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12 Amazing Field Trips Every Idahoan Took As A Kid (And Should Retake Now)

Super-rad musician, scholar, photographer, and traveler. The Mountain West and larger PNW = home, but can be found wherever there's adventure.

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As just about any kid will tell you, the best days of the schoolyear are field trip days – a distant second would be the occasional movie day (even those monotone documentaries were better than endless worksheets!) Whether to the zoo, the local museum, or to somewhere a little more exotic, getting out and learning a few new tidbits while seeing old sights is always worth it! But, I’ll let you in on a little secret… you don’t have to be eight years old to take a field trip or enjoy your state from a new perspective. In fact, if you cast your adult-hat aside and step back into childhood for a day, you might just find yourself caught up in awe of our historic and diverse state. Take the time to explore all those places you explored as a child, and you might just be surprised at how little (or much) things have changed. For a day of fun reliving your childhood rediscovering the joy of discovery, here are 12 places you’ve probably already visited, but should definitely take a second look at:

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Ah, nostalgia! Where was your favorite field trip as a child? Let us know!

What other epic things are there to do in Idaho during the summer?

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Plan a field trip to Discovery Place Nature and explore the flora and fauna of the Carolinas in a hands-on, immersive environment. Featuring live animals and native plant life, the Museum helps students develop a sense of wonder and appreciation for the natural world.

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40 Amazing Educational Virtual Field Trips

No permission slips needed.

Virtual field trips are a game changer. Not only do they fill in for real field trips when budgets and other roadblocks prevent in-person options, but virtual field trips also open doors to educational experiences all over the country and the world, both past and present. No fundraising or permission slips required!

(Note: For anyone who needs it, YouTube offers a closed-captioning option. Just click the CC button in the bottom right-hand corner.)

1. Amazon Career Tours

Amazon Career Tours are free virtual field trips that inspire students to pursue careers of the future. Tour whenever, wherever on Kahoot! Each tour comes with a Teacher Toolkit that includes a facilitation guide and student worksheets.

• (New!) Amazon Music: Careers Behind the Beats : From studio to streaming, check out how computer science and amazing professionals make listening to your favorite songs possible.
• Amazon Fulfillment Center Tour : Explore how packages get delivered at lightning speed and how computer science, engineering, and real people work together to make the magic happen. 
• Data Center Tour 1: Uncovering Cloud Computing : Do students know what “the cloud” actually is? Find out how we went from renting movies at the store to streaming them from anywhere at any time.
• Data Center Tour 2: Keeping Data Safe and Sustainable : Discover the infrastructure that keeps your information safe and sustainable while diving into data careers of the future.
• Space Innovation Tour : Students will learn about the amazing technology on board the Orion spacecraft in NASA’s Artemis I flight test and hear from the engineers who made it all possible.

There are so many amazing online options when it comes to zoos that we couldn’t narrow it down to just one. Most zoos have live webcams in some of their most popular exhibits, such as the KC Zoo Polar Bear Cam and the Giant Panda Cam at Smithsonian’s National Zoo . However, some zoos offer a more in-depth look. You’ll definitely want to check out the San Diego Zoo as their site for kids includes behind-the-scenes videos and stories, as well as a variety of printable activities and online games. Check out our full list of virtual zoo goodness.

3. The Aquarium

It’s a similar story with aquariums. You have your pick of live webcams, but our favorites are the Georgia Aquarium’s Ocean Voyager webcam (wait for the whale shark!) and the “Jelly Cam” at Monterey Bay Aquarium (so soothing). The Seattle Aquarium even has a 30-minute video tour . Want more under-the-sea fun? Here’s our ultimate list of virtual aquarium field trips.

4. The Farm

The classic preschool field trip goes online! You can have your pick of dairy farm field trips, but we like this one from the Dairy Alliance  and this one from Stonyfield Organic . Farm Food 360 gives students the opportunity to immerse themselves in Canadian farm and food tours—from raising pigs to making milk and cheese. We’re also loving these virtual egg farm field trips from the American Egg Board.

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5. An Art Museum

We found 20 art museums with virtual tours , including the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s # MetKids and its awesome Where’s Waldo? setup. And you can’t miss the world-famous Louvre in Paris (no passport needed!). Check out the current virtual tours: Traveling Materials and Objects, the Advent of the Artist, the Body in Movement, and Founding Myths: From Hercules to Darth Vader!

6. A National Park

From webcams at Hawaii volcanoes to a virtual run along the rim of the Grand Canyon , you have tons of options here. Our top pick would have to be Yellowstone. The interactive maps are a great way to see the Mammoth Hot Springs and Mud Volcano, but we think kids will be psyched about the Old Faithful Geyser livestream and the opportunity to make their own predictions for its next eruption . Check out everything the National Park Service has to offer virtually.

7. A Planetarium

Through Stellarium Web , kids can explore over 60,000 stars, locate planets, and watch sunrises and solar eclipses. If you enter your location, you can see all the constellations that are visible in the night sky in your corner of the world.

8. A Recycling Center

Take your students on a virtual field trip of a recycling center and a modern landfill . Plus, there’s a full-on curriculum that includes lesson plans, take-home handouts, and more.

9. Slime in Space

Nickelodeon teamed up with two astronauts on the International Space Station to demonstrate how slime reacts to microgravity and had kids reproduce those same demonstrations back here on Earth. It makes for an amazing 15-minute virtual field trip .

10. Nature Lab

The Nature Conservancy has a brand-new virtual field trip entitled “You’re the Scientist! Citizen Science, Frogs & Cicadas.” Check out their full library of videos on topics like climate change and water security.

11. Discovery Education

Discovery Education hosts a variety of virtual events —each with a companion guide with hands-on learning activities. Current offerings include “Making a New Life: The Courage of a Refugee” and “The Future Is Now” (architectural and engineering innovations). Stay tuned for their upcoming civics virtual field trip, “The American Ideal.”

12. The Great Lakes

This virtual field trip from Great Lakes Now has three components: coastal wetlands, algae, and lake sturgeon. Each video is a quick five minutes long.

13. The Strong National Museum of Play

Explore online exhibits and discover the history and evolution of play. Check out board games that changed play, sports video games that shaped digital play, and the making of Monopoly to name a few.

14. U.S. Census Bureau

Kids can learn about the most recent Census and how census data is collected and used. This virtual field trip also features interviews with subject matter experts and an interactive challenge.

15. National Constitution Center

The “Museum of We the People,” the Constitution Center serves as a “headquarters for civic education.” Check out the Interactive Constitution section , and be sure to watch the virtual tour .

16. The Johnson Space Center

Houston, we have a virtual field trip. Three, actually. All with companion educator guides. The star of the show is the behind-the-scenes tour of the Johnson Space Center .

17. Birthplace of Music

Boise State put together this fully interactive virtual field trip with text, photos, audio, and video about the history of music. The four featured music locations are: Vienna, Austria; New Orleans, Louisiana; Cleveland, Ohio; and Bristol, Tennessee-Virginia.

18. Colonial Williamsburg

This living-history museum provides a look into life in an early American community. The website offers five different webcams featuring areas such as the tavern and the armory.

19. Mount Vernon

This virtual experience of George Washington’s home is incredibly well done. Enter the different buildings—from the opulent mansion to the chilling slave quarters—and click on different items for video and text explanations.

