Great Winter Field Trip Ideas for Homeschoolers

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Homeschool families do not need to give up field trips during the winter season. This can actually be one of the best seasons to take homeschool field trips!

Benefits of winter field trips:

  • Typical field trip spots are less crowded during the winter because most public school field trips happen in the fall and spring
  • Learn about how the change of seasons affects outdoor locations
  • Everyone gets a little boost in physical activity
  • Helps beat the winter homeschool blahs
  • Prevent cabin fever
  • Great way for homeschool groups to get together without anyone needing to host

There are many educational field trip options that work well with winter weather.

Great Winter Field Trip Ideas for Homeschoolers

winter field trips perfect for homeschoolers written in front of a snow covered walking bridge with trees in the background

Science Museums

Many science museum exhibits are located indoors, which makes it a great place to explore during the colder winter months. Visiting a science museum is a way to get exposure to a variety of scientific fields. The hands-on exhibits are a fun way to learn. This can be a great way to interest kids who might think they don’t like science. They can probably find something that they enjoy!

History Museums

History museums allow homeschoolers to connect with the past on a personal level. Seeing authentic artifacts and historical items can evoke a sense of time travel, helping students better understand the lives and experiences of people from different eras. This connection can be hard to replicate through a typical history curriculum.

Art Museums

Art museums offer a place to explore multiple cultures in one building. Kids can explore different styles of art while also taking note of historical elements. My family likes to visit our local art museum any time an exhibit lines up with our history lessons. We have visited while learning about Ancient Egypt, Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, and the Renaissance.

Art museums can be a fun place to spend a cold afternoon. While they are not always quite as engaging for kids as other types of museums, kids can enjoy a visit. When my kids were younger we tried to follow their interests and keep our visits short.

Children’s Museums

Children’s museums can be great places for young kids to play and learn when the weather isn’t great for playing outside. They might feel like they are just playing, but they are learning social skills, math skills, literacy skills, scientific concepts (even if they can’t name them yet), and motor skills.

It functions as an educational indoor playground.

Children’s museums sometimes get crowded during colder weather, so you might want to research the museum near you and see if you can purchase tickets in advance. The Google Popular Times feature can also help you plan for a time that is typically less crowded.

Winter Sports Arena

Winter sports arenas, such as an ice skating rink, can obviously be used for a P.E. field trip, but the offerings might surprise you.

When my kids were young, the ice skating arena near our house offered a winter storytime on the ice. Kids came bundled up in warm clothes and listened to a picture book while on the ice rink. After the story was over they were able to play games.

Historic Homes and Other Historical Sites

Historical sites tend to follow the seasons. After all, many of the historic homes are trying to showcase daily life. Visiting during each season can help kids see how life changed with the weather before we had luxuries like air conditioning, indoor heat, and electricity. Historic sites frequently host special events that vary by season, so be sure to check out the schedule.

Local Library

Local libraries can be a great place for winter field trips. Many libraries offer story times and other events specifically for children. When my kids were young, our local library offered a weekly lunch storytime. The kids would bring a picnic lunch and eat while they listened to the librarian read stories with a common theme. This was perfect for winter!

Planetarium

Planetariums are a great field trip location year-round, but in the winter they tend to add special winter-themed events. Kids can learn about stars, planets, and the winter night sky. The Go Astronomy website can help you find a local planetarium.

Pottery Studios

Pottery studios are a fun place for an art-themed winter field trip. No matter the exterior temperatures, kids will be cozy indoors while painting a piece of pottery.

Post Office

The post office is a fantastic field trip location, especially during a community helpers unit. I took my kindergarten class to the library and then, years later, went with my kids and our homeschool group. They were able to get a behind-the-scenes tour.

A field trip to the post office requires planning. Start by calling the main number for your local post office.

Indoor Pool

An indoor pool can be a great place to take a P.E. field trip in the winter months. Kids can get exercise while learning, or practicing, life-saving swimming skills. This informal field trip can happen at a local aquatic center, a YMCA, or even somewhere like Great Wolf Lodge. A P.E. field trip still counts as a field trip.

Aquariums

Aquariums are largely indoors, so they are a great winter field trip idea. Kids can learn about ecosystems, biodiversity, and ecosystems while observing the aquatic animals. .

Zoos

Zoos often have outdoor exhibits, so it might seem odd to see it on a list of winter field trip ideas. However, I think it can be a great field trip spot as long as the weather conditions are not freezing. Sometimes it is nice to get a little fresh air. Going to the zoo in the winter allows us to observe different animals in colder conditions. Weather can have a big impact on animal behavior.

Botanical Gardens

Botanical gardens can be popular places during the spring, summer, and even fall months, but winter can also be a great time to visit. Students can observe winter flora, read displays about how plants survive the colder months, and learn how to plan a garden.

Outdoor Nature Center

Outdoor nature centers offer events rain or shine. There is plenty to explore in the outdoors during the winter. We just need to dress appropriately. Years ago I took my children to an outdoor nature center the day after a fairly significant snowstorm. The nature guide lead everyone on a hike, pointing out squirrel nests and birds that are harder to see when hidden by leaves.

Virtual Field Trips

Sometimes getting out of the house for a traditional field trip just isn’t in the cards. When that happens, virtual field trips can be a great alternative. Virtual programs allow you to explore educational areas from the comfort of your home.

I hope these fun winter field trips help your family enjoy your winter homeschool days.

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Welcome! My name is Jennifer. I am a teacher at heart. Before my children were born I was a public school teacher. Now, I am a homeschooling mom of two.