Beyond the Museum- 110 Exciting Field Trips for Homeschoolers

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Homeschoolers can turn anything into a field trip.  Trips to the dentist- learning opportunity.  Vacation- what's around there that we can count for school?  Simple grocery store run- not anymore.

I belong to several homeschool groups on FB.   Over and over, the question of field trip ideas comes up.  This post was inspired by those questions and many of those ideas (as well as many from my head and some from Pinterest).  We all know that we could find another museum, but if you need some fresh destinations, check out this list of one-hundred-and-ten ideas.

                    [1] behind the scenes at the Grocery Store

                    [2] Park/Playground

                    [3] identify the Rhopalocera at the Butterfly Garden

                    [4] behind the scenes at the Library

                    [5] Flower Garden/Greenhouse

                    [6] Pet Store

                    [7] identify habitats, classifications of animals, and more at the Zoo

                    [8] behind the scenes at the Newspaper Office

                    [9] Battlefield

                    [10] see what you can find at the Lake/River/Creek/Pond

                    [11] behind the scenes at the Radio Station

                    [12] Veterans Club/Event

                    [13] check out a Historical Reenactment

                    [14] behind the scenes at a Factory

                    [15] County Fair

                    [16] Fish Hatchery

                    [17] behind the scenes at a Restaurant

                    [18] Waste to Energy Plant

                    [19] ask questions at the Farm Equipment Store

                    [20] go to a Historical Site

                    [21] get perspective at the Town Dump

                    [22] behind the scenes at the Bank

                    [23] Farm/Orchard

                    [24} count the fish at the Aquarium

                    [25] behind the scenes at the Waste Water Treatment Plant

                    [26] Famous/Historical Landmark

                    [27] Fire Station

                    [28] behind the scenes at the Vet/Animal Hospital

                    [29] see what you can find at the Farmers' Market

                    [30] learn about types of fibers at the Yarn Store

                    [31] Nursing Home

                    [32] check out an Art Studio

                    [33] visit the Hospital

                    [34] get perspective at a Homeless Shelter

                    [35] learn about government at the Courthouse

                    [36] behind the scenes at the Big Box Store

                    [37] Dentist/Doctor Office

                    [38] Police Station

                    [39] learn about cars at the Repair Shop

                    [40] Community College Class/Event

                    [41] Planetarium

                    [42] get cultured at a Concert/Play/Musical/Opera/Ballet

                    [43] Cultural Festival

                    [44] behind the scenes at the Jail/Juvenal Detention

                    [45] Pottery Painting

                    [46] Bird/Animal Rehab Facility

                    [47] University/College tour

                    [48] volunteer at an Animal Shelter

                    [49] behind the scenes at the Theater/Performance

                    [50] Geocaching

                    [51] Sporting Event

                    [52] visit Amish Country

                    [53] Shopping Trip with a math/economics focus

                    [54] Archaeological/Paleontology Dig Site

                    [55] behind the scenes at the Bakery

                    [56] visit Dad/Mom's Work

                    [57] Ethnic Grocery Stores/Communities

                    [58] Archaeology Dig in your backyard

                    [59] behind the scenes at the Hardware Store

                    [60] Neighbor/Friend with knowledge/history to share

                    [61] Forestry Office

                    [62] see what you can find at a Bookstore

                    [63] behind the scenes at the Post Office

                    [64] Sleepover at the Museum

                    [64] go retro with some Ice Skating/Roller Skating

                    [65] virtual tour of Mount Vernon

                    [66] tour a Public/Private School

                    [67] Fishing/Camping/Hiking

                    [68] Airport

                    [69] virtual tour of the Smithsonian Natural History Museum

                    [70] walk Downtown and look at architecture

                    [71] go Bowling

                    [72] tour a House of Worship

                    [73] virtual tour of the First Thanksgiving

                    [74] behind the scenes at City Hall

                    [75] Historical House

                    [76] tour a Airfield Hanger

                    [77] Beach

                    [78] visit a Military Base

                    [79] watch "How It's Made" on Youtube

                    [80] virtual tour of Ellis Island

                    [81] watch a Harvest

                    [82] Swamp

                    [83] go on a Train Tour

                    [84] Cemetery

                    [85]watch a Crop Planting

                    [86] behind the scenes at a Movie Theater

                    [87] tour a Submarine

                    [88] Seasonal Event/Performance

                    [89] explore a Cave

                    [90] Specialty Farm (dairy, fiber, poultry)

                    [91] meet your representatives and learn government at the State/Country Capitol

                    [92] Learn about Hot Springs

                    [93] Eye Doctor

                    [94] behind the scenes at Jewelry Repair Store

                    [95] visit a Ghost Town

                    [96] Car/Air Show

                    [97] Amusement/Water Park

                    [98] tour a Dam

                    [99] State/National Park

                    [100] learn about instruments at the Music Store

                    [101] Michael's Craft Classes

                    [102] tour a Lumber Mill

                    [103] visit a Local Entrepreneur/Inventor

                    [104] TV/Movie Station

                    [105] visit the Federal Reserve

                    [106] Lowes/Home Depot Store Woodworking Classes

                    [107] learn Period Dances at a community hall or dance studio

                    [108] go on a Scavenger Hunt

                    [109] Butcher Shop

                    [110]  journey on a Historical Trail (Oregon, Underground Railroad, Louis and Clark, etc)

Giveaway!

A few weeks ago, I was given a free copy of the book, "Little Walks, Big Adventures," from the author, Erin Buhr.  After reading the book, I knew it would be a great fit for my audience, and specifically compliments this blog post.

"Little Walks, Big Adventures" is a manual of easy, free field trips that anyone could take with toddlers, preschoolers, or even older kids.  There are fifty recommendations for where to go, what to take with you, how to talk to your kids about what you're experiencing, what to look for on your adventure, and much more.  I also love that at the end of the walk, Erin lists related activities and books to enhance the learning.

I recommend this book for everyone- day care workers, teachers, homeschoolers, new parents, experienced parents, and grandparents.  It would make a great gift for baby showers, birthdays, and holidays.

Erin has graciously accepted my request to do a sweepstakes with her book!  Use the Rafflecopter link below to enter to win "Little Walks, Big Adventures" by Erin Buhr!  Prize is only open to residents of the USA (sorry, international readers).  Erin's publishing company will mail the prize directly to the winner after the contest closes on March 26th, at noon EST.  Prize has no cash equivalent.  Good Luck, Everyone!

Giveaway Ended!  Thank you to everyone who participated!

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