours of the Deerfield Beach Historical Society's three historic sites are available for schools, youth and community organizations.

Deerfield Beach Historical Society website

Hontoon Island is accessible by private boat or park ferry only. Native American have lived here for thousands of years and evidence can be seen throughout the park. This park offers bicycling, boating, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Hontoon Island State Park website

AAMA's sole focus is African American cultures and art. The museum is home to a permanent collection of more than 150 artifacts, including sculptures and masks from countries of Africa.

African American Museum of the Arts website

The museum offers exhibitions, education, and outreach programs in visual arts.

Museum of Florida Art website

This Museum shows visitors the U.S. Naval history of the DeLand Naval Air Station.

DeLand Naval Air Station website

Visit the Ethel Sterling Williams History Learning Center (Hunt House) to learn more about Delray Beach's history.

Hunt House website

Japanese cultural arts center in south Florida since 1977. The museum offers visitors rotating exhibits, monthly tea ceremony performances, educational outreach program and Japanese traditional festivals celebrated for the public.

Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens website

The park was purchased from private owners through the "Save our Coast" campaign in 1983. The goal was for visitors to the area to see the last remaining coastal scrub communities in Florida's panhandle. Today, the park offers beaches, bicycling, camping, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, playgrounds, swimming and wildlife viewing.

Henderson Beach State Park website

Big Kahuna's is the largest water park on the Emerald Coast. There are over 40 rides and attractions. Take a day to have fun at the waterpark. We offer group discount rates for groups of 20 or more.

Big Kahuna's website

The Park is accessed only by private boat or ferry service. The lighthouse within the park was built and began operation on September 15, 1887. There are no provisions on this island so visitors must be prepared with water, food and emergency supplies. The park offers beaches, boating, camping, picnicking, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Anclote Key Preserve State Park website

Accessible only by boat or ferry, the Caladesi white sand beaches were rated America's Best Beach in 2008. Today, the park offers beaches, boating, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions and restaurants, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, a playground, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Caladesi Island State Park website

The island once served as a camp for captured Seminoles and was later occupied by the Union Navy during the Civil War. Today, the park offers a beaches, boating, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Egmont Key State Park website

Originally named Hog Island by settling pioneers, the park was renamed in 1939 when a New York developer built 50 palm - thatched bungalows for honeymooners. Today, the park offers a beaches, bird-watching, canoeing and kayaking, concessions, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, shelling, surfing, tours, and wildlife viewing.

Honeymoon Island State Park website

The museum displays artifacts, photographs and a library showcasing local history. A CD computer program of the Dunedin Times Newspaper, from 1924 through 1965 is available for research. Collections include antique clothing, household tools and utensils used by Dunedin pioneer families during the 1870's through the 1900's. Original materials from the Dunedin Post Office, Dunedin's first bank, and the Orange Concentrate plant are on site for viewing.

Dunedin Historical Society and Museum website

People have been enjoying the spring for nearly 10,000 years. Once a privately owned theme park, the springs today offers an amphitheater, birding, camping, canoeing and kayaking, gardens, pets, picnicking, snorkeling, swimming, tubing, and wildlife viewing.

Rainbow Springs State Park website

Aviation warfare armament from WWI through the present. Outside displays include vintage military aircraft. Admission is free.

Air Force Armament Museum website

This antebellum mansion is the only surviving plantation house in South Florida. It was the headquarters of an expansive sugar plantation and owned by Major Robert Gamble. Guided tours of the and mid-19th century furnished house are available. The park offers picnicking, tours and a visitor center.

Gamble Plantation Historic State Park website

Orignally designed to be a religious utopian community, Koreshan was named for Dr. Cyrus R. Teed. The Hebrew translation for Cyrus is Koresh. The Koreshans of 1934, built and operated a printing facility, boat works, cement works, a sawmill, bakery, store and hostelry. Today, the park offers a boat ramp, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, historic site, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Koreshan State Historic Site website

The park offers a boating, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, and wildlife viewing.

Estero Bay Preserve State Park website

Mound Key is a Calusa Indian ceremonial center dating back to the time when the Spaniards first attempted to colonize Southwest Florida. The park offers boating, fishing, hiking and nature trails, intepretive exhibits, pets, and wildlife viewing.

Mound Key Archeological State Park website

The museum was the residence of an early settler, G.D. Clifford, a merchandiser. The Clifford House was placed on National Register of Historical Places in 1975. Hours: 1pm - 5pm every Friday and Saturday (excluding holidays)

Eustis Historical Museum website

Located on the Suwannee River, this park offers visitors cool spring waters and loads of wet fun. Even Manatees sometimes visit the spring during the winter months. This park offers boating, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Fanning Springs State Park website

The land has been used for growing citrus, ranching, turpentining and logging. Acquired in 1995, the park offers bicycling, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, picnicking, tours, visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park website

Fort Clinch is one of the most well-preserved 19th century forts in the country. Daily tours with period reenactors depicting garrison life bring the fort to life for visitors. This park offers beaches, bicycling, camping, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, swimming, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Fort Clinch State Park website

Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park sits atop a bluff along the Amelia River on Estrada Street in the town of Fernandina, on the northern end of Amelia Island. It is the historic site of Fort San Carlos, a Spanish fort dating back to the early 1800's.

Fernandina Plaza Historic State Park website

The Amelia Island Museum of History features stories from the Timucua Native American tribe, Spanish and French explorers, pirates and Victorian-era residents.

Amelia Island Museum of History website

This park offers beaches, bicycling, birding, boating, a boat ramp, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, shelling, surfing, tours and wildlife viewing.

Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area website

The park showcases the 1836 ruins of a former sugar plantation, its mill, a spring house, several wells and the crumbling foundations of the plantation house and slave cabins. This park offers bicycling, boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, a museum, and picnicking.

Bulow Plantation Ruins Historic State Park website

The park is a haven for rare Florida scrub-jays, indigo snakes, and gopher tortoises. This park offers beaches, birding, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, shelling, surfing, swimming, tours, and wildlife viewing.

North Peninsula State Park website

The visitor center features the area's natural and cultural history. The park offers beaches, bicycling, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, swimming, tours, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park website

The Museum of Art offers lectures, gallery talks, and brown bag lunches of current exhibitions and collections. Check the website for podcasts, teacher resources and curriculum guides for students and teachers. Museum Docents lead art exploration tours for schools and community groups. Within the museum is a studio school offering classes in Art History, Figure Drawing, Oil Painting, Watercolor, and Mixed Media.

NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale website

Designed for kids, the museum has loads of cool things for your curious scientist to do and see. The museum boasts of sharks, bats, snakes, alligators, turtles and iguanas. A "Living in the Everglades" exhibit teaches kids about life in the Flordia Everglades. "Runways to Rockets" gives kids a chance to take a simulated trip to the Moon or Mars. There is a "Discovery Center" specifically designed for explorers under seven.

Museum of Discovery and Science website

A plantation-style home listed on the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Visitors can see the place that served as the finish line for the seventh season of the The Amazing Race.

Bonnet House website

Contains exhibits on the history of swimming.

International Swimming Hall of Fame website

Schakolad Chocolate Factory takes the children on a sweet magical ride exploring the brief history of chocolate making. They get to taste the three different chocolate types, such as White, Milk and Dark Chocolate. Each Child will create his/her own Chocolate Treats: Three treats dipped in Milk Chocolate (such as cookies, pretzels, etc.) - A Chocolate Pizza! Made with a chocolate crust covered with an assortment of toppings. They can top it off with "melted cheese" (white chocolate!) - At the end each child will get to craft his/her own goodie bag. Call us 954.522.6884 to arrange for a date.

Schakolad Chocolate Factory website

Sky Zone is the worlds first indoor trampoline park! Offering wall to wall trampolines including dodgeball courts, basketball lanes for dunking and Foam Zone with over 10,000 foam blocks. We offer educational field trips, and discounts to all Homeschool students. Please check out the website or call for more information!

Sky Zone Trampoline Park website

The IMAG History & Science Center offers fun for all ages to discover the wonders of science and history, providing a large open environment to explore over 60 hands-on exhibits. Feed a stingray, touch animals in the LIVE! Animal Encounter shows, and visit the Living Lab to see turtles, snakes, frogs, a bearded dragon, and much more! Gaze at the Florida native, and exotic fish in the 3,200-gallon aquarium built by Animal Planet's Tanked and visit the original fort of Fort Myers in a one-of-a-kind 3D Virtual Reality experience. Younger visitors will enjoy the Mini Museum's early childhood area. Come see for yourself why the IMAG is one of the top-rated places for family fun in Southwest Florida!

IMAG History & Science Center website

Join us for a 60-minute naturalist-led beach walk on one of Southwest Florida's most beautiful beaches, and learn about our coastline and all the amazing plants and wildlife (birds, mollusks/shells, marine mammals, etc.) that call it home. Beach Walks of SWFL promotes sustainable and ethical practices in shelling and exploring the natural environment. We share knowledge about local coastal ecosystems with residents and tourists in order to make us all better beachgoers. Our walks will leave you with a new appreciation for the beach, its wildlife, and its natural resources! We welcome all ages.

Beach Walks of SWFL website

Once the training site for WWII Navy Frogmen, the park offers beaches, bicycling, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, scuba diving, snorking, surfing, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Fort Pierce Inlet State Park website

FAU Harbor Branch welcomes you to go behind the scenes with one of our outreach scientists to learn more about the research being conducted by the Institute. During this 1.5-hour tram tour, participants will explore our 144-acre waterfront campus, learn about our history, hear highlights of the cutting-edge research being conducted by our marine scientists and engineers, and discover the impact that our work has on their everyday lives. Spaces fill fast, and tours are limited to 13 people, so book your tour today at www.fau.edu/hboi/bookatour or call 772-242-2293.

FAU Harbor Branch Indian River Campus Tours website

Join us at FAU Harbor Branch for a fun and educational 1.5-hour excursion aboard our Discovery pontoon tour boat. Participants will experience the lagoon like never before - as a marine scientist with state-of-the-art tools, while learning about wildlife and conservation. Boat Tours are offered on Fridays at 10:30 am and Saturdays at 10:30 am and 1 pm. All tours are an hour and a half in length and limited to 30 people. Reservations and payment ($40/person) are required in advance. For more information, or to make a reservation, visit the website or call 772-242-2293.

FAU Harbor Branch Indian River Lagoon Boat Tours website

The museum is dedicated to the elite warriors of Naval Special Warfare also known as Navy SEALS..

National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum Association website

The science center offers kids of all ages. and even adults, the chance to learn how to become an astronomer, navigate the night sky and gaze upon the wonders of the universe.

Emerald Coast Science Center website

The museum offers visitors an opportuntiy to see anciant cultures living in Florida. Archeologist have uncovered thousands of artifacts providing clues to four ancient civiliazations; The Paleo, Archaic, Woodlands, and Mississippian peoples.

Indian Temple Mound & Museum website

This park offers canoeing and kayaking, concessions and restaurant, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, tubing, a visitor center and wildlife viewing.

Ichetucknee Springs State Park website

Lake Griffen park is home to one of the largest live oak trees in the state. There is no swimming due to a healthy alligator population. This park offers boating, a boat ramp, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, a playground, and wildlife viewing.

Lake Griffin State Park website

The Museum provides students studying Florida History, Fort Myers History or American History with programs. Visitors may take a full guided tour or use one of the many "Museum on a Box" options.

Southwest Florida Museum of History website

Park visitors can observe West Indian manatees, bottlenose dolphins, roseate spoonbills, marsh rabbits, and bald eagles. The park offers beaches, bicycling, a boat ramp, canoeing and kayaking, concessions, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, playground, shelling, swimming, tours, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Lovers Key State Park website

Florida's newest seaside park offers beaches, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, snorkeling, and swimming.

