Homeschool Field Trips: 6 Tips to Make the Most out of Them
Planning a homeschool field trip? You’re going to want to check out these helpful tips to plan, stay organized, and make the most out of the educational experience on your field trip!
One big benefit of homeschooling is the freedom to explore topics in greater depth and to step outside of the {home} classroom to do so. Going on fun and educational field trips can be a great way to accomplish both of those goals. Who doesn’t love a field trip?
However, I know I am not alone in realizing that field trips can often fall apart without proper planning and that you can come home at the end of the day wondering if anyone learned anything from the experience. Here are a few tips to keep in mind that can help your family get the most out of your next field trip.
How to Plan a Homeschool Field Trip
Tip #1: Make a List
One of the things you can do before you even begin planning an individual field trip is to do a brain dump of all of the fun activities, places, and events that could be possible field trips. First, think about the things that are in and around your neighborhood/town and then branch out to things around the state. You might even want to consider some things that are in neighboring states but that are within driving distance for day or weekend trips. Having this master list of activities at your disposal can make planning even easier and can help you to come up with impromptu ideas on days when you need something to do that will get you out of the house.
Using something like this DIY Field Trip Journal is a great way to plan and record your field trips:
Tip #2: Choose a Day and Put It On the Calendar
This step isn’t necessary, but many families find it helpful to plan for weekly or monthly field trips that their children can look forward to. Perhaps you want to start your week off with a field trip. Or maybe you are more of a Field Trip Friday family. Either way, plan for regular field trips and then put those field trip days on the calendar.
Tip #3: Do Your Research
Once you decide on a specific field trip idea, do your research. Check out websites to find out if there are any costs or special instructions for parents or kids. Be sure to check for driving directions as well as hours of operation for any places you want to visit. If your family has any special needs that must be accommodated, be sure to look up that info as well. It’s a good idea to call ahead to places you want to visit to get information and tips on how to have a great field trip experience. They might even be able to help you out on the day of your visit!
Tip #4: Be Prepared
After you have done your research, it’s time to come up with your game plan. This includes figuring out what time you will wake up and leave on the day of the field trip, what meal accommodations you will need to make, and what materials/tools you will need to take with you (snacks, lunch, worksheets, camera, games, etc). You might also want to do a lesson before the field trip to help reinforce what they will be learning that day (and get them excited, of course).
Above all, though, you want to be sure everyone gets plenty of rest the day before so that no one is sluggish or grumpy.
Tip #5: Bring Reinforcements
Field trips can be even more fun when you have a group of people. If you know some local homeschool families who might get a kick out of what you are doing, invite them along for the trip. The added benefit of this is that you have another parent with you helping out during the field trip.
Tip #6: Be Flexible and Alert
Keep an eye on your children for cues that there might be trouble ahead. This can help you to decide when to take breaks, when to eat lunch, and when to move on to something else. Also, be flexible. You don’t have to have every single minute of the trip planned out. Take some time to simply enjoy the experience.
Do you have any field trips planned soon? Let us know in the comments!
P.S. You can read about some of our favorite homeschool field trips here.
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I totally agree with tip # 3 about doing your own research as one good way of making the most out of your educational field trip. It is recommended that you search the internet for places that interest you most and compare their rates and prices. You may also want to consider the requirements they would be needing for you to be eligible to enter their facilities. This way, you would be able to come up with a list and remind others who will be joining about the rules and regulations of the place you will be touring. If I were to go on an educational trip with my son, I would make sure to keep this in mind. Thanks.