200+ Homeschool Field Trip Ideas
One of the joys of homeschool is the ability to do so much experience-based learning. Today I’m sharing 200+ field trip ideas to get your kids out of the house and learning new and exciting things.
Sometimes it can be a little overwhelming to figure out where to start. But, my recommendation is just to start with something your family enjoys.
Next, look at what you are currently studying and see if you can find a field trip off of this list that goes along with what your kids are already learning.
What is a field trip for education?
Field trips are simply trips intended for kids to have an experience outside of the normal homeschool or classroom setting. A lot to times, these trips are aligned with unit studies or related to the curriculum.
Field trips also serve the purpose for fostering of life skills, art appreciation, outdoor education, holiday celebrations, community service, career building, or just plain fun.
What should a student bring to a field trip?
You can make this as simple or as detailed as you prefer. Some ideas for packing for a homeschool field trip might include:
- Notebooks/pencils
- Water bottle
- Camera
- Lunch
- Walking stick (if applicable)
- Change of clothes
- List of questions
- First aid kit
- Spending money
How should students prepare for a field trip?
To make the most out of your homeschool field trip and work to build a little excitement or anticipation, here are a few suggestions of ways you can prepare.
- Research the place you are going
- Do additional reading on your location
- Come up with questions you might have
- Discuss the benefits of this field trip
- Pack necessary items
- Come up with a schedule of events
- Make students aware of any goals or expectations
200+ Homeschool Field Trip Ideas
Here is a list of 200+ homeschool field trip ideas! To organize this list, I’ve broken it up into the following categories: outdoor, historical, science, fine arts, community, career, volunteer, preschool, Christmas, and fun. I hope you enjoy!
Outdoor homeschool field trip ideas
Outdoor field trips are perfect for nature study, mental health, family fun, or just getting the kids outside for some exercise and fresh air.
- Beach visit
- River rafting
- Berry picking
- Kayaking
- White water rafting
- Geocaching
- Organized bike ride
- Botanical gardens
- State Parks
- Local lakes
- Cave Tours
- Lighthouse
- Tulip field
- Cherry blossom tour
- Rodeo
- Skiing
- Snowboarding
- Boat ride
- Paddle boating
- Hot air balloon
- Farmer’s market
- Fishing
- Canoeing
- Kite flying
- Camping
- Sledding
- Tubing
- Horse drawn carriage ride
Historical Homeschool Field Trip Ideas
Field trips for history are a wonderful way to bring the past to life! Try visiting a setting where one of your stories took place or tour a house of a famous historical figure. Let kids experience the way things used to be and they will really begin to develop a new appreciation for history.
- Historical houses
- Ancient ruins
- Local cemetery
- Historical forts
- World history museum
- Historical monuments
- Settings from books you’ve read
- Ethnic history museum (on cultures/countries)
- Historical sites
- Ancient art collection museum
- Battlefields
- Historical reenactment
- Old schoolhouse
- Bible history museum
- Bible walk-through
- Archeological site
- Presidential birth places
- Walk a historic trail
- Ghost town
- Mansions or castles
- Pioneer days
- Living history sites
Science Homeschool Field Trip Ideas
Kids are naturally intrigued with nature. Animals, plants, stars, energy, water–all these things are exciting for kids to explore. Science discoveries are limitless! Foster your kid’s curiosity in this area, and they will experience the wonder of God’s world their whole lives!
- Zoo
- Bird watching
- Wildlife preserve
- Arboretum
- Exotic animal reserve
- Wildlife rehabilitation center
- Aquarium
- Community garden
- Greenhouse
- Planetarium
- Butterfly garden
- Fish hatchery
- Cattle ranch
- Turkey farm
- Apiary
- Dairy farm
- Tap for maple syrup
- Goat farm
- Raptor center
- Sculpture garden
- Water/energy dam
- Observatory
- Space center
- Air show
- Whale watching
Fine Arts Homeschool Field Trip Ideas
As a former music teacher, let me encourage you to give your kids experiences in the arts! Not only should your kids be given the opportunity to produce art, but take the time to teach your kids how to appreciate and enjoy the beauty that art, music, and dance can bring to their life.