20. Mount Rushmore

This virtual tour comes with a real tour guide! Blaine Kortemeyer is the Assistant Chief of Interpretation and Education, who lends his expertise on the building of this national monument. The 3D Explorer is also an excellent tool.

21. The Manhattan Project

Take a visit to the National WWII Museum for “a cross-country virtual expedition to discover the science, sites, and stories of the creation of the atomic bomb.” Don’t forget to download the classroom guide!

22. The White House

For a look inside the iconic building, check out the 360° tour of some of the most historic rooms of the People’s House, from the Situation Room to the Oval Office. Examine each room and check out the contents up close.

23. The Smithsonian

The National Museum of Natural History’s virtual experiences are self-guided, room-by-room tours of permanent, current, and past exhibits. Be sure to send kids to the second floor Bone Hall so they can take a look at all different kinds of skeletons.

24. Google Arts & Culture

A collaboration with over 1,200 leading museums and archives, Google Arts & Culture is an incredible storehouse of monumental works of art. We recommend the Street View and Play sections.

25. 360 Cities

Boasting the world’s largest collection of 360° image videos, 360 Cities provides kids with the opportunity to see stunning panoramas across the globe, including their video of the ice floe on the Vistula River in Poland.

26. Buckingham Palace

It’s the official residence of the Queen of England, and boy, is it opulent! Get a peek inside the gorgeous Grand Staircase, White Drawing Room, Throne Room, and Blue Drawing Room.

27. The Great Wall of China

See one of the wonders of the world with this amazing, thousands-year-old fortification system known the world over. This virtual tour has four scenes available (you have to pay to get access to all 14). The bird’s-eye view of Mutianyu pass is a highlight.

28. Easter Island

Most of us recognize the giant stone statues of Easter Island, but what’s the story behind them? Nova’s online adventure “Secrets of Easter Island” delves into the mystery with a virtual tour.

29. Son Doong Cave

National Geographic lets you explore the world’s largest cave, located in Vietnam. Use the interactive map to enjoy the fully immersive experience (sound on!).

30. Ancient Egypt

You don’t need a time machine! Discovering Ancient Egypt has a ton of free resources, but it’s the interactive pyramid map and 3D temple reconstructions that really give it a field trip feel.

31. Back Through Time

Virtually visit Turn Back the Clock , a museum exhibit that ran for two years at the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago. Through compelling personal stories, innovative interactive media, and pop culture artifacts, the exhibit takes guests through seven decades of history—from the dawn of the nuclear age to significant policy questions our leaders face today.

No, really! You can absolutely “go” to the red planet. With Access Mars , you can see the actual surface of Mars, recorded by NASA’s Curiosity rover. Trust us—don’t skip the intro. And if your kids liked that, check out this 4K tour of the moon . These may go down in history as some of the best virtual field trips your students get to experience.

33. The Battleship New Jersey

Take a virtual tour of this historical battleship located on the Camden waterfront. This battleship has traveled more miles than any other!

34. The Vatican

No need to travel to Rome! Take in the amazing art and architecture located in the Vatican Museums with these 360-degree views.

35. Space Center Houston

Download the app and climb aboard the virtual tram line! Take a virtual walk through the Space Center Houston with informational stops along the way.

36. The Louvre

Virtually visit museum rooms in the famous Louvre located in Paris. Even check out The Louvre kids’ site for student-friendly galleries and stories. You can’t visit The Louvre without seeing the Mona Lisa , so check out their immersive Mona Lisa experience available in the app store.

37. Ellis Island

This interactive tour of Ellis Island lets students explore places like the Baggage Room and the Stairs of Separation through short stories, historical photographs, videos, and audio clips. Students can also hear the stories of real kids who recently immigrated to the United States, explore colorful charts and graphs with immigration data, and watch a 30-minute movie that includes a Q&A with National Park Service Rangers who explain what coming to America was like for many immigrants.

38. Plimoth Patuxet Museums

Travel back to the 17th century with options for free, on-demand, digital resources or a live, 1-hour virtual school program led by a Plimoth Patuxet Contemporary Indigenous Museum Educator. Students explore Wampanoag daily life and history; discover the real history of Thanksgiving and the legend behind it; meet a 17th-century Pilgrim; get an interactive sneak peak into 17th-century wardrobes; and learn about simple machines and water power at the Plimoth Grist Mill. There are also options for virtual hands-on history workshops, including Wampanoag Pottery and Write Like a Pilgrim.

39. Children’s Museum Houston

When you can’t visit the museum in person, 3D virtual field trips to the Children’s Museum Houston are the next best thing. All videos are produced and curated by museum educators and feature hands-on activities that can be done in the classroom. Topics include nutrition, math, states of matter, forces and properties of water, and more.

40. Museum of the American Revolution

Beyond the Battle Field is a virtual field trip for grades 2-8 hosted by Lauren Tarshis, author of the I Survived historical-fiction series for kids. Students will meet a museum educator as well as the museum curator, and explore artifacts and documents from the American Revolution. Plus they’ll hear the stories of teens who served during the war. There’s also a Classroom Kit available with a vocabulary list and discussion questions by grade level.

If you liked this roundup of the best virtual field trips and want more resources like this, be sure to  subscribe to our newsletters.

Plus, check out the best field trip ideas for every age and interest (virtual options too) ..

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Check Out This Amazing Nickelodeon Slime in Space Virtual Field Trip

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Charlotte Field Trips

The FieldTripDirectory.com is a resource for field trips for students, camp groups, homeschool groups and scout troops for day field trips, overnight field trips and youth retreats. Learn about North Carolina’s museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, nature centers, historic sites, amusement parks, recreation, performing arts and more in Charlotte. CLICK on the ACTIVITY FILTER below to learn about these types of field trips.

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Bechtler Museum of Modern Art

The Bechtler Museum of Modern Art features a collection of modern and abstract art including paintings, sculpture, and drawings work by artists such as Giacometti, Warhol, and Le Corbusier.

Historic Rosedale Plantation

Explore 200 years of history at Historic Rosedale Plantation with exciting programs and special tours for students, scouts, homeschoolers, and campers.

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens

UNC Charlotte Botanical Gardens is a university botanical garden that strives to encourage appreciation and knowledge of plant life for educational, environmental, and decorative purposes.

Billy Graham Library

The Billy Graham Library is dedicated to religious leader Billy Graham. Discover the history of his career through interactive kiosks, and stroll through the Memorial Prayer Garden.

Carolinas Aviation Museum

On display at the Carolinas Aviation Museum are civil and commercial aircraft, the 1903 Wright Flyer, and military aircraft dating back to World War I. The museum, located parallel to the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, allows students to learn STEM concepts in relation to aviation. 

Charlotte Ballet

Charlotte Ballet’s programming engages students, teachers and the community in a range of artistic activities that explore dance as an art form.

Charlotte Museum of History

The Charlotte Museum of History seeks to interpret the history of the Charlotte/Mecklenburg region. Groups can learn about the historic neighborhoods, culture, artifacts, and geography of the region.

Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture

The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture at Levine Center for the Arts is a community epicenter for music, dance, theater, visual art, film, arts education programs, literature and community outreach.

