The Best Field Trip Ideas

Field trips are popular school activities. Children enjoy the opportunity to explore new places and learn new things. School field trips have a number of benefits for children, including better understanding of curriculum, promotion of community awareness and improved student-teacher relationships. There are several field trip ideas you can consider for children between the ages of 6 and 12.

Grocery Store

Visit a local grocery store. For most children, going to grocery store is part of their daily life. Read books on grocery stores prior to the field trip, and discuss grocery-related topics in the class. For example, you can conduct discussions on the experiences of students in a grocery store or favorite items they like to buy in a grocery store. Grocery store field trips introduce students to behind-the-store activities as they get to know different sections such as the meat, produce and bakery departments as well as different workers such as cashier, manager and helpers handling different grocery operations. They learn concepts of paying for goods and marketing in the form of newspaper ads and coupons. Arrange with the store to let children have a flyer or a coupon in memory of their field trip. Have them write thank-you notes to the store after the trip.

Children's Hospital

A visit to the children's hospital can promote understanding of the hospital setting and develop sensitivity toward the sick and ailing. Arrange with the hospital to design a trip that teaches students about medical equipment, the human body and illnesses, different jobs and responsibilities in a hospital setting and the role and importance of teamwork among different departments. Let children interact with patients in the hospital, if possible.

Nature Walks

Consider taking children on nature walks that focus on specific nature concepts. For example, you can organize a two-hour nature walk introducing students to local rivers and exploring concepts such as the water cycle, pollution and the human impact on the environment. There are nonprofit education groups that provide grants for free nature walks, and you can consider organizing this activity in collaboration with such groups.

Visit a Museum

Plan a museum trip. Arrange with the museum contact for a trip that relates to your current curriculum. Prepare students for the trip through class discussions on museums and their activities. Include parents in the trip, if possible. Form small student groups if needed, and assign a chaperon to each group. Let students choose their area of interest in the museum -- allow them time to observe, discuss and learn.

References

• teAchnology: Field Trips for Schools
• Western Illinois University: A Grocery Store Trip
• Miami Children's Hospital: Community Field Trip Program
• Science Factory: Free Nearby Nature Field Trips and School Visits
• Museum of Natural History, University of Colorado: Suggestions for Success -- Museum Field Trips