8 Creative Field Trips

8 Creative Field Trips that Make Learning Fun

Young learners love a good field trip. They are eager to explore new places and learn through hands-on activities. Taking the children in your care on a fun field trip is a great way to help them develop a positive connection with learning. 

So, what are some creative field trip ideas that you can use with your preschoolers?

The zoo, a museum, and your local farmer’s market are great choices for a field trip. This article will discuss the following 8 field trip ideas for your preschool class. 

• Zoo
• Science Center
• Library
• Aquarium 
• Local Farm 
• Fire Station
• Farmer’s Market 
• Nature Park

The Zoo 

The Zoo is a great place for children to learn about animal behavior and wildlife conservation. Children love going to the zoo to see wild animals like giraffes, elephants, and reptiles. Check with your closest zoo to learn more about the educational programs available. Some zoos offer live shows where students can learn more about specific animal species. 

Science Center

Many states have science centers, if you’re lucky enough to live near one you should consider planning a science center field trip! Science centers aim to inspire students of all ages to discover, explore, and appreciate science, technology, and math. At the Michigan Science Center, visitors have access to a variety of activities that allow kids to play and learn about the world in fun ways. Check with a science center near you to see what kinds of programs and day trips they offer for preschoolers. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_science_centers_in_the_United_States

https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/science-centre

Library

Inspire a love of books and reading at your local library. A trip to the library is a great low-cost (if not completely free) way to get your students excited about reading. During a trip to the library, students will learn about how to find books in alphabetical order and how to check out a book. Contact your local librarian about setting up a live read-aloud and other educational activities at the library. 

Aquarium

Help your students explore the underwater world at an aquarium. Some facilities provide staff educators who engage students during live feedings, storytelling, and Q&A sessions. The aquarium also provides an excellent opportunity to talk to students about the importance of keeping our oceans clean and healthy! If you don’t have access to an aquarium near your school, you can check out virtual aquarium programs from places like the Maritime Aquarium. Maritime offers live stream educational programs and resources for education. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aquaria_in_the_United_States

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_aquaria_in_Canada

Local Farm

Spark an interest in farming and agriculture in your preschoolers by taking them on a field trip to a local farm. Contact some farms in your area and see who would be interested in giving your class a tour while talking about the daily farming operations. This is a great learning experience for children where they can connect with locally grown foods and develop an appreciation for where their food comes from. You might also get to visit the farm animals, like cows, chickens, pigs, and goats! 

Fire Station

What kid doesn’t get excited when they see the big red fire truck driving by? Imagine their excitement when they get to get up close and talk to the firefighters directly! Many fire stations are happy to have classes visit them for a chance to learn more about the duties of firefighters. Students will get to learn about the parts of a fire truck, tour the fire station, and learn how to “stop, drop, and roll.” 

Farmer’s Market

A field trip to the farmer's market gives students the chance to learn about the different kinds of fruits, vegetables, and other locally made products. At the farmer’s market, kids can learn about the differences between fruits and vegetables and develop a stronger connection to healthy food options. Students can each bring $5 to pick out a few fruits or vegetables to bring home for dinner! 

Nature Park

Check out your local nature parks and plan a fun day of outdoor activities for your preschoolers. Children will enjoy spending time outside, taking a walk through trails, and getting closer to nature. During a trip to the park, students can explore the natural world by seeing trees, wildlife, ponds, and insects. Be sure to enjoy your lunch outside picnic-style with the students! 

Field Trip Preparation

Now that you’ve got a great list of field trip options to choose from, you’re ready to start planning your next trip with the students! The following steps should be taken once you’ve decided on your field trip destination: 

• Check your school’s field trip policy.
• Determine the educational benefits of the field trip. 
• Ask parents to volunteer as chaperones.
• Plan your transportation to and from the destination.
• Ask the destination if they offer educational activities. 
• Determine the total cost of the field trip. 
• Get permission from parents. 
• Consider any special accommodations students may need. 

Let us know where you decide to take your class and how you made the field trip a creative learning experience!