Mint Museum

The Mint Museum’s broad collection features American art, decorative arts, sculpture, modern and contemporary art, and ancient American art. At the Mint Museum, groups will learn how art impacts culture and explore techniques artists use to tell a story.

Wells Fargo History Museum

Wells Fargo History Museum in Uptown Charlotte features interactive displays tracing the history of Wells Fargo bank and gold mining in North Carolina.

Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary

Groups will enjoy a day with nature as they tour Wing Haven Gardens & Bird Sanctuary and learn about the birds and other small animals that live there. They’ll hear a story, and learn about the garden’s role as a bird habitat.

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 Charlotte—early childhood through college. Search for class trips in Charlotte 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 Charlotte art museums, theater, dance, and music concert field trips.
• EARLY CHILDHOOD Find Charlotte class trips to children’s museums, petting zoos, and kids’ shows.
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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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Field trips are a great way to reboot a bad homeschooling week, get out of the house when everyone has cabin fever, and learn about your local area. Before heading out, check out Jeanne's  tips for improving homeschool field trips .

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55 Simple and Memorable Field Trip Ideas

We all know that field trips are fun- we have all been there. But when you are on the side that you have to plan them, it becomes a bit less fun, and a lot more stressful. It does not really need to be, though, because there are so many fun things out there that your middle schoolers will love to do.

In this article, we will give you 29 excellent field trip ideas. And remember, these are just ideas- there are tons more out there! Get creative!

I don’t know what it is about the zoo, but there is just something about the zoo that makes it one of the best places on earth. And this is true for most ages, not just preschoolers. Running around, finding favorite animals, discovering new ones, and learning more about animals that may be endangered is so fun.

Your middle schoolers will think so, too. Many zoos offer free (or at least discounted) admission for field trips, as long as they’re booked in advance. ( Source )

2. Water Park

Visiting a water park is a great way to either say goodbye to warmer weather or to celebrate the return of it. The best thing about many water parks is that they have arcades too, so those who do not like swimming can just try to win the giant plushies and lava lamps that we all envied as children.

3. Art Museum

An art museum is a great way to infuse culture into middle schoolers. Most are old enough to know museum etiquette, and the museum can introduce them to so many different art styles, types of people, and countries. They may come out thinking about art in a completely different way.

4. State and National Parks

If you live by a state or national park, consider yourself incredibly lucky, and then go get in there! This is a great way to expose middle schoolers to nature, and it helps them to love the outdoors if they do not already. State and national parks are beautiful, and they give the perfect opportunity to teach about the importance of taking care of the environment!

5. Movie Theater

You can never go wrong with a movie. All kids like movies. As long as it’s rated G or PG, and you have parental approval, the employees will be ready with popcorn and drinks in excess for your middle schoolers to enjoy.

6. Aquarium

Like the zoo, it is impossible to go wrong with a trip to the aquarium. Many aquariums have rehabilitated animals, which presents a great opportunity to teach about the importance of picking up after ourselves, and not throwing trash in the ocean. It is never too early to help kids become environmentally conscious.

7. Botanical Gardens

Botanical gardens give the wonderful chance to be outside, and it provides a controlled environment to do so. They are beautifully landscaped, and they usually have pretty fountains and waterfalls that provide a really calming atmosphere.

An added bonus: it is easy to reinforce what your middle schoolers have been learning about plants in science classes with what you see!

8. An Actual Theatre

Exposing middle schoolers to the arts should be considered an essential part of their education. And, what’s more, going to plays just makes kids feel mature and important. Maybe it is just because of the way the phrase “going to the theatre” sounds when someone says it with a British accent. If that wasn’t enough, then the fact that education in fine arts is proven to increase students’ self-confidence, self-understanding, communication skills, and cognitive abilities. ( Source )

9. Go on a Hike

This is a good field trip for many reasons. Exercising is an important thing to get in the habit of at a young age, and nature is something that everyone should appreciate. And, as if that was not enough, learning about rocks and rock formations is fascinating, too. This is a great way to combine what you’re teaching in class with what the kids are experiencing in real life.

10. Planetarium

The planetarium is another one of those places that are impossible for someone to not enjoy, even if they are starting to act more and more like a teenager. Besides, middle schoolers will understand the concepts and words used at the planetarium a lot better than elementary schoolers would.

11. Local High School

If there is one thing middle schoolers love, it is that they are going to be in high school soon. Take advantage of that! Take them to high school productions of plays, on tours of the high school they will be going to, and to other high school concerts and athletic events.

12. Local Colleges

While college is still far off for middle schoolers, it’s never too early to give them a good impression of college. Communicate how important a college education can be, and do not forget to mention how fun college life is, either. Get them excited about college before the application process rolls around. The best part about this trip: it’s free!

13. Library

Going to the local library is always a good idea. There is so much to learn (Dewey Decimal System, anybody?), and it is a great way to encourage kids to read. Making this trip coincide with a book report project or readathon might help them to check out books, too!

14. Government Buildings

A government building may be fun to tour. This includes things like the state Capitol building, or maybe even a local government office. There are often tours of the bigger buildings, and these are great opportunities to help students learn more about the government system in our country.

15. Local Festivals

Taking your middle schoolers to local festivals is another great field trip idea. Every town has some sort of interesting festival that they are known for. Take advantage of teaching the kids about the history of their town! Some examples are music festivals, farmers’ markets, local races, and holiday events.

16. Railroad

Local railroads may be hard to come by, but if you are lucky enough to have one in your area, they have tons of history. In addition to this, taking train rides is so much fun. Middle schoolers will love learning about the history of the railroad, taking a ride, and let’s be honest- the concessions on the train will help, too.

17. Local Factories

Going to local factories or businesses is another really great opportunity for middle schoolers. Exposing them to how things work is a great way to help them on the path toward finding out what they want to do in their life. When they see how many types of businesses work, they can better figure out what they like and what they don’t.

18. Amusement Park

Amusement parks are tons of fun. That said, they do require a bit more effort as a field trip. Especially if you are a public school teacher taking 20-30 kids with you, you will need chaperones, permission slips, and plenty of focus, because middle schoolers can wander off.

19. Just a Regular Park

This one is almost effortless, and it is still so much fun. Going to a park, sitting in nature, having a picnic, and then just playing exploring is so good for kids. Getting that time to just relieve stress is key to creating a balanced lifestyle for middle schoolers.

20. Historical Monuments

Historical monuments are there for a reason. They exist to teach us about the people and events that came before us. So why not introduce your middle schoolers to these amazing monuments? They are beautifully built, and being in a historical spot to learn about something that happened before is such a cool experience. What if there is not a monument in your town? There probably is, but if not, a neighboring town will definitely have one.

Caving is such a blast. If you live near a cave, taking middle school students caving would be a fantastic field trip. Before you go, make sure you check the difficulty level of the cave, so that everybody can participate. This is a great way to either introduce or just reinforce what students are learning about rocks, erosion, weathering, and more.

22. Historical Buildings, Homes, or other Sites

This is a great way to learn about specific people that may have had a huge influence on your town, organizations that shaped how your town functioned, or just other historical events that may have caused your town to be built in the first place.

Middle schoolers will love seeing places that appear in books they have read or movies they have seen, and if they are not familiar, they will just enjoy seeing the collection of old things.

