my field trip experience

Classroom Q&A

With larry ferlazzo.

In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to [email protected]. Read more from this blog.

Response: ‘Field Trips Are Powerful Learning Experiences’

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(This post is Part One in a three-part series)

The new “question-of-the-week” is:

How can teachers maximize the learning potential of field trips?

Field trips are often the highlights of the year for students. At the same time, these field trips can be some of the most stressful days for teachers—not to mention all the paperwork hassles involved in planning them. Given that students love them and that teachers have to spend so much time into making them happen, how can we maximize their learning benefits?

Today, Jennifer Orr, Herb Broda, Anne Jenks, Russel Tarr, and Andrew Miller share their answers to this question. You can listen to a 10-minute conversation I had with Jennifer, Herb and Anne on my BAM! Radio Show . You can also find a list of, and links to, previous shows here .

I’ve compiled some of the pieces I and others have written about using “real” and virtual field trips at The Best Resources For Organizing & Maximizing Field Trips - Both “Real” & “Virtual.”

Response From Jennifer Orr

Jennifer Orr teaches kindergartners at a public, Title I school in the suburbs of Washington. She is an ASCD Emerging Leader , blogs at jenorr.com, and is @jenorr on twitter. She feels lucky to have a job she loves:

Field trips are powerful learning experiences but it is easy for them to pass quickly. Maximizing the learning requires thoughtful work done before and after the trip. Prior to the field trip, time must be allotted to get students interested and excited and to build some schema for the location and content to be explored. This can be done through watching videos, looking at maps and photographs and reading about the location. Collecting students’ questions about the trip, location, and content will also help increase interest in the trip.

During the field trip a variety of strategies will help students hold on to their excitement, curiosity, and learning. The list of questions collected before the trip is one tool. Carry the list with you, in a smaller format most likely, and reference it as possible answers or connections to the questions come up. Depending on the age of students, each one could be in charge of some of the questions throughout the trip. Another tool that can greatly enhance the field trip experience is a camera. Having students take photographs or video during the trip gives them a focus and offers resources to use after the trip. If students do not have their own cameras or phones for this purpose, small digital cameras can be attached to lanyards and shared throughout the trip. Again, students can be assigned specific tasks for capturing or can be free to see what interests them.

After the trip is the most crucial time to ensure learning is maximized. It’s easy to feel rushed to move on to other content or focus after a trip, but slowing down and spending time on the learning from the trip will ensure it was a worthwhile experience. If there are photos or video from the trip students can use them to create artifacts about their learning (videos, scrapbooks, nonfiction writing). Students can write thank you notes to people at the field trip location, to individuals in the school or district that may have helped with funding, or to chaperones who supported the trip. These thank you notes should include specific details from the trip. Throughout the year connections to the field trip should be made when possible as the concrete experience will support future learning.

Field trips can be expensive, complicated, and time-consuming, but with thoughtfulness and time they can be some of the most powerful learning experiences available for students.

Response From Herb Broda

Herb Broda is an emeritus professor of education at Ashland University. His books, Schoolyard-Enhanced Learning and Moving the Classroom Outdoors (Stenhouse Publishers), reflect Herb’s passion for helping teachers see ways to use the schoolyard as a teaching tool:

Field trips are still one of the best ways to provide concrete examples of abstract concepts. They are effective at all grade levels and in every content area. Since shrinking budgets have reduced field trip opportunities, it’s critical to maximize the experience. Here are a few thoughts to consider:

Pre-trip considerations...

• The curriculum should drive the field trip location. Maximum learning occurs when a field trip reinforces prior instruction or introduces content that will be expanded soon after the visit.
• Most historic sites, nature centers and museums have pre-visit materials adapted to different grade ranges. Check these out as you plan a visit. Some sites have beautifully crafted, grade-specific sessions, while others may have more generic “school group” presentations that need to be adapted for maximum learning.
• If you are going to hike at a public park or other outdoor location that is not staffed, be sure to visit the site within a week of your visit. It’s possible that your favorite trail may be closed, littered with undesirable items, or storm damaged.
• Show your class pictures of the field trip site. Pictures clarify the purpose of the visit and create a comfort level for students. Many sites offer virtual tours to build interest.
• Prepare your chaperones! The reality is that chaperones can cause problems as well as provide help. Simple tips like don’t use phones, be enthusiastic about the topic and engage with the group may sound unnecessary, but parents appreciate clear direction when placed in a somewhat unfamiliar role.

At the site/during the trip...

• Try to keep travel time short. The park fifty miles away may offer a few more amenities than the one twenty miles down the road, but is it really worth the extra travel time? That time could be spent doing a few more activities.
• If the ride was lengthy, plan a movement activity soon after you get off the bus. A few brief stretching exercises will release a little energy and make it it easier to focus on a tour or presentation.
• Have small groups pre-arranged. You know best what personality mixes should be avoided!
• Review behavior expectations before the activities begin. Site staff will also go over their rules, but duplication is reinforcing. It also is a comfort to the program leaders!
• Before you leave, have two or three student representatives thank site leaders on behalf of the class. A personalized gesture like that means so much to frenzied staff who see a blur of young faces every day.

After the trip...

Often the default post trip activity is simply a discussion of “who liked what”. It’s important to find out what made the biggest impression, but stopping there misses the rich curricular connections and concrete examples that make the trip educational.

Effective post trip activities provide the opportunity to reinforce content, expand content, or use the content to explore in new directions. Based on the nature of your trip, consider:

• Writing activities that capture key learning
• Webquests relating to the topic of the trip (student or teacher designed)
• Follow-up experiments for science related trips
• Concept mapping
• Project-based learning
• Independent research

Field trips provide rich exposure to environments and vibrant locations that reinforce what students learn in classrooms. The abstract comes alive through concrete experience!

Response From Anne Jenks

Anne Jenks is the principal of the McKinna Elementary School in Oxnard, Calif. She is a Leading Edge Certified Teacher and the 2015 CUE Site Leader of the Year:

Field trips are a wonderful way to provide enrichment, frontload content and expose students to learning opportunities that they might not otherwise experience. They offer students a chance to connect to real life examples of concepts they are studying and concretize ideas that may be abstract. In order to optimize the learning that field trips provide, it’s important to plan carefully and include activities that make students interactive learners.

When you are planning a field trip, be sure to find out if exhibits or other information currently being presented connect directly to subject matter that you are studying. Do some work ahead of time and prepare a scavenger hunt for things that you want to insure students will see during the trip. If students have access to a camera or device with a camera, have them take pictures of these things to be shared later during class, with parents and on your website or blog. Also, be sure to include a journal writing exercise where students can answer specific questions that you provide and also reflect on their thoughts as they go through the museum. These can be used to form the basis for a presentation that they will do in class.

Don’t have the money to take a field trip? Virtual field trips can be very powerful learning tools and many are free. They provide opportunities to travel to places and experience things that would have been impossible before the Internet. Many museums, libraries, state park systems, and other places of interest are available if you have a computer or iPad. A great way to find out about these opportunities is through Skype in the Classroom. The Skype field trips connect students with experts all over the world. PORTS (Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students) is a great resource from the California State Parks system that allows students to visit state parks and interact with park rangers who collaborate with teachers to create lessons. Just searching for “Virtual Field Trips” in Google will reveal a host of possibilities from museum trips to a self-guided tour of the White House. The ability to search for trips outside of their geographic area, allows teachers to provide exciting experiences that target specific curricular needs.

Whether you choose traditional or virtual field trips, planning ahead will make the experience more meaningful and increase the learning potential for all students.

Response From Russel Tarr

Russel Tarr is head of history at the International School of Toulouse in France. He is also the author of ActiveHistory and ClassTools.net and organizes the Practical Pedagogies Conference :

Educational field trips are some of the most memorable and enriching educational events that students will experience in their school careers, and do not have to cost an immense amount in terms of time and money. One of my favorite field trips in this respect is the local knowledge “Scavenger Hunt” which I help to organise right at the start of the academic year for students starting the IB programme here at the International School of Toulouse. This is a superb ‘team building’ exercise, especially important when new students might be joining the school, and it additionally provides a healthy dose of local knowledge that students are unlikely to be familiar with. Such field trips also have tremendous potential for cross-curricular links, regardless of the area in which you live, and are also remarkably easy to set up.

Simply put, on the very first day of the new academic year, all of the Year 12 students take a coach trip to the center of the city. When they disembark, students are divided into groups of 3-5 people and each team is given a ‘mission sheet’ consisting of a series of questions and challenges that can be answered by visiting different places hinted at in various clues. For example, the first challenge is “Go to the gardens nearby which are named after a famous French Resistance leader from World War”. Once they arrive there, they answer a factual question relating to the place in question (‘Find a monument dedicated to a local mayor assassinated in 1914. Explain why he was killed’).

From this point, the ‘proceed to a place’ format can be repeated indefinitely: I used Google Maps to identify 10 key places around the city within walking distance, and then created a series of questions which guides them through clues from one place to another (“Proceed through the gardens till you reach a road named after the province regained by France at the end of World War One. Head West until you reach a square named after England’s patron saint” - and so on).

A final crucial ingredient is to provide a strict time limit. Teams must hand their completed sheets back to their quizmaster at the designated location before a specified time (so that we can all get on the coach on time, as much as anything else!). Failure to do so incurs a heavy penalty or even disqualification. In this way, an element of urgency is built into the event. There is always one teacher based at a central location in case students need to locate them urgently, and we also provide each group with the school mobile phone number.

One final tip for when you plan your own local scavenger hunt: it is not helpful to have all the teams following each other around in one large clump. Therefore, design the route in a broadly circular format consisting of several mystery locations (e.g. “Location A” through to “Location F”). Then, give each team a slip of paper which gives the actual name of a different particular place in the mission, and the question that it corresponds to in their activity pack. Each team then proceeds to its nominated location and works through the questions from that point forwards. In this way, all the students rotate through the locations independently and the chance of them following each other around is minimised. It also ensures that all of the key locations will be visited by at least one team, which is important for the class debrief when students return.

Response From Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller (@betamiller) is an instructional coach and educational consultant who focuses on project-based learning, assessment and student engagement. He is on the faculty for both ASCD and the Buck Institute for Education. He is the author Freedom to Fail and also writes regularly for Edutopia and ASCD:

Often, field trips occur near or at the end of a learning experience or unit. For example we might learn about salmon and the life cycle of the salmon, and then we go to the salmon hatchery to see the real life connection to the learning. While this can be a useful way to use field trips, we can use fields trips in more innovative ways. Since students are often excited about field trips, why not use it to launch the inquiry. Field trips can create wonder and excitement for learning, and so educators should leverage field trips as a tool to launch questions and research. Imagine, you go to the zoo and see all the amazing animals. You come back to the classroom and your teacher shares that you will be learning more in depth about animals. Immediately you have questions, and your teacher uses these questions to create student-centered inquiry.

Another great use of field trips is to use it to feed the inquiry. After students have asked questions and learned a bit, teachers can use the field trip to answer further questions and generate new ones. I experienced this myself as learner. In a project that explored immigration and the themes of barriers and opening doors, we looked at photos from Angel Island in California. We students had some many questions. After generating these questions, we were lucky enough to take a field trip to Angel Island and do on-site fieldwork to find answers to our questions. In addition, we came up of with new questions on the spot we wanted to explore once we returned to the classroom. These are just two innovative ways teachers can use field trips for learning. Ultimately field trips can be used to not only answer questions, but also create them.

Thanks to Jennifer, Herb, Anne, Russel and Andrew for their contributions!

Please feel free to leave a comment with your reactions to the topic or directly to anything that has been said in this post.

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How to Get the Most from Your Field Trips

James Haupert, Founder, Center for Homeschooling

Reading time: 10 minutes, introduction.