Avalon State Park website

This park is built around a 120 foot sinkhole. The hole with its lush vegetation is a miniature rainforest. This park offers hiking and nature trails,pets, picnicking, tours, visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Devils Millhopper Geological State Park website

A University of Florida museum located in Gainesville.

Harn Museum of Art website

Four sites make up the Matheson Museum campus. They are the exhibit hall and research library, the Matheson House, the Tison Tool Museum, and Sweetwater Park.

Matheson Museum website

The Florida Museum of Natural History is located at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The museum offers a bounty of educational programs, camps, hands-on classes and more.

Florida Museum of Natural History website

This park offers bicycling, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, and is open to pets.

Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail website

Lubee Bat Conservancy works to save fruit bats and their habitats through research, breeding, conservation, and education.

Lubee Bat Conservancy website

The Teaching Zoo is operated as a part of Santa Fe College's Zoo Animal Technology Program. Field trips and teacher resources are available.

Santa Fe Community College Teaching Zoo website

The Little Farm offers farm tours which introduce students to the many ways that agriculture is part of their lives. Students activities include milking a goat and hand feeding animals. Your students will be given information about, see and touch goats, sheep, geese, ducks, pigs, rabbits, chickens, turkeys, horses, donkeys and cows. Students who tour the butterfly and vegetable (seasonal) gardens, see eggs, larva, pupa and adults in their natural habitat. Students learn about the butterfly life cycle as well as their role in the environment. The vegetable garden includes some examples of locally grown vegetables as well as some that support the life cycle of some local moths and butterflies. Tours and encounters may take up to three hours depending on which activities you choose for your students. Picnic areas are available and bag lunches are encouraged.

The Little Farm website

The zoo featrues animals from around this world. Visitors can stroll along the walking path to the petting zoo, view animals from a raised boardwalk, or take a safari train to see animals on the preserve. Offers camps for students.

The Gulf Breeze Zoo website

The nation's largest seashore, Gulf islands stretches from Mississippi to Florida. The park offers guided programs, camping, cast netting, fishing, picnicking, boating, birding, swimming, hiking, exploring the historic forts and beach walking.

Gulf Islands National Seashore website

Visitors to this preserve need to be prepared for the rugged conditions of the scrub habitat. This park offers fishing, hiking and nature trails, geo-seeking, horse and equestrian trails, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek website

The distinctive geological feature of the park is the River Sink where the Santa Fe River disappears underground to re-emerge three miles south at River Rise Preserve State Park. This park offers cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, playground, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

O'Leno State Park website

A natural land bridge traveled by Spanish explorers, Indians and settlers, served as a crossroad between the Santa Fe River Sink and the River Rise From the 1500s through the 1700s. The land bridge exists today. This park offers beaches, bicycling, birding, camping, fishing, horse and equestrian trails, and picnicking.

River Rise Preserve State Park website

The park offers Ranger guided tours of the 1930s pioneer homestead of Trapper Nelson year-round. The park offers bicycling, a boat ramp, boat tours, boating, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, picnicking, swimming, tours, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Jonathan Dickinson State Park website

Named for the late County Commissioner Anne Kolb, the main highlight of the nature center is the 3,500-gallon saltwater aquarium. The grounds offer boat trails so visitors can experience sightseeing and fishing.

Anne Kolb Nature Center at West Lake Park website

Offering visitors of all ages classes, exhibitions, performances, and education for students K-12.

Art and Culture Center of Hollywood website

One of the largest and oldest Atlantic white cedars stands among the many that line the river is located within the park. The park offers camping, boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, trails, tubing and wildlife viewing.

Blackwater River State Park website

This subtropical wilderness is the largest in the United States. The park is home to three endangeres species: the American crocodile, the Florida panther, and the West Indian manatee.

Everglades National Park website

Biscayne protects aquamarine waters, emerald islands, and coral reefs. Learn history about pirates and shipwrecks, pineapple farmers and presidents. Vistors can boat, snorkel, camp, or watch wildlife all within the park.

Biscayne National Park website

Visitors can see West Indian manatees every day of the year from the park's underwater observatory in the main spring. The park showcases native Florida wildlife, including manatees, black bears, bobcats, white-tailed deer, American alligators, American crocodiles, and river otters. Manatee programs are offered three times daily. At the Wildlife Encounter programs, snakes and other native animals are featured. Recreational opportunities include picnicking, nature study, and bird-watching. The park features a children's education center, providing hands-on experiences about Florida's environment.

Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park website

The Fort is named after Major Mark Anthony Cooper. In April 1836, Major Cooper was ordered to look after wounded troop while others in his regiment went for reinforcements and supplies. While waiting a group of Seminole warriors attacked Cooper and his troops. Major Cooper held the fortification for 16 days until his regiment returned. This park offers birding, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, playground, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Fort Cooper State Park website

This area of the Upper Keys was once under water and a living coral reef. Today, the park offers boat tours, boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, tours, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Lignumvitae Key Botanical State Park website

The land in this area is made from limestone and fossilized coral and was once a working quarry to supply materials for the railroad. Today, visitors can walk along quarry walls and see cross sections of the ancient coral, learn about the quarry, and discover quarry machinery.

Windley Key Fossil Reef Geological State Park website

Once the site of a business salvaging cargo from shipwrecks in the Florida Keys. Today, the park offers boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, scuba diving, snorkeling, and wildlife viewing.

Indian Key Historic State Park website

Offers divers and snorkelers the opportunity to view a real submerged shipwreck. The park offers boating, canoeing and kayaking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming.

San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park website

This park offers beaches, bicycling, birding, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, shelling, surfing, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Little Talbot Island State Park website

The estuaries here help protect the water quality of local rivers providing the perfect environment for plant and animal life. Trees in the park can be seen with the telltale cat-face sign. Cat-faces were incisions cut into the pine trees to extract sap, which was then processed into turpentine. The park offers bicycling, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, and wildlife viewing.

Pumpkin Hill Creek Preserve State Park website

During the Civil War, this site was an important military position. Today, the park allows pets on site and picnicking.

Yellow Bluff Fort Historic State Park website

Amelia Island State Park offers horseback riding on the beach and riding tours along the shoreline. It also offers beaches, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, horse and equestrian trails, shelling, and wildlife viewing.

Amelia Island State Park website

Big Talbot Island State Park is a reknowned location for nature study, bird-watching, and photography. This park offers beaches, bicycling, a boat ramp, boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, shelling, and wildlife viewing.

Big Talbot Island State Park website

Famous for the social elite who came here to vacation in the 1920's, Fort George Island Cultural State Park now offers bicycling, a boat ramp, boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, tours, and a visitor center.

Fort George Island Cultural State Park website

The museum offers school, community and family education programs throughout the year. On site is an ArtExplorium Loft for younger visitors. Free Sunday ArtFusion programs are offeres for families, and summer art programs are available through artcamp@MOCA. Check the website for summer camp weeks and details.

Museum of Contemporary Art Jacksonville website

The Cummer has the largest permanent fine arts collection in Northeast Florida. Chose from European masters and American impressionists,18th century Meissen porcelain, and two-and-one half acres of historic gardens. The education center provides hands-on art programs for visitors of all ages.

Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens website

We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym is a sensory facility in Jacksonville where children explore and play on a variety of specialized equipment! The facility is designed with all children in mind, although children with Autism, ADHD, and Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) will directly benefit from specialized equipment and staff while learning with age appropriate peers! The facility caters to young children through fine motor and dramatic play centers with swings and gym equipment to larger children who love the zip line, climbing structures, and large trampoline

We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym website

The library claims to be the world's largest private holding of important original manuscripts and documents. On-site archives include Literature, Science, Religion, History and Art.

Karpeles Manuscript Library, Jacksonville website

The museum was designed for budding scientists ages 3-12. Offers a planetarium, educational recource guides and hand-on learning exhibits.

Museum of Science & History website

The zoo offers the only walking safari in Northeast Florida. Educational programs offers zoo camps, field trips, homeschool programs, and after dark adventures.

Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens website

Visit one of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic Coast. Discover 6,000 years of human history and experience the beauty of salt marshes, coastal dunes, and hardwood hammocks.

Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and Fort Caroline National Memorial website

The Jacksonville Symphony provides a variety of educational concert opportunities throughout the school year that can enhance your music curriculum and educational experiences. Each fall and spring thousands of students are transported to Jacoby Symphony Hall to enjoy a 45 to 60 minute symphonic program. Encouraging classrooms in grades 2 and up to visit the Jacksonville Symphony at Jacoby Symphony Hall.

Jacksonville Symphony website

The Beaches Museum offers customized field trips for home school groups. The Museum offers educational opportunities for children ages 4-17 and costs $4 per student, parents free. Students will be able to complete a scavenger hunt in the Museum's Permanent Exhibit allowing them to learn about the 6 beach communities. Students will also be able to take a tour of the History Park with a trained docent and see the 1903 Post Office, 1911 Steam Locomotive, 1900 Train Depot, 1900 Foreman's House, 1873 Cracker House, and 1887 Chapel.

Beaches Museum & History Park website

Visitors can climb the landmark 1860 Jupiter Light. Exhibits for the lighthouse are contained in the waterfront History Museum.

Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse & Museum website

The center offers visitors the opportunity to experience NASA's launch headquarters. Students can tour launch areas, meet veteran astronauts, see giant rockets, train in spaceflight simulators, and even view a launch.

Kennedy Space Center website

Visitors can see the national Space Mirror Memorial, and remember astronauts who have sacrificed their lives for the nation and the space program.

Astronauts Memorial Foundation website

Home of a historic lighthouse, this park offers beaches, bicycling, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, a historic site, pets, picnicking, playground, swimming, tours, and wildlife viewing.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park website

Home to 84 protected species of plants and animals, including wild cotton, mahogany mistletoe, and the American crocodile. The park offers bicycling, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park website

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park is the first underwater park in the U.S. The visitor center has a 30,000-gallon saltwater aquarium and theater showing nature videos.

John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park website

Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1973, the park offers beaches, bicycling, concessions, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, tours, and wildlife viewing.

Fort Zachary Taylor Historic State Park website

Visitors experience the 1891 Custom House, which served as a post office, court house and government center during Key West's hey day. Join a path once traveled by pirates.

Key West Museum of Art & History in the Custom House website

The museum educates visitors on maritime and colonial activity in the Key West area. Offers specific children's programs for kids grades 2-5.

Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society & Historical Museum website

The Truman Little White House is a public, living museum. It also serves as a government meeting place and retreat center for the nation's leaders.

Truman Little White House website

The Key West Lighthouse, built in 1847, helped ships navigating dangerous reefs off the lower Keys. Today, the keepers quarters have been fully restored.

Key West Light House and Keeper's Quarters Museum website

The 19th Century home was built during the time of the pirates and originally owned by harbor pilot, Captain John H. Geiger. Many works of John James Audubon, world renown ornithologist, are located in the house. The house furniture and decor reflects the elegance and comfortable lifestyle of a wealthy Key West family in the 1800's.

Audubon House & Tropical Gardens website

The Dry Tortugas is a cluster of seven islands, composed of coral reefs and sand, shoals and waters. The Park is known for its famous bird and marine life, its legends of pirates and sunken gold, and its military past. The park is accessible only by private boats, charter boats, or seaplane.

