- The Library
Of course us home schoolers frequent the local library often, but have you visited the neighboring towns’ libraries and see programs they offer? We love to go and visit other libraries and have even gone to the library when on vacation. (When it’s been raining for 3 days and you’re camping with children, the library is welcome haven or sanctuary?.) Most libraries offer many programs including reading to a dog, story hours, chess clubs, debate clubs, Lego clubs, summer reading programs. And don’t forget the librarians they are a wealth of information and always ready to help. Many will offer classes for home schoolers if asked or you can invite some friends and use their space to start your own class.
2. The Pet Store
When my kids were little, they could spend hours at the pet store. Watching and laughing at the antics of the animals. The one we visited also had free cards to learn more about specific animals. We also left with a long list of animals the wanted to take home.
3. Local Businesses
Many local businesses are happy to give home schoolers a tour of their business. We toured a local ice cream shop and learned how they made ice cream. Of course we left with sticky fingers and happy bellies, so not sure this one counts as free 😉
Another local business makes fermented vegetables like pickles, sauerkraut, carrots, beans and more. We had a tour and learned the process for making the fermented foods and then used a kitchen at a local church to make our own sauerkraut. The kids even made their own recipe before chopping and mixing.
We are hoping to take a field trip soon to a friend who loves 3D printing and will let the kids use his printer to make and design their own creations.
We have friends who visited the local pizza shop and a bakery and made their own pizzas and decorated their own cupcakes.
A bike shop might be willing to offer a class on bike safety and basic bike mechanics.
Wastewater treatment plant. We have a couple of family members who work here and would be more than willing to give us a tour. I’m sure other facilities would be happy to show kids around and explain to them where their poop goes after it magically disappears down the toilet.
We did a free basket class. Where kids made baskets from tree bark. The woman is a local artisan who makes them and sells the baskets at fairs and she was happy to share her trade and love with the kids.
Bird Watching connect with a local group of birders or ask someone at a local wildlife sanctuary. We have yet to find a bird watcher who is not excited to share their passion with children. During the fall, take a hike to an overlook and watch hawks soar on the updrafts during migration.
Most people are happy to share their job and work with the kids. Look in your neighborhood or friends you know or retired people who may have a business or skill that they would like to share.
4. State Department of Recreation and State Parks
Visit your state’s department of recreation web site and see what parks and facilities are nearby. We have a state park that the rangers offer a free weekly hiking class and they stop and talk about the history of the park and the habitat and animals that live there.
Many are happy to teach a class or do a one-time field trip for home schoolers. We did a one-day trip to a local pond and learned about the insects and other creatures that live in the pond. And another trip to a local reservoir where we learned about the trees and plants and how they impact the water supply.
5. Reservoirs
We have several reservoirs in our area. One is fun to visit for a walk and we often see animals there like snakes, turtles, herons, deer, and bald eagles. We have a second larger reservoir that hosts school free field trips and programs from it’s creation and history to the work involved in protecting drinking water.
6. Local Hikes
We have lots of nice hiking near us with gentle hikes for littles and more challenging hikes for teens. We have story walks which is a fun way to introduce hiking and getting outdoors for young children. Scavenger hunts and geocaching are other fun ways to enjoy some outdoor time together. Make a small, easy craft and then try geocaching!
7. National Parks Pass
Get a free national parks pass for the whole family! When you have a fourth grader, you are eligible for a free parks pass for the whole family.
8. Cemeteries
Lots of history at cemeteries. Our little town does free cemetery tours during the month of October. We learned a lot about the history and founding of our town. Other famous cemeteries to visit in the U.S include 5 cemeteries in Boston that mark the graves of famous Patriots Paul Revere, Ben Franklin, and Samuel Adams. If you’re in NYC check out Trinity Church’s Cemeteries you can learn more about Alexander Hamilton and his wife. If you’re in the D.C. area there’s Arlington cemetery, the rows and rows of graves are a stark reminder of the price we pay for our freedom and our country.
9. Animal Sanctuary
If cemeteries aren’t your thing, but animals are, find an animal sanctuary near you. Kids love the animals. I love that each animal has a unique story and I like to use their stories to inspire my kids to write one animal’s story when we return or include an animal’s story in their writing.
10. Public gardens
Studying botany? Look for a public garden near you. Many have descriptions of the plants in the garden and then use that inspiration to design your own garden or design your dream garden. We pulled out seed catalogs and lots of craft items and my kids spent a couple of hours designing their own dream garden.
11. College Museums
Many colleges have museums that are free to visit or look for certain days where they offer free admission or check out the library for museum passes.
12. College greenhouses
We have two college greenhouses that are fun to visit especially in the middle of the winter. Look at their offerings ours has a spring bulb show that is full of beautiful tulips, daffodils, and crocuses in bloom. The smell is so amazing when you step into the greenhouse. They also have a fall show full of chrysanthemums.
13. Fish Ladder
Fish ladders are a lot of fun and often offer free field trips when the fish are migrating. Check out my post here for more information.
14. Trash Recycling Center
Many trash and recycling centers give free tours.
15. Town Meetings
Town meetings are a good way to learn and see democracy in action how our decisions impact our lives. My son was about 8 years-old when he spoke at the first town meeting. The topic was conservation of land that would protect and be beneficial to kestrels. He surprised us and I think everyone in the room with his passionate plea to vote to protect the land and help kestrels that would benefit conserving their habitat. The vote passed with an overwhelming majority and our son gained experience in public speaking and using his voice for a cause that was important to him.
Let me know in the comments, if you have other free homeschool field trip ideas.