We know field trips offer numerous benefits, such as hands on learning, group learning and opportunities for students to discover new things firsthand.  They are an important part of your homeschooling education.  Read this article to learn how to get more from your trips and make them better learning experiences.  Every field trip has the opportunity to be a great learning experience — and not just a day away!

Field trips provide the opportunity for expansive learning experiences — when you plan for this.  They will enrich and expand your home classroom when you are creative.  Review these ideas and tips to make them better.  Discover new ways to leverage them to broaden a child’s perspective and strengthen observation skills.  Always connect them to your existing curriculum, and make sure that you include lots of interactive activities during the trip.

Almost every adult remembers the field trips we took as youths.  This demonstrates the lasting power these can have to influence learning and thinking.  Some of my most meaningful and enduring memories come from my field trips as a youth.

What makes for a really great field trip? 

The summary points in this article are:

• It supports and expands on what you are teaching at home
• It is a thoughtfully planned learning experience
• There are activities that prepare kids in advance of the field trip
• Kids can be involved in planning aspects of it
• The parent doesn’t teach but acts as a facilitator and guide
• They allow time for interaction and discussion as you go
• There are learning activities and discussions in the trip
• Afterward, follow up activities promote review and even more learning

Field trips offer some important advantages that you cannot duplicate at home:  They can bring balance to your curriculum.  The most popular destinations—museums, zoos, outdoor venues, farms, and performances—have a natural fit with many subjects including science, history, geography, and the arts.  Make the most of them.

Maximize the Experience with these 9 Ideas

How do parent ensure a great field trip?  These tips will help you have a much better learning experience.  Use this as a checklist:

• Learn from others – don’t “reinvent the wheel.” Talk to other parents and find out what they have learned from their field trips.  What trips did they find effective?  But be sure to ask why and what questions so you understand what they did that made the trip so great — or so bad.  Not everyone knows how to plan a good trip.  Of course, you want to personalize the trip to fit your specific needs, but don’t fail to farm the good ideas of others.  You can build and modify what they did to shape your own experience.
• Plan and do your homework. Plan carefully, do some research, make some calls, and if you can, visit the site before you commit to it.  Talk to the staff or someone who does tours of the facility seeking ideas and creative suggestions.  Be open to different ideas – they usually have lots of experience working with group experiences.  Ask for ideas and suggestions. Learn what have other groups done before you.  I like to ask questions like, “what do you think was the most interesting field trip that has come through your facility?”  or “What are some of the better resources you have that most field trips don’t avail themselves to?”  Harvest the nuggets from the trip.  Think of it as a series of learning activities, not just one big one.
• Focus the experience . Don’t be tempted to tackle too much just because you are there.  It’s better to more focused and targeted with your trip.  Spending enough time at a few things is much better than trying to do everything at once. You want to spend time having the kids process the experience.  Don’t walk through 10 galleries and a museum before the kids have their first discussion.  Take time to have discussions and mini-exercises that encourage kids to think about and record their observations.
• Involve your kids. Don’t feel the need to do all the planning yourself.  Explain your goals for the field trip in advance and solicit what your kids are interested in seeing and learning.  Match the trip with their particular interests.  Give them some choices.  Consider letting the kids pick field trip destination from choices you provide – this provides ownership. Provide kids with some independent time so they can explore things that are of interest to them.  Give them free time with a purpose.
• Prepare the kids with prework activities. We learn better when we have a framework for understanding new information.  A good learning experience doesn’t just happen because you are there.  Take some time to get your kids ready, you may need to teach some new lessons or review some past materials.  Prework makes for much better learning experiences.  Have your kids conduct research or assignments that will prepare them for the trip. Do a virtual tour on the internet before the trip.  Highlight what the kids will be seeing and doing. Arouse their natural curiosity.  Trips become more meaningful and fun when the kids already have some knowledge of what they are about to see. Some parents resist this because they are concerned too much of this will spoil the fun.  In fact, the opposite can be true.  Knowing more about where you are going can make it even better. Take advantage of the heightened motivation prior to the trip to study relevant material.  For example, if you are going to the zoo, have them study and learn about the geography where the animals live.  Thoughtful advanced activities tie the field trip to your home classroom.
• Lots of Interaction. Design your field trips so that your kids can interact with guides, scientists, artists, historians, rangers and other professionals.  The best trips are not passive experiences with little people contact – this defeats the very point of going somewhere to learn.  Arrange these one on one interview experiences so you know you will have interaction.Keep in mind the trip is not only about the facility and the displays.  Seeing adults in action can be an important part of the learning experience.  Schedule time that allows the kids to ask questions about the work of the staff and their research; this interaction provides a connection that can be motivating and will enrich your post trip discussions and exercises. A two-hour sprint through a museum might be good exercise but does not guarantee you have any lasting learning from it.  Slow down and interact.
• Make trips relevant. Tie your field trips to content you have been teaching in the classroom.  The best trips allow students to interact with real world things that connect to things they already know.  If you’re studying history, take them to museum that has exhibits from this time period.  This will help them better interpret what they are experiencing.Think creatively, often things connect that at first don’t seem like they will at all.  Science can tie to history.  Music to geography.  Make those connections. Examine how you can make your trips fit into your broader educational goals.  I like this quote, “Think about field trips as a day out, not a day off.”
• Select field trips where students can be active. Plan trips where the kids are not sitting – it’s a good idea to have them frequently moving about.  You want them to be able to touch, explore and share their experiences. In between moving around, set aside time and place for discussions to let the kids talk and process what they are observing.  Do this several times.  Sharing is an important part of the learning.  In advance, ask questions about the facility – where are the rooms, with benches and tables and some privacy so you can have conversations?  If not, is there a quiet lawn area? Design the trip to include and encourage smaller group experiences, prepare some interactive games, and have handouts that encourage kids to discuss what they are learning.
• Immediate Follow up.  The field trip should continue into your home classroom.  This can often be the most important part of the learning experience.  This is where you lead discussions and give assignments that help them assimilate the information gained in the trip.  Individual written assignments and presentations shortly after a trip are great for reinforcing learning. Focus on things that require deeper thinking than merely writing about “my favorite activity or display.”  Have discussions that stimulate thinking about how what they learned fits into larger community or social issues, and find ways to tie it into other subjects you are teaching.

More Ideas to Think About

Think focus when planning your trip.  Don’t try to do everything all at once.  It’s better to focus on one area or one part of an exhibition.  Remember, you want to dedicate part of your total time to learning discussions and exercises.

Also, don’t forget to inquire about what type of access students can gain “behind the scenes.”  How are things created?  What other activities make the museum function?  What was involved in creating the sets for the play?  These experiences can often be more memorable for students than the basic tour or experience.

Research shows field trips can improve critical thinking, historical empathy, tolerance and greater interest in art and music.  There is considerable evidence that those who go on field trips remember more important details much longer than those who only studied only in the classroom.

Critical thinking can be improved by well-planned field trips.  Stimulate this by being prepared to ask good questions or develop it by handing out note forms that stimulate observing, interpreting, evaluating, associating, problem finding, comparing and flexible thinking.  Ask kids to provide fun ratings or simple assessments of what they are seeing.  It happens because you actively encourage it.

Fundraising

Here’s an unusual idea.  If your field trip involves expenses for travel, c onsider conducting a GoFundMe crowdfunding campaign to raise money for these, particularly if the trip has to do with science or well-known venues.  If you don’t understand crowdfunding, for to their website and learn more.  There may be people who don’t know you, but who have a passion and connection to your destination or event.  They might contribute because they support the venue and want more kids to be involved.  To be successful, you will need to promote your campaign in advance so that you attract donors.  But it might be worth trying!

Here are five tips to make these experiences meaningful for all students.

Like any lesson you plan, spend time to think and define your learning objectives.  What specifically do you want your kids to learn from this experience?  What new insights will they gain?  What do you want them to know? Take time to write these down and refine them so they are clear and concise.  This serves as a good discipline for examining the activities you might do on your trip.  How well do these connect to the learning objectives you are teaching at home?

Also, what are some small activities your kids can participate in prior to the trip?  Are there some short 15-minute exercises you could do each day before the trip to prime the pump?  Use them to promote student thinking about what they might learn during the trip.  By doing so you create connections to the specific content you wish to cover.

Your Role as a Facilitator

During field trips parents should act more like tour guides rather than teachers.  Shift your style for the day.  Think of your role as a facilitator of keen observation and thinking about what they are experiencing.  Your teaching can resume once you return home with your follow-up learning activities.  Think like a tour guide.

Should you have a guide or docent, don’t fall back into a passive role.  Your active comments along with the guides expertise will provide a linkage back to your homeschooling activities.  Remember we learn best when new information is tied to existing frameworks the kids have.

Model Inquisitive Learning

It’s important to model inquisitive learning for your kids.  They take cues from how you are reacting to the experience.  You can do this by taking pictures of what is happening (if allowed) and also by documenting and taking notes during the experience.  (This will come in handy during you’re your review after the trip).  Even if you may have been to this location many times before, try to approach this trip with a “new set of eyes” perspective.  Find things you hadn’t noticed before.  When you do this, you are modeling positive habits by example.

You can also model being prepared for trips by creating simple learning tools you can hand out during the experience.  Give them a note taking form that challenges them to do a better job capturing their observations and thoughts during the trip.  Don’t wait and ask them to do this later – catch them while the information is fresh.

Consider using the A-E-I-O-U strategy during the event; which provides a creative way to capture what they learned. (A- an adjective or two that describes what they learned, E – emotion describing how it made them feel, I – something they found interesting, O – something that made them say “Oh!”, U – write a question that they want to learn more about).

Encourage Reflection

Often, field trips serve as door openers to other interests and topics.  Reflection can be stimulated by asking the kids to record their thinking at the time.  This is another reason to try to arrange for quiet areas with tables and chairs where students can discuss and write things down.  Don’t allow your views of the experience to dominate the conversations.  Rather, put the learning opportunity back on your students to discover their answers as you work together towards mastering your unit of instruction.

During the event, listen and notice what is going on so you can capture your talking points and start planning how you will bring all of this back home into your curriculum.  Take pictures to capture this experience for review in the future.  Listen and note what is most resonating most with the kids.  Capture the questions they are asking to use later for review.  You can do allot of your lesson planning for follow up during the tour.

Sharing with Others

You leverage the value of your trips by having your kids share what they have learned!  When you get back, ask students to create artifacts that represent their learning.  In addition to presentations or reports, consider visual projects like photo journals, digital stories, or community blog posts.

As you conduct more field trips, you can ask students to compare and contrast experiences as another learning activity.  Ask them to identify which aspects of each experience were most interesting.

Other parents in your community might like to see the places you’re visiting and begin to follow along on your journey. Consider having your kids share or present their insights to other kids in your co-op, or make a short summary video on what they learned and post it on your community website.

Have your kids send thank you notes with these videos to the organization you visited to let them know how much they learned.  They will appreciate the feedback, and this might stimulate them to offer additional opportunities for other future visits or experiences.

Check out the Smithsonian Learning Lab resources:  https://learninglab.si.edu/

Copyright © 2019 The Center for Homeschooling.  All rights reserved.  We encourage you to share this material with other parents for family uses.  But reproduction and distribution for public events or commercial purposes is not permitted without written authorization.

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Field Trips are Valuable Learning Experiences

January 1st, 2016

This Knowledge Base article was written collaboratively with contributions from Karen Knutson and CAISE Admin. This article was migrated from a previous version of the Knowledge Base. The date stamp does not reflect the original publication date.