Dry Tortugas National Park website

One of Florida's first state park, this park offers cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park website

The society operates the Pioneer Village and Museum. Visitors to the village experience the historic Ross Lanier House (1889), learn in a one-room Schoolhouse, see the workings of Citrus Packing House (1882), live out the daily routine of a Cracker Cow Man at the Cow Camp, view museum exhibits, and buy souvenirs at the Tyson General Store (1887). Orange Groves available for family picnics. The village offers week long summer camps for kids ages 5-12.

Osceola County Historical Society website

This new park was developed to protect the endangered natural "Florida's desert" community, also known as sand scrub. The park offers a fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Lake June in Winter Scrub State Park website

Living history demonstrations of the early Florida "cow hunters" in an 1876-era cow camp. This park offers birding, boating, a boat ramp, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions and restaurants, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, picnicking, and a playground.

Lake Kissimmee State Park website

Lake Wales Museum and Cultural Center, also known as the Depot, was originally built in 1928 for use as a passenger train station. Today, the Depot houses a resource center for the history of Lake Wales.

Lake Wales Museum and Cultural Center website

The museum educates visitors about Polo. Exhibits include: history of Polo, women in Polo, instruments of the game, Polo ponies, and the 100th Anniversary of the United States Open Championship.

Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame website

The Lake Worth Playhouse offers three school-time shows per season. Each show is geared for students ages 5 to 11 and adheres to Florida State Sunshine Standards. Visit the website for a current listing of shows being offered.

Lake Worth Playhouse website

The property was a working cattle ranch until 2006. There is eveidence of lime rock mining, timber harvesting, citrus production and turpentining. This park offers bicycling, birding, a boat ramp, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, tours and wildlife viewing.

Colt Creek State Park website

The Polk Museum of Art Education Department offers many programs and events. Summer camps, classes, tours and workshops, students exhibitions and volunteer opportunities.

Polk Museum of Art website

A kids museum offering three floors of hands-on exhibits focusing on art, science, literature, math, health, life skills and cultures from around the world.

Florida Children's Museum website

During the Civil War, Confederate deserters camped along the banks of the Econfina. Today, the park offers bicycling, birding, boat ramps, boating, cabins, a canoe and kayak launch, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Econfina River State Park website

Visit the living history museum located in Pinellas County. Visitors may view more than 25 historic structures dating back to the 19th century. Buildings include: a school, church, sponge warehouse, railroad depot, store, and a variety of historic homes. Admission if free.

Pinellas Park Heritage Village website

The crystal clear spring is a popular spot for swimming. This park offers canoeing and kayaking, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Madison Blue Springs State Park website

Non-profit natural resources foundation with a mission of connecting youth and adults to nature. The foundation farm is an 80+ acre property with wooded habitats, grass / wildflower fields, wetlands, and a historic barn for indoor activities and restroom facilities. The foundation provides opportunities to study natural environments, wildlife habitats, nature crafts, or simply stroll the nature trails. The foundation is privately funded, so these opportunities are provided at no cost to participants. Contact: Dan Keeling, 352.205.2467

Holloway Foundation website

Alafia River State Park was once a phosphate mining site. Today the mine's radical elevation changes offers challenging off-road bicycling trails. The park offers bicycling, camping, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, a playground, and wildlife viewing.

Alafia River State Park website

In 1818, Andrew Jackson searched this area for Indian strongholds. An earthwork mound built during the Civil War still exists today. This park offers a boat ramp, boating, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Suwannee River State Park website

The museum offers historical exhibits on Archeology, Artifacts, Agriculture, Moonshine Distillery, Railroad History, a Pioneer Family Kitchen, Farm Equipment, and a Suwannee Time Capsule.

Suwannee County Historical Museum website

Once known as Rattlesnake Key because its shape resembles a snake with its jaws open. Today, the park offers camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, snorkeling, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Long Key State Park website

Lion Country Safari is a drive-through safari and walk-through amusement park. Visitors can experience animal displays and encounters, animal feeding, 7 rides, water sprayground, food, and shopping.

Lion Country Safari website

The park has recently been renamed to Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park. Mr. Wes Skiles was world-class explorer, diver, cinematographer and photographer. This park has two major springs, a spring run and six sinkholes. This park features one of the longest underwater cave systems in the United States. Divers must prove scuba certifications to explore the underwater caverns. The park offers hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, and swimming.

Wes Skiles Peacock Springs State Park website

Offering field trips to children of all ages, offering an hour and half boat ride on a Coast Guard inspected dolphin watching vessel, Dolphin Quest. Tour guides teach children about dolphins, sea turtles, shore birds, shells, and the importance of preserving our marine environment. You are able to view dolphins that come right up to the vessel.

Dolphin Quest website

Explore a diverse collection of over 250 exotic rescues. Immerse yourself in a world of wonder, promoting conservation, education, and fostering a love for wildlife. Our interactive exhibits are designed to engage and inspire visitors of all ages.

Alligator & Wildlife Discovery Center website

The Maitland Historical Museum has permanent and changing art to tell the towns history. The museum also gives space to local denizens to share their stories.

Maitland Art Center website

One of the oldest facilities of its kind, the Holocaust Center was created specifically to teach about the human cost of prejudice and the importance of protecting the safety and rights of all members of a community. No admission is charged to visit the facility, but donations are accepted. There is a permanent museum that uses text panels and displays of artifacts that tell the story of the Holocaust from early history to post-liberation. It is structured as a self-guided tour, but groups are encouraged to make reservations in advance so they can have access to the full-time teacher on staff. In an adjoining area, some panels describe the lives of local survivors who came from different nations and survived in different ways. There is a lending library of over 6,000 books and hundreds of videotapes and DVDs on a broad range of Holocaust-related topics. Teaching trunks with class-sized sets of materials are also available for larger groups. Throughout the year, the Center offers changing traveling exhibits, a number of lectures and films, adult education opportunities, a student creative arts contest, teacher training, and commemorative programs, all open to the general public free of charge.

Holocaust Memorial Resource and Education Center of Florida website

The Audubon Center for Birds of Prey is an urban environmental that focuses on the rescue, medical treatment, rehabilitation and release of Florida's raptors. We invite you to experience our unique location, tucked in an urban neighborhood, just outside Orlando. During your visit, guests will see over 50 non-releasable raptors, the butterfly garden, interactive exhibits, and enjoy the gazebo over Lake Sybelia. Group tours and programming is available, more information on Center's website.

Audubon Center for Birds of Prey website

Made up of a group of islands in the Middle Keys, this park offers beaches, bicycling, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, playground, snorkeling, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Curry Hammock State Park website

The museum schools visitors is environment and history of Spanish explorers, Tree Snails, Adderley Village, Coral Reef cave, Moray Eels and more.

Crane Point Museum & Nature Center website

The only state park in Florida to offer cave tours to the public. The park offers bicycling, boating,camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, playgrounds, tours, visitors center and geo-seeking.

Florida Caverns State Park website

Once this area was an important steamboat highway carrying supplies and products to and from local plantations. This park offers birding, a boat ramp, boating, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Lafayette Blue Springs website

The museum showcases a full-size replica of the original Liberty Bell. This bell is cast by the makers of the original bell. Visitors can tap the Bell with a rubber mallet and hear the ring of freedom.

Liberty Bell Memorial Museum website

Brevard Zoo offers lots of activities like kayaking, riding the train and feeding the animals. In addition, daily the Zoo offers animal demonstrations that rotate depending on the day including alligator, otter and vulture feedings.

Brevard Zoo website

The McLarty Treasure Museum and the Sebastian Fishing Museum are both available for visitors to view at he state park. This park offers beaches, bicycling, birding, boating, a boat ramp, camping, concessions and restaurant, fishing, hiking and nature trails, a museum, picnicking, a playground, scuba diving, surfing, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Sebastian Inlet State Park website

Located at Sebastian Inlet State Park. In 1715, eleven Spanish ships sank carrying full loads of silver and gold on the shoals. The survivors set up camp on the beaches of the present park area to wait for rescue ships. Hurricanes in the 1950's helped to unearth the camp remains. In 1928, the wreckage from the 1715 fleet was located on the ocean floor and treasure hunters have been looking for the cargo loads ever since.

McLarty Treasure Museum website

With an amazing array of military artifacts ranging from the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in the Middle East, the VMC strives to educate the public on the military's efforts both past and present in a FREE museum, library and plaza.

Veterans Memorial Center website

The museum offers weekday interactive tours for K-12 grade students. Free, guided tours are available every Sunday at 2 p.m. "Second Saturdays are Free for Families" events are held in the springtime. Families spend the playing games, doing art activities, watching live entertainment, and taking tours.

Miami Art Museum website

The museum offers educational programs to families, schools and communities. The Kenan-Flagler Family Discovery Gallery offers famiies interactive activities designed to educate and entertain. The museum offers guided tours, self guided tours and podcasts free of charge.

The Patricia & Phillip Frost Art Museum website

The Lowe Art Museum serves the University of Miami.

Lowe Art Museum website

The museum offers camps, classes and interactive exhibits for kids.

Miami Children's Museum website

Miccosukee Indian Village provides you with an excellent opportunity to invite your students on a culturally enriching field trip to the Florida Everglades. To book your school field trip, please contact us at 305-223-8380 Ext 1056 or 2409 or by email at [email protected] & [email protected].

Miccosukee Indian Village website

The Wolfsonian-FIU collects objects from the modern era (1885-1945) focuses on how art and design shape impacts humans.

Wolfsonian website

Includes a museum, wildlife center, planetarium and exhibits.

Miami Science Museum website

Vizcaya is a National Historic Landmark built by agricultural industrialist James Deering in 1916. The Museum campus features a main house, ten acres of formal gardens, a hardwood hammock, and historic village.

Vizcaya Museum and Gardens website

The zoo offers families field trips, educational programs, zoofari camps, and parent/teacher resources.

Miami Metrozoo website

Houses the Lindemann Family Creativity Center for teachers, students and adults.

Bass Museum of Art website

The Memorial serves to memorialize victims, provide solace to survivors, and factually inform visitors of the Holocaust.

Holocaust Memorial website

A museum celebrating Jews and Jewish culture in Florida.

Jewish Museum of Florida website

In 1971, this park became Florida's first state preserve. Now designated as a National Natural Landmark, this park offers visitor a glimps into the unique biology, geology and history of this region of Florida. People flock to this park to see both Bison and alligators. The park offers bicycling, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, a visitor center and wildlife viewing.

Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park website

The Yellow River Marsh preserve protects one of Florida's last remaining tracts of wet prairie. The largest community of pitcher plants in the state is located here. There are no recreational facilities in the preserve, but there are outlook points for photography and nature appreciation.

Yellow River Marsh Preserve State Park website

Historic railroad structures and equipment built for the use of trained railroad employees to conduct the company's business.

West Florida Railroad Museum website

This once a year opportunity allows students to "visit" the 1860's and learn about life in the Civil War. They will visit a Civil War army camp, see soldiers firing muskets & cannon, learn how women contributions, participate in children's past times and more. THIS IS AN AMAZING OPPORTUNITY FOR HOME SCHOOL FAMILIES AND IS GREAT FOR ALL AGES. Reservations are preferred but NOT REQUIRED. $2 per student/Adults FREE. Incl free admission to weekend battle. Always held late Jan - early Feb. See website for contact info

Mount Dora Living History of the Civil War era website

Exciting, family friendly dinner theater featuring an authentic medieval tournament and feast with jousting knights, and live horses.

