35 Field Trip Ideas
Posted by Erica Jabali
Coming up with fun, educational, affordable field trip ideas can be a challenge. But field trips offer great learning experiences that promote a sense of school pride and community within the student body. Even though schools operate on tight budgets, you can get creative and keep prioritizing field trips. Here are 35 field trip ideas broken up by grade levels to maximize your field trip opportunities!
Elementary: Grades K-5
- Upper-Level Performance - Your upper grades are probably prepping for a performance of some kind, either theatre, music, sports or otherwise. Let them practice the show for the younger grades — which is a win for both groups.
- Local Expert - See if you can find a local expert who relates to a unit you are studying and invite him or her to do a presentation. Can you find an artist? Zoologist? They'll probably love the opportunity to give back to the community while sharing something they love, and you'll get the presentation free or at a steep discount. Hold the event in an auditorium so it feels extra special.
- Police & Fire - Younger kids are fascinated by police, fire, EMT and other types of rescue jobs. Invite them to the school parking lot to do a presentation or arrange for students to go to the firehouse and enjoy a guided tour. This creates a positive, larger sense of community for everyone involved.
- Cooking Show - Do you know a chef or have connections at a restaurant? See if they'll put on a cooking show or do a cooking class for young kids. Most chefs will jump at the opportunity to build relationships with so many little members of the community who will grow up to be regular patrons of local cuisine.