23. Local Fire Station

Visiting the local fire station would be a very fun field trip for those who have dreams of being a fireman, but it will also be fun for those who don’t. Kids find it fascinating to learn about the process of it all: seeing the fire station, the fire trucks, and asking the firemen what their typical day looks like is a great way to get them engaged.

24. Local Police Station

It’s the same for the local police station. Not only will kids learn a lot about the government and what police do, but they’ll also learn that they don’t have to be afraid of all police officers. This is a great way to help middle schoolers become more comfortable around police and other emergency personnel. In addition to this, seeing the inside of a police officer’s car is sure to keep middle schoolers occupied: there’s a lot there!

25. Pottery Studio

There are several commercial pottery studios sprinkled around the country that anybody can use. So why not make a field trip out of it? Middle schoolers love working with their hands, and one thing that always makes field trips extra special is a souvenir that they can take home at the end of the day.

26. Fish Hatchery

If you live near a fish hatchery, this would be a really interesting field trip for middle schoolers. It does smell weird, but kids will love seeing the process that they go through in the hatchery. They will get to see a couple of different kinds of fish, and this field trip also gives the added benefit of some outdoor time.

27. Aviation Museum

An aviation museum is another excellent idea for a field trip for middle schoolers. Even if some students are not obsessed with planes and vehicles, the things that one can see at an aviation museum are undeniably fascinating.

Students will get to see several different types of planes, learn about famous pilots and wars, maybe see a rocket, and learn how aviation has changed since it first came into practice.

28. Local Power Plant, Dam, or Locks

This is another information-filled field trip. Though many dams and locks may not have tours, they usually have plenty of signs with blurbs to read that will provide for a lovely, self-guided tour. A lot of power plants will offer tours, though. In these places, middle schoolers will learn so much about modern technology, how things are powered, and more.

29. A Walking Tour of Your Town or City

Obviously, if you live in a big city, this may not be the safest idea, but if you feel you can conduct a safe walking tour of your town or city, do it! Even if they have lived in the town or city for a long time, many middle schoolers may still learn something about the town, and they may find something new to do. Pick a few destinations beforehand so that you can show your students the best-kept secrets of your city.

Remember that these ideas only scratch the surface of possibilities for fun field trips for middle schoolers. Students will appreciate any effort to add variety to their learning, so get creative!

30. Farmers Market

The Farmer’s Market is a great way for students to become involved in the community. Beforehand you can teach them about farming and how important it is to support your local farmers. Then you can take them to the market and let them pick something out or learn about all of the different produce. There are also sometimes animals there that they can pet.

Many communities host Farmer’s markets on Saturdays, so you might need to find out if your local farmer’s market takes place during the week!

31. Animal Shelter

The Animal Shelter is an awesome field trip not only for the kids but for the dogs and cats as well. The animals in animal shelters have often been neglected and abused. All they want is some love, which the kids will gladly give. It may inspire some families to adopt and give the animals a loving home.

32. Recycling Center

Learning about recycling is important. Visiting a Recycling Center might not be the most entertaining for the kids, but they will learn a valuable lesson about the importance of recycling and why we do it. They will also learn how to recycle and what can be reused, from plastic to paper to clothes.

33. A Hospital, Clinic, Dentist’s Office, etc

It is always a great idea to take the children to certain places where they can learn about different professions and what they could be when they grow up. Some kids may be scared of the hospital or doctor, but this way they can learn that doctors and nurses are here to help them.

If you can’t get the hospital to offer a tour, consider a tour of just any local clinic of a medical professional. Perhaps even a parent of a student in the class could offer a tour so that kids can learn about different professions.

Going to the bank may not sound the most fun to elementary school students, but they can learn important information that isn’t being fully taught in schools. Kids can go behind the scenes and possibly get a tour of the vault as well as learn how to write a check and what the purpose of a credit card is.

35. News, TV, or Radio Station

These field trips are fascinating because you can see the behind-the-scenes of the studio that the online viewers or listeners don’t get to see. The children will love to see the cameras and recording equipment, maybe even meet the people that their parents watch on TV every morning. Some kids could decide that this is the career path they want to move towards. The world always needs people to tell stories and report on what’s happening.

36. Local Business

It’s always important to highlight and remember local businesses. Local business owners would love to give back to the community by giving a tour to the students, inspiring them to chase their dreams. You never know which field trip is going to spark interest and help a kid decide what they want to be someday.

37. Restaurant or Bakery

Going to a restaurant or local bakery is something that children will love because they can get a behind-the-scenes tour, as well as some sampling of the food or treats. It will probably end up being one of their favorites since food is involved. Many local businesses will offer tours free of charge. ( Source )

38. Senior Care Facility

Taking the elementary school students to a retirement home is a great opportunity to teach them about the importance of service and learning from their elders. Children can oftentimes be egotistic because their brains aren’t fully developed. Volunteering is a great way to teach them compassion and kindness, and it will make the residents’ day as well.

39. Sporting Game

Sporting games are purely an entertaining field trip, and the students will be very excited. Most areas in the United States have a sports team, but even if you don’t live near a major city, you can find some minor league teams as well. Taking the students to a baseball or soccer game is probably the most common sport for a field trip. ( Source )

40. Theatre

Going to a theatre to see a play is also very exciting and entertaining. Communities almost always have a local theatre putting on a play for all ages to enjoy. You could even take the students to a play at the middle school or high school in the area. Make sure to pick an age-friendly play that they are willing to sit through for a few hours since young kids have a hard time sitting for long periods of time.

Going to the movies is a great indoor winter activity and very exciting for the children. It can get expensive, but there are also oftentimes group rate discounts, especially for schools. Maybe the movie field trip can be at the end of a big test as a reward. Don’t forget to get popcorn!

42. Orchestra

Going to the symphony or orchestra is a very special experience that not every child would normally experience. Classical music is very healthy for the brain. These days, everybody wants to listen to recorded music, but it’s important to instill a love of live music in the newer generations as well.

43. Pumpkin Patch

Fall is always a fun time of the year, and there are so many activities to do! This includes going to the pumpkin patch. Oftentimes, pumpkin patches not only have pumpkins to pick out and carve, but hayrides, mazes, and fun foods to try. My favorite pumpkin patch treats as a kid were apple cider donuts.

Picnics are easy and simple, probably costing zero dollars to the budget. All you have to do is make sure that every student brings a lunch from home and a blanket to sit on. Then all you have to do is take the class outside, set up the blankets, and they can sit with their friends and eat their lunch. Field Trips don’t always have to be big and extravagant.

45. Waterpark

The waterpark could be a great end-of-the-year activity since it needs to be warmer weather to go swimming. This field trip idea would probably need the most organizing, but it will be much worth it when it all comes together and you can celebrate the year together with students, parents, and teachers. This activity is recommended for older elementary school students that know how to swim.

There are endless opportunities for elementary school field trips! These young students are excited and curious about everything. Many of these places are free of charge and are happy to give a tour or experience to the students. Just make sure to plan everything out in advance and find enough chaperones to supervise the kids alongside the teachers. Good Luck! ( Source )

46. Explore a Local Recreation Center

Another great local resource that students can explore is a local recreation center. Finding and understanding available resources in the community is an important skill for kids as they transition to adulthood. A field trip to a recreation center can also emphasize the importance of health and lifelong physical activity to students as they begin to have more control over their lives.

