20 Homeschool Field Trips That Make Learning Fun

One of the many blessings of homeschooling is the freedom you have to tailor you children’s education to their specific needs, strengths, and interests. An easy way to nurture their creativity and curiosity is to provide them with hands on learning experiences through homeschool field trips.

Homeschool Field Trips

Last year left something to be desired in the homeschool field trip department for our family. With so many places closed in 2020 our outings were few and far between. I was determined to make up for lost time this year and brainstormed some new ideas, while intermingling some of our previous favorites. Below are some of our favorites!

1. Kids Culinary Class

My little girl was delighted when we were invited to join a few families on a field trip to a kids cooking class a couple of years ago. I had no idea that such places even existed prior to our trip, but it was well worth our time.  The instructor taught the kids how to make their own personal size pizza and they topped it off by baking chocolate truffles for dessert!

2. Fire Department Tour

Obviously this one is a classic, but it’s a classic for good reason and one that our children should experience at some point in their life. Apart from learning fire safety, children will also have the opportunity to visit with these hometown heroes and learn to appreciate what they do to keep our communities safe.

3. Ninja Class

I was introduced to the idea of a children’s ninja class a few years back and they look incredibly fun! Our kiddos are naturally drawn to activities that keep them moving. As parents we must ensure that they’re staying active and their growing bodies are getting the exercise they need.

There are a surprising number of fitness centers and gymnastics facilities throughout the country that offer these classes so please be sure to check them out! Gyms offer some of the best field trips for homeschoolers. Some of them offer a single lesson, while many offer continuous classes.

If you cannot find an actual “ninja class” near you, try searching for “kids fitness class” which should bring up some options as well. A friend recently told me that we even have a local homeschool rock climbing class, so the possibilities truly are endless when it comes to finding some kind of engaging physical activity for our kids!

4. Horseback Riding Lesson

While not all children are as passionate about horses as others, I believe that everyone can benefit from a horseback riding lesson. Enjoying the great outdoors while riding on these gentle creatures can’t help but bring about smiles. Some horse farms and boarding facilities offer a single riding lesson or special workshops for homeschoolers that teach you about riding and taking care of the animals.  

5. Military Museum

I’m incredibly grateful for the men and women of our military. Their selfless acts of service and willingness to leave all of their comforts behind and possibly lay down their own lives for the sake of protecting our nation, freedoms, and the freedoms of others will forever humble me.

For this reason I believe that it is of utmost importance that we teach our children about these heroes. Visiting a military museum is, in my opinion, is one of the best homeschool field trip ideas. It can provide ample opportunities for children to ask questions and learn more about these courageous men and women, while developing an even greater appreciation for them.

6. Painting Class

Painting classes can be a unique alternative to traditional art projects.  Professional instructors provide step by step guidance for every age and skill level, so no prior experience is necessary. Each child walks away with their own masterpiece, while enjoying a tasty snack along the way.

7. Garden Center

A garden center field trip for homeschoolers can teach children about the wide variety of plants and how to grow a healthy one. Many nurseries will even allow the kiddos to pick out and pot their very own to take home.

8. Orchestra

A trip to see a live orchestra performance or partaking in a musical workshop can be the perfect introduction to the field of music for your child. It may also pique their interest in a particular instrument and get those creative juices flowing.  

9. Children’s Theater

There are multiple theaters across the country that specialize in teaching children the art of acting as well as performing shows for a local audience. Many of these shows are adaptations of beloved classics and do a wonderful job of bringing these stories to life.

10. Nutrition Class

Although I’m sure that there are many places that offer kids nutrition classes, I know specifically that Whole Foods actually offers a tour of their facility. Their field trips include a short presentation about healthy eating and a tasty sampling of some healthy snacks!

11. Hiking & Nature Center

This completely free idea is one of our family’s favorite homeschool activities. Hiking has been a family favorite for quite some time now and we enjoy visiting the many metro parks in our area. The majority of state parks have a nature center as well with a plethora of information on the wildlife and plant species at the park.