Overview 

Field trips are recognized as important moments in learning; a shared social experience that provides the opportunity for students to encounter and explore novel things in an authentic setting. Their importance is supported by professional organizations such as the  National Science Teachers Association  which asserts field trips can “deepen and enhance” classroom study (NSTA 1999) and the  National Research Council  who assert a quality science curriculum is one that extends beyond the walls of the classroom (1996).

Findings from Research and Evaluation 

Outcomes of field trips.

It is important to recognize that learning outcomes from field trips can range from cognitive to affective outcomes (for a review see: Dewitt & Storksdieck, 2008; also  Learning Science in Informal Environments (2009) . Too often, however, only cognitive gains are identified (by schools or museums) ( Kisiel, 2005 ).

Among the many potential outcomes, research has shown that field trips:

Expose students to new experiences and can increase interest and engagement in science regardless of prior interest in a topic (Kisiel, 2005; Bonderup Dohn, 2011),

Result in affective gains such as more positive feelings toward a topic (Csikszentmihalyi & Hermanson, 1995; Nadelson & Jordan, 2012).

Are experiences that can be recalled and useful long after a visit (Salmi, 2003; Falk & Dierking, 1997; Wolins, Jensen, & Ulzheimer, 1992).

Effective Models of Field Trip Experiences

Research has demonstrated that field trips can be designed to more effectively support student learning. Field trips work best when they provide support for students to explore in a personally meaningful way.

Learning in field trips is impacted by many factors (DeWitt & Storksdieck, 2008). The structure of the field trip impacts learning. Some structure is needed to best support student learning, ( Stronck, 1983 ) yet programming that is overly rigid or too aligned with classroom instruction can have a negative effect (Jensen 1994; Griffin & Symington, 1997). If students are not adequately prepared for the experience, the novelty of the setting can negatively impact learning. (Orion & Hofstein, 1994).

Prior knowledge and interests of the students impacts learning during the visit (Falk & Adelman, 2003), the social context of the visit, teacher agendas, student experiences during the field trip, and the presence or absence and quality of preparation and follow-up.

Through a meta-analysis of studies such as these,  DeWitt and Osborne (2007)  created a model to guide museum program development, Model of Museum Practice which, among other key elements, highlights the importance of encouraging students in the area of “joint productive activity” (p. 690). This includes the opportunity for students to be cognitively engaged and challenged, as they explore areas of personal interest and curiosity and engage in bidirectional communication with each other and adult facilitators.

A successful and quality field trip requires teacher preparation and interaction, yet often teachers are not equipped to, or do not provide this support. See: ( Schoolteacher Learning Agenda Influences Student Learning in Museums ; Griffin & Symington, 1997).

References 

Behrendt, M., & Franklin, T. (2014).  A Review of Research on School Field Trips and Their Value in Education. International Journal of Environmental & Science Education 9, 235-245. Doi: 10.12973/ijese.2014.213a

Bell, P., Lewenstein, B., Shouse, A. W., & Feder, M. A., (Eds.) (2009). Learning science in informal environments: People, places, and pursuits. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. Retrieved from  http://informalscience.org/research/ic-000-000-002-024/LSIE

Bonderup Dohn, N. (2011). Situational interest of high school students who visit an aquarium. Science Education, 95(2), 337-357.  http://informalscience.org/research/ic-000-000-008-700/Situational_Interest_of_High_School_Students_Who_Visit_an_Aquarium

Csikszentmihalyi, M., & Hermanson, K. (1995). Intrinsic motivation in museums: Why does one want to learn? In J. H. Falk & L. D. Dierking (Eds.), Public institutions for personal learning (pp.67–77). Washington, DC: American Association of Museums.

DeWitt, J. & Osborne, J. (2007). Supporting teachers on science-focused school trips: Towards an integrated framework of theory and practice. International Journal of Science Education, 29,  685-710.  http://informalscience.org/research/ic-000-000-008-500/Supporting_Teachers_on_Science-Focused_Field_Trips

DeWitt, J., Storksdieck, (2008). A Short Review of School Field Trips: Key Findings from the Past and Implications for the Future. Visitor Studies Vol. 11, 2, 181-197. DOI:10.1080/10645570802355562

Falk, J. & Direking, L. (1997). School field Trips: Assessing their long-term impact. Curator, 40, 211-218. Retrieved from  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.2151-6952.1997.tb01304.x/abstract

Jensen, N. (1994). Children’s perceptions of their museum experiences: A contextual perspective. Children’s Environments, 11(4), 300-324.  Retrieved from  http://informalscience.org/research/ic-000-000-009-681/Children ’s_Perceptions_of_Their_Museum_Experiences  

Kisiel, J. F. (2005). Understanding elementary teacher motivations for science fieldtrips. Science Education, 89(6), 936 – 955. Retrieved from  http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sce.20085/abstract

Nadelson, L., & Jordan, R. (2012). Student Attitudes Toward and Recall of Outside Day: An Environmental Science Field Trip. The Journal of Educational Research Vol. 105, Iss. 3, 2012. DOI:10.1080/00220671.2011.576715

National Research Council. (1996). National Science Education Standards. Washington, DC: National Academies Press. Retrieved from  http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=4962

National Science Teachers Association (1999). NSTA Position Statement: Informal Science Education. Retrieved from  http://informalscience.org/research/ic-000-000-009-678/NSTA_Position_Statement

Salmi, H. (2003). Science centres as learning laboratories: experiences of Heureka, the Finnish Science Centre. International Journal of Technology Management, 25, 460–476. Retrieved from  http://www.heureka.fi/portal/englanti/about_heureka/research/international_journal_of_technology_management/

Stronck, D. R. (1983). The comparative effects of different museum tours on children’s attitudes and learning. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 20(4), 283 – 290. Retrieved from   http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/tea.3660200403/abstract

Wolins, I. S., Jensen, N., & Ulzheimer, R. (1992). Children’s memories of museum field trips: A qualitative study. Journal of Museum Education, 17(2), 17–27. Retrieved from   http://www.jstor.org/pss/40478925

Whitesell, E. R. (2016). A Day at the Museum: The Impact of Field Trips on Middle School Science Achievement. Journal of Research in Science Teaching. D: 10.1002/tea.21322.

This material is supported by National Science Foundation award DRL-2229061, with previous support under DRL-1612739, DRL-1842633, DRL-1212803, and DRL-0638981. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations contained within InformalScience.org are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of NSF.

Experiential Learning

Experiential learning.

Connect directly with Explorers pushing the boundaries of science and discovery.

‘Travel’ to different parts of the globe through cutting-edge technology, interactive live sessions, and virtual field trips – without even leaving where you are. Learn about protecting rhinos firsthand from a conservationist in Africa. Explore the underwater world of manta rays with a biologist who swims among them.  Through immersive learning experiences, young people develop the skills to think critically, cultivate empathy, and seek solutions that create impact on their communities and the planet.

Explorer Classroom

Join live, interactive sessions that connect young people with National Geographic Explorers to hear behind-the-scenes stories and interact with these cutting-edge scientists, researchers, and powerful storytellers from around the globe. All events are free, open to the public, and include an instructional guide to help learners get the most out of the experience. 

Tracking Elephant Seals with Roxanne Beltran

Planetary systems with munazza alam, unplastify your world with agustina besada, seeing the sea floor with zoleka filander, virtual field trips.

With our Virtual Field Trips, students can travel back in time, go on a deep-sea excursion, or even explore the outer reaches of our Solar System – from anywhere in the world.

Virtual Field Trips Playlist

Exploring the Amazon

Native American Stories

Black history month, revisiting history.

Our Solar System and Beyond

Wild Washington

The Why of Where

Women Pushing Boundaries

Photo Credits from top of page: Mark Thiessen. Below: Michael Nichols, Andy Mann, Paul Nicklen, Ami Vitale, Christian Tryon, Kenneth Garrett, Mark Thiessen.

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

Get out of the classroom and explore the world!

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

Preschool Field Trip Ideas

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

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

Elementary School Field Trip Ideas

@mjdstoronto

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

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

Middle and High School Field Trip Ideas

@salinasvalleybasingsa

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

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

Virtual Field Trip Ideas

@edtech_tusd

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

• 40 Amazing Educational Virtual Field Trips
• 20 Terrific Virtual Art Museum Field Trips
• 18 Incredible Virtual Zoo Field Trips

15 Fascinating Aquarium Virtual Field Trips

• 3 Science Virtual Field Trips Let Kids Travel the World

Field Trips by Location

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

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

Field Trip Tips and Resources

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

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

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

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

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

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The Absolute Awesomeness of Field Trips

I am writing this post from the mountains of northern Thailand, ten days into a four-week adventure with my seven-year-old son and husband. This is the first serious travel we've done with our son -- the first time in a country where we don't speak the language, don't have family, and don't understand many of the customs. Pre-child, I was a traveler.

I'd really like to slow down a little and surrender to a day at the pool -- and visit fewer temples and markets. These concessions, however, are unequivocally worth it. It's worth it to see my son experience a very different culture and learn about himself through this carefully planned field trip.

And that's what's loud on my mind these days: field trips! The awesome unique power of field tripping! Being a mother has made the perpetual teacher brain even harder to turn off. I can't stop thinking about how to maximize the learning opportunities everywhere. Prior to our trip, at the end of the school year, my son did a report on Thailand. Then, on the airplane, (I'm embarrassed to admit this) I made my son list everything he wanted to learn about Thailand. Yes, we are making a K-W-L .

And then, after several days of touring Buddhist temples and observing monks, I was spontaneously compelled to make a Venn Diagram and we compared Buddhism to our own religious tradition.

In the Field

Experiencing the Venn Diagram in this setting was absolutely thrilling because what happened was that my son found many more similarities than differences. Beautiful! I'd never seen the Venn Diagram as a tool for building world peace. Sure, we could have done this in a classroom, but to do it here and to learn in this way, I know the impact will be long lasting and have a unique impact.

So maybe we can't take our students across the world, but life-changing field trips can be done within our own cities and states. Last year, Lorena, a student I taught 15 years ago, contacted me through Facebook. She was in her final year of college and plans to be a teacher. She was in the third grade class that I took on a three-day trip to Yosemite National Park in the middle of winter. It was a magical trip and many of my students in Oakland, CA, had never seen snow. Lorena wrote, "You changed our lives with that trip. It's what made me want to be a teacher, to be able to give that same gift to other kids."

As a teacher, I sought all opportunities to get my students out of their familiar surroundings and into different neighborhoods, cities, and natural environments. We also did the usual museum trips and science center stuff, but I loved the trips which pushed them into unfamiliar territory.

Nudging them out of their comfort zones taught them about others as well as themselves. It helped them see the expansiveness of our world and perhaps inspired them to think about what might be available to them out there. Many of my students (all low-income, from deeply urban neighborhoods) had never left our city. I had many second graders who'd never seen the ocean, a 30-minute drive away.

So much happens on field trips: the learning is social, emotional, and academic. One year, my sixth-grade partner teacher and I took our 45 students to the Grand Canyon for almost a week. The academic content was connected to the science standards (landforms, erosion, etc.), and they learned a whole lot. But the social and emotional learning -- the bonding and connecting that happened on that trip -- was invaluable and definitely not something we could have replicated within the confines of the classroom.

Planning Ahead

Summer is a fantastic time for teachers to plan field trips. There are many opportunities that are free for schools if you sign up early enough. For the trips I did to Yosemite and the Grand Canyon, we raised thousands of dollars and easily got donations. But start asking early!

Planning field trips in the summer is also a fun way to start thinking through curriculum and connecting the classroom learning to real experiences. And trips don't have to be all entertainment. Field trips that engage students in experiential learning are also powerful; they become fieldwork.

Today, we're off to feed and bathe elephants a a sanctuary for abused elephants . It was founded and is run by a tiny Thai woman who we've been reading about. She's almost single-handedly saving thousands of elephants in Thailand. When we return to our hotel, my son will add to his long list of "What I Learned" on the K-W-L.

