Field Trips For Homeschoolers – Cheap & Free Ideas!
Looking for field trips for homeschoolers? You’re in the right place!
Homeschooling the same thing day after day can get stale for both you and your kids. Making learning fun and sometimes different, is a great way to beat the boredom and to break up the monotony. Sometimes a homeschool field trip is the answer, but what do you do when you can’t afford much of a field trip? Here are a few great ideas to get you started.
Field Trips For Homeschoolers
Take a Virtual Field Trip
Sometimes you do not even need to leave your house to have a field trip. The internet is a very vast place and since homeschooling has become so popular lately, there are a huge number of museums and landmarks that are now offering virtual field trips.
These virtual field trips often have music, videos photos and more. They’re perfect for when you need a break from regular lessons but can’t afford to go anywhere.
Go See a Movie
Field trips for homeschoolers do not always need to be super educational. Sometimes they’re fun! If you and the kids need a little bit of time away from your lessons, why not head to the movies one afternoon?
Because you’ll be going away from off-peak times, your costs should be significantly lower. Before you head to the theatre be sure to call ahead to double check prices. Not all theatres offer matinee rates.
Go Hiking
Hiking is great exercise for the whole family and a great way to get your kids away from their devices. Even better, it is an incredibly cheap way to have a field trip! If you’re unfamiliar with hiking trails near you, a quick search with the words, ‘near me’ should be able to help you out.
Once you know where you’re going, pack some snacks and water and head out to the trails!
Find a Free Museum
A lot of museums offer free or significantly discounted days and they make perfect budget friendly field trips! To find a local one, check the websites of museums near where you live. If there are discounted or free days, the information will be listed on the rates page.
Another place to check is any organizations or companies you use. Some banks or special member type clubs also offer free museums to their customers on specific days of the week or month.
Take a Fishing Trip
Fishing is another great, family friendly activity that does not cost much money at all if you already have the needed equipment. Your kids will love being able to catch their own fish and you will love that they’re happy and having a great time.
If you’re not comfortable with the idea of keeping your fish, catch and release fishing is just as much fun!
Head to the Aquarium
Aquariums are great fun and they’re typically fairly cheap for admission costs. If your kids love fish and all things marine life, they will love visiting here! Before you go, call ahead to see if they offer discounted days or times. You might also ask about a group discount. If you have a homeschool co-op or a large group of friends, this may be a great option for saving even more money.
Visit a Festival
For most of the year, festivals are a commonplace thing all across the country. You’ll find them for everything from apples to pumpkins and more. Festivals, especially those that promote a culture that is different from your own, are great for teaching about those different cultures while having a blast at the same time.
The best part is that most are free to very low-cost to enter and since you control what you spend, can be visited for incredibly cheap.
Visit Historical Markers in Your Area
Have you ever driven down the road past a historical marker sign? How many of those have you ever stopped to learn about? Chances are, it’s very few! For the cost of just a few gallons of gas, pile in the car and go find all those historical markers. You’ll have a great field trip and your kids will have the chance to learn about the very area you live in.
Visit a Local Farm
Visiting a local farm is often a very cheap way to have a homeschool field trip. Most kids love farm animals and would love to take a break from schoolwork to enjoy time on a farm! But not only will they have a blast, they’ll also have the chance to learn about each animal, how they’re cared for and more.
Go to an Amusement Park
Wait for an admission sale for this. You can sometimes get a good deal when it is slightly off-season. An amusement park can be both fun and educational. The live shows offer great opportunities to learn something new such as facts about a particular animal or bug.
Visit an Art Gallery
This is a great opportunity to teach art appreciation. Although you could do with with art books and a curriculum, seeing the art in real life is a great experience for kids and also adults.
Visit Community Helpers
If your homeschooler was learning about community helpers, going to a Fire Department to see firefighters in their uniforms and their place of work is an excellent addition to their studies. Going to the Dental Office or Post Office is also another great option to see the work in action.
Job-Related Field Trips
This is more appropriate for middle schoolers or high schoolers. Going to visit the place of work for a particular occupation is a great way to get a feel for what one does all day at work. For example, if your kid is interested in possibly becoming a veterinarian, you could visit an animal hospital or Veterinary office
You could do this with so many other occupations. To find a place near you, search online for an occupation + ‘near me’.
Final Thoughts on Field Trips For Homeschoolers
Going on a homeschool field trip does not need to be an expensive expedition that takes all day. Some of the most memorable and fun field trips for homeschoolers are budget-friendly and may only take a couple of hours. Just remember, no matter how much it does or doesn’t cost or how long it takes, your kids will be both learning and making memories with you.
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