47. Volunteer at a Food Pantry

Field trip education can be about more than just the sciences; giving high school students opportunities to serve in the community can be an important way for young adults to build character.

Many local food pantries would welcome the assistance of a large group of high school students. Taking a field trip day to volunteer at a local food pantry can help students understand more about supply chain management, while simultaneously helping them to build empathy.

48. Visit a Technology Company/Area

Technology is another area experiencing lots of growth. Helping to expose more students to areas like this can help give them direction when they may have none, and can also help fill a societal need.

If possible, arrange for students to take a field trip to a local software company where they can have opportunities to see the background processes of coding, system networks, and other tech phenomena. Showing students something like a server room, or cable management practices could be beneficial as well!

49. Visit the Capitol or Other Government Building

Whether it’s for History class, Political Science, or just to increase students’ social understanding, taking students to visit a capitol building or other government building can be both interesting and thought-provoking. This can be beneficial for all students as citizens, whether they are interested in pursuing education or careers in government or not.

50. Plan a College Visit

With students looking to the future, being able to get them on a university campus can be extremely helpful in guiding them in their decisions. Planning to visit a campus—or multiple campuses—could be a beneficial experience, especially for those on the fence about going.

Many colleges love to welcome high school students for campus visits and tours. Additionally, students may feel more comfortable being able to do a visit with friends and other peers with similar interests. Since Juniors will be thinking about which colleges to apply to, plan these trips preferably during students’ Junior year!

51. Plan a Photography Trip

With the invention of smartphones, and the popularity of Instagram, all students like to be both the photographer and the model. You can provide a field trip for them by taking them somewhere unique to take pictures and teaching them about principles of good photography, like lighting, balance, and the rule of thirds!

Alternatively, you could take them to a studio and allow them to take portraits or shoot other professional pieces, such as jewelry.

52. Plan a Painting Trip

For your more artsy individuals, you could consider planning a day trip to somewhere scenic where they could practice their painting skills. They could practice landscapes, nature scenes, or even portraits in nature.

53. Plan a Geological Trip

Another trip that could be fun is a trip to a location of geological significance. This could be something visual, such as being able to identify different strata on the side of a mountain, or something more tactile, like digging in an area for pieces of archeological or historical significance. It could even be something as simple as comparing rocks and their features depending on the area in which they’re found.

54. Do a Service Project Using Just Serve

We mentioned service in some of the above ideas (food pantry or homeless shelter), but you could also consider planning your own service project! Whether that’s planting trees locally, visiting an old folks’ home to visit with the residents there, or picking up trash.

There’s actually a great free website called Just Serve that allows you to quickly find service project needs for local non-profits. You could probably find something easy.

Allowing students to plan and prepare their own service activity can get them more engaged and help them feel like they can make a difference themselves.

55. Visit an Escape Room — or Any Activity Just for Fun!

Finally, we’d encourage you to be okay with some field trips being just for fun. Let your students go to an escape room, an amusement park, or a pool just for fun. Students need a break sometimes too!

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

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

A hidden gem for families visiting South Africa – The Drakensbergs

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

15 Amazing Educational South African Adventures for Worldschooling Families

Table Mountain – Visiting An African World Wonder With Kids

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

Field Trip to the First National Park: Yellowstone with Kids

The Best Places in the Anton Valley to Explore with Kids

Ecological Adventures with Kids in Mindo Cloud Forest Reserve

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

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

Best Galapagos Tours for Families on Santa Cruz

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

Beautiful Butterflies in Copan Ruinas, Honduras – Mayan Hills Resort

13 Family Adventures in Puerto Vallarta that are Educational and Fun

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

Ancon Hill makes a perfect afternoon adventure in Panama City

“Please, Feed the Wildlife” at Proyecto Asis Wildlife Rescue Center

Visiting Guatemala’s Beautiful Black Sand Beaches

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

Exploring the otherworldly beauty of Jordan’s Wadi Rum

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

3 Amazing Places to Learn about Chocolate in Guatemala

Best Free Activities for Families on San Cristobal Island

10+ Amazing Snorkel Gear Options for Families with Kids

Why Langkawi is one of Malaysia’s Top Island Getaways

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

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

Copan Ruinas With Kids – Best Things To Do

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

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

A City Carved in Stone – Visiting Petra with Kids

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

The New 7 Wonders of the World

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

Stand Where Moses Stood – Visiting Mount Nebo In Jordan

How to Choose an Archeological Field Trip

Finding Adventure at the Lost Sea

Magical Ruins and Wild Horses in Cumberland Island National Seashore

The Best Roman Ruins in Jordan – Visiting Jerash with Kids

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

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

A Good Guide to the Great Pyramid

Best temples near Angkor Wat to visit with kids

Best places to visit as a family in Aswan, Egypt

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

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

5 Beautiful Spanish Ruins to visit in Antigua, Guatemala

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

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

The Desolate Prison Island where Nelson Mandela Spent 18 Years

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! 

17 amazing things to do in Luxor, Egypt

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

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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Ten tips for a successful field trip.

Planning a field trip to a national park near you? Here a 10 quick tips to help you and your students get the most out of your trip:

• Plan everything well in advance. Call to schedule the field trip or request an educational fee waiver, get a confirmation, and make necessary arrangements for school and parental permission and transportation. Plan the educational experiences and activities for the field trip. Know how to get to the field trip site, how long it will take, and where you will have lunch. Bring along any supplies and materials needed for activities that you have planned. Share this with all the teachers and chaperones involved.
• Use pre-visit activities to help prepare the students for the field trip. Make field trip planning a part of in-class learning.
• Develop clear learning objectives and share them! Make sure that the students and other teachers know these objectives.
• Chaperoning is not a spectator sport. Chaperones can be a big help if they understand their role.
• Give everyone nametags. Make sure that even the teachers and chaperones are wearing readable nametags. It also helps to divide large groups into smaller sub-groups before the trip and color code their name tags.
• Keep the students engaged. Encourage the students to participate in the activities but remember you are responsible for their behavior.
• Keep students accountable for learning. A field trip is not a day off from school! Did you accomplish the planned learning objectives?
• Encourage independent observation time. Constructive free time can help make the trip more memorable.
• Bring the experience back home. Use post-visit activities back in the classroom to make the field trip relevant and reinforce concepts.
• Use evaluations and sharing. Improvements can only be made through honest feedback and evaluation.

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13 Field Trips Your Students Actually Want to Go On

Story by lori bremerkamp | photos by bill bowen.

Some of the best memories from grade school are made at field trips. Field trips offer students something they can’t get from lectures or textbook pages — hands-on fun!

Here are some metro Detroit attractions to visit with your students. They’re great places to make memories and, of course, learn something too!

1. Belle Isle Nature Center (Detroit)

Availability : Wednesday, Thursday or Friday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.

Admission : Free

Take a guided hike on the center’s 1/8-mile interpretive nature trail and enjoy both indoor and outdoor animal exhibits. Programs include a fallow deer feeding, a hands-on activity and biofact discovery time.

2. Detroit Historical Museum (Detroit)

Availability : Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 to 2 p.m.

