Easy and Cheap Field Trips
Easy and Cheap Field Trips are a fantastic way to embrace homeschool learning and create lasting memories as a family. Stepping out of the classroom and experiencing the world firsthand can ignite kids’ lifelong love for learning.
Field trips offer a break from routine and expose children to new sights, sounds, and cultures. Luckily, you don’t need a hefty budget or fancy destinations to provide your little ones with engaging educational experiences.
With creativity, you can unlock a world of adventures in your local community or nearby attractions. Check out this list of affordable outings and educational visits!
Community Helpers
There’s no better way to spark career aspirations than seeing real-life heroes in action. Summertime is perfect for visiting your local firehouse or police station.
Firefighters are great at giving tours, answering questions, and showing off their impressive trucks – especially if you bring them baked goods or cold drinks! Police stations usually require an appointment, but officers are happy to give kids a behind-the-scenes glimpse into their daily routines.
Even a trip to the post office can be a fun adventure! Just call your postmaster and schedule a tour of the facilities. Your little ones will be amazed by the machinery and workers who keep the mail flowing.
Read and explore stories featuring community helpers so your kids can connect with these real-life role models.
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Historical Sites
Explore local landmarks and monuments to bring history to life. As you learn about different eras, seek nearby sites that tie into your curriculum.
Imagine your kids’ excitement as they stand on the battlefields or stroll through the ancient ruins they’ve studied in books. Battlefields, monuments, and ancient ruins provide a link to the past, making lessons come alive.
The Old State Capitol of Louisiana in Baton Rouge is a true gem. Its Gothic castle-like architecture and stained glass windows transport visitors back to the state’s early days.
Maryland boasts many historical parks, including the iconic Fort McHenry, where Francis Scott Key penned the Star-Spangled Banner.
And no visit to New York City is complete without a moderately hilly hike to the Statue of Liberty, where you can climb to the crown and take in breathtaking views of the city skyline.
Reenactments
For a truly unforgettable experience, attend a war reenactment or renaissance fair. These living history events bring the past to life with costumed interpreters, demonstrations, and interactive activities that will captivate your kids.
Whether witnessing a battle or exploring a medieval village, reenactments make history tangible and exciting.
Alabama, for instance, hosts a Civil War reenactment around April, allowing families to step back into the era that shaped the nation. Watch for similar events in your area, and check out this list of the top battle reenactments happening this year.
Museums
Museums offer a world of wonders and hands-on exhibits for curious young minds.
With their interactive displays and experiments, science museums will spark your kids’ curiosity and ignite their love for STEM. Natural history museums transport to prehistoric worlds and exotic habitats with their dinosaur skeletons and views of diverse ecosystems.
Art museums can delight children as they discover the power of creative expression and learn to appreciate artistic styles.
Before your visit, print out these museum scavenger hunts to encourage your little ones to explore the exhibits with a detailed eye and a sense of adventure.
Zoos, Aquariums & Pet Stores
Kids and animals share a bond, and what better way to nurture that connection than by visiting a zoo, aquarium, or a local pet store?
These options offer up-close encounters with creatures from lions to tropical fish. Your kids will have fun observing the animals and learning about their habitats, behaviors, and the importance of conservation.
Many zoos and aquariums offer free admission days during the summer, so keep an eye out for those money savers. And if you don’t have access to a major zoo or aquarium, don’t stress. A neighborhood pet store can also provide an educational field trip experience!
Parks & the Great Outdoors
You might be surprised to discover the recreational opportunities in your state’s backyard. Local parks offer many adventures for families, including hiking trails, lakes, playgrounds, and splash pads.
Some parks even boast unique features like giant reservoirs for swimming, canoeing, and paddleboarding in the summer. Others may have exhilarating rope climbing courses or skate and bike parks. All are great options for families!
Libraries & Bookstores
The library is a homeschooler’s best friend, and a tour of your local branch can be a field trip. Most librarians would be delighted to show your family behind the scenes and explain how this institution operates.
While there, inquire about special events like read-aloud sessions, summer reading programs, and craft activities that can turn your visit into an adventure.
Bookstores, too, often host engaging events like author readings, book clubs, and storytimes that can ignite your little one’s passion for literature. These outings foster a love of reading and create cherished memories of exploring new worlds together as a family.
Planetariums & Observatories
If you’re fortunate enough to have a planetarium, observatory, or science center nearby, seize the opportunity to whisk your kids away on a voyage. Planetarium shows are wonderful experiences that bring the universe’s wonders right before your eyes, with stars, planets, and galaxies dancing across the domed ceiling.
To enhance their experience, print out a planetarium scavenger hunt featuring planets, moons, and stars.
As they spot these objects during the show, they can mark them off!
Farms & Petting Zoos
For many kids, visiting a local farm or petting zoo is a highlight of their childhood. Imagine their joy as they milk cows, feed adorable animals, and learn firsthand about the origins of their food.
These trips offer experiences and instill an appreciation for farmers’ hard work and dedication. Research local farms that welcome visitors, and don’t forget to pack a picnic lunch to enjoy!
Business Tours
Don’t overlook the educational opportunities that may exist right in your community’s businesses and factories.
Many offer guided tours that provide a glimpse into their operations. A world of knowledge awaits discovery, from recycling plants and automobile factories to commercial fishing docks and bakeries.
Even seemingly ordinary places like grocery stores or veterinary clinics can become engaging field trips, with presentations on nutrition, animal care, and behind-the-scenes operations. As homeschoolers, we know that learning opportunities are all around us. All it takes is a little curiosity and a willingness to explore.
Service Projects
Beyond traditional field trips, consider incorporating service projects into your summer adventures. Volunteering as a family benefits your community and teaches your children life lessons.
From park clean-ups and animal shelter visits to nursing home engagements and food pantry distributions, these experiences cultivate empathy, compassion, and a sense of civic responsibility.
Developing empathy early on will shape your children into compassionate, socially conscious individuals who understand the power of giving back.
Virtual Field Trips
In today’s digital age, the world is at your fingertips with virtual field trip options. You can go on guided tours of iconic destinations like Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, NASA, or even a working dairy farm from your home.
These online experiences provide shared adventures, allowing your family to explore globally without ever leaving the couch. Check out this list of the best online field trip ideas.
Tour Through Our State Unit Studies
Exploring different states is a terrific way to learn. Use our state unit study curriculum packed with printable goodies for each state. You’ll find fact files, coloring pages, fill-in-the-blank activities, symbol drawing pages, and more! These help your kids dig into every state’s history, geography, and culture.
For the ultimate state-by-state journey, check out our 50 States Unit Study. It’s a whopping 700 pages with 14-page workbooks for each state. This resource lets you tour the whole nation virtually, immersing your crew in diverse landscapes, traditions, and historical legacies.
Shop My State Printables
Here are some excellent state learning resources from my shop. Simply click the picture to see:
Make Memories, One Adventure at a Time
Field trips are about the journey, not just the place. It’s the joy of discovering together that kids remember most.
Whether exploring locally or going virtual, these shared experiences nurture curious minds. Let these easy and cheap ideas inspire quality family time with fun adventures. Get out there and make lasting memories!
Learning Printables and Activities
These are excellent resources for kids! They’ll love being a part of the learning process from start to finish.
Fun Homeschooling Printables for the Kids
Even though the focus might be on getting out and exploring, you can supplement learning with these fun printables and activities!