- College orchestra concert
- Children’s theatre
- Symphonies
- An Opera
- High school plays
- Art gallery
- Watch glass blowing
- Holiday performance
- Music festival
- Craft fair
- Paint pottery
- Music store
- Basket weaving class
- Acting workshop
- Instrument workshop
- Dance performances
- Street performances
- Live paint
Community Field Trip Ideas
Community field trips are designed to teach kids about community. What it means. What it looks like. And who are the people that make up their community. Let them experience the joy of the elderly, the plight of the homeless, those who serve, those with different ways of living, how our systems function, and even those who need our help.
- Nursing home
- Walk downtown
- Local humane society
- City hall
- Courthouse
- Animal rescue center
- Animal shelter
- Amish communities
- Food bank
- Salvation army
- Red cross
- YMCA
- Observe a trial
- Laundromat
- Homeless shelter
- Soup kitchen
- Children’s hospital
Career Homeschool Field Trip ideas
Career homeschool trips are fantastic ways to let kids really see what a particular job entails. It also gives them a better idea of college and career choices down the road. You could go to an establishment OR have someone you know take them around to their job for a day.
- Hair salon
- Church tour
- Local bakery
- Train station
- Dog groomer
- Recording studio
- Creamery
- Wood working
- Other food factory
- Book store
- Lumber mill
- Veterinary office
- Black smith
- Paper mill
- Photography studio
- Recycling center
- College campus
- Pet store
- Post office
- Newspaper station
- Radio station
- Water treatment plant
Volunteer Field Trip Ideas
Volunteer field trips are when you go somewhere with a purpose to help or serve others. These are wonderful learning experiences that often foster character traits such as empathy, work ethic, humility, and generosity.
- Pull weeds around a school or business
- Pack and stack boxes for a manufacturing facility
- Local farm clean up
- Roadside clean up
- Read with younger children
- Tutor someone
- Restoration projects
- Church ministry
- Sorting for food bank
- Puzzles or crafts with the elderly
- Neighborhood clean up
- Library help
- Serve food
- Donation sorting
- Car washes
- Babysitting
- Watering nursery plants
- Laying mulch
- Delivering meals
- Yard work
Preschool Homeschool Field Trip Ideas
Here are a few preschool homeschool field trip ideas specifically geared toward the younger kids. Keep in mind, this age does well with hand’s on opportunities, and things they can move through fairy quickly.
- Pumpkin patch
- Petting zoo
- Local farm
- Firestation
- Local park
- Animal Shelter
- Reading time at the library
- Library tour
- Apple picking
- Discovery museum
- Police station
Christmas Homeschool Field Trip Ideas
Christmas is a great time to plan a few field trips. In fact, you’ll probably find yourself coming back to your favorites every year! These are also wonderful ways of learning about culture, traditions, history, and the nativity.
- Christmas tree farm
- Holiday play performance
- Live nativity
- Christmas light display
- Holiday market
- Zoo lights
- Choir concert
- Visit Santa
- Candlelight service
- Caroling
Fun Homeschool Field Trip Ideas
Fun homeschool field trips not only build relationships and morale, but you can make them as educational as you want! Go to a colorful candy shop and make it about math, or visit a roller skating rink one afternoon for PE. The opportunities are limitless!
- Put-put golf
- Bumper cars
- Laser tag
- Trampoline park
- Movie theatre
- Amusement park
- Bowling alley
- Local ball games
- Ice skating
- Roller skating rink
- Local swimming pool
- Ice cream parlor
- Candy shop
- Donut shop
- Carnival
- Parade
- Circus
- Corn maze
- Scavenger hunt
- Pizzaria
- Local fair
- Water park
- Taffy shop
- Escape room
- local festivals
- Have a picnic
- Fondue restaurant
- Attend a community event
- Splash pad
Unit and Field Trip Pair Ideas
- Ocean Animals UNIT (Aquarium or beach)
- Farm Animal UNIT (Local farm or petting zoo)
- Interesting Insects UNIT (Apiary or hiking trail)
- Parts of a Rose UNIT (Rose Garden or Historical House)
- Winter Animals UNIT (Zoo or sledding)
Keep reading about homeschool…
- A Quick Guide to the Six Homeschool Styles
- 200+ Top Homeschool Quotes
- Ten Books to Get you Started on Nature Study
- 10 Tips for Having a Productive Homeschool Day
- 12 Time Management Hacks for Homeschool Moms