Admission : Varies by program; teachers/chaperones are free

Various tours, programs and workshops, including a facilitated experience that lets students engage, think through and draw conclusions about Detroit’s tumultuous summer of 1967 and a trading game in which students must barter with each other for furs and goods.

3. Detroit Institute of Arts (Detroit)

Availability : Tuesday-Friday at 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.

Admission : Free admission and bus transportation for students in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties

Lead your own visit or let one of the DIA Gallery Teachers guide you. All guided field trips explore art to build skills in creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and active collaborative learning.

4. Michigan Science Center (Detroit)

Availability : Wednesday-Friday (hours vary, also Tuesdays from Oct. 8, 2017, to Jan. 7, 2018)

Admission : Varies by experience you select

Interact with more than 250 hands-on exhibits that explore space, health, physical science, engineering and more. You can also bring the Michigan Science Center to your school through its Traveling Science program!

5. Detroit Zoo (Royal Oak)

Availability : Monday to Friday at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.

Admission : $5 students/teachers/chaperones in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties ($7 for those outside of the tri-county area)

Give your class a dose of Vitamin Z at the Ford Education Center inside the Detroit Zoo . Learn about animal needs, life cycles, conservation efforts, zoo careers and more.

6. Diamond Jack’s River Tours (Detroit)

Availability : Monday-Friday May 1 to Oct. 31 at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.

Admission : $9/person

See 16 miles of the U.S. and Canada Detroit River shoreline, ocean-going and Great Lakes ships, a light house, yacht clubs, the fire boat, parks, ship terminals, a mail boat and much more.

7. Edsel & Eleanor Ford House (Grosse Pointe Shores)

Availability : Year-round

Admission : $5/students, $8/chaperones, teachers are free

Investigate how different groups of people used the property from the time when Native Americans inhabited the area to today, explore the Ford House through a docent-led tour of the home or take a self-guided iPad tour that lets students navigate the historic landscape through the perspective of the Ford Family.

8. Ford Rouge Factory Tour (Dearborn)

Availability : Monday-Saturday from 9:20 a.m. to 3 p.m. (tours depart every 20 minutes, check for closure dates and plant non-production dates)

Admission : $10/student

Experience the action of the real-life factory floor where the new Ford F-150 is made. View today’s sophisticated assembly of cars and trucks by both robots and highly skilled tradesmen.

9. Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation (Dearborn)

Availability : Daily from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Unleash your students’ inquisitiveness and help them understand the history of America’s most powerful innovations. Sit on the very bus where Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat, explore the Allegheny — one of the world’s most powerful steam locomotives — and more.

10. Legoland Discovery Center (Auburn Hills)

Availability : Daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (6 p.m. on Sundays)

Inspire your students’ imaginations with educational play that harnesses the limitless creative possibilities of Lego bricks.

11. The Parade Company Studio Tours (Detroit)

Availability : Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Admission : Special prices for groups available

Venture into ParadeLand and experience a behind-the-scenes look at America’s Thanksgiving Parade presented by Art Van. Learn more about the Parade’s fascinating history, explore the 200,000-square-foot storyland of floats and see how award-winning artisans bring it all to life.

12. Arts & Scraps (Detroit)

Availability : Monday, Wednesday or Friday

Admission : Varies by age and number in group; teachers/chaperones are free

Let your students’ imaginations run wild. They’ll think, create and learn while re-imagining recycled industrial materials. Curriculum themes are available or you can create a customized topic.

13. Cranbrook Institute of Science (Bloomfield Hills)

Availability : Oct. 3, 2017 to June 8, 2018 (hours vary, closed Mondays)

Admission : $12/student; teachers/chaperones are free

More than 80 field trip programs, as well as special and permanent exhibits, planetarium shows and seasonal events. Meet science professionals who are active in their fields and get the opportunity to interact with a unique, world-class collection of objects and artifacts.

Looking for more Detroit field trip ideas? See our list of places to visit in Detroit .

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The ABC’s of Family Field Trips: Tips, Resources & 50+ Ideas for Where to Go

By: Author Jacquie Fisher

Posted on Published: February 11, 2015

Categories Travel Fun

I’m so excited to introduce a new series this week —

The abc’s of family field trips.

This will be a 5 day series covering all kinds of tips and ideas for those fun family outings you want to plan this year. 

I really want to help you get prepared for some great family trips this year by offering resources to help get you ready, along with new ideas for some cool places to visit!

Family field trips are those fun little jaunts or family outings that you take together to places you’d like to explore & enjoy! 

Sometimes they are close to home and other times they require a short journey.  I highly recommend that families try to plan & enjoy a field trip at least once each month — take some time to head out together to explore, discover & connect!

A is for Animals & Agendas

Let’s face it – kids are attracted to animals!   Heck, most adults enjoy watching animals too.  If you have yet to take your child on a field trip or outing, try visiting a place with animals.   Kids can learn so much when they are observing animals and their unexpected behavior.  And kids are usually very engaged when visiting animals.

When you head out on a field trip, have an agenda in mind.  Nothing too formal (unless that’s your style), but some idea of what you hope to do during your visit .  Agendas are especially helpful if you plan to visit a large attraction (say, the zoo) or if you’ll be gone for most of the day and want to ensure that everyone gets to see their favorite things.

Agendas can also help to prepare you for what you should bring – will you need quarters to feed the animals?  How long will you be visiting? (so you can plan how much water/snacks to bring).  Will your visit overlap nap time?  

 One of our new friends on an aquarium visit.

Field Trip Ideas:

Art museums.

If it’s your first visit to an art museum, plan for between 1 – 2 hours.  Choose a few galleries that have different types of art – such as sculpture, ancient items, colorful paintings.  Many art museums have guides for kids or scavenger hunts to do during your visit too.

Find an art museum near you at Artcyclopedia .

Animal Sanctuaries

Most kids will visit a zoo or petting farm, but animal sanctuaries are also a wonderful place to see and learn about animals.

An arboretum (also called a botanical garden) is a place where flowers, trees and plants are grown and studied.  It may sound boring for kids but they can actually be lots of fun!  Our local Arboretum in Kansas City has a children’s garden with chairs made from trees, a vine tunnel, a railroad garden along with geocaching and nature classes for kids.

Check Wikipedia for an extensive list of US Arboretums .

More ‘A’ Places:

Amusement parks ariel lifts/ariel trams arcades, b is for books, backpacks & a bag.

Linking books to your trip is a wonderful way to extend a child’s interest in the trip. 

When we plan an outing (whether it’s for a few hours or a few days), we have the kids each pack a backpack.   They can include items they want to take in the car (or on the plane/train) but they have to carry/roll their own bag.  If they want to bring their blankie, some books and a few toys – it must all fit in the backpack.

Once we reach our destination, whatever we need during that outing is transferred into one bag that comes with us (usually carried by Mom, Dad or the stroller).  So items like water bottles, extra socks, medicines and the like are all in one place.

The kids are happy because they have things they love for the car/plane trip and we don’t have to lug everything around (they know it’s in the car when we return, so we just need to take the essentials with us into the attraction).

You don’t need a bathing suit to explore a beach!