What do you see as the impact of field trips? What are favorite field trips you've taken kids on? When planning field trips, what tips do you have for teachers? Please share your thoughts and ideas!

Connecting Learners

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Different Types of Field Trips for Learning about our World

Who doesn’t love a great field trip? The opportunity to step outside of life’s normal routines and experience something completely new is always a good time and a great way to learn things you might not have known! 

There are tons of different possibilities for field trips, whether you’re traveling far from home or just exploring the woods behind the house, but sometimes it can be hard to see all the opportunities for learning that surround you. That’s why knowing what types of field trips there are can be super helpful for figuring out what sort of educational opportunity you want! This is my list of the different types of field trip opportunities that exist.

I typically divide field trips into two main groups: Nature-focused Trips and People-Focused Trips . 

Different Kinds of Nature-Focused Field Trips

My first major category contains any field trip that is specifically focused on nature. That’s a lot . Whether we’re talking about trips aimed at teaching kids about plants or animals, exploring underground caverns, or learning about the night sky, it’s all about nature!

Learning about the natural world is a huge draw for kids and adults alike, and there is so much out there to choose from. To help narrow it down a bit, I’ve tried to further divide natural trips into smaller groupings.

Astronomical Field Trips

Astronomical field trips are all about space! There’s nothing quite like the unexplored reaches of the universe for sparking excitement and curiosity in the minds of kids. And new discoveries are being made all the time! 

Some of my favorite astronomical field trips have been stargazing in the Atacama desert and watching a rocket launch in Florida, but it could be as simple as taking the kids outside of town to identify constellations! 

Astronomical Field Trip Ideas

• Stargazing (in your back yard or somewhere special!)
• Trip to an observatory
• Watching a rocket launch
• Watching an eclipse
• Space Museum Trip

Examples of our family’s Astronomical Experiences

How to Choose and Plan an Astronomical Field Trip

7 Great Ways To Add Education To A Camping Trip

Visiting Wild Camels and Cleopatra’s Emeralds in Wadi el-Gemal

7 Great Ways To Add Education To Your Next Beach Trip

The Wonderful “Good-ness” Of Badlands National Park

Botanical field trips.

Botanical Field Trips are all about exploring the wonderful world of plants. Exploring how cactus survive in the desert, marveling at the diversity of wildflower in the spring, or taking the time to look at the leaves in the fall are all botanical trips.

Some of my favorite trips have been to botanical gardens around the world where we get the chance to see unique plants growing in their natural environments.

Botanical Field Trip Ideas

• Visiting a botanical garden
• Plant identification trip (works pretty much anywhere!)
• Foraging Trip
• Trip to an Arboretum

Examples of our family’s Botanical Experiences

Exploring the Valley in the Clouds – Sapa with kids

A hidden gem for families visiting South Africa – The Drakensbergs

Why Langkawi is the Perfect Place for Teaching Kids Geology in Paradise

Ecological Adventures with Kids in Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve

Learning what goes into a great cup of coffee at Finca Filadelfia in Antigua

Best things to do with Kids in the Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Geological field trips.

Geological trips are all about the earth and what makes up the ground we walk on. It’s about a lot more than just looking at some rocks. Getting to see the building blocks of our planet and how they fit together can be an amazing experience, and can take you to some incredible places. Let’s just say that geology rocks. (Hi, I’m a dad.)

There are plenty of amazing options for learning about the earth, but some of my favorites are caving trips, checking out the Grand Canyon, and hiking active volcanoes! 

Geological Field Trip Ideas

• Fossil hunting trip! ( Fossil hunting with kids )
• Going caving
• Hiking a mountain/volcano
• Visiting a Hot Spring (Yes, please)

Examples of our family’s Geological Experiences

Best Galapagos Tours for Families on Santa Cruz

Field Trip to the First National Park: Yellowstone with Kids

Visiting Guatemala’s Beautiful Black Sand Beaches

Finding Egypt’s hidden desert whales in beautiful Wadi al-Hitan

A Good Guide to the Great Pyramid

7 Best Things to See and Do with Kids on a trip to Cao Bang, Vietnam

Zoological field trips.

Zoological trips can include so much more than zoos, but they  are  a great place to start. Any trip that’s focused on the fauna of an area is a zoological field trip, whether that’s exotic animals in the zoo or the squirrels at the local park. Animals can be great for kindling a kid’s curiosity, and because of how interconnected the natural world is, they can be a great launching point for any number of exciting lessons!

My family checks out zoos and aquariums pretty much any chance we get, but my favorite trips have all been in the wild. If you get the chance to go reef snorkeling, definitely take it.

Zoological Field Trip Ideas

• Animal Spotting/Bird watching trips
• Visiting an Animal Conservation Center ( Grizzly and Wolf Conservation Center, Yellowstone )
• Visiting an animal Rescue Center ( Proyecto Asis, Costa Rica )
• Going on Safari! ( Kruger National Park, South Africa )
• Swim with wild dolphins or go whale watching! ( Educational Family Adventures, Puerto Vallarta )
• Visiting a zoo

Examples of our family’s Zoological Experiences

10+ Amazing Snorkel Gear Options for Families with Kids

20+ Amazing Ideas for things to do with Kids in Kuala Lumpur

Copan Ruinas With Kids – Best Things To Do

12 (Mostly) Aquatic Adventures for Families in Egypt

Magical Ruins and Wild Horses in Cumberland Island National Seashore

An Amazing Penguin Adventure With Kids At South Africa’s Boulders Beach

Other ecological field trips.

I use the term “ecological field trips” as my catch-all for other nature-focused field trips. Really, any trip that gets you out into nature can be a great launching pad for learning. It’s just about getting into nature and seeing what you can discover! There’s no better way of helping your kid to appreciate the natural world than simply getting them outside to spend time in nature.

Some of my favorite ecological field trips are nature hikes, waterfalls, and dispersed camping.

Ecological Field Trip Ideas

• Going camping ( Camping with Kids )
• Visiting a National Park ( My favorite is Badlands )
• Kayaking or rafting Trips
• Go snorkeling ( Snorkel gear for Kids )
• Take a day at the beach! ( 7 ways to add education to a beach trip )

Examples of our family’s Ecological Experiences

The Best Places in the Anton Valley to Explore with Kids

Table Mountain – Visiting An African World Wonder With Kids

4 Great Paid Tours For Families In San Cristobal, Galapagos

Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve – New Orleans, LA

Turtles, history, and Fun in the Sun on Georgia’s Famous Jekyll Island

16+ Amazing Activities that make Penang one of the best things to do in Malaysia with kids

Different kinds of people-focused field trips.

The other broad field trip category is field trips about Humanity . It’s all about the things that people do, and the ways that we do them. Whether it’s looking at the things we’ve built, the foods we eat, or the jobs we have, if it’s about humans it’s a people-focused field trip. 

Let’s break it down a bit more. 

Agricultural Field Trips

Agricultural field trips are trips that are focused on the farm. Farm trips are great options for teaching kids all about the life cycles of plants, the types and effects of weather, where our food comes from, and more! 

Some of my favorite agricultural trips include fruit picking, petting zoos, and bee farms! 

Agricultural Field Trip Ideas

• Visiting a Bee Farm
• Pick your own produce trips ( Picking Strawberries in Cameron Highlands, Malaysia )
• Visiting a coffee or tea plantation ( Finca Filadelfia, Guatemala )
• Visiting a farm ( Caoba Farms, Guatemala )
• Visiting a petting zoo
• Make your own Chocolate ( Chocolate Tours, Guatemala )

Examples of our family’s Agricultural Experiences

Exploring the Fun World of Fungi – Mushroom Foraging with Kids

On the Farm with Kids – Caoba Farms Restaurant and Tour

3 Amazing Places to Learn about Chocolate in Guatemala

Architectural field trips.

Architectural field trips are all about looking at the things that humans build. I typically only consider more modern buildings to fall into this specific category. Basically, if you’re looking at a building that is still actively being used today, it’s an architectural field trip. If it was built in the far past, or if it’s a set of ruins, it goes in the next one.

My favorite architectural field trip is probably Frank Lloyd Wright’s Waterfall house. I was taken there when I was in high school, and to this day I think about that trip any time I see a three-legged stool. Other great trips include going to famous buildings like the Space Needle, or checking out colonial-style houses from the 1700s.  

Architectural Field Trip Ideas

• Explore Famous landmarks ( New 7 Wonders of the World )
• Visit a lighthouse
• Explore local architectural styles (French Quarter, New Orleans)
• Explore Famous houses or buildings (Falling Water, Frank Lloyd Wright)

Examples of our family’s Architectural Experiences

Exploring Vietnam’s History in Hanoi

Old Town’s 22 Historical Sites in Hoi An – A Complete List

The New 7 Wonders of the World

Casco Viejo with Kids: Exploring Panama City’s Historic District

8 Free Or Low-Cost Field Trips Near Madison, Wisconsin

A City Carved in Stone – Visiting Petra with Kids

Archaeological field trips.

Archaeological field trips are trips out to see the buildings and artifacts of humanity’s past. It’s all about seeing the way the world was, and learning about humans got through life before our modern advances took hold. It’s about seeing where we’re from, and how far we’ve come.

Ancient ruins, cave dwellings, and the Wonders of the World all fall into this category and are among some of my favorite field trips. 

How to choose an Archeological Trip

Archaeological Field Trip Ideas

• Visit Native American ruins (Cahokia Mounds, Illinois | Aztalan State Park, Wisconsin )
• Visit more recent American ruins ( Dungeness Ruins, Cumberland National Seashore, Georgia )
• Visit ruins in other countries ( Spanish Ruins, Guatemala | Egyptian Ruins, Luxor, Egypt )
• Visit Petroglyph or Cave Painting sites ( Petroglyphs in America | Main Cave, South Africa )

Examples of our family’s Archaeological Experiences

Exploring the otherworldly beauty of Jordan’s Wadi Rum

Pictures in Stone – Petroglyphs in America that you can visit with your family

17 amazing things to do in Luxor, Egypt

15 Amazing Educational South African Adventures for Worldschooling Families

Stand Where Moses Stood – Visiting Mount Nebo In Jordan

Mayan Ruins and the Spirit of Adventure

Historical field trips.

Historical field trips are  also  about learning from humanity’s past, but I feel like they’re a bit different from archaeological trips. In essence, historical trips are less focused on the buildings and artifacts of the past, and more focused on the actions and events. They’re about remembering the past, the choices that we made as a civilization, both good and bad. It’s sort of splitting hairs, at times, and in the end, I’m not sure the distinction matters, but it’s there. 

Some of my favorite historical field trips are historical reenactments and demonstrations, like at Colonial Williamsburg and Jamestown. Other good trips include visiting monuments and memorials, the USS Arizona, or the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These places make history more palpable and can anchor historical learning in a kid’s mind.

Historical Field Trip Ideas

• Explore the local history of your town
• Visit the site of a historical location or Reenactment (Colonial Williamsburg, VA)
• Learn about major historical events in your own country’s past ( Crazy Horse, SD )
• Learn about human history at a UNESCO Cultural Heritage Site ( UNESCO Cultural Sites )
• Learn about the history of wherever you happen to be! ( Jean Lafitte National Park, LA )

Examples of our family’s Historical Experiences

The Best Roman Ruins in Jordan – Visiting Jerash with Kids

Best places to visit as a family in Aswan, Egypt

Finding Adventure at the Lost Sea

The Desolate Prison Island where Nelson Mandela Spent 18 Years

A Field Trip into Nashville’s Past at Historic Belle Meade

Best temples near Angkor Wat to visit with kids

Gastronomical field trips.