12. Animal Shelter

If you’re searching for a sweet and entertaining kindergarten homeschool field trip idea, be sure to give the animal shelter a try. It may not be a traditional option, but is one that you should add to your list at least every couple of years.

Find a local shelter and ask if they will allow a small group of you to visit to play with these sweet creatures and pass out treats. We may not be able to adopt every pup that we see, but we can easily make them feel loved until they find someone who can

13. Botanical Garden/ Arboretum

If your children are currently studying plants, bringing them to a botanical garden or arboretum may just be the way to go. Seeing the vast array of beautiful flowers, trees, and plants can’t help but make you more appreciative of the tiny details of God’s creation.

14. Ice Cream Factory/ Bakery/ Chocolatier Tour

I have fond memories of visiting an ice cream factory as a high school student. One of the nation’s top ice cream brands just happens to have their headquarters less than an hour away from where we lived at the time. After the tour we each received a complimentary blissful treat to enjoy as we watched happy ducks waddle around the property.

15. Pottery/ Ceramic Art Class

In a similar fashion to a painting class, local artists provide guided instruction for creating your own beautiful work of art. Many studios offer classes geared towards children and I’ve even seen a few that offer classes for families if you’d like to get the whole family involved.  

16. STEM Museum

If you’re looking for a top notch educational field trip idea, a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) museum might be the perfect fit. These engaging museums intertwine play with learning and have always been a hit with my children. At a STEM museum learning doesn’t really feel like learning. Children happily engage in activities that they may otherwise struggle to grasp through traditional textbook learning.   

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17. Planetarium

My daughter is currently studying astronomy for her entire year of science- and loving every second of it! Diving deep into the wonder of our stars and solar system is truly incredible. There are currently more than 350 planetariums in the United States, so there’s a good possibility that there is one within driving distance of you.

18. Zoo/ Aquarium

Another classic, but too good not to include. I don’t think kids ever tire of seeing God’s amazing creatures up close and personal. If your children are already frequent visitors of your local zoo try to make it more exciting by studying certain animals in depth before you make your trip. Share some odd and fascinating facts and they’re sure to develop more of an interest when they see them in person.

19. Visit a Farm- Homeschool Field Trip Idea

It’s vitally important that we teach our children the value of hard work. Visiting a farm can be the perfect opportunity to show the incredible work ethic of these men and women as well as the fruits of their labor.

Kiddos can learn how to milk a cow, clean up and care for the animals, raise crops, and make homemade jam to name a few. They will walk away with a better understanding of the agricultural world and the hard work it takes to bring about the food we enjoy.

20. Pumpkin Patch/ Fruit Farm

Fall is our favorite time of year to enjoy outdoor field trips! Each year we look forward to going to a particular pumpkin patch with our homeschool group. Apart from the pumpkins, this farm has a variety of fall inspired activities, a hayride, corn maze, and a large barn filled with stacked hay bales and slides for the kids (and dads) to enjoy! Oh yes, and we top it off with a glazed donut and apple cider 😉 .

Depending on your location, you may also want to try the Creation Museum. It may be more of a family weekend trip than a few hour homeschool field trip, but is well worth your time either way. AIG has done an incredible job of bringing the creation account to life in their 75,000 square foot museum.  The plethora of facts, realistic looking figures, historical points, and answers to commonly asked questions will no doubt prompt some great discussions.

How Do I Plan A Field Trip For Homeschooling?

Planning homeschool field trips doesn’t have to be intimidating. Pick a few ideas that are of interest to your children and call around to schedule a day and time to attend. Many of the places on this list even have specific events for homeschool families, so you’ll be in good company when you arrive.

Yes, the main reason we typically take a field trip is for educational purposes, but I’d say that fun should be right up there near the top too. Engage in the activities with your children and be an example to them while you’re there and they will most likely walk away with some new knowledge and sweet memories.

I hope that you found a few new ideas to try this year and that you genuinely enjoy planning and participating in these homeschool field trips with your children!