Medieval Times website

In the late 1800s, Joe Wiggins, the first homesteader, ran an apiary (bee yard) and trading post between Seminole Indians and settlers. The land became a park in 1981. Today, the park offers a beaches, boat ramp, boating, fishing, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, tours, visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Delnor-Wiggins Pass State Park website

Collier-Seminole State Park lies within southern Florida's great mangrove swamp, one the largest swamps in the world. It contains the beautiful and famous royal palm trees. The park offers bicycling, a boat ramp, birding, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, a playground, tours, visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Collier-Seminole State Park website

The conservatory aims to protect the water, land and wildlife unique to Southwest Florida. Great place for field trips. Offers eco-camps for kids.

Conservancy of Southwest Florida website

The Museum houses over 1,000 World War II and Holocaust artifacts and original photographs donated or permanently loaned by local survivors, liberators and other dedicated people. Both self-guided and docent-led tours are available to visitors at the museum.

Southwest Florida Holocaust Museum website

A nationally accredited zoo and historic botanical garden.

Naples Zoo website

The park is an authentic working farm showcasing three generations of the Dudley family from 1850 through the 1940's. Park staff in period clothing perform daily chores, raise crops and tend to livestock. This park offers hiking and nature trails, picnicking, tours, visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Dudley Farm Historic State Park website

During WWII, the park was a major site for gunnery and bombing practice during World War II. Today, the park offers bicycling, boat ramp, boating, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, playgrounds, and wildlife viewing.

Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park website

Florida's largest urban park, this park offers beaches, bicycling, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Oleta River State Park website

MOCA North Miami presents contemporary art and its historical influences through exhibitions, educational programs, and collections. Inspired by its surrounding communities, MOCA connects diverse audiences and cultures by providing a welcoming place to encounter new ideas and voices, and nurturing a lifelong love of the arts.

Museum of Contemporary Art North Miami website

Considered a biological treasure, the park offers a beaches, boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, scuba diving, swimming, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

John D. MacArthur Beach State Park website

This park offers bicycling, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, hiking and nature trails, historic site, horse and equestrian trails, interpretive exhibits, two museum, pets, picnicking, a playground, and wildlife viewing.

Silver River State Park website

Offers students educational tours and programs, museum scavenger hunts, and children and family activities the first Saturday of each month.

Appleton Museum of Art website

Gypsy Gold Horse Farm is home to America's first Gypsy Vanner Horses. We offer educational and interactive farm tours 4 days a week. The tour starts with a 1 hour history lesson about the breeds arrival to the US, and is followed by a guided 1 hour walk around the farm where you get to interact with our Mares, Foals, and Stallions. We are Ocala's #1 Thing to do on Trip Advisor, with over 900 5 star reviews.

Gypsy Gold Horse Farm Inbox website

A museum for people who love drag racing.

Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing website

The freshwater swamp supports marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast. Big Cypress National Preserve has both tropical and temperate plant communities. National park offers artist in residence programs and ranger led activites here.

Big Cypress National Preserve website

Tom West blueberries is a family owned and locally grown blueberry farm offering field trips on Tuesdays and Thursdays April thru May. The cost is 5.00 per child and every child will receive a pint of blueberries to take home. Parents are welcome to join. Tour includes a family history of the farm and lessons on the procedure of growing blueberries.

Tom West Blueberries website

Free roaming cattle left by the Spaniards benefitted later pioneers. These pioneers, called "crackers" would drive the herds to sale and then return to their homesteads located on the current park site. During World War II, the military used the land to conduct training missions. Unexploded ordinances still exist within the Preserve. This park offers bicycling, camping, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, tours, and wildlife viewing.

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park website

Okeechobee Battlefield is the site of one of Florida's significant battles during the Second Seminole War. The Battle of Okeechobee, fought on Christmas Day, 1837, involved more than 1,000 United States military and volunteer soldiers, fighting against several hundred Seminole and Miccosukee warriors along the northern edge of Lake Okeechobee. The battle is considered a turning point in the war with full-scale attacks ceasing and the number of smaller skirmishes diminishing after the event.

Okeechobee Battlefield Historic State Park website

Florida's largest Civil War battle re-enactment every February.

Olustee Battle Reenactment website

On February 20th, 1864, Florida's largest Civil War battle took place at this site. This park offers hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, and visitor center.

Olustee Battlefield Historic State Park website

Blue Spring is a designated West Indian Manatee Refuge. Mid-November through March, the water in the park is closed for Manatee season as swimming or diving with manatees is strictly prohibited. This park offers boating, cabins, camping, concessions and restaurant, canoeing and kayaking, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, tubing and wildlife viewing.

Blue Spring State Park website

Monkey Joe's brings unlimited play, wall-to-wall fun, with giant inflatable jumps to slick slides, rockin’ arcades, jungle playgrounds and a classic snack shack. We cater to children aged 1 to 12 7 days a week. We offer group discounts for groups with 11 children or more and weekly specials. Check out our Website and Social Media Pages for special events. Two locations: Winter Park & Orlando (I-Drive)

Monkey Joe's website

Introduce students to a range of scientific topics and encourage excitement and curiosity about marine phenomena in the natural world. Ignite imagination and wonder in your class as students come face-to-fin with over 2,000 creatures and get closer than ever before! Our Educational Visit Guides explore animal behavior, habitats, adaptations, ecosystems, anatomy and water chemistry and more. These guides provide exciting and inspiring information linked to key displays throughout the aquarium to help teachers engage young children to get the most out of their visit.

Sea Life Orlando Aquarium Field Trips website

Called the OMA, this museum offers many kid friendly art events. These programs include: Family days, birthday parties, art camps, head starts programs, School-aged "Art Encounter", and preschool aged "Art Adventure".

Orlando Museum of Art website

Truly unique escape rooms with four different and customizable 75, 90 and 120-minute adventures. Promotes communication, memory, problem solving and time management skills! Work together and think outside the box to solve puzzles alongside having fun! All ages welcome and group discounts offered.

The Escape Effect website

Crayola Experience Orlando has 26 unique hands-on experiences. At this one of a kind attraction where color, chemistry & technology magically combine to create a colorful adventure for a child's imagination. A Homeschool group of 15 or more includes a free group leader admission ticket. The group will get unlimited access to all of the 26 hands on attractions and the two live stage shows. Please contact Denise McKinnie, Group Sales to reserve your spot today at 407-757-1718 or email her at [email protected]

Crayola Experience Orlando website

The Historical Museum first opened in 1942 and was housed in the 1892 red brick Orange County Courthouse. This courthouse was renovated in 1971, and today houses the Orange County history Center. The Center enthralls visitors with a vast collection of central Florida's history. In 2006, the museum was accepted as an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution. The center offers the following Youth Programs: Summer Camp Programs, Discovery Days, Overnight Camp-Ins, Girl and Boy Scout events, field trips, and Birthday Parties. The History Center also offers programs specially designed for Home School Students. Check website for a calendar listing of Home School Days.

Orange County History Center website

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, takes visitors on a journey through the life of Titanic. The exhibition focuses on the Titanic's compelling human stories as best told through authentic artifacts recovered from the wreck site and extensive room re-creations. Upon entering Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, visitors will be drawn back in time to April 1912, when the Ship embarked on its maiden voyage. Guests will receive a replica boarding pass, assume the role of a passenger and follow a chronological journey through life on Titanic.

Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition website

Trained actors in period costume portray Titanic characters, sharing stories of passengers and crew. The Underwater Room, displays an 8-foot replica of Titanic on the bottom of the Atlantic.

Titanic The Experience website

The Orlando Science Center offers hands-on fun for everyone. Programs include: Field Trips, Off-Site Programs, School Break Camps, Summer Camps and Academy, Science Competitions, Homeschool Programs, and Scouting Programs.

Orlando Science Center website

Ripleys is known for amazing exhibits, unusual art, and unique and strange artifacts. The Orlando site is called the Odditorium. The Odditorium specifically has 16 galleries of odd and strange items from around the world.

Ripley's Believe It or Not! - Orlando website

Skeletons: Animals Unveiled! This first-of-its-kind museum is located in Orlando Florida, in the middle of the growing tourist district at the I-Drive 360 complex. Skeletons has over 40 exhibits featuring more than 400 real animal skeletons in clever never-before-seen poses and dioramas that brands visitors with a whole new respect for the animal kingdom.

SKELETONS: Animals Unveiled! website

The Leu Gardens is a 50-acre botanical garden with a large turn-of-the-century house museum located in the center. Visitors can view the largest formal rose garden in Florida.

Harry P. Leu Gardens website

Theme park where visitors interact with a number of marine animals. Guests can swim with dolphins, interact with exotic birds, tropical fish, rays, and land mammals.

Discovery Cove website

A popular and affordable destination in Florida for class field trips or summer camp outings is visiting Fun Spot America Theme Park in Orlando. These educational experiences emphasize learning, so expect fast-paced thrills and hands-on activities that keep kids engaged. Field trips at Fun Spot America incorporate Florida's Sunshine State Standards to assist with classroom learning while making it fun and exciting and applying what they are learning in school to the world around them.

Fun Spot America Theme Park website

Chocolate Kingdom, the Factory Adventure Tour, is an interactive journey that uncovers how chocolate transforms from the bean into the creamy, dreamy chocolate bar. Our Personal Chocolate Tour Guide joins forces with a handsome Prince and his Dragon sidekick to take guests through a Cacao Tree Greenhouse, a one-of-a-kind Chocolate Museum, a Mystical River of Chocolate and a Micro Batch Bean-to-the-Bar Factory utilizing old world machinery.

Chocolate Kingdom website

Let your students experience first-hand all that Gatorland has to offer. Including up-close encounters with alligators, snakes, tarantulas and everything in between. Gatorland offers field trips that are educational AND unique. Contact group sales to learn more about Gatorland's Field Trip experience and find out more about menu options. Don't forget to ask about our FREE parking and tour discounts. Contact group sales at (407) 855-5496 Extension 264 or via email at [email protected]

Gatorland website

In the early 1600, shells from decades of Native American meals reach 40 feet high at the river banks. Today, during the spring and fall migrations, Tomoka is a bird-watcher's paradise. This park offers a boat ramp, boating, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, a playground, and wildlife viewing.

Tomoka State Park website

Home of the Fairchild Oak, one of the largest live oak trees in the South. One fifth of this park is submerged lands. This park offers beaches, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Bulow Creek State Park website

This site houses the ruins of a 19th century plantation owned by John Addison, which thrived from 1816 to 1836 when it was burned in the Seminole wars. The small coquina rock blockhouse was originally an outside kitchen. After the plantation was burned, the Carolina Regiment of Volunteers fortified the abandoned building for defense against further Seminole attacks. Although the foundation is from the 19th century, the upper part of the blockhouse was added in the 1920s. The site also contains the ruins of a house foundation with tabby (a mixture of lime, sand, shells, and water) floors, and a well constructed of coquina rock. Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park is currently inaccessible, with exception of a landing along the west bank of the Tomoka River.

Addison Blockhouse Historic State Park website

Oscar Scherer State Park opened in 1956. It is prime Florida scrub-jay territory. The park offers bicycling, a boat ramp, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, playground, snorkeling, swimming, tours, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Oscar Scherer State Park website

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens provides 45 acres of bayfront sanctuaries connecting people with air plants of the world, native nature, and our regional history.

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens website

A park created in the 1930's during the "New Deal" era. It was designed to be a garden through the federal works program. This park offers amphitheater, bicycling, gardens, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, a playground, tours, and wildlife viewing.

Ravine Gardens State Park website

Henry Flagler brought railroads and luxury hotels to Florida. Today, tourism and agriculture are the cornerstone of Florida's economy. The museum shows visitors the beginning of the Gilded Age.