I know I say that a lot of these categories are among my favorites, but this time I mean it! Gastronomical field trips are all about food. The food we make and eat as a culture has a lot to say about us. It both depends on and dictates our agricultural practices and our economy. If you want to learn about a culture, you should learn about its food , and that includes your own home culture! A nice culinary field trip pairs very well with an agricultural trips, so if you can find a farm that has its own restaurant, be sure to stick around for seconds.  

Some of my favorite culinary field trips have included cooking lessons, cultural restaurants, and local farm tours, but really any new meal you eat offers an opportunity to learn something new. 

Gastronomical Field Trip Ideas

• Learn how to cook a favorite meal
• Visit a farm and make, or eat, a meal made from what they grow ( Caoba Farms, Guatemala )
• Explore street food options in a different country ( Street Food and Culture )
• Learn about how a favorite snack gets from farm to table ( Chocolate Field Guide )

Examples of our family’s Gastronomy Experiences

Restaurants with a view – 10 Rooftop Terraces in Antigua Guatemala

Why Street Food is an Amazing Window into Learning a Culture

13 Family Adventures in Puerto Vallarta that are Educational and Fun

What not to eat in Egypt (plus some amazing meals you shouldn’t miss!)

Want to learn about a culture? Learn to cook its food

Other cultural field trips.

People-focused field trips cover a wide array of experiences. Any trip that doesn’t easily fall into one of the other categories gets labeled as a “Cultural Field Trip.” These are the trips that are about the different ways that people do things today. They’re about exploring the way that the world around us works, and they can be considered trips into the “real world.” Trips to the bank to find out how banking works may not sound like the most exciting trip, but it’s a field trip that can help foster an understanding of cultural systems that can have a huge impact on our future. 

Some great cultural field trips could include a trip to learn about using looms to hand-weave a rug, to a local factory to see how they make things, or to a cultural festival to learn about how other people do things!

Honestly, these trips can be almost anything, so long as there’s a focus on learning. 

Cultural Field Trip Ideas

• Visit a local capitol building ( Madison, WI )
• Watch a live musical or opera
• Explore musical instruments from other cultures (Nose flute, anyone?)
• Take a factory tour, or visit a US Mint

Examples of our family’s Culture Experiences

A beautiful mix of Geology and Culture – Batu Caves with kids

Museum trips.

I wanted to give a special note on museum trips.

Museums are often a blast to visit, and they can be super educational. I love museums, and I definitely suggest visiting them often. But, they don’t really fit with my personal definition of “field trip.” 

Museums typically bring a lot of materials for education together for people to enjoy, but they remove the context needed to allow kids to make cross-discipline connections. They pull things out of the “real world” and put them in a box.

Which is fine, really. I don’t think poorly of museums in any way, I just think that they go great  with  field trips, but maybe not  instead  of field trips. 

And, there are often exceptions to that rule.

One of my favorite museum experiences was chatting with a paleontologist who works in the Perot museum! We watched real-world paleontology getting done by a real scientist , right where she actually worked! That’s pretty much the definition of a field trip! 

Beautiful Butterflies in Copan Ruinas, Honduras – Mayan Hills Resort

Dinos in Dallas – 7 Fossil Themed Field Trips in the Metroplex

Truly, there is an astonishing variety of possible field trips that can be done, and every one of them can be an educational experience worth having. I’ve offered up a lot of different “types” of field trips, but remember that the real world often doesn’t fit itself in neat little categories. So long as you are open to teaching and learning in whatever opportunity presents itself, any field trip you take will be a success. 

So in the words of my favorite field tripper,

 “Take chances, make mistakes, and  get messy !”

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The learning network | what was your favorite field trip.

What Was Your Favorite Field Trip?

Questions about issues in the news for students 13 and older.

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Have you ever taken a field trip that broadened your horizons — or taught you something that you would have never learned from a textbook? Perhaps you visited a Buddhist temple, a butterfly conservatory or a historic cemetery? Or maybe you just took a class trip that was really fun?

What was your favorite field trip?

In the article “Class Field Trip Stops at a Local Pawnshop,” Ron Lieber writes about a personal finance and economics teacher in Ohio who took his students on a class trip to learn more about high-cost lending.

The last time Brian Page had to file the paperwork to evict a tenant from a rental property he and his wife own, he noticed all the check-cashing services and pawn shops on his drive home from the courthouse. A clerk tipped him off to what was going on: Every day, lots of people leave court with checks they’ve received in legal settlements. They often stop to cash their checks right away, paying a big fee for the privilege, and then go shopping with the money. By day, Mr. Page teaches personal finance and economics to high school students, and as the stores disappeared from his rearview mirror he had an idea. “I wanted my students to feel how dirty it is,” he said. “You can talk about these places and show them the math on the fees, but I wanted them to feel it.” Some of them already know what it means to struggle. Mr. Page teaches at Reading High School, which is pretty representative of America, with students who have occasionally ended up in jail or had children of their own or reckon with relatives who have stolen their identities. Still, they’re at the beginning of their financial lives, and he’s constantly looking for ever more visceral ways to reinforce the importance of good savings habits, great credit scores and low fees. “So I figured I’d get some kids, throw them in a bus and go take a walk down the wrong street,” he said. “I was just going to take them to these places and hope that I didn’t get punched in the face by one of the managers there.”

Students: Read the entire article, then tell us …

— What was your favorite school field trip? What did you like about it? What did you learn on the trip?

— Are field trips an important part of the learning experience? Why?

— Where would you like to go on a class field trip within an hour’s drive of your school? Why?

— Would you like to have attended the field trip described in the article? Do you think having students learn about high-cost loans in actual check-cashing stores is more effective than just learning the information from a textbook? Why?

Students 13 and older are invited to comment below. Please use only your first name . For privacy policy reasons, we will not publish student comments that include a last name.

Comments are no longer being accepted.

In 8th grade, my class and I got to go to Catalina field trip for a weekend, and being the shy and quiet girl, I thought it was going to be such a boring trip, but boy was I wrong. I got to spend the weekend with some of my closest girl friends and we had a great time! We had so many planned activities. From snorkeling in the freezing water and exploring all the marine creatures, to hiking under the hot scorching sun- it was an experience I will never forget!

My favorite school field trip was going to the Getty Center with my Art History class. I enjoyed seeing some of the famous art pieces that we studied during the year. During the trip, I learned about Jackson Pollack during an exhibition that featured his painting “Mural.” Field trips are an important part of the learning experience because it gives students the opportunity to use the knowledge that they acquired throughout the school year and put it to use. Within an hour’s drive of my school, I would like to return to the Getty Center. There are many exhibitions that I was not able to visit the first time around and it would be very exciting to be able to spend some time visiting some of those. I would like to attend the field trip described in the article. I think having students learn about high-cost loans in actual check-cashing stores is more effective than just learning the information from a textbook because the students are able to experience the real life situation and the possible consequences that surround high-cost loans. The students can use the information they learned in a real scenario rather than just a distant, hypothetical one from a textbook.

My favorite field trip would have to be the trip to the Holocaust museum in Washington D.C. for my 8th grade class trip. It was one of the most memorable events of my life and the many things I experienced and saw that day, really made me change my outlooks on life. I realized how lucky I was and how fortunate I was to be where I am today. Although I may not be the richest or most fortunate 17 year old girl on planet Earth, I learned that I am beyond lucky to be where I am today and I am truly blessed to have each and every one of my family members by side. This was the best field trip personally for me because it opened up my eyes.

I think field trips are a great way to get out of the classroom and get a hands-on experience on a certain subject. My favorite field trip was when my 6th grade class took us to the Performing Art Center and because our school did not get a lot of funding for our visual/performing arts department, it was a great experience to see the value of art and music.

My favorite field trip was when I received the chance to travel to Houston for a Buddhist camp. I expected to be boring and lots of praying but turns out that I was wrong. The camp didn’t expect much from the students, it was created for students to learn about their culture and have fun at the same time. I met many people from different parts of the world. They said,” it cost a lot to get here but it’s worth it if you are willing to give it a try. This gave me the desire to give the camp a chance. I made lots of new friends and experience things that I have no idea about. The best part was I learned life lessons by actually living it and not from lecture classes like others.

I have been on many field trips, but my favorite was fun town because I was going on all the rides and hanging out with all of my friends.

At the end of sixth grade my class and i went to ceder point as a field trip for science. this was probably the most exciting and my favorite field trip out of all the ones i went too. i liked the roller coasters that i went on they were very exciting. i was very afraid of roller coasters but on this day i got over my fear and i had fun. my teacher made us do a worksheet about roller coasters because in class we had a toy roller coasters and we did alot of math about it. i learned that it is not easy to make a roller coaster you have to do a lot of physics and math to make it safe. i believe that it is very important to have field trips you can learn about what you learned in class in real life and can see how people work and how tough it is. i would like to go to a beach and learn about the waves because i think it would be very fun and interesting. i would love to have went to the field trip mentioned in the article because i think that every field trip is fun and you would learn something new.

My favorite field trip I took in school was natures classroom in 6th grade. We went in February in New Hampshire and there was a lot of snow on the ground. My favorite part about the trip was being outside all the time and getting to make new friends. We also went snow shoeing and cross country skiing. One thing I learned on the trip was how to be independent and how to take care of myself without needing the guidence of my parents. I think field trips are a very important part of learning and experiencing new things because they are good hands on things to do instead of sitting in a classroom all day. You can’t get the same experience by reading a textbook. I think your supposed to have fun in school and always be learning new things.

My favorite field trip was a trip to Blanchard Springs Caverns; I learned about how bats eat insects and other animals like insects. I also learned how drip stones and stalagmites were formed. Although I learned a lot from Blanchard Springs I would like to go on field trips that would teach me more about how our government works or something else that would help students prepare for the “real world.” I think going to the state capital would be perfect, because after learning about how everything works it would be cool to see it all in action. To me and many other students I learn more through field trips than I do sitting in a classroom. This is because I have a better chance of learning the material being taught when I am involved in the lesson rather than trying to stay awake during a teacher’s lecture.

My favorite field trip of all time was going to see the “blue man group” in Chicago. The purpose of this field trip was to get inspired for an upcoming project. And it DEFINETLY helped. I remember thinking that this project would be very boring because I didn’t at all have an interest in drumming. However, I realized that drumming performances are much more than tapping a taped box. I was able to include my acting skills and my interest in art, while still meeting the learning targets. Best of all, I came to like drumming a lot more and learned that if you just tweak your projects and make them a bit more creative, it will be a lot of fun. I think that the best field trips are the ones that get us inspired and prepare us for the future.

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Virtual Field Trips: Ideas & Examples With Links

By: Angela Robinson | Updated: August 01, 2022

You found our list of the best virtual field trips .

Virtual field trips are class outings that take place online, via platforms like Zoom, Google Street View or websites. While some of these activities consist of pre-recorded tours and videos, the best options tend to involve live video feed and student interaction with guides. Examples activities include digital walks along The Great Wall of China and a scrollable deep sea dive. These activities are also known as “online field trips” and “digital field trips”.

These adventures are an example of online classroom activities and often include virtual tours .

This articles includes:

• interactive virtual field trips
• virtual field trips for students
• the best virtual field trip ideas
• free virtual field trips for kids
• live virtual field trips

Here is the list!

List of virtual field trip ideas

From virtual cockpit tours to online historical sites to do-it-yourself options, here is a list of ideas for virtual field trips to captivate and educate students.

1. Online Zoo (Behind the Scenes)

A digital zoo tour is one of the best virtual field trips for kids. While virtual trips may not let students see otters float, elephants play, and lions strut up close, a digital tour allows for more intimate behind-the-scenes access.

