Field Trip Ideas
Here is a giant list of field trip ideas. We’d love it if you’d add your ideas in the comments!
Museums – Art, Nature, Science, Sculpture, etc.
Symphony Orchestra – many city orchestras have school performances
Nature Center/Arboretum
Planetarium
Zoos and Aquariums
Animal Rescue Facilities
Theater performances such as plays and operas
Tour a local business or factory
Tour a laboratory
Tour a commercial greenhouse
State Capitol
Historic Sites and Historical Reenactments
Take a nature walk or hike
Go birdwatching
Visit a national or state park
Go caving
Attend a local festival
Visit a farm
Visit a fish hatchery
You mentioned city parks but I think it is important to remind folks that many parks offer special events, sometimes events specialized for homeschoolers but only on certain days and times. Check your city parks’ web site and schedule your field trips ahead of time.
As an example, last year, we visited Slate Run Park and Historical Farm near Columbus, OH and my daughter was able to milk the cow. They also showed us how to churn butter, feed the hogs, etc.
Good point. Our city Rec Center has special activities for homeschoolers as well.
You also mention theatre. Great! We took my 7 year old to see Les Miserables the other night. It was 3 hours long. I think some people in our row looked at us funny for bringing such a young child to a play like that but they didn’t know we were homeschoolers. She did fine!
My daughter now wants more plays and can sing many of the Les Mis songs word-for-word. My wife had the original London CD.
I just post this to encourage folks to venture out to “adult” activities with your younger home-schooled children, as long as the activities are decent. 🙂 Home-schooled children are behaved and appreciate traditional adult activities.