Flagler Museum website

The formal gardens are the centerpiece of Washington Oaks Gardens State Park. This park also offers beaches, bicycling, fishing, gardens, hiking and nature trails, historic site, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, a playground, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Washington Oaks Gardens State Park website

Adventure HQ is one of the largest indoor adventure destinations on the Space Coast, covering in excess of 30,000 sq ft. Adventure HQ features a unique array of attractions including bouldering walls, ninja warrior courses, crazy climb walls, escape rooms, and much more. Adventure HQ hosts field trips, team building events, climbing classes, and other group activities! Adventure HQ also hosts discounted homeschool days on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month. Call us on 321 241 1190 or email [email protected] to book your group adventure today!

Adventure HQ website

The first Native American site in Florida to be designated a State Archaeological Site. The flat-topped ceremonial mound dates back 2,000 years. Today, the park offers hiking and nature trails, picnicking and wildlife viewing.

Madira Bickel Mound State Archeological Site website

The site of this park was once a military reservation. Today, this park offers beaches, bicycling, a boat ramp, boat tours, boating, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions and a restaurant, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, playground, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, swimming, a visitors center and wildlife viewing.

St. Andrews State Park website

Offers Arts in Education events for elementary aged children.

Bay Arts Alliance website

The center offer a multitude of educational program.

Science & Discovery Center of Northwest Florida website

Prehistoric middens and mounds have been discoverd in the park. This day use park offers swimming, beachcombing, nature study, hiking and both freshwater and saltwater fishing.

Camp Helen State Park website

The museum helps visitors to discover the old ways of deep sea voyaging and the roots of dea diving. There is a large collection of rare diving equipment, including the famous SEALAB-1 used by the US Navy.

Man in the Sea Museum website

The Museum operates weekend excursions year-round from the Train Station in Parrish, Florida. The caboose is available to rent for small birthday parties.

Florida Railroad Museum website

The Park offers an amphitheater, beaches, camping, boating, fishing, swimming, picnicking, bicycling, canoeing and kayaking, hiking, trails, hunting, and wildlife viewing.

Big Lagoon State Park website

In the 1800s, tar was harvested from cutting into southern yellow pine trees. Pine tar was used to produce soaps, animal medicines, and as a sealant for boats. The park offers hiking and nature trails, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Tarkiln Bayou Preserve State Park website

Perdido Key is a barrier island in the near Gulf of Mexico off of Pensacola, Flordia. Barrier islands protect the mainland from storms and provide habitats for many shorebirds and coastal animals. The park offers beaches, fishing, picnicking, swimming and wildlife viewing.

Perdido Key State Park website

The museum's education programming consists of programs in preschool story art, youth art focus, summer camps, classes and workshops, and community and outreach events.

Pensacola Museum of Art website

Climb 177 steps up the historic Pensacola Lighthouse for one of the most beautiful views on the Gulf Coast. Built in 1859 the Pensacola Lighthouse and Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is an active U.S. Coast Guard aid to navigation. The Pensacola Lighthouse and Maritime Museum offers climbing tours, ghost tours and the best seats in the house for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels practice flights. Come explore Civil War, Coast Guard, maritime history exhibits in the Richard C. Callaway Museum. Admission: $7 adults, $4 under 12, seniors & military.

Pensacola Lighthouse website

The National Naval Aviation Museum is the world's largest Naval Aviation museum and one of the most-visited museum in the state of Florida. Share the excitement of Naval Aviation's rich history and see more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Aviation. These historic and one-of-a-kind aircraft are displayed both inside the Museum's nearly 350,000 square feet of exhibit space and outside on its 37-acre grounds. Admission is free! Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

National Naval Aviation Museum website

Students will learn valuable things like teamwork, hand/eye coordination, as well as get plenty of outdoor exercise and fun while taking turns driving RC Radio Control Race Cars that go up to 100+ mph on our off-road dirt race track. While not in the current group that is driving, student groups will take turns spotting the track as a turn-marshall, basically flipping over and resetting any of the big RC cars or trucks that flip over or get stuck on the track. Lunch and water is provided, and it's recommended to bring additional snacks, water, hats, sunglasses, sunscreen and comfortable shoes.

RC Race Track website

This park pays homage to the longleaf pine. Foresting of this Florida tree has produced almost 5,000 products. This park offers interpretive exhibits, museum, pets, picnicking, and visitor center.

Forest Capital Museum State Park website

The museum is located in what was once the island's first public library. Visitors to Pine Island can view the artifacts of this rural island of fishing villages and early history of its people.

Museum of the Islands website

We are a petting farm located in Polk City, in Polk County. We have goats, cows, pigs and chickens. Our animals are very friendly and we offer hands on, interactive field trips. We are also launching our Homeschool Social program one day a week which offers a discount to homeschool families.

Bell Family Farm website

Visitors experience the fun and adventures of flying. Houses over 40 rare and vintage aircraft for flight enthusiasts to see.

Fantasy of Flight website

Protecting the Gopher Tortoise is a big focus of this park. The park offers bicycling, hiking and nature trails, geo-seeking, horse and equestrian trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking and wildlife viewing.

Dunns Creek website

40,000 sq ft ice skating facility located in Pompano Beach. The facility offers hockey, figure skating, ice skating lessons & free skate. They have 2 rinks available.

The Rink on the Beach website

Juan Ponce de Leon, was a Spanish explorer who searched throughout Florida for the "fountain of Youth" in 1513. This park is named after him. The springs here may not keep you youthful but they are refreshing. This park offers fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, snorkeling, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Ponce de Leon Springs State Park website

The Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse is Florida's tallest lighthouse. Kids can learn about the lighthouse both online and in person. The website also offers a kids page complete with interactive games.

Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse website

The main exhibit hall features local and state history exhibits from prehistoric times through WWII.

Charlotte County Historical Center website

The preserve is mainly an ecotourism location showcasing cypress trees, alligators, pileated woodpeckers and osprey. The grounds also feature the Snow White House, modeled after the Walt Disney animated film. Pontoon boat trips and historic tours are available.

Gamble Place Spruce Creek Preserve website

Home to the Gray fox, gopher tortoises, alligators, and West Indian manatees, this park offers boating, fishing, and hiking and nature trails.

Werner-Boyce Salt Springs State Park website

Narrated eco tour on the pristine North Fork of the St Lucie river. Tour is 1.5 hours long. Discounts for groups of 20 or more. See and learn about alligators, turtles and a variety of birds in their natural environment, local plant life and the history of the river.

River Lilly Eco-Cruise website

Home of Florida's first State Constitution Convention. The museum commemorates the work of the 56 territorial delegates who drafted Florida's first constitution in 1838. Visitors can view displays and exhibits of 19th century life in St. Joseph.

Constitution Convention Museum State Park website

Some of the highest dunes in the Unites States are found here. This park offers beaches, bicycling, a boat ramp, boating, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, playground, picnicking, snorkeling, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park website

The preserve offers visitos the experience of the largest and most intact remnant of Florida's east coast savannas. The park offers bicycling, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, a visitor center and wildlife viewing.

Savannas Preserve State Park website

The existence of Shell middens and mounds are evidence of past use at the Preserve and protect the it by law. The park offers boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, and allows pets on site.

Charlotte Harbor website

The Shrine is dedicated to the first Greek people who came to America in 1768. The Chapel is filled with Byzantine style frescoes, artifacts, photographs and historical documents of those colonists.

Saint Photios Greek Orthodox National Shrine website

Bioluminescent Field Study on the Space Coast. Select from tandem kayaks, clear bottom kayaks, 10 person raft, mountain biking, or hiking to get up close with manatees, dolphins, alligators, and birds, bugs, spiders, snakes (over 2700 species in all). Experience seven distinct ecosystems located between the Canaveral National Seashore and the Kennedy Space Center. See wild Florida from water level. Experienced and educated guides bring you and your students on an adventure they will remember for a lifetime.

A Bioluminescent Eco-adventure website

The museum pays tribute to surrealist Salvador Dali. The Dali offers educational programs to families, youth and educators. Summer camps and video contest help students connect with surrealism.

The Dali Museum website

This zoo emphasizes conservation, education, and wildlife preservation. Be sure to download the education resource guide.

Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens website

Sanibel Historical Village and Museum was founded in 1982 as a tribute to the early pioneers on Sanibel Island.

Sanibel Historical Village and Museum website

The museum offers visitors 30 exhibits of mollusks from around the world. There is a learning lab with a hands-on play area for kids, and a tank with indigenous mollusks.

Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum website

The focal point of the park is the two-story Wesley house with elegant white columns and wrap-around porch. The park offers boating, fishing, gardens, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, and weddings.

Eden Gardens State Park website

The name of the park comes from the neighboring town. Grayton beach is one of the oldest towns along the Gulf Coast. Today, the park offers beaches, bicycling, boat ramp, ccabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, swimming and wildlife viewing.

Grayton Beach State Park website

Midden mounds tell archeologists that Native Americans used this area for fishing, hunting and camping. Coastal dunes here surround freshwater lakes and wetlands. The park offers an amphitheater, beaches, bicycling, birding, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions and a restaurant, fishing, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, swimming, tours, a visitors center and wildlife viewing.

Topsail Hill Preserve State Park website

Deer Lake is a coastal dune lake. Coastal dune lakes are rare worldwide and occur only on the gulf coast in the United States. The park offers beaches, bicycling, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, swimming and wildlife viewing.

Deer Lake State Park website

The park offers bicycling, birding, a boat ramp, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, concessions, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, an interpretive exhibit, pets, picnicking, playground, tours, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Myakka River State Park website

A museum dedicated to America's cultural history. The museum campus contains two circus museum, a historic mansion, and a theater.

Ringling Museum of Art website

Mote Aquarium allows guests the chance to explore the ocean with touch pools, shark, dolphin, manatee and sea turtle exhibits, and a viewable working lab for marine life research.

Mote Marine Laboratory website

Visitors to Sarasota can stroll the boardwalk and along Crowley Creek, take a nature or history tour, visit the on-site pioneer museum, or see an authentic blacksmith shop. Kids enjoy hiking nature trails on the Children's Discovery Path or viewing wild and farm animals. Areas avialable for fmailies to picnic or BBQ.

Crowley Museum and Nature Center website

Selby Gardens is an open-air botanical gardens. It is famous for its orchids and extensive collection of exotics plants. Childrens programs emphasize conservation through story-telling, art projects, scientific discovery, and tours.

Selby Gardens website

Opened to the public as a botanical garden in 1931, it is one of Florida's oldest park. Today, the park offers a bicycling, camping, concessions and restaurants, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, playground, tours, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Highlands Hammock State Park website

The Children's Museum of the Highlands was designed to give kids (ages 1-12) a safe environment to learn and explore.

Children's Museum of the Highlands website

Safari Savvy Reptile's Treehouse Cafe is open on weekends from 12-5pm (except when birthday parties are booked) and by appointment Monday-Friday. Come enjoy a beverage and snack while engaging with amazing reptiles and other animals. They also hold Reptile Youth Alliance meetings onsite.

Safari Savvy Reptiles Youth Alliance Cafe website

The park is named after three rivers: the Flint, the Chattahoochee and the Apalachicola. All three rivers come together near the park before flowing out to the Gulf of Mexico. This park offers bicycling, a boat ramp, boating, cabins, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, pets, picnicking, playground, and wildlife viewing.

Three Rivers State Park website

In 1998, a midden, or ancient dump site, was discovered in the park. Artifacts dated back about 1500 years to pre-Columbian Native American times. Today, you can see the cut faced pine trees which are evidence of the thriving turpentine industry from an earlier century. Trees were scarred, or cut, to release the resin which is used to make turpentine. This park offers bicycling, a boat ramp, boating, camping, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Ochlockonee River State Park website

This park offers bicycling, birding, cabins, camping, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, open to pets, and wildlife viewing.