Your class can get close with the animals and walk paths usually reserved for zookeepers. While you may not be able to fit 30 squirming first graders into a baby animal nursery or an operating room, the guide can easily broadcast from these venues. Also, since the visit takes place entirely online, you can visit a zoo that is otherwise far from you.

Here is a starter list:

• San Antonio Zoo
• San Diego Zoo
• Cincinnati Zoo (self-guided tours, livestream safari and feeding times)

Many other zoos stream live animal webcams that you and your class can watch. You can also contact your local zoo directly to inquire about facilitated virtual tours and school group discounts.

During the online visit, your students can ask questions using the hand raising or chat features in the video conferencing platform. Once your tour concludes, your students can enjoy thematic snacks such as zebra cakes, goldfish, and of course, animal crackers.

Check our more virtual zoo tours .

2. Virtual Safari

When you do a virtual safari, your students can observe lions, elephants and other animals in their natural habitat. Wild Earth offers twice daily live safaris. Since the broadcast occurs on African time, your best bet is to tune in for the sunset safari, which live streams from 9:00am to 12:30pm Eastern Standard Time. The safari broadcasts from several nature reserves and features animals such as lions, leopards, cheetahs, and hyenas. During the tour, viewers can ask park rangers questions. The unscripted nature of the broadcast lends an element of excitement, since animal sightings are always a surprise.

Learn more at Wild Earth .

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3. Under the Sea Visit

Unless you are secretly Miss Frizzle from The Magic Schoolbus, you cannot whisk your class to the bottom of the ocean in a submarine. However, you can lead your students on an online field trip of the ocean.

The Deep Sea by Neal Agarwal shows all sorts of marine life in the ocean. Viewers can scroll deeper into the ocean, discovering the animals that dwell at each depth. For a fun pre-tour exercise, distribute a handout with the names of various species and challenge students to guess at which depth the creature lives. Then, check answers as you plunge further down into the ocean.

Journey to The Deep Sea .

4. Aquarium Webcam Livestream

The Monterey Bay Aquarium hosts live cams for animals, including sea otters, penguins, jellyfish, and sharks. Aquarium employees narrate during feeding time, so for maximum engagement consider tuning in during mealtimes. The aquarium website also offers free online classes for ages ranging from kindergarten to high school, resources for teachers, and crafts and printables.

Dive into the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s live webcams .

5. Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China

Your students can trek the Great Wall of China from the comfort of home. For $15, The China Guide offers a guided tour through high resolution images of the Great Wall of China via Zoom. Your students can also take part in question and answer sessions with an expert and have an interactive experience.

Stroll the Great Wall of China .

6. NASA Commercial Crew Program

Until recently, space wasn’t on the list of field trip destinations. NASA decided to teleport students directly to space camp by curating a virtual field trip that highlights its commercial crew program. Teachers can transmit a series of educational videos onto virtual reality sets to create an immersive experience. The tour guide leads virtual visitors through spaceship crew pits and launching pads while explaining the process of becoming an astronaut. The tour puts a heavy emphasis on STEM education and directs teachers to resources useful for supplementary science and math lessons.

Learn more about NASA’s at-home STEM activities .

7. Disney Parks Digital Tour

Most children dream of the day the teacher announces a field trip to Disney World. While students may not be able to ride teacups or roller coasters during a digital tour of Disney, they can still experience the excitement of the happiest place on earth by touring a high resolution Google Street view of the parks.

Students who have not yet visited Disney can see what the park is like, and those that have visited can point out sites and share stories. You can also include Disney history and lessons on the inspirations behind the attractions to make the tour more educational. Consider serving Disney themed snacks during breaks, and perhaps initiating a singalong during a music lesson. With the money you save on transportation and admission, you could even hire a beloved Disney character to pay the class a visit.

Learn more about Disney Parks Digital Tour .

8. Streaming Broadway Shows

Instead of escorting your students to a Broadway show, summon a Broadway stage to your classroom. Broadway HD has a library of hundreds of productions, including rare and obscure shows. While not in real time, most filmed productions on the site are of live shows. Your students can uncover hard to find productions and learn about American theatre history too. Broadway HD offers a one week free trial, as well as monthly and yearly subscription options.

Watch a Broadway show .

9. Virtual Reality Rainforest Tour

Even if you had the budget to fly your class to the Amazon, a real-life tour would be too risky for a field trip. A virtual tour lets students experience panoramic views of lush rain forests while learning about indigenous communities and conservation efforts. The tour is viewable as an immersive experience via virtual reality devices, or as a 360 degree video on regular devices. By participating in the Under the Canopy tour, students come to understand the importance of the rain forest and its connection to human life as a whole.

Embark on a virtual reality rain forest tour .

10. Computerized Cockpit Tours

Livestream cockpit tours make thrilling virtual field trips for high school students. While airline regulations call for restricted cockpit access, you may be able to find a private pilot willing to give your students a Skype tour of the craft. The pilot might even broadcast a quick flight.

If you cannot find a live guide, then the following organizations provide self-guided tours with pilot-perspective views of various aircraft:

• The Naval Aviation Museum
• Experimental Aircraft Association
• National Museum of the USAF
• Museum of Flight

Or, you could download and run a flight simulator that gives students the chance to navigate and land a virtual plane.

11. Living Rooms Around the World

A living room might seem like an odd choice for a virtual field trip, but a living room located across the globe is as fascinating as any other destination. You can plan a tour of foreign homes so that your students can learn how everyday life differs around the world.

If you know individuals in other countries willing to Zoom with your students, then you can reach out to these acquaintances and coordinate your experience directly. If not, then you can contact a foreign exchange program or local university for help. You can also watch the Life Where I’m From channel on YouTube, though live tours with question and answer sessions are more personal and immersive.

You and your students can also check out Dollar Street for a strong visual map of how people live around the world.

12. Virtual Tour of the Louvre

The Louvre is one of the most famous museums in the world, but many people will never visit in person. By taking your class on a virtual tour of the Louvre, you save airfare and time spent waiting in line.

The Louvre offers high resolution, 360 degree tours of various exhibitions on its website. Your class can explore Egyptian antiquities, classic Italian paintings, and the remains of an underground moat, all without leaving the classroom.

The Louvre site also directs visitors towards a downloadable “VR Mona Lisa” app that provides an up close peek at the famous painting, and other video and at-home experiences.

Visit the Louvre .

13. Online Tour of the British Museum

The British Museum’s online Museum of the World exhibit lets visitors view and sort artifacts based on time period, area of origin, and themes such as religion or trade. Each point on the timeline contains pictures, descriptions, an audio file, and links to related objects.

This format lends itself well to a virtual scavenger hunt . Solving an activity helps students focus and remain more engaged, which results in students learning more from the experience.

Explore the British Museum .

14. Digital Tour of the Van Gogh Museum

While the digital tour of the Van Gogh Museum fails to capture the paintings’ texture, it does offer contextual information on the artist’s most famous images such as Almond Blossom and Self-portrait With Grey Felt Hat . This tour also provides background information about Van Gogh’s life, with several narrative timelines.

Check out the Van Gogh Museum .

15. Google Meets Visit to the Guggenheim

The Guggenheim offers an interactive virtual museum experience. Booking a tour gives your class access to a guide for one hour, and your class will view three to five famous works and participate in an ongoing Q&A session. The museum educator facilitates activities that encourage students to engage with the art. All tours take place via Zoom or Google Meet.

Though the museum gears most tours towards grade school, they also hold separate online tours for university students and adults as well.

Book a Virtual Group Visit to the Guggenheim .

16. Computerized Career Days

Career day is a staple of the school experience. Typically, parents and community professionals visit classrooms to talk to students about various jobs. Online, these professionals can actually take students along on the job. Students can go to work with firefighters, underwater welders, cake decorators, farmers, or any other interesting vocations that do not mind taking the kids along.

Career days can be an ongoing series, with a five to 15-minute tour of a different workplace every session. This approach spreads the fun across a larger span of time by hosting a mini field trip every day, instead of condensing all the excitement into a single afternoon.

You can do online career tests too, or plan a virtual take your child to work day .

17. Remote City Tours

Tour guides in many cities offer a verbal history and visual slideshow via software like Zoom and WebEx. Remote city tours are one of the easiest-to-execute virtual field trip ideas. The guides already mapped the path and prepared the presentation; you only need to book the tour and show up with your class.

The crew here at TeamBuilding recently embarked on a virtual tour of Black Broadway in Washington DC and an online Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh, Scotland. Our team thoroughly enjoyed both tours and learned a lot.

18. Online Historical Sites

Many online field trips focus on learning about history. You and your class can visit significant sites all around the world and learn how these locations shaped modern history.

Here is a short list of historical sites with online experiences:

• The Sistine Chapel
• The Taj Mahal
• Ellis Island
• Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
• Gettysburg Battlefield

There are many other historically significant locations you can visit online.

19. DIY Virtual Field Trips

Some schools give students options to vote on the yearly field trip. Since online field trips use minimal time and resources, every student can design a dream trip. Instead of organizing a virtual trip yourself, you can assign the planning to your students. Every participant can design an itinerary by using Google Tour Creator .

Students may choose to explore areas such as the tombs of pharaohs, or the birth cities of American jazz. Your students will become the tour guides and teach peers about the chosen topic.

Most of these virtual field trips are available to anyone, and are free to access, meaning your students can visit or revisit the sites anytime. To make your activity extra special, seek out guide-led, live, interactive experiences so that your students can hold conversations with an expert. You can also supplement the trip with assignments and fun games.

Next, check out our list of games to play on Zoom, this list of Google Meet games , and this one with online art classes .

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FAQ: Virtual field trips

Here are some of the most common questions and answers about virtual field trips.

What are virtual field trips?

Virtual field trips are learning excursions that happen online through video conferencing software, livestream video, or digital map and photograph platforms. For example, a virtual zoo tour or an online visit to the Great Wall of China.

What are good online field trip ideas?

The best online field trips often revolve around experiences that are off-limits or logistically impossible for in-person visits. To keep students interested, these activities should involve interactive elements such as question and answer sessions, games, and special requests.

How do you do a virtual field trip?

The first step in planning virtual field trips is to decide on your venue and activity. You can choose between self-guided tours or live-guided experiences. Typically, live video and interaction makes for a more compelling visit. Once you choose your trip, pick a day and time for your visit and inform the students. You can plan additional activities like research assignments and presentations to enhance your student’s learning. You can also make the day special by providing themed snacks.

Author: Angela Robinson

Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com. Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

That was so cool!! I am a child and I am making these things for my JK sister. This was really helpful. Thank you!!

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Marketing Coordinator at teambuilding.com.

Angela has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing and worked as a community manager with Yelp to plan events for businesses.

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Field Trip Activities {Free Field Trip Resources}

I have a love/hate relationship with field trips. Some years they are great, and some I just want to sleep for twelve hours after the field trip and never speak of it again (surely I am not the only one, right?).

Field trips can fun and super educational, though. It is nice to take the students out into the “real world,” to expose them to new experiences, and teach them how to be respectful and show manners in a variety of settings. To be honest, I sometimes find it difficult to use a field trip experience to its full potential before and after the field trip (that pacing guide gets me every year). I recently put together some free field trip activities that can be used before and after a field trip and I wanted to share them with you today.

I always like to do a KWL activity about the topic or location of the field trip. A few years ago, we went to a Civil War Battlefield and completed a KWL before the trip. It was a great way to review what we had learned about the Civil War before the trip. The students also brainstormed specific things they wanted to learn about this specific battlefield location. This really helped with the participation during that part of the field trip.

Going over manners and expectation is so important for any field trip. Usually, I find myself giving a quick reminder speech before we get on the bus. However, I think this printable list of things for the students to remember is more efficient than that. Print it out the day before and go over it as a class. Then review it on the day of the field trip.

