Nothing beats a field trip for real life EXPERIENCE and OPPORTUNITY! So many passions start on field trips–whether they’re intentional or just part of living your life.
For learner-led homeschoolers, a field trip is any excursion outside your home. A grocery store visit can be a field trip even if you do nothing, but with a little STRUCTURE, even more doors are opened (see ideas for maximizing your errand potential below).
One of the great things about homeschooling is that you can do as many field trips as you like. Is it easier to stay home and do the same thing everyday? Yes. Is that structure important? Yes. But so is EXPERIENCE and playfulness and spontaneity. Everyone’s happier with an outing!
Homeschool Field Trip Idea List
- Museums
- Tiny community museums
- Art Galleries
- Artist’s Open Studio Spaces
- Factory Tours
- Parks
- Nature Centers
- Boat Rides
- Train Rides
- Festivals
- Conventions
- Concerts
- Library Events
- Farms
- Historic Sites
- Zoos and petting zoos
- Drive-through safaris
- Plane watching at a small airport or near a big one
- Churches and Cathedrals
- Any place of worship, especially if they offer tours or open house
- Amusement parks
- Gyms and sports centers
- Pools
- Beaches
- Fire stations
- Different/new kinds of public transportation
- Cemeteries
Consider the offerings of:
- Local (stage) theaters
- Community Education/Parks & Rec
- Library message boards
- Homeschool/parenting groups
- The workplaces of your friends and family
- Any place that reflects your learner’s interests: Call and explain the situation, ask if a little tour could be arranged.
Easy Homeschool Field Trips
Places that don’t seem like field trips but can be!
- Grocery store
Try giving your 5-12 year old a list of things to find and either setting them free in the store or walking with you.
Let them make a list from a recipe they like and guess how much the ingredients will cost.
Give your learner a certain amount of money to purchase ingredients for a meal or snack. - Any store!
Let them direct your steps and each of you ask the other one question about something you see in each aisle.
Have your learner help identify a purchase for a friend or family member’s birthday gift.
Visit an unusual, niche store: a rock shop, a used record shop, an antiques store, a bead shop, auto store.
Costume shopping at Goodwill/thrift. - Friend or neighbor’s house
Prepare a game or celebration in advance.
Go on a scavenger hunt at each other’s house.
Ask questions about a piece of art or photograph on their walls. - Local library
Wander around all the sections.
Spy on the librarians.
Hide happy notes in books for patrons or librarians to find. - Walking around a city
Endless opportunities for wonder, discovery, and connection. - Walking in your local park
Endless opportunities for wonder, discovery, and connection. - Trying a new park
- Driving tour of your city at night
- Turn-by-turn Adventure Drive: kids take turns choosing which way to turn at each intersection, see where you end up! (Great way for little wees to learn left and right.)