Rock Springs Run State Reserve website

The oldest wooden schoolhouse in the United States. The building, made of red cedar and cypress, dates back to the early 18th century. The materials, including the nails and wooden pegs, were all cut buy hand. The Oldest Wooden Schoolhouse was also the first co-ed school. It educated both girls and boys together beginning in 1788.

Oldest Wooden School House website

Florida Water Warriors offers low cost//o cost science-based cruises where students go out onto the water and conduct water testing, plankton sampling, wildlife logging and more! We believe that hands-on education is the best way to learn so the students will take away, theory, practical skills, and a deeper connection with our environment. Florida Water Warriors wants to reach students regardless of economic status so we have flexible pricing and financial aid options. Come out onto the water with us! All school ages and abilities welcome, our boat carries drinks, snacks, and a bathroom.

Florida Water Warriors: Educational Cruises website

This park offers bicycling, boating, a boat ramp, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, a playground, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Faver-Dykes State Park website

Originally a coquina quarry, today, the park offers beaches, bicycling, boating, camping, concessions and restaurant, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, playground, surfing, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

Anastasia State Park website

The park is the site of the first free African settlement in the United States. Today, the park offers birding, hiking and nature trails, geo-seeking, historic site, interpretive exhibits, a museum, pets, picnicking, tours, a visitor center, and wildlife viewing.

Fort Mose Historical State Park website

The St. Augustine Lighthouse is dedicated to discovering, preserving, presenting and keeping alive the story of nation's oldest port. We do this in many ways: Educational opportunities, Local and national preservation efforts, Maritime archaeological research, Safeguarding the memories and precious belongings of those that came before us.

St. Augustine Lighthouse & Museum website

The Castillo was built to protect and defend Spain's claims in the New World. Re-enactors bring history alive here with Ranger talks, museum exhibits, historical weapons demonstrations, living history reenactments, and special events.

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument website

Fort Matanzas is a 1740 Spanish fort. The Fort is accessible only by guided boat tours. Hiking trails are available on the barrier island.

Fort Matanzas National Monument website

The oldest house in the nation's oldest city. The Oldest House Museum Complex offers visitors entrance to the Oldest House, the Manucy Museum, the page L. Edwards Gallery and the Oldest House graden.

St. Augustine Historical Society website

The museum features over 160 wax figures of authors, artists, inventors, scientists, and explorers.

Potter's Wax Museum website

The museum allows guests to dress-up and pretend to be early settlers. Educational programs feature the Timucua Indians, Spanish Colonists, "Florida Cracker" Pioneers, black history and the study of archeology. The museum does offer Homeschooling days just for home school students.

Old Florida Museum website

The Lightner musuem showcases the gilded age of America. Collections include Victorian art glass and stained glass work by Louis Comfort Tiffany. Visitors get insight to 19th century life with examples of costumes, furnishings, mechanical musical instruments and other artifacts.

Lightner Museum website

The museum strives to preserve Florida's agricultural past, and educate the public.

Florida Agricultural Museum website

The museum boasts of having one of the most extensive public Civil War collections. Weapons enthusiasts can view swords, antique guns, muskets, shipwreck artifacts from the Spanish, English, and Colonial eras. The museum also houses President John Tyler's piano, historic photos, tintypes, lithographs and documents.

Museum of Weapons and Early American History website

The Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum is a living history museum where costumed historical interpreters tell the story of everyday life in 1740s.

City of St. Augustine - Colonial Spanish Quarter Museum website

Home to North Florida's largest screen (70 feet wide and five stories high), the World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater is the most unique movie-going experience. Immerse yourself in the most entertaining and educational documentaries as well as Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. Memberships, field trips, birthday parties and discounts are available.

World Golf Hall of Fame IMAX Theater website

The farm, founded in 1893, is one of Florida's oldest zoological attractions. Exhibits include: Albino Alligators, Birds of Africa, Exotic Birds and Mammals, Florida Native Reptiles & Amphibian House, Fossil, Komodo Dragon, Crocodiles, Pythons, Red-ruffed Lemurs and a Wading Bird Rookery.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm website

During World War II, troops used Camp Gordon Johnson for training exercises over the vast dunes. Today, the park offers beaches, boat ramps, boating, camping, a canoe and kayak launch, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, playgrounds, shelling, swimming, geo-seeking and wildlife viewing.

Dr. Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park website

Spanish, English, American and Confederate forces have all occupied this site. A museum of artifacts found while excavating a Civil War fort are on disply for visitors to see. This park offers birding, fishing, hiking and nature trails, a historic site, interpretive exhibits, a museum, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park website

Once a bridge connecting St. Petersburg with Sarasota, the old bridge is now the world's longest fishing pier. The park offers concessions and fishing.

Skyway Fishing Pier State Park website

The Museum of Fine Arts offers visitors of Florida's west coast an experience in art collected from antiquity to the present. Every third Saturday of the month, family events are scheduled to enrich children in arts and crafts.

Museum of Fine Arts website

The Morean is here to help you create an exciting, adventurous, creative Arts package. We have many different options for each location, and can tailor your experience to your needs. Make it educational and ask for the STEM tour at the Chihuly Collection, Deliver thrills working with molten glass in a Morean Glass Studio Hot Shop experience, or build a group totem pole or other team creation at the Morean Center for Clay. We offer experiences both Virtual and In Person experiences. For more information, please reach out to [email protected].

Chihuly Collection presented by the Morean Arts Center website

The museum contains exhibits of Ted Williams' from his days in the military through his professional playing career. Other exhibits include: Willie Mays, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris, and Sadaharu Oh.

Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame website

The museum caters to to the preK-5 age range and offers summer camps, classes and hands-on learning.

Great Explorations Childrens Museum website

The museum celebrates the history of St. Petersburg and the Pinellas Peninsula. Exhibits include: St. Petersburg Goes to War 1941-1945, Piering into the Past Pondering the Future, Florida's Original Highwaymen Exhibit and Artist of St. Pete. Educational programs include summer camps, guided tours and community classes.

St. Petersburg Museum of History website

The museum is dedicated to educating all races and cultures of people in the prevention of future genocides.

Florida Holocaust Museum website

Fairgrounds St. Pete is an immersive art and technology museum where all ages are invited to explore our world of playful art and technology exhibits based on original Florida stories. Our mission is art for all, play for all and joy for all. Our team will work with you to schedule your school field trip and choose an activity to inspire and educate your group!

Fairgrounds St.Pete website

This park is accessible only by boat. Visitors are greeted by mangroves, live oaks, cabbage palms, paradise trees, and wild limes. The park offers beaches, boating, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, and wildlife viewing.

St. Lucie Inlet Preserve State Park website

This park almost became a golf course. The Indian River, located within the park, is an important foraging corridor for the West Indian manatee. The preserve offers hiking and nature trails, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Seabranch Preserve State Park website

The Elliott Museum offers visitors a chance to learn about the area history and celebrated innovations in Stuart, Florida.

Elliott Museum website

This park offers a picnic area, a multi-use recreational area, trails for hiking, horseback riding, and off-road bicycling. There are currently no amenities available at the park. Visitors must bring in their own water for themselves or their horse. The park currently does not have a restroom facility. As a result, there are no fees currently required to enjoy this park.

St. Marks River Preserve State Park website

Lake Talquin park was formed in 1927 when the Jackson Bluff Dam was constructed to produce hydroelectric power. Today, the park offers birding, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Lake Talquin State Park website

The main of attractions of this park are the ornamental gardens. The park offers swimming, fishing, canoeing and kayaking, picnicking, walking and equestrian trails, Hiking, and bicycling.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park website

Replicas of actual artifacts found by archaeologists during excavations are on display for visitors to understand the areas history. The park offers birding, hiking and nature trails, historic site, interpretive exhibits, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park website

The people of the Weedon Island Culture are believed to have built the mounds. They were a group of Native Americans who lived in North Florida between 200 and 800 A.D. Today, the park offers birding, hiking and nature trails, an interpretive exhibit, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Letchworth-Love Mounds website

Natural Bridge is the site of the second largest Civil War battle in Florida. Every March, a reenactment of the battle is held at the park. There is also a sinkhole there that the river drops into and flows underground for 1/4 mile before it can be seen again. The park offers fishing, picnicking and lots of history to discover.

Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park website

Mission San Luis is a living history village that educates visitors about life in Flordia Your destination when Apalachee Indians and newcomers from Spain lived closely together.

Mission San Luis website

Visitors step back in time when they enter the Knott House. The house, built in the 1840s, contains all original furnishing and is decorated in Victorian era designs. Poems written by Luella Knott still hang in rooms, giving the building its nickname, "the house that rhymes." Guided tours are provided by volunteers.

Knott House Museum website

The museum offers visitors zoo attractions and historic buildings in a woodlands setting. The zoo features native Florida animals such as the endangered Florida panthers, red wolves, and river otters. The historic buildings include an 1880s farmstead and the Princess Catherine Murat's house. The Museum offers educational programs to scouts, school groups, summer campers, and homeschoolers.

Tallahassee Museum website

An archival museum where visitors can see artifacts and printed material relating to the history of Africans and African Americans. Of special interest is a 500-piece Ethiopian Christian cross collection, and rare African books and maps from the 1700s.

The Meek-Eaton Black Archives, Research Center, and Museum website

The museum acts as a state history museum. Visitors can view artifacts on display that demonstrate eras unique to Florida's development and on the roles that Floridians have played in national and global events.

Museum of Florida History website

The museum offers visitors an impressive collection of rare automobiles and unique collectibles.

Tallahassee Antique Car Museum website

The museum, located in the Main House, was built around 1840. The Goodwood is considered one of the finest antebellum plantation houses built in the region. The fresco ceilings and furnishings are all original to the house.

Goodwood Museum website

Don Vicente Martinez Ybor came to an area and created the Cigar Capital of the World. The museum features the history of the cigar making industry. The park offers an interpretive exhibit, museum and tours.

Ybor City Museum State Park website

Visitors come to experience one of the top tourist destinations in Tampa. Come to the Aquarium for monthly Homeschool science classes or book a homeschool group field trip. Homeschool families receive a 20% discount on memberships.

Florida Aquarium website

The Museum collection features 20th and 21st century art and an impressive collection of Greek and Roman antiquities. Educational programs are available for middle schoolers, summer campers, and community organizations.

Tampa Museum of Art website

USFCAM maintains the university's art collection, comprised of more than 5,000 art works. There are exceptional holdings in graphics and sculpture multiples by internationally acclaimed artists, such as Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and James Rosenquist, who have worked at USF's Graphic studio. Contemporary photography and African art are also important areas of the collection.

Contemporary Art Museum, University of South Florida website

This museum offers day camps, children's parties, educational programs and over 170 'interactivities' exhibits.

Glazer Children's Museum website

Students will learn how some of Florida's early industries that were shaped by the natural resources of the Sunshine State. A knowledgeable guide will lead your group's adventure through the Florida State Fairgrounds' permanent exhibits: Florida Cattle Ranching - 500 Years of Tradition, The Power of Steam and the Florida Forest Discovery Center. In addition, students will experience working antique steam engines, make a leather craft, explore the history of citrus in the Sunshine State, and take part in activities designed to complement the exhibits. Reservations required.

Rural History Museum - Florida State Fairgrounds website

Featuring laser tag, rock climbing, a ropes course and ninja obstacle course, bowling and mini golf as well as a full arcade.