I also included a Field Trip Reminders printable because I have a hard time remembering to always tell my students to wear comfortable shoes, bring sunscreen, etc. Having this printable helps keep me organized as well.

This next field trip activity is perfect if you are going to a location with an updated website. Using this field trip research printable, have your students go on the website and do some research. This gets them excited about the field trip but also gives them knowledge to really get the most out of the trip.

After a field trip is over, I like to have my students take some time to reflect in writing about the trip. In this set of free field trip printables, I included a narrative prompt for them to describe their day and then a persuasive prompt for them to write about their opinion of the trip.

I also give my students some guidelines with this prompt, such as you must include 3 facts you learned about the topic, or you must describe 2 learning experiences you had. This keeps them from writing only about the “fun” part of the field trips, such as hanging out with their friends on the bus or eating at a park.

This is another pretty simple printable, but it gets the students reflecting on the trip and what they learned. This type of printable is perfect for homework the day of a field trip or to fill that 30 minutes to an hour you have left in the day if you took an almost all day trip. In fact, all these printable could probably fill up a day before and an after a field trip to really maximize on the learning that happened on the trip.

In addition to the printables shown, there is also a tri-fold printable and some templates for a class ABC book that could be completed after a field trip. Click on the image below to download these resources.

I hope these free field trip activities help you and your students get the most out of your field trips. Do you have any go-to activities you do before or after field trips? Let me know in the comments!

Share the Knowledge!

Reader interactions.

January 13, 2016 at 9:39 am

These are great printable for student field trip preparation! If you ever need field ideas for field trips in Georgia, check out http://www.classtrips.com/region-landing/2717/school-field-trips-in-georgia

January 13, 2016 at 12:25 pm

This is a great list, Dana! Thanks for sharing!

January 13, 2016 at 11:37 am

Awesome! This is one of those “why didn’t I think of that” moments. 🙂 Love it! Thanks for sharing!

January 13, 2016 at 2:26 pm

You are very welcome! I have those moments all the time!

January 16, 2016 at 8:42 am

This is perfect!! Thank you so much!

January 17, 2016 at 12:48 pm

You’re welcome! Thanks for stopping by!

February 1, 2017 at 11:25 pm

Hey there, Jennifer I loved this post on field trips. I usually get so caught up with planning the other logistics, I often forget or forfeit these helpful worksheets. And I have to say, I love your site, it’s very similar to mine since we both went with the Modern Blogger Pro design. How did you get yours so pretty?! It’s very nice. 🙂

September 11, 2020 at 7:11 am

Could you add some more detail? This is a very eloquent post nonetheless, so namaste!

https://besvelte.ru/user/JudsonRuggles94/

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Team building experiences are an opportunity to create happier and healthier work environments. A break from the routine offers time to set new goals, share ideas and encourage collaboration. Employees will return to their jobs with new skills, better connections and renewed enthusiasm.

Field Trips can be customized to meet any budget. You pay for any hard costs of the experience, plus a small planning fee for the Field Trip team. The starting price is $30.

we have hundreds of turn-key virtual and in-person experiences ready to execute for your team

Chef Cooking Demonstrations 60-minute cooking demo with a Michelin starred chef. All of the ingredients and a branded company apron will be delivered to each team-member prior to the demo.

Catskill Mountain Retreat 2-night retreat in the Catskill Mountains at a private residence. A survival skills class is taught in the morning and the evening is an open-fire chef dinner under the stars.

From start-ups to titans of industry, we help brands build culture through shared experiences.

our travel specialists have been featured by

Field Trip saved me hundreds of hours of time planning an amazing virtual cooking class with a Michelin starred chef. From ordering groceries for the team to be delivered at home to sendinga custom branded aprons with our logo, they had everything covered. Our team is still talking about the spicy dumpling soup!

One word: Unforgettable. Our team has been remote since February and we used Field Trip to plan a 4-day working experience. They booked the best house, coordinated transportation, had it professionally cleaned, installed high-speed Wi-Fi and the fridge was stocked with food and wine. They also planned a paddleboard session with a guide. Best money spent. Already planning our next Field Trip.

Our hedge fund has been looking for ways to connect with clients and partners in a seamless and fun way. Field Trip helped make that a reality. We are already planning our next client engagement experience.

Loved that they were able to customize a small retreat for our team that is spread out in 3 different cities across the U.S. It was fun, safe and much easier than we thought. Very happy with the experience and would recommend it to clients, friends and anyone looking to connect with their team

Field Trip plans group experiences at unique locations all over the U.S.

/’fēl(d) ,trip/ A field trip is a journey by a group of people to a place away from their normal environment.

Our team collectively has more than 100 years of experiences in the lifestyle business and have an intimate understanding of the culinary, luxury, art, travel, wine, fitness and wellness spaces including media, marketing, partnerships and experiential events. Our team has experience working at American Express, Gilt Group, The Robb Report, Airbnb, Travel + Leisure, Black Tomato, Food & Wine, The Venue Report, Culture Trip, Afar, Architectural Digest and Departures.

Field Trips for Your Music Class

Field trips offer a unique opportunity to enrich the learning experience. From being immersed in sensory activities to being able to see firsthand the places where music happens, a field trip is unforgettable for most kids.

Traditionally, field trips involve traveling to a destination, but this isn’t a requirement. Technological advances have made it possible to tour far-off places that a lack of time and money might otherwise make it impossible to visit.

Whether your music field trips are virtual or take place in the real world, your homeschoolers will find these experiences to be deeply enriching. They bring to life all of the things about which they have been learning in music education. This may mean unlocking even greater knowledge and imagination.

Here are just a few ideas for music field trips for your homeschoolers:

1. Attend a Symphony or Orchestra Performance

If you live close to a city where there is a symphony, orchestra, chamber music performance troupe or other groups, check into getting tickets for you and your kids. Finding matinee concerts on weekends is usually easy or you could choose to take in an evening performance to make the field trip even more momentous for your children.

Many cities also have youth philharmonics or orchestras. It can be especially fun and inspiring for kids to see others who are close to their own age excelling at playing an instrument. Don’t shy away from choral performances as well. Some kids are even more inspired by a beautiful voice and the way that it blends with musical accompaniment.

If you’re fortunate enough to live relatively close to an orchestra, then pay attention to their website. Many of these performance groups periodically present weekday performances for local school groups. They may be welcoming to your homeschooled students joining the group. What a fun opportunity to hear a live music performance with an audience that’s filled with kids!

Many of these programs also have fun and informative question and answer periods to make the field trip even more interesting.

2. Take a Virtual Tour

Is there a music-related destination that you and your students have always wanted to visit? Maybe it’s just too far away to be a realistic field trip, but the good news is that many famous sites now offer virtual tours. This can be a convenient and inexpensive way to get a backstage look at some of the most famous music venues in the world.

Here’s a sample of available virtual tours:

• The Beede Gallery: A one-of-a-kind collection of musical instruments from the Pacific Islands, Africa, Asia and beyond makes this collection informative and unforgettable. It’s a wonderful way to introduce youngsters to how music is made in various countries and cultures;
• New York’s Metropolitan Opera : This world-renowned opera company streams past performances for people around the world to enjoy. Watching even part of one of these performances is a wonderful opportunity to see powerful vocal and instrumental artists in one of the most famous venues on the planet;
• The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow: Plenty of famous artists have enjoyed stellar careers playing in this venue. From the gilded balconies and seats from which the audience enjoys performances, the virtual tour takes viewers on a journey through the costume department and other backstage areas;
• Carnegie Hall, New York City: Located in Manhattan, this prestigious venue has hosted everything from classical music to rock ‘n roll. Go on the virtual tour to explore the Hall’s three auditoriums, learn about its history and watch a fascinating 360-degree view of a performance by the renowned Philadelphia Orchestra;
• Theatro Municipal, Sao Paulo: This opulent venue was built in 1903 in Brazil using materials that were imported from Europe. Get a 360-degree view of the audience, a tour of the backstage areas and see a performance of a Wagner opera by visiting the theater’s website; and
• Burgtheater in Vienna: Europe’s second-oldest theater was originally built in 1741. Bombs and a subsequent fire all-but destroyed the venue during World War II, but it has since been restored to its former glory. As you take the virtual tour, pay particular attention to the intricately painted ceiling, which features some work by a young Gustav Klimt.

These and dozens of other virtual tours are free and easy to access online. If there’s a famous theater, venue or performance troupe to which you think it would be beneficial to introduce your students, visit their website to see what kind of resources they offer.

3. Visit a Factory that Makes Musical Instruments

This won’t be available to everyone, but if you can find a factory or musical instrument maker within a reasonable distance of your home, then it might be a good idea to ask about scheduling a tour.

Here’s just a small sampling of possible tours:

• William S. Haynes Company, Inc. in Acton, Massachusetts, makers of flutes since 1888;
• Tsunami Guitars in Cleveland, Tennessee, makers of solid-body electric guitars;
• Wooden Cross Hardware in Decatur, Indiana, makers of snare drums and drum sets;
• Cunningham Piano Company in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, a piano restoration factory;
• Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in Corona, California, featuring 8,000 square feet of exhibits and much more; and
• Gibson Guitar Factory in Memphis, Tennessee, makers of world-famous guitars.

4. Tour a Local Theater or Other Music Venue

Did you know that many theaters and performance venues provide daytime tours of their auditoriums and backstage facilities? Each tour is a fascinating opportunity for kids and parents to discover how theaters work.

Many of these tours are offered for free or at an impressively reduced rate, especially if the tour is given in the name of education. Going on a tour provides a chance to see the venues in which musicals, concerts, stage plays and dance performances are given on a regular basis.

Frequently, the tour guide is extremely knowledgeable about the inner workings of the theater and the troupes that perform there. Feel free to ask lots of questions. To make the tour even more meaningful, try to attend a performance after the tour.

5. Go to a Musical Theater Performance

If you live relatively close to a metropolitan area, then you may have more opportunities than you realize to attend a musical theater show. Sometimes, these shows are a national touring company for a Broadway show. Other times, these performances are presented by local and regional troupes on a professional, semi-professional or amateur basis.

Any of these shows may be worthwhile. If you’re not sure if this is your kids’ cup of tea, then try a community theater performance where the tickets will be less expensive and the atmosphere may be more casual.

If this goes well, then it may be time to step up to a national touring company that offers plenty of big set changes, special effects and more. It’s an unforgettable experience for any kid!

6. Attend a Ballet or Modern Dance Program

Opportunities to see dance troupes abound in most metropolitan areas. From local to national professional companies, you may discover a wide range of dance styles to explore.

Don’t overlook the recitals of local children’s dance schools as well. Kids love to see performers who are in their age group. Moreover, these offerings tend to be less expensive and shorter in duration, which can be a major plus for children with shorter attention spans.

7. Go to a Recording Studio

You don’t necessarily have to live in Nashville, Los Angeles or New York to tour a recording studio. These facilities can be found in most good-sized cities, and kids may be fascinated to see all of the high-tech equipment that goes into making professional recordings. A highlight on some of these tours is being able to make your own music into the microphone so that you can hear it being played back.

8. Attend a Rehearsal for a Band or Choir

Children can learn a great deal by watching musicians and singers practice their art. Seeing the polished performance is one thing, but it is quite another to watch as artists struggle to get that performance to that point. It’s a wonderful lesson in discipline and the rewards of hard work. Try to attend the performance of the piece that was being rehearsed so that your kids can spot the differences.

9. Tour the Music Program at the Local College or University

If you live fairly close to a college or university that has a music program, then you may want to call someone at the department to see about scheduling a tour for your homeschoolers. Such a tour provides an excellent opportunity to see practice and performance venues, recording studios, libraries and other facilities that all may contribute to music education. For kids who are thinking about studying music in college, this can be a rewarding experience.

