How to Plan Educational Outings for Experiential Learning

Let’s be honest—homeschooling isn’t just about books and lesson plans. One of the coolest perks is taking learning on the road. Whether it’s a local museum, aquarium, or historical site, field trips aren’t just fun—they’re hands-on learning that sticks. Trust me, I’ve been there with my own crew, and there’s nothing like watching your kids light up while learning outside the classroom.

Living in Southern California, we had access to some pretty amazing spots—like the Long Beach Aquarium, MOCA, and LACMA. These weren’t just outings; they were full-on immersive learning experiences. And the best part? You don’t need to live in a big city to make this happen. Let’s dig into how to plan field trips that’ll bring your lessons to life and spark some serious curiosity in your homeschool.

Scout Out Local Museums, Zoos, and Cultural Centers

The first step is to see what your local area offers. You might be surprised at how many educational gems are right around the corner. Whether it’s art, science, or history, these places give your kids a chance to dive into topics you’ve been covering at home.

Where to look:

Art Museums: Got a local art museum? Perfect for diving into different cultures, historical periods, or even creative storytelling.
Science Museums and Aquariums: If you’re studying ecosystems or marine biology, an aquarium visit is pure gold. Science museums often have interactive exhibits that bring STEM concepts to life.
History Museums: Whether you’re studying ancient civilizations or recent history, a local history museum can add context to the broader picture.
Zoos and Nature Centers: Perfect for tying in biology, ecology, or geography lessons. Plus, who doesn’t love animals?

These field trips make your lessons tangible. Instead of just reading about something, your kids get to see it, touch it, and experience it, creating lasting connections.

Link Field Trips to What You’re Learning

Field trips are more than just a break from routine—they’re a way to reinforce what your kids are already learning. Whether it’s science, art, or history, these outings can be tailored to what you’re teaching at home.

How to connect it:

Science: Studying biology? Head to the aquarium to see marine life up close, or take a trip to the zoo for a real-world look at animal behavior and habitats.
Art: If you’re diving into art history, visiting a local art museum gives your kids the chance to see famous works in person and engage with different styles and movements.
History: Bring history to life with a trip to a local museum or historical site. Whether it’s an ancient artifact or a reenactment, these experiences make history more vivid and real.

Tying field trips into your curriculum makes the learning stick. Plus, it shows your kids that what they’re learning isn’t just theory—it’s connected to the world around them.

Prep Before You Go

A little preparation goes a long way. Getting your kids familiar with what they’ll see on the trip makes it easier for them to connect the dots between the outing and what they’ve been learning at home.

How to prep:

Pre-learning: If you’re headed to an art museum, introduce your kids to the artist or art movement they’ll be seeing. If it’s a zoo trip, brush up on the animals and their habitats beforehand.
Ask questions: Encourage curiosity. Ask, “What do you think we’ll learn?” or “What do you want to discover today?”
Set expectations: Let your kids know how long the trip will be and what the highlights are. This helps manage the day and keeps them engaged.

Prepping gives your kids a framework to build on during the trip. When they know what to expect, they can focus on exploring and asking questions.

Make It Interactive

Field trips are at their best when your kids are active participants. Sure, museums and zoos have tons to offer on their own, but you can take it to the next level by keeping things interactive.

Interactive ideas:

Scavenger hunts: Create a scavenger hunt where your kids have to find specific artifacts, animals, or information during the trip.
Sketching and journaling: Bring notebooks so your kids can sketch what they see or write about their experience. It helps them process what they’re learning in a creative way.
Photos: Let them snap photos of their favorite exhibits. Later, they can use these to create a presentation or report on what they learned.

Hands-on activities keep kids engaged and make learning fun. It also gives them a sense of ownership over the experience, making it more impactful.

Follow Up After the Trip

Don’t let the learning stop when the trip ends. Follow up with activities that reinforce what your kids saw and learned during the outing.

Post-trip activities:

Create a project: Have your kids put together a presentation, report, or art project based on the trip. They can use photos, sketches, or written reflections to summarize what they learned.
Do a deep dive: If something really piqued their interest on the trip, dive deeper at home. Watch a documentary, read books, or even design an experiment around that topic.
Reflect: Ask your kids to reflect on the trip. What did they learn? What surprised them? How does it connect to their homeschool lessons?

Following up solidifies the learning. It gives your kids a chance to reflect on their experience and connect it to their studies in a meaningful way.

Making Field Trips Part of Your Homeschool Routine

Educational outings aren’t just about getting out of the house—they’re about making learning come alive. Whether you’re visiting a museum, zoo, or cultural center, these experiences offer a rich way to deepen your homeschool journey. And remember, The HOM Network is here to help with tips, resources, and support as you plan your next adventure.

Let’s keep learning in the real world—it’s the best classroom there is.

— Sean Richard, Founder & CEO, The HOM Network