Family Outings:

Stay close to home and explore the wildlife in your own backyard.  The key with a backyard field trip is to pretend that you aren’t allowed in the house.  Plan some games, have lunch and read a few books.  Kids will also enjoy a backyard scavenger hunt !

Boat Cruise

Have you ever taken a lake cruise?  These are usually 1 – 3 hour boat rides on a local river or lake.  Kids will enjoy seeing the captain’s area, learning a little about boats and watching the birds and fish, along with any special sights along the way.

If you live near a river or lake, check to see if they offer a cruise.

See a Ballet

Performances such as The Nutcracker, Cinderella and others based on kids books are very entertaining.  Kids will enjoy both the dancing and the music.

Build sandcastles, explore tidal pools, swim and learn about saltwater – I love beach days!

C is for Car Trips & Cameras

Most family field trips involve a car ride.  Try our suggestions for bringing backpacks for each child ( see B above ) with items to keep them engaged. 

Other enjoyable ways to spend the car ride include : listening to books on tape/CD (check out a few from your local library), playing car games, taking a nap (preferred by most babies and teenagers) or listening to music.

Want more ideas for what to include on the ride?  Check out the Road Trip Fun Folder at Living Life Intentionally and our Pinterest board for Road Trip tips !

And always make sure to grab your camera (digital, camcord or other).  The kids may also want their camera too – and it’s always interesting to see what photos they choose to snap on the trip!   Also make a note to charge the camera or bring extra batteries.

The Carousel Museum offers lots to choose from for a fun ride!

Fun ‘C’ Activities

Carousel museum.

I know you’ve taken the kids for rides on the merry-go-round, but did you know there are also Carousel Museums ??!  They are very cool places (we’ve been to 2 so far).  In addition to having a working carousel, they also host a collection of all types of carousel animals.

Yep, I know it’s a weird one but for kids ages 7+, it’s actually a pretty cool outing.  There’s lots of history on the gravestones. You can do crayon rubbings from some of the headstones and talk about the various statues and architecture. Cemeteries also help us teach life skills – think about it, when else would you teach the kids how to act in a cemetery.  It’s a good skill to have because someday they will probably attend the passing of a relative or friend.  Please remember to discuss being respectful, quiet and don’t visit during a burial. 

Take a cave tour and explore the world underground!  Exploring a cave is called ‘spelunking.  Your kids will be able to tell you the difference between stalagmites and stalactites.  There are caves located throughout the country , some large and some small.  Always bring a jacket as it can be pretty chilly.

Cultural Centers or Museums

Learn about your heritage by visiting a cultural museum.  Some offer exhibits on one specific culture (such as an Irish Heritage Museum) while others offer a peek at a variety of cultures & countries.

Cathedral Tours

Visiting a historic religious building can really inspire awe in children.  Huge and colorful stained glass windows, unbelievably high ceilings, and pillars modeled after Greek architecture.  Older kids will be intrigued by a visit to a basilica or cathedral, especially the history that goes along with most of the buildings.  Many communities built churches as their first structures so chances are you’ll be visiting a building that’s more than 100 years old.

Campgrounds Candy Store Tours

D is for directions & docents.

This is an easy one – don’t forget the directions!   Nothing ruins a trip more than driving around for an hour before you get there ( been there, done that = not fun ).

Docents are those wonderful people that you see at museums, zoos and living history museums who can answer all those tough questions your kids will ask.  Really, they are a wealth of knowledge and love to discuss things with visitors. Most docents have received training in areas related to the attraction you’re visiting.

Hiding out in a peephole at the Omaha Desert Dome

Fun Ideas for Families:

If you live near a desert, it’s a natural wonder to experience!  And if you don’t live close, there are some zoos and arboretums that have desert exhibits.  It’s such a cool ecosystem that kids are sure to have some inquisitive questions — and they’ll probably want to grow a cactus once they get home.

Driving Tour

Spend some fun time in the car (not running errands) – you can go leaf peeping, see holiday lights, or take a driving tour of your town.

Going out for Dessert

This doesn’t mean just run out for ice cream — have a dessert adventure!  Go to a pie store and order 5 kinds of pie for everyone to taste!  Or make it a goal to try a different kind of ice cream each week during the summer.

Drive-in Movies

 Although many are closing, there are still quite a few drive-in movie theaters around the country.  This is something that many of us recall from our childhood (warm summer nights in the car, visits to the concession stand).  What a great way to introduce kids to seeing a movie! 

To help you find a drive-in near you, visit Drive-in Movies for a state-by-state listing .

E is for Explore

One of the best parts about family outings is letting the kids explore. 

Noticing new things, trying a different activity and hearing new words when you talk about your visit are all ways that kids explore places and topics.   Exploring helps to strengthen kids’ curiosity and problem-solving skills so don’t over-schedule your time — allow them to delve into an activity that catches their attention.  

We didn’t plan to swing like monkeys but that’s what they enjoyed the most at this rainforest exhibit!

Exploring ‘E’ Locations

Why not try a new restaurant or cuisine with the kids?!  Exploring a new eatery or trying different foods is always an adventure.  How about dinner with a show at a Japanese steak house?  Or tea at a local Tea Room?  We’re lucky in Kansas City to be able to dine with the dinosaurs at T-Rex restaurant .

Endangered Animals

This visit may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience (although, I certainly hope not)!  Taking kids to see endangered animals not only introduces them to species that need our help but also makes them aware that such a thing exists.  Many children can only understand such a concept when it is discussed and a first-hand visit to see one of these creatures really helps.

We were able to visit the manatees on a recent trip to Florida and it was a wonderful experience.  The kids had no idea that so few of them existed and it was the only time in my life that I’ve ever had the opportunity to see one up close. 

The New York Times wrote a nice article about where to view endangered species.   You can also call your local zoo or animal preserve/nature centers to see if they care for any endangered species too.

Special Events

 There are different types of events (many seasonal) that can be great family outings.  These are attractions such as the circus, Sesame Street Live, Disney on Ice or broadway shows that aren’t a yearly event but something that you might want to consider if you have the money. 

Coming Soon —

 and here’s a sneak peek at what’s coming next in the series:, {part 2}  fun, inspiriation & hands-on ideas, {part 3}   learning, new places & outdoor fun, {part 4}   pretend play, reading, science & tours, {part 5}   universities, volunteering & online field trips, we are also linking to more than 70 outstanding bloggers sharing some amazing ideas for hands-on fun, tips & tricks along with ways to have more fun with the kids , browse some of the great topics below:, mom tips & tricks.

Being a Hands on Mom from hands on : as we grow

Connecting with your Kids from One Perfect Day

Family Field Trips with Kids from Edventures with Kids

Fun Healthy Snacks for Kids from Juggling with Kids

Kids Party Ideas from Mama Pea Pod

Mama Survival from The Dizzy Mom

Organized Home from Mamas Like Me

Printables from Mama Miss

Raising Boys from Boy Mama Teacher Mama

Raising Eco-Friendly Kids from Kitchen Counter Chronicles

Raising Girls from Mess for Less

Raising a Healthy Kid from Living Life Intentionally

Raising a Thinking Child from The Outlaw Mom

Raising Toddlers from Home Learning Journey

Raising a World Citizen from All Done Monkey

Simply Celebrating Holidays as a Family from Inspired by Family Magazine

Teaching Kids about Money from Carrots are Orange

The Family Dinner Table from Connecting Family & Seoul

Trying A New Experience with Your Children from 52 Brand New

Values for Children from True Aim Education

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DIY Dayton field trips the whole family will love

Credit: Dayton.com

Virtual learning doesn’t have to mean staring for hours on end at a computer screen. History, science and art can come alive for students and parents, alike, with a family field trip.

