Homeschool field trips are an incredible way to get your kids out of the house, exposed to the great outdoors, and build sustainability skills. Even if you don’t homeschool your kids these nature-related field trip ideas are great for the weekends!
This list is packed with field trip ideas that focus on strengthening your kids’ connection to the earth, animals, food production, and sustainability whether you have just an hour or a whole weekend to spare.
Get ready to make lasting memories with your kids in the outdoors!
This post is all about homeschool field trip ideas for nature lovers.
The Best Homeschool Field Trip Ideas For Nature Lovers
1. Zoo or Wild Life Sanctuary
This one’s a classic but making a trip to the zoo is such a crucial part of being a kid!
Kids can get fresh air, see exotic animals, and talk to staff about each animal and its habitat. This is also a great way to teach kids about different careers that have to do with animals/the outdoors.
Some ways to enhance your trip to the zoo are:
- Checking out the petting zoo
- Making a scavenger hunt
- Opting for a private tour
- Pausing at each exhibit and drawing the animals
- Have your kids research at the library before heading to the zoo. If you have little ones, this could be reading a book per day before the zoo trip about each animal.
2. National Parks
You may be surprised at how much your kid can learn at your local national park. Many national parks have visitor centers and even planned activities for kids. Just check the park’s website beforehand.
Make sure to check online to see if other families have put together a kid themed guide to the specific park you are checking out. For bigger national parks I am sure you can find one filled with activities and curriculum focused on that specific national park that is age appropriate for your kid.
{RECOMMENDED POST: How to Seamlessly Introduce Your Kids to Zero Waste Living}
3. Nature Center
Nature centers are a bit more organized than national parks and may have more kid-designated activities and exhibits.
Generally, nature centers have preplanned activities and guides present to introduce your kiddos to plants and animals in the area.
If you are lucky your nature center will include guided hikes or river walks!
4. Local Farm
Some farms are starting to offer farm tours and kid programs for families that want to encourage their kids to learn more about where their food comes from.
Some farms have volunteer days or other family events that you can bring your kids to to help them gain a better connection to their food!
As our world shifts and we are more dependent on outsourcing skills like food production (and even food preparation!) it is so important for kids to still have a basic understanding of how plants grow and the work that goes into food production.
If you don’t have any farms in your area that have programs like the ones mentioned above, consider starting a small garden, potted plants, or a community garden that your kids are responsible for caring for.
*when researching farms make sure to use keywords in your searches like permaculture, food forests, family-owned farm, plant nursery, aquaponics, or community gardens. These are more likely to offer group activities rather than larger monocrop farms!
5. Volunteer to take a dog on a walk at the humane society
This option is great if you are unable to have pets in your home! Build on your kid’s empathy skills for animals and the earth by volunteering at your local humane society and bringing a dog on a walk.
Unfortunately, as dogs are waiting to find their forever home they spend a good amount of time in kennels or indoors. Volunteers can take them for quick outings or even have them for the full day at some shelters to bring them on hikes, to the beach etc.
This gives your kid a chance to connect with an animal, learn how to care for them and enhance their empathy skills to care for the earth’s inhabitants outside of just humans. Building this skill early on can help your kids have a better connection to the earth thus, making responsible and environmentally friendly choices in the future.
{RECOMMENDED POST: Self Care for Kids: 5 Simple Self Care Routines and Activities To Help Your Kids Thrive}
6. Camping
If you want your kids to truly deepen their connection to the earth-camping is for sure the way to go! Spending a night under the stars and the day hiking through the woods will help them nurture their connection to the natural world and make the best memories!
If you are not ready to go full-on camping, getting a second-hand tent and sleeping in the backyard (even just nap time!) is still a great way to give kids a taste of camping!
Here is a starting place for topics you can focus on teaching while camping:
- Birdwatching
- Building a fire and cooking
- Nature themed crafts
- Learning to use a compass and reading a map
- Swimming, kayaking, paddle boarding, diving etc.
- Basic first-aid skills
7. Zero Waste Store
Kids really do love to help with day-to-day tasks, so why not bring them to your local zero-waste store and make plastic-free shopping the norm for them?
Before heading to the zero-waste store you can start with a picture book or YouTube video about ocean waste, microplastics, recycling etc. to help explain to your little one why it is important to reduce waste.
You could add in a mini math lesson by giving them some money and allowing them to purchase a few goodies at the store.
This of course is a great way to teach life skills, independence, and the positive reinforcement of getting a little treat (that happens to be sustainably made/packaged!)
If you have never shopped at a zero-waste store you can check out this quick guide to learn more about tips for your first zero-waste shopping trip!
*Just be mindful as there is a lot of glass in zero waste stores and open food bins that young kiddos may be overly excited for and stick their fingers in!
8. Botanical gardens
A great place to check out is a nearby botanical garden. Rather than bringing your homeschool group on a long hike to connect with nature, opt for a more organized adventure at the botanical garden.
Botanical gardens are wonderful because they offer kids the opportunity to learn about all different kinds of plants and insects. Some gardens focus solely on local plants while others have exhibits highlighting plants from around the world!
9. Virtual field trips
What about on rainy days though? If you’re not up for a muddy field trip (no judgment!) consider opting for a field trip that you can do from the comfort of your own home.
From museums to aquariums and even zoos, virtual field trips offer your family a chance to visit educational spots all around the world, many times with free admission!
Here are a few amazing virtual tours to get you started:
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- Museum of Mines of Mercury
- National Aquarium
- Everglades virtual field trip
- Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
What homeschool field trips do you have planned for this school year? Let us know in the comments below!
Be sure to sign up for the newsletter if you would like sustainability and wellness tips sent directly to your inbox!
Stay well,
Maggie
This post was all about the best homeschool field trip ideas for nature lovers.
Other posts you may like:
Your Ultimate Guide to Throwing a Sustainable Kids Party
13 Kind of Healthy Store Bought Vegan Kid Snacks They Will Actually Eat
The Best Resilient Classroom Plants to Liven Up Your Classroom
If you would like to save this post for later-Pin it!