PKS Playzone And Grille website

Ice Sports Forum has Ice skating and Laser Tag. Great for a physical education field trip or a learning experience. Get a "behind" the scenes tour of the Laser tag arena, Ice Rink operations and see the Zamboni. Learn about Hypothermia, does water expand or contract when frozen, how is the Ice frozen? Opportunity to Play in the "snow". Call for availability. 813-684-7825 Ask for Chris May M-F Daytime hours. Prices vary based on Activities and number of participants.

Ice Sports Forum website

The museum prides itself in offering fun and interactive learning experiences. Main features include an iMax dome, and ropes courses for kids. Offers Summer science camps, homeschool classes, great escape family programs, school group programs, and boy and girl scouting programs. There is also a hands-on equipment lending library available for enhancing your science curriculum.

Museum of Science and Industry website

Lowry Park Zoo is a zoological garden. The campus includes a Wildlife Center and manatee hospital, Asian Gardens, Primate World, Free-Flight Aviaries, Wallaroo Station children's zoo, and Safari Africa. The Zoo also features rides, shows and hands-on interactive exhibits.

Lowry Park Zoo website

A sanctuary dedicated entirely to abused and abandoned big cats.

Big Cat Rescue website

The museum showcases railroad magnate, Henry B. Plant's turn-of-the-century lifestyle at the authentically restored Tampa Bay Hotel. The hotel is a national historic landmark and there are traveling art exhibits available for view. Educational programs highlight for students life in the gilded age.

Henry B. Plant Museum website

The museum offers visitors a glimpse of Native Americans and Spanish conquistadors, pioneer settlers and cigar workers, immigrants and cowboys, military and sports heroes. Educational programs are tailored to scouts groups, homeschool organizations, schools, and day campers.

Tampa Bay History Center website

Amusement and adventure park. Offers a "zoo" school and camps for kids.

Busch Gardens - Africa website

The Florida Keys Wild Bird Center works to rescue, rehabilitate, and release wild birds that have been harmed or displaced. The Center's "Eco School" program invites students to learn on site or in the classroom. Visitors are given the opportunity to see a wide array of both residential and wild birds throughout the Wild Bird Sanctuary.

Florida Keys Wild Bird Center website

The park offers 2,000 acres encompassing mangrove forests, freshwater and saltwater wetlands and uplands communities. Much of the preserve is in various stages of habitat restoration which is intended to return agricultural land to its natural and ecologically diverse condition. As restoration efforts continue, recreational facilities such as hiking trails, canoe/kayak launches, a boat ramp and interpretive kiosks are planned. Currently, kayaking is the primary activity within the preserve.

Terra Ceia Preserve State Park website

Visitors to the park enjoy reconstructed fort from the Second Seminole War. Ranger guided tours are offered on weekends.

Fort Foster State Historic Site website

Opened in 1938, Hillsborough River State Park, with a set of Class II rapids running through it, is one of Florida's first state park. The park offers a bicycling, camping, canoeing and kayaking, consessions, fishing, geo-seeking, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, pets, picnicking, playground, swimming, tours, and wildlife viewing.

Hillsborough River State Park website

Preservation and education of Titusville history.

North Brevard Historical Museum website

An aviation museum.

Valiant Air Command Warbird Air Museum website

The park sits on a barrier island on Florida's east coast. The park offers fishing, boating, canoeing, surfing, sunbathing, swimming, hiking, camping, nature and historical trails.

Canaveral National Seashore website

The museum houses both exhibits and an art school. Lots of educational art programs for kids and adults.

Vero Beach Museum of Art website

The museum tells the story of the commercial cultivation and citrus industry in the Indian River Lagoon region.

Indian River Citrus Museum website

The Wakulla Springs Lodge, an excellent example of Mediterranean Revival architecture, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park offers bicycling, boat tours, consessions, hiking and nature trails, interpretive exhibits, a lodge, picnicking, playgrounds, snorkeling, swimming and wildlife viewing.

Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park website

The mermaids of Weeki Wachee Springs State Park have delighted visitors since 1947. Today, visitors can still witness the magic of the mermaids, take a river boat cruise and canoe or kayak on the Weeki Wachee River. The 538-acre park features a first magnitude spring and a 400-seat submerged theater for watching the live mermaid show. Buccaneer Bay offers a fun-filled flume ride, a white sandy beach area, and covered picnic pavilions. Weeki Wachee's animal shows provide audiences with an entertaining and educational look at domesticated birds and reptiles.

Weeki Wachee Springs State Park website

Wellington Conservation Center is home to all unwanted, abandoned and injured animals. We care for orphaned birds, mammals and specialize in conservation of South American exotics who are endangered from habitat loss and poaching. We are a conservation center supported from grants, trusts and local sponsors. We are a 501c3 non-profit organization located in Wellington, Florida, and are licensed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Department. All donations are 100% tax deductible and directly aid in the caring of the animals.

Wellington Conservation Center website

The museum is famous for having painting and sculpture masterpieces from the 19th and 20th centuries. Artisits include: Brancusi, Gauguin, Matisse, Miro, Monet, Picasso, Davis, Hassam, Hopper, Manship, O'Keeffe, Pollock and Sheeler. Education programs for the family through the family studio and DIY art projects. The Norton offers summer camps tours in art and storytelling.

Norton Museum of Art website

The Armory Art Center is a not-for-profit community-based visual arts education and exhibition center.

Armory Art Center website

Once the home of sculptor Ann Weaver Norton, today, the property is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The house, studio and gardens include more than one hundreds works by the artist for visitors to enjoy.

Ann Norton Sculpture Gardens website

The museum's team of science educators reaches more than 50,000 students each year. These programs are adapted to reach students in public and private schools, homeschoolers, scout troops, and other community organizations. Each year, the museum organizes week-long summer camps for children ages 4-12.

Cox Science Center and Aquarium website

Shark Wake Park is an outdoor family entertainment center located inside Okeeheelee Park in WPB, Florida. Swim, splash, jump and climb your way through our floating Obstacle Island. Experience the thrill of watersports, including kneeboarding and wakeboarding. First timers and beginners are welcome. We are also the perfect venue for birthday parties, events, camps, and more! Group rates are available, please email [email protected] for additional information on group visits. Open year-round.

Shark Wake Park website

Rapids Water Park is South Florida's largest most thrilling water park! Great family fun for everyone. We offer 35 acres, 42 slides and attractions, private cabana rentals, plenty of lounge chairs and snack bars to satisfy your appetite and quench your thirst. We offer discounts throughout the season for homeschoolers.Call for information 561-848-6272.

Rapids Water Park website

The zoo houses animals from all over the world living in natural habitats. Educational programs: Summer Zoo Camps, "Night Owls" Overnight Program, Field Trips, Outreach Programs, Stroller Safari, Twilight Tours, and animal hospital tours.

Palm Beach Zoo website

Native Americans once used this area as a quarry site to make stone-chipped tools. Today, the park boasts of the largest whitewater rapids in Florida. The park offers bicycling, birding, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, and wildlife viewing.

Big Shoals State Park website

Stephen Foster wrote "Old Folks at Home", the song that made the Suwannee River famous. Folk are demonstrations are provided in quilting, blacksmithing, stained glass making, and other period crafts. This park offers bicycling, birding, camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, interpretive exhibits, a museum, pets, picnicking, a playground, and wildlife viewing.

Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center State Park website

The park offers a camping, canoeing and kayaking, fishing, hiking and nature trails, horse and equestrian trails, pets, picnicking, playground, and wildlife viewing.

Little Manatee River State Park website

Natural Encounters, Inc. offers visitors a free-flight show demonstrating the natural behavior of birds.

Natural Encounters website

Visitors can see the permanent collection of art and objects dating from antiquity to the 21st century.

Cornell Fine Arts Museum website

The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art houses the collection of the works of Louis Comfort Tiffany. It includes Tiffany jewelry, pottery, paintings, art glass, leaded-glass windows, lamps, and the chapel interior designed for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art website

This museum is dedicated to preserving the works of Czech sculptor Albin Polasek.

Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens website

Contains permanent exhibits on Vicente Martinez Ybor, the founding and early history of Ybor City, the cigar industry, the social clubs of the city, and the Ferlita Bakery.

Ybor City Museum Society website

This is a non-profit 501c3 exotic animal sanctuary. The sanctuary is dedicated to the lifetime care of abused, neglected, confiscated or unwanted exotic animals to prevent them from being destroyed. Rescued animals include: tigers, cougars, leopards, wolves, bears, primates, small wild cats, and bats.

Peace River Refuge & Ranch website

Most Popular Posts

• Choosing the Best Homeschool Curriculum
• Going from Homeschooling to Public School
• High School Transcript Template
• Homeschool Curriculum Reviews
• Homeschool Planner Files
• What Curriculum Should I Use For My Preschooler?
• What to Use Instead of Homeschool Curriculum
• Get Started Homeschooling
• Getting Homeschool Discounts
• Getting Your Homeschool Organized
• Homeschooling FAQs
• Quickstart Guide to Homeschooling
• The Importance of Deschooling
• What About Socialization

Homeschool Helps

• 6 Steps To Get Started Homeschooling
• High School & Beyond
• Homeschool Field Trips
• Homeschooling on a Budget
• Lapbooks in the Homeschool
• Notebooks in the Homeschool
• Sources for Used Curriculum
• Timelines in the Homeschool

Latest Blog Posts

• Pathways to Reading Homeschool Review
• How We Homeschool 10th Grade: Outsourcing, Interest-Led, and Box-Checking
• 10 YouTube Channels For Kids Who Love The Great Outdoors
• Colleges That Have Accepted Homeschooled Students
• Homeschool Dual Enrollment & More: Earn College Credit While Homeschooling

Popular Topics

• What to Use Instead of Curriculum
• Transcripts and Record-Keeping
• Benefits of Homeschooling
• Right-Brained Learning

As featured on

Orange County Field Trips

When it comes to learning, the home and classroom have many great resources. But exploring your surroundings, seeing things in person, and using hands-on activities can help increase what students retain, improves the ability to learn and remember new skills, and honestly, who doesn’t love getting out and exploring someplace new. Here are some of the best places to go in Orange County for a Field Trip.

Animals & Marine Science

Local animal lovers have many options to explore and learn about different species all over Orange County . Here are some destinations you won’t want to miss, followed by a list of more places to visit for in-depth animal fun.

Zoomars at River Street Ranch

Los Rios Historic District 31791 Los Rios Street, San Juan Capistrano Open all week 10 – 4

Take the kids out to this family-owned farm and get to know the residents. From guinea pigs and goats to horses and llamas, everyone will leave with a favorite. Guests can interact with the animals by holding and petting, grooming and feeding them – of course levels of interaction vary by breed. Other attractions available at Zoomars includes pony rides, mining, play areas, train rides, and excavators.

Zoomars is located in San Juan Capistrano ‘s Los Rios Historic District so you can turn this field trip into a complete history study. Los Rios is the oldest neighborhood in California, established in the 1700’s by workers from the nearby Mission . Three original adobes still stand.