Granted the big yellow school bus won’t roll up in front of your house, but the opportunities for active learning are abundant in the region.

Here are ideas on places to visit for your own self-guided field trip.

History comes alive at Carillon Historical Park. Where else can you see the original Wright Flyer III, climb aboard a train, visit a fully-operational 1930s print shop and experience life as an early-American settler? Not to mention enjoy a milkshake and take a ride on the one-of-a-kind hand-carved Carousel of Dayton Innovation.

“There’s a lot for all ages, something for everyone to enjoy,” said Haylie Schlater Dayton History marketing associate. “And we have the largest collection of Wright Brothers artifacts anywhere.”

Carillon Historical Park celebrates Dayton’s rich heritage of creativity and innovation with more than 30 historic structures and 3 million artifacts on 65 acres. It’s not an exaggeration to say that inventions rooted in the Miami Valley have changed the world. Guests can get a firsthand look at some of those inventions and gain a greater understanding of the impact Daytonians have had by watching an engaging 4-D animatronic presentation.

Visitors can enjoy a self-paced, self-guided tour — spending as much time as they like at each of the exhibits. Costumed interpreters provide an immersive historical experience. Round out the day with a refreshing soda fountain favorite from Culp’s Café.

“And there is a lot of open-air areas for kids to run and explore,” Schlatter said.

Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for visitors 3-17 years old. Children under 3 and Dayton History members are free. For more information, visit www.daytonhistory.org .

Visitors to SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park take a trip back in time 800 years. SunWatch Indian Village — which was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1990 — is an educational center for archaeology and Native American culture, offering exploration indoors and outside.

Start the experience with an introductory film in the indoor theater and then view artifacts and learn about the history of the village and its inhabitants in the Interpretive Center. Explore the reconstructed structures — located in the exact locations of the original buildings — as well as the native garden and prairie.

Admission is $7 for adults and $6 for students 6-17 years old. Children under 6 and Dayton Society of Natural History members are free. For more information, visit www.sunwatch.org .

Credit: Tom Gilliam

While the historical farm buildings are currently closed due to COVID, Carriage Hill MetroPark still offers a unique peek at the agricultural heritage of the Miami Valley. With fields of heirloom crops and resident heritage breeds of draft horses, sheep, hogs and chickens, visitors are immediately immersed in 1880s farm life.

Want to continue the experience at home? Five Rivers MetroParks offers a variety of take-home program kits, including a 9-patch quilt kit. In the 19th century, one of the first sewing projects a youngster might undertake was sewing a 9-patch quilt block. The kit includes all the materials needed to sew a simple quilt block. For more information on the take-home kits, visit www.metroparks.org/metroparks-new-take-home-kits/ .

Science and nature

An engaging field trip can be as close as your own backyard or community park.

Five Rivers MetroParks has developed a series of Virtual Field Trip topics and accompanying teacher/parent resources. It’s all available free online at www.metroparks.org by searching virtual field trips.

Geology and fossils? Check. Habitat exploration and ecology? Check. Gardening, homesteading and sustainability? Check.

“We’re working to give local families and teachers the resources that are the best fit for the area,” said Joshua York, Five Rivers MetroParks naturalist and education coordinator. “And it’s also a fun way to bond as a family and enjoy quality time together.”

Hiking in the park or splashing in the stream is a lot of fun but it can also be a learning experience with the MetroParks take-home program kits. The Conservation Kids Discover Kit includes a variety of tools including a net, magnifying glass and flashlight as well as access to online resources and videos. The “Guess Who, Butterfly or Moth?” kit includes a temporary enclosure and helpful field guides. From pressed flowers to fishing, there are a variety of kits, offered at little and, sometimes, no cost.

“The kits inspire kids and their families to make backyard connections and they include great resources,” York said.

For more information, visit www.metroparks.org .

While some areas remain closed, there is still plenty to discover at the Boonshoft Museum of Discovery.

From the starry skies in the Planetarium to the adorable fan-favorite otters in the Discovery Zoo, there’s tons of fun for kids and parents alike. The popular Boonshoft Water Table is also back up and running for some safe, clean water fun.

While the museum has long been known for its hand-on fun, a new Kids' Place exhibit focuses on feet. Hands-Off Interactives – Use your Feet, includes a series of balance beams, a large floor maze, and jumping circles. The new hands-free exhibit has plenty of space for safe social distancing.

To ensure safety, all interactive elements are being cleaned once an hour and extra hand sanitizing stations have been installed throughout the museum.

Admission is $14.50 for adults and $11.50 for children 3-17 years old. Children under 3 and Dayton Society of Natural History members are free.

Credit: Lisa Powell

The Dayton Art Institute is striving to make art accessible and fun during these challenging times with both in-person and at-home options.

From Tiny Thursdays…at Home! for the little ones to ARTventures…at Home, a multigenerational program, to virtual drawing classes for adults, creating art can be done from the comfort of home.

“Our programs were definitely in-person, so we had to pivot, rather quickly, to be able to provide lots of digital resources,” said Casey Goldman, Dayton Art Institute lead museum educator.

The DAI website is now packed with projects for young art aficionados as well as engaging opportunities and information for artists of all ages but that doesn’t mean there aren’t in-person art options. The museum has re-opened with reduced hours and capacity but an abundance of amazing artwork to enjoy.

The Dayton Art Institute recently introduced the What is a Masterpiece? interactive self-guided tour of the permanent collection. Using a cell phone, visitors scan QR codes to learn about the 50 stunning works of art in the museum’s permanent collection.

“What is really neat is that there is a ton of information, but it’s broken down into bite-size pieces so guests can self-direct their experience,” Goldman said.

There is Behind the Scenes, Tools & Techniques and Kids Content as well as a Talk Back section to inspire conversation about the various pieces.

Admission is $15 for adults and $5 for youth ages 7-17 and college students with a school ID. Children under 6 and museum members are free. For information, visit www.daytonartinstitute.org/ .

Credit: CONTRIBUTED

Art and exercise blend seamlessly on the New Discoveries Walking Mural Tour in Middletown. The new self-guided, self-paced family-friendly walking tour includes 14 unique pieces of public art all located in the heart of historic downtown Middletown.

“Art is one of the attractions that is really a pillar of the city,” said Mary Huttlinger, executive director of the Middletown Visitors Bureau. “All of the murals have a story to tell.”

The Shetter Carnival Mural depicts a photo taken in 1914 of the A.B. Shetter Carnival Sale on North Broad Street and the Miami-Erie Canal Mural depicts life along the canal which followed the path of what is now Verity Parkway.

Start your art adventure by visiting https://bit.ly/MiddletownMurals to access the interactive tour guide. Follow along on your smart device, in Google maps, and learn about the art and the artists at each of the mural stops.

While quality family time can make for a fun day, a trip to Grandpa Joe’s Candy Shop will ensure the day ends with a smile.

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