10. Take in a Music Festival

From classical music to bluegrass, music festivals are popular events across the country. Some are mega-festivals spread over more than a week with thousands of attendees, but others are quite intimate and feel almost exclusive. While some of these events focus on a single musical instrument or genre, others are quite diverse. A festival can be a relaxed way to introduce your children to new genres and live performances.

Instructors miss a golden opportunity when they neglect to follow up after a music field trip. For one thing, the kids’ minds are primed to learn more about the topic they’ve just spend an entire day seeing close up. Quality post-planning for every trip is the real key to extending and multiplying the learning experience. Here’s a roster of activities you can include in your trip follow up lessons:

Spend time asking each student what they enjoyed about the trip and ask the class to come up with suggestions for the next excursion.

Assign different class members to prepare reports about specific portions of the trip and assemble the final product into a class book to be distributed to students, parents and even trip hosts. Orchestra directors, for example, love receiving such reports from teachers. The document not only makes a nice thank-you gift but lets the hosts know how much a particular visit meant to the entire class. Try to have students work in small groups on the different sections of the report so that everyone has a chance to contribute.

Review any assignments that students completed while on the trip.

Have everyone compose thank-you notes to those who hosted field trip events, like symphony members, museum directors, sound studio managers, and more. This is more than just an exercise in social niceties. You’ll likely discover that many of the hosts reply with open invitations for future events, free concert tickets and other generous offers. Even more, the thank-you note writing teaches children a valuable lesson about networking, a skill they’ll need in their later careers.

If you’ve introduced music education into your homeschool and your kids love it, then maybe it’s time to encourage them to make their own music. At Music Prodigies, we develop accessible music curricula that are suitable for kids. It’s a fun, inventive and interactive way to learn about music, and even parents will find it enjoyable.

After the Trip: Following Up

Allow for at least an hour of classroom time on a day after the trip for pupils to share their experiences and mention anything they discovered that was surprising or unexpected. For example, someone might mention how long the symphony practice sessions are just prior to a big public performance. Kids are always amazed at how much time and dedication it takes to be a symphony orchestra member. In any case, make sure to give students time to bring up anything they want about their perspective of the outing.

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PENNSYLVANIA Field Trips

To help plan JUNE enriching focused activities, field trips or end of the school year celebrations, these June themed celebrations might be a helpful focus. MONTHLY CELEBRATIONS : African-American Music Appreciation. Camping Month. Effective Communication. Great Outdoors. Gun Violence Awareness. Immigrant Heritage. LGBTQ+ Pride. National Pollinators. National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable. National Safety Month. National Zoo and Aquarium. DAY CELEBRATIONS : June 1- National Say Something Nice Day. June 4 - Seaweed Day. June 6-National Yo-Yo Day. June 7 - Daniel Boone Day. June 8 - World Oceans. June 14 - Flag Day. June 16 - World Sea Turtle Day. June 19 - Juneteenth. June 29 - National American Eagle. June 21 - Summer Solstice. June 22 - World Rainforest Day. June 26 - Forgiveness Day. CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below for activity type of field trips to learn about.  

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5 Wits Erie

Explore immersive environments while putting your teamwork to the test at 5 Wits Erie! Be in the middle of the action with interactive challenges and puzzles!

Acrisure Stadium

Tour Acrisure Stadium for the ultimate football experience! Customized tours for youth groups explore behind-the-scenes areas of Acrisure Stadium—a destination for excellence and world-class performances—both on the stage and on the field!

Amish Farm and House

Explore Lancaster’s living heritage in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch Country at The Amish Farm and House is located on a historic property dating to the days of William Penn. Nestled where the hustle and bustle of today’s world touches history; experience a simpler culture.

Awbury Arboretum

Awbury Arboretum combines nature and history through preservation of its historic landscape. Groups will have opportunities to explore environmental education, see animals, and more.

Blue Mountain Resort

Are you ready for Adventure year round. Then it’s time to check out Blue Mountain Resort for its premier ski and snowboard destination, bike trails, three disc golf courses, four high ropes courses, and three outdoor laser tag fields.

Carnegie Science Center

Carnegie Science Center connects people and science through interactive exhibits, fostering curiosity, ideal for enriching field trips with hands-on learning experiences.

Crystal Cave

Visit Crystal Cave—Pennsylvania’s greatest natural wonder! Discovered by William Merkel and John Gehret in 1871, the cave features flowstone, stalactites, stalagmites, aragonite crystals, and more.

Dave and Buster’s Philadelphia

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

Eastern State Penitentiary

Eastern State Penitentiary was once the most famous and expensive prison in the world. Today, Eastern State is a modern ruin and museum that interprets the legacy of American criminal justice reform.

Gettysburg Ghost Tours

Gettysburg Ghost Tours has been providing fun and informative ghost tours that are family friendly, less walking and more talking along one of the most haunted areas of Gettysburg.

Hershey’s Chocolate World

Unwrap your chocolate adventure at Hershey’s Chocolate World in Hershey, PA or Times Square, NY. Sweet & educational experiences will make your trip for your youth group and family – one to remember!

Lahey Family Fun Park

Lahey Family Fun Park offers a complete range of fun for any group. Super Go-Cart Track with fifteen single and 5 double cars, 9 state-of-the-art batting cages, 36 holes of the finest Mini-Golf on 2.5 acres, Bumper Boats on a natural pond and an indoor Arcade.

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

Pennsylvania Museums offer field trips that offer hands-on exhibits, guided tours and guided activities for early childhood through high school grades. Pennsylvania Art Museums , Science Museums , History Museums , Multicultural Museums and Children’s Museums offers educational experiences that support classroom curriculum and scout badge achievement. Beside museums, you can search for other learning experiences at Botanical Gardens, Planetariums, Living History Programs, STEM & STEAM, Planetariums, Farms, Zoos and Aquariums, Theaters and Concerts, Service Learning and more.

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

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

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

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

• ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Find Pennsylvania art museums, theater, dance, and music concert field trips.
• EARLY CHILDHOOD Find Pennsylvania class trips to children’s museums, petting zoos, and kids’ shows.
• HISTORY/SOCIAL STUDIES View Pennsylvania history museums, government & civics, historic sites, living history museums, and multicultural field trip ideas.
• LIFE SKILLS Find Pennsylvania team building field trips, health & safety exhibits, and character education experiences.
• SCIENCE & NATURE Find Pennsylvania aquariums, botanical gardens, environmental studies & nature centers, farms & mazes, planetariums, science museums, STEAM & STEM field trips, dinosaur exhibits, and zoos.
• RECREATION Find Pennsylvania field trip ideas for adventure parks, ropes courses, ziplines, boat excursions, amusement parks, waterparks, kayaking, rafting, tubing, laser tag paintball, roller skating rinks, ice-skating rinks, mini-golf attractions, indoor amusement & recreation centers, and outdoor amusement & recreation centers.

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

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Book a field trip at blackberry farm.

Blackberry Farm is a living history museum where pioneer life is re-created through educational demonstrations and hands-on fun. Our educational experiences complement classroom curriculum for grades Pre-K and up. Topics and hands-on activities align with Illinois State Standards. Below are the different field trips to review when deciding which field trip would best for your group.

• Self-Guided Field Trips (May - Sept.)
• Guided Field Trips (Sept. - Oct.)
• How to Book Your Field Trip

Self-Guided Field Trips (May – September)

Self-Guided field trips are offered May-September. Self Guided field trips allow students to explore educational exhibits and demonstrations in addition to all of Blackberry Farm’s rides and activities. For more information about Blackberry Farm’s historical sites and attractions please visit our Plan Your Visit page.

May : Monday-Friday, 9:30am-2pm June-August : Monday-Friday, 9:30am-3:30pm September : Friday, 9:30am-3:30pm

Illinois State Standard: 15.C.1a, 15.C.1b, 18.B.1a, 16.A.1c, 16.A.1b, 16.A.2c, 16.B.2d, 16.C.2c, 16.E.2a

Field Trip reservations cannot be scheduled on Free Museum Days (2024 Dates: June 5, 19; July 3, 17, 31, August 14)

Guided Field Trips (September & October)

Guided field trips are offered September & October. Field trips are 2 hours in length and have a minimum of 25 students and a maximum of 100 students. Please Note: Blackberry Farm is closed to the public during guided field trips. Only the sites involved with the field trip will be open during the visit.

September : Monday – Thursday, 9:30 or 10 a.m. October : Monday-Friday, 9:30 or 10 a.m.

Apple Hayride (Pre-K to Grade 2):

Take a tractor-driven hayride to the farm’s own apple orchard, learn about the legend of Johnny Appleseed, see and use an antique apple press and sample some tasty apple treats.

Illinois State Standards: 15.C.1a, 15.C.1b, 18.A.1, 17.C.1a, 17.C.1b, 16.A.1A, 16.A.1b, 16.A.1c, 16.B.1

Pioneer Exploration (Grades 1 to 2):

Step into the life of a child from the 1800s. Students will receive a lesson in our One-room Schoolhouse, try their hand at daily chores at the Pioneer Cabin, visit with the weaver for a hands-on experience working with wool and learn about animals at the Discovery Barn.

Illinois State Standards: 15.C.1a, 15.C.1b, 18.A.1, 18.B.1a,18.C.1, 17.C.1a, 17.C.1b, 17.D.2b, 16A.1a, 16.A.1b, 16.A.1c, 16.B.2d, 16.C.2c, 16.D.2B, 16.E.2a

Destination 1800s (Grades 3 to 5):

Through hands-on and interactive activities, students will step back in time to learn why pioneers chose to move to Illinois and how they survived. Explore the Pioneer Cabin, Blacksmith Shop, Print Shop and Weaver’s Cabin.

Illinois State Standards: 15.C.1a, 15.C.1b, 18.A.2, 18.B.1a, 18.C.1, 18.C.2, 15.C.1a, 17.C.1b, 17.C.2c, 17.D.2b, 16.A.1a, 16.A.1b, 16.A.1c, 16.A.2c, 16.B.2d, 16.C.2c, 16.D.2b, 16.E.2a

One-Room Schoolhouse (Grades 2 to 5):

The One-room Schoolhouse program offers an immersive experience in the life of children of the 1800s. Activities will be led in the most authentic way possible and simulate actual lessons and activities form the days of the One-room Schoolhouse. Maximum number: 30 Students.

Illinois State Standards: 16A.1a, 16.A.1b, 16.A.1c, 16.B.2d

Please follow the link below for the required request form you will need to fill out in order to book your field trip.

Self-Guided Field Trip Form

Guided Field Trip Form

• Download the appropriate form for your field trip type, fill out all fields, and email it to [email protected] .
• A Blackberry Farm staff member will respond to your request within 48 hours. Blackberry Farm takes all inquiries on a first-come, first-served basis, and your submission will be responded to in the order in which it was received.
• Once your field trip has been officially booked a confirmation email will be sent including all of your field trip details.

Still unsure which field trip would best fit your group needs? Have additional questions for our staff? We’re here to help. Fill out the form below and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Dont be scared to NOT use a guide. My experience. - Moscow Forum

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Dont be scared to NOT use a guide. My experience.

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Why do I have this déjà vu feeling? :)

http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g298507-i707-k3950961-Tour_guide_needed_My_2_cents-St_Petersburg_North_West_Russia.html

mtek... maybe you should post a similar thread to share your experiences... russia is still a bit off the tourist radar... the metro ladies were amazingly 'stern'... but most folks generally say they dont speak english when asked as they wish to avoid embarassment as there english is patchy... but they do understand what you say and the english spoken was much better than i had anticipated...

This topic has been closed to new posts due to inactivity.

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Moscow Hotels and Places to Stay

• Where can I get initial answers to ANY question?