Field Trip Inspiration: Round UP

One of the best parts of home education is the freedom to explore your local community. Field trips are a wonderful way to fully immerse your family in learning.  I came to realize that as a homeschool mom it is good to go out and use the environment and immerse my children in experiential learning.  They did not need to stay home and only do workbooks to learn.  Yes there needs to be a balance but we have the freedom to go on a trip and learn using all of our senses.  There are so many benefits to taking time and going on a trip.

Benefits

• Variety in their learning
• Allows all the senses to be involved in learning (see, touch, hear, smell and sometimes taste)
• Plants the seeds of future possible vocations
• Better understanding
• Opportunity for hands on learning
• Vocabulary expansion in contextual learning
• Improves cognitive skills
• Reinforcement of skills learned in class
• Build long term memory
• Cultural awareness
• Having fun
• Applying knowledge

Chareen @ Every Bed of Roses shares

• It’s all about a Science of Relations – “The question this week is: Extra Activities – how much ? And when is it too much ? There are so many differing ideas and opinions about this within the homeschool community that I’m going to take you off the beaten track.
• 10 Family Friendly Places to Experience in Melbourne Australia – Exploring new places can often be expensive. Here are 10 pocket friendly activities to do in Melbourne.
• Every Bed of Roses Field Tripping – We love exploring Melbourne and using field trips as a way to fully immerse ourselves in learning.

Jennifer @ Organized Homeschooler Shares

• Maui Ocean Center Field Trip The Maui Ocean Center is an amazing aquarium. The fish are the prettiest and most unique I have ever seen.
• Seattle Chocolates Field Trip We toured a real chocolate factory after reading Chocolate Fever. We learned about chocolate and mass production.
• Williamsburg Field Trip Williamsburg is an amazing town for anyone studying American History.
• National Zoo Field Trip The National Zoo is home to many wonderful animals, including elephants, pandas, and apes.

Lori @ At Home: where life happens

• Visiting Texas Rangers The Texas Rangers have been a part of Texas law enforcement for quite a while. Learn their history and some of the interesting cases and people they have dealt with at this museum.
• Rocks, Gems, and Minerals Show When the rock show comes to town, it is worth the time to go visit. The vendors love to teach about their products.
• WASP WWII Museum A visit to the WASP Museum will give you a different perspective on those affected by the war and those who wanted to help. These women were brave pilots who gave tremendous assistance during the war.
• Stumbling Upon History The Nash Farm is found in the middle of the city yet it is filled with reminder of a time when the land was empty and neighbors were thrilled to help each other out.

Christy @ The Travel Bags shares

• White Sands, New Mexico – White Sands in New Mexico is a giant sand box–what better place for a field trip! It’s fun, educational, and…well…sandy!
• Our 3-Day Backpacking Adventure in the Grand Canyon – Hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and back up is taking field trips to a new level. If you make it to the bottom, there’s a very rare and rewarding junior ranger badge.
• Exploring the Monolith Garden Trail in Kingman, Arizona– This fun “little” trail is a nice afternoon hike–nature study, phy ed, family time–what’s not to love!
• Pie Town, New Mexico–Practically Paradise Perhaps a town built up around pie isn’t a typical field trip, but it is definitely delicious! Plus it is a fun adventure and we’ll get the mind spinning in your budding historian, baker, or entrepreneur.

Kelly @ God’s Writer Girl shares

• What We Love About Homeschooling – Field Trips – A look at some of our favorite Field Trips.
• Philadelphia Field Trip Fun Fun, educational Field Trips in Philadelphia
• South Central Pennsylvania Field Trip Ideas -Educational opportunities in our area.
• A Day in Our Homeschool: Forensic Science at the Oakes Museum – Our Forensic Science Field Trip at the Oakes Museum.

Kim @ Savor the Days

• Log Cabin Village (Fort Worth, TX) – Log Cabin Village is a fun hands-on interactive experience on life in the early pioneer days.
• Arbor Hills Nature Preserve – Arbor Hills Nature Preserve is a beautiful place to go for a nature walk in Plano, TX. There are paved and non-paved trails as well as a playground and restrooms.
• KLTY Radio Station Tour – Our homeschool group got to tour a local radio station and even record a greeting which actually aired on the radio!
• Home Depot Kids’ Workshops {FREE} – Home Depot offers free workshops for kids each month. This month my daughter built her own bug house.

Karen @ Tots and Me…Growing Up Together shares

• Field Trip Friday: Questing for Marvelous Migrating Monarchs – We attended an event at a local state park to learn about monarch butterflies and learn to tag them. We then went outside and hunted for caterpillars, chrysalises, and actual butterflies.

Kym @ Homeschool Coffee Break shares

• Six Ideas for Your Next Field Trip – “Here are some suggestions based on some favorite field trips we’ve done. I’ve chosen those that aren’t specific to my local area, so these are the types of destinations that should be available in most areas.

Brenda @ Counting Pinecones shares

• Stepping Back in History: The Oak of Golden Dreams – A Visit to the site that started the California Gold Rush
• The Vasquez Rocks – A Southern California gem filled with history and beauty.
• America The Beautiful – Taking the Classroom to Yosemite National Park

Crystal @ Castle View Academy shares

• Carrickfergus Castle Excavation – The excavation of the Norman Castle in Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland was something special to watch and be a part of! Bringing history to life up close and personal while making memories together is exactly what homeschooling is about.
• We’ve Been On A Viking Experience! – The annual Viking Experience in Portadown, Northern Ireland is a great family day out with entertainment and hands-on activities for children. When history comes to life, it leaves a great impression on children.
• 5 Things To Do In North West Co. Donegal, Ireland – The Republic of Ireland is a beautiful island, and perhaps one of the most beautiful counties of them all is Co. Donegal in the far north west of the island. Surrounded by beautiful beaches and wilderness and wonderful things for the whole family to enjoy.
• 10 Things To Do In Belfast In July With Kids – 10 family-friendly (mostly) free special events and ongoing attractions. Whether you’re here for a day or for a lifetime, you’ll find something fun to do in and around Belfast with kids!

Annette @ A Net In Time shares

• Penn’s Cave – The delight of visiting a water cave while visiting the state of Pennsylvania. My boy loves going on cave tours now.
• Bird Kingdom – The joy of seeing birds in free flight in one of the biggest indoor aviaries around. In Niagara Falls.
• Fort York – This was an absolutely fascinating trip to a restored army barracks. We learned a lot of great Canadian history here.
• Joseph Schneider Haus – Learning some local history and having fun picking currents at the same time.