Check out all the petting zoos in Orange County .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Zoomars at River Street Ranch (@zoomars) on Aug 17, 2020 at 5:50pm PDT

Pacific Marine Mammal Center

20612 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651 Open daily 10AM – 4PM

The Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach rescues, rehabilitates, and releases sick and injured marine mammals and educates the community to become involved in ocean stewardship. Young students can participate in-person and through virtual camps and programs that introduce them to marine science, conservation, animal health, and ecology. Programs and field trips are available for all ages. Certain programs and field trips are geared for specific age groups and most can be tailored to the ages and interests of the participants. Programs offered include:

• Meet the Patients: Marine Mammal Rescue, Rehabilitation, and Release (all ages)
• Marine Mammal Senses (ages 5-8)
• California Sea Lion Life, History, Ecology & Conservation (ages 9 & up)
• Ocean Emergency (ages 9 & up)
• Chat With An Expert (all ages)
• Stewards of the Sea (grades 3-5)

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pacific Marine Mammal Center (@pacificmmc) on Aug 16, 2020 at 9:46am PDT

More Animal Fun

• Santa Ana Zoo – 1801 East Chestnut Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92701
• OC Zoo – 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange, CA 92869
• Our list of Best Petting Zoos
• Prehistoric Pets Reptile Zoo – 18822 Brookhurst St, Fountain Valley, CA 92708
• Magnolia Bird Farm – 8990 W Cerritos Ave, Anaheim, CA 92804
• Omar’s Exotic Birds – Brea: 903 E. Imperial Hwy & Lake Forest: 23507 El Toro Rd.
• Back Bay Science Center – 600 Shellmaker Rd, Newport Beach, CA 92660
• Dennis Kelly Aquarium at Orange Coast College – Lewis Center, 2701 Fairview Rd, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• Centennial Farm at OC Fair and Event Center – 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• Laguna Koi Ponds – 20452 Laguna Canyon Rd, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
• The Ocean Institute – 24200 Dana Point Harbor Dr, Dana Point, CA 92629
• Discovery Cube’s Ocean Quest – Temporarily Closed
• Oasis Camel Dairy – Not in OC but a home educator favorite – 26757 CA-78, Ramona, CA 92065

Museums, Makers, and Artists

There are numerous art and children’s museums throughout the Orange County area with programs that explore creativity, culture, history, and science. Even when the museums are closed, they offer a variety of learning opportunities for the community.

Here are just a few of the ways these facilities contribute to your educational adventure even when you can’t physically visit the facility:

• Bower’s Museum offers in-person (when open) and online programming and even pre-packaged kits complete with supplies, information, and links to instructions that you can pick up curb-side. 2002 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92706
• DiscoveryCube has introduced DiscoveryCube Connect to bring virtual STEM-themed lessons and experiments to homes everywhere. 2500 N Main St, Santa Ana, CA 92705

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Discovery Cube (@thediscoverycube) on Aug 7, 2020 at 9:56am PDT

You can also get to know local artisans and explore their crafts by visiting some of the many Art Walks throughout the year. You never know where you’ll find inspiration for your next project or new favorite hobby.

Public art displays throughout the area also add to the history and culture of the county.

For an additional creative experience, check out one of the local makerspaces. These offer ways for kids to explore STEAM-based projects through creative reuse of repurposed materials. Many offer scheduled programming with with specific themes, open studio, field trips, and more. When the makerspaces are closed, they are busy offering virtual activities and resources.

Here are a few of the makerspaces in Orange County:

• Child Creativity Lab – 1901 Carnegie Ave Ste 1A, Santa Ana, CA 92705
• HBPL Makerspace – 7111 Talbert Avenue, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
• Urban Workshop – 365 Clinton St Suite A, Costa Mesa, CA 92626
• UCI FABWorks – University of Irvine

Check out all the free museum days in Southern California and how to get free and discounted museum admission .

Farms, Gardens, Ecology, & Environment

Farm+food lab at the great park.

Orange County Great Park 8000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618

Staffed by University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners, students can learn all about gardening, sustainability, composting and more. This is a great opportunity for kids to learn about the process of growing food and how they can create their own garden at home from raised beds and large scale themed gardens, to utilizing small spaces by planting window gardens and patio planters. They can even take a class on pickling and canning their own foods. Guided tours are available when open to the public but field trips must be scheduled in advance.

Centennial Farm

Orange County Fair & Event Center 88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Animal lovers enjoy Centennial farm for an up-close visit with pigs, cows, goats, and other livestock. However, the grounds are full of gardens and the educational programs they offer teach kids about farming, gardening, agriculture and more.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Enjoy Orange County (@enjoyorangecounty) on Jan 13, 2020 at 2:09pm PST

Here are a few more places to visit if you’re interested in farms, ecology, conservation, and the environment:

• Backyard Bees – Orange, CA
• Crystal Cove Environmental Study Loop – 8471 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, California 92651
• The Ecology Center – 32701 Alipaz St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
• Fullerton Arboretum – 1900 Associated Rd, Fullerton, CA 92831
• Hortense Miller Garden – 22511 Allview Terrace, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
• Manaserro Farms – 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604
• Niguel Botanical Preserve – 29751 Crown Valley Pkwy, Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
• Sherman Library & Gardens – 2647 East Coast Hwy, Corona Del Mar, CA 92625
• Tanaka Farms – 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

Local History & Culture

Orange County is rich in history and every city has historic sites to explore, local museums and societies, parks and trails. While many of these are self guided, you can explore Orange County at your leisure and discover topics from early mammals and the first Native Americans to settlement of the coast and the oil boom. Here is a list of destinations that focus on the history and culture of the Orange County region.

• Arden: Helena Modjeska Historic House & Gardens – 29042 Modjeska Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676
• Balboa Island Museum – 210 Marine Ave, Newport Beach, CA 92662
• Casa Romantica – 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, CA 92672
• Heritage Hill Historical Park – 25151 Serrano Rd, Lake Forest, CA 92630
• Heritage Museum of Orange County – 3101 W Harvard St, Santa Ana, CA 92704
• Los Rios Historic District – 31831 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
• Lyon Air Museum – 19300 Ike Jones Rd, Santa Ana, CA 92707
• Marconi Automotive Museum – 1302 Industrial Dr, Tustin, CA 92780
• Mission San Juan Capistrano – 26801 Ortega Hwy, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
• The Muckenthaler Cultural Center – 1201 W Malvern Ave, Fullerton, CA 92833
• Muzeo – 241 S Anaheim Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92805
• Newland House – 19820 Beach Blvd, Huntington Beach, CA 92648
• Old Orange County Courthouse – 211 W Santa Ana Blvd, Santa Ana, CA 92701
• Olinda Oil Museum & Trail – 4025 E Santa Fe Rd, Brea, CA 92823
• Ramon Peralta Adobe Historic Site – 6398 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd, Anaheim, CA 92807
• Richard Nixon Library & Birthplace – 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
• Stanley Ranch Museum – 12174 S Euclid St, Garden Grove, CA 92840
• Yorba Cemetery – Woodgate Park, Yorba Linda, CA 92886

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lyon Air Museum (@lyonairmuseum) on Aug 24, 2020 at 4:18pm PDT

11 FREE Field Trip Ideas

Are you looking for fun and educational field trip ideas on a budget? Houston has a ton of free things to do with kids. Here is a list of my favorite 11 FREE field trip ideas. These ideas are great for your play group, school group, home school group, girl scout group, boy scout group, MOPS group, etc. Whether you’re looking for a free tour or a free activity, Houston is full of free places to go with kids. Kid Fun will help you keep your children busy while staying on a budget. My free field trip ideas are fun and educational.

Field Trip Ideas:

1. Tour the Ship Channel

You can tour the ship channel for free. The Sam Houston Boat Tour is easy to book online. You are allowed to book 45 people per reservation, and each boat ride allows a total of 100 people. The tours run at 10am and 2:30 pm on Wednesday through Saturday. It also runs at 2:30pm on Sunday. The tour is a 90 cruise up and down the ship channel. You will see trains, diggers, boats, etc. The tour is great for adults, young adults, children, toddlers and babies. We have done the tour several times, and we love it.

To read more about this tour visit this website:

http://www.houstontx.gov/abouthouston/samhoustonboattour.html

2. Book a Grocery Store Tour

Grocery stores love to give free tours while providing free food samples, details about their store, and lots more. You can book a free tour for any local H.E.B store through the Field Trip Factory. Simply give them a call and pick an available date. The H.E.B. Healthy Buddy Tours focus on the healthy eating and the 5 food groups. In addition, you might touch a lobster, meet Buddy, etc. Other stores that like to give tours are Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

3. Pet Smart – Fur, Feathers & Fins Tour

The Fur, Feathers & Fins tour at Pet Smart is a great way to learn about the different types of animals that the store sells. The store, located at 5415 West Loop S, offers free tours and you can call the store and ask to speak to Ari, the store manager, in order to arrange a tour with Claire. During the tour, you will be able to touch and see a variety of animals including birds, reptiles, and fish.

4. Water Works Education Tour

The Water Works Education Center offers free tours on weekdays from 9am to 5:30pm. The center offers creative learning through interactive exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities. There is also a short movie about the water system. The tours are geared towards elementary aged children, but they allow younger children as well.

5. HPD Mounted Patrol

The HPD Mounted Patrol Facility is located at 5005 Little York Road, and they offer free visits and tours. To book a tour, you can call 832-394-0399. During a tour, you’ll learn about their horses, how they train them, etc. You will have a chance to walk around the barn, feed the horses, and possibly see a horse do tricks. Carrots and apples are allowed to be brought in to feed the horses. My experiences visiting the HPD Mounted Patrol Facility were wonderful. I learned so much about the horses and how they’re trained. I also got to walk around the barn and feed the horses myself! It was a great experience and I would definitely recommend it to others.

6. JP Morgan Chase Tower & Tunnels (currently closed for tours)

You can bring your kids to see the tallest building in Houston. The 75 story skyscraper allows visitors to visit the observation deck on the 60th floor. The public has access to the building on week days from 8am to 5pm. Your kids will love heading downtown to see the panoramic view of the city. While you’re there, you can bring the kids underground to see the tunnels. You might want to find a fun spot to have a picnic lunch too. To learn more about this fun outing, visit: http://www.houston-skyline.com/jp-morgan-chase-tower/.

7. Hermann Park

There are a ton of free things to do at Hermann Park. You can visit the Japanese Garden, walk through the McGovern Centennial Gardens, go to the park, play in the splashpad, watch a free show at the Miller Outdoor Theatre , feed the ducks, roll down the hills, have a picnic, attend free story time on Fridays, etc.

8. Bear Creek Park

You can see the free mini zoo at Bear Creek Park. The park is home to many animals including ducks, birds, buffalo, ostrich, emus, bison, pigs, deer, sheep, and goats. In addition to the free zoo, there are picnic tables, parks, grills, a track, ball fields, horseshoe courts, nature trails, etc. Bear Creek Park is a fun, free place to visit. Your kids will have a blast enjoying the outdoors. To learn more about the park.

9. KSBJ Tour

The KSBJ radio station offers free tours to visitors. The Christian-based station is located in Humble, and tours are available on Thursday and Friday from 9:45 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. During the tour, you’ll learn about the station, see how radio works, meet radio personalities, see how their equipment works, watch a live recording, etc.

10. Discovery Green

Since parking can be expensive at Discovery Green, there are a lot of free things to do there. Check their calendar for free events, like concerts or movies. Your children will also love playing in the park, running through the splash pad, having a picnic, attending Toddler Tuesday events, and more.

11. Bellaire Town Square

The Bellaire Town Square has several free attractions right there on one block. You can book a free fire station tour, book a free police station tour, visit the Bellaire library, attend a free library story time or event, play at the park, and have a picnic. My kids love to ride their bikes on the paved sidewalk around the park area. We love this area because it’s like a one stop shop for free kid activities.

One of my favorite things to do is visit the Bellaire Town Square. There are several great attractions all in one place. You can book a tour of the fire or police stations, visit the library, attend a story time or other event at the library, play in the park, and have a picnic. It’s perfect for families because there is something for everyone to enjoy. And it’s all free!

Related News

Things to do with toddlers at home, kids museum houston, 30 things to do in houston with kids, the best dirt bikes for kids: choosing the right bike for your child.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.