Taking the kids on a field trip can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be with careful planning and a sack lunch. Check out these FREE Wisconsin field trip ideas below!
1. Henry Villas Zoo: The Henry Villas Zoo is a small yet impressive zoo in Madison, Wisconsin. The zoo houses over 100 animals from around the world. Some animals that can be seen at this zoo are a polar bear, African lion, Bornean Orangutan, and many other types of animals. The zoo is free to visit but is community-supported and takes donations.
2. The Mackenzie Center: The Mackenzie Center has a nature center, wildlife exhibits, and an annual maple syrup festival. There are also several hiking trails and picnic areas, so pack a lunch before you head out. Campers can explore nature by going on field trips and overnight programs at the Mackenzie Center. They have lectures and workshops throughout the year covering topics like gardening or identifying birds by their songs or feathers. The Mackenzie Center is located in Poynette, Wisconsin.
3. Dr. Evermore Sculpture Park: Dr. Evermor's sculpture park is a quirky field trip for families in the Baraboo-Sauk region. It allows kids to experience an hour or two of fun with their families and see whimsical sculptures made of scrap metal parts.
You will find various sculptures, art installations, and compelling photography opportunities at Dr. Evermor's sculpture park. It is located in Sumpter, Wisconsin, about an hour's drive from Madison. While in the area, take a hike at Natural Bridge State Park, where you'll find the most significant natural bridge in Wisconsin.
4. Spring Greens Natural Preserve: Spring Greens Natural Preserve is also known as "Wisconsin's Desert" and is home to desert plants and animals. This region's sandy, dry soils contain an exciting array of desert-like plants such as false heather, three-awn grass, and prickly pear cactus. There are almost 40 species of annuals and biennials in this prairie, which is a high number for a prairie. The plains snake-cotton, Venus'-looking-glass, and broadleaf dandelion are just some examples.
5. Devil's Lake State Park Nature Center: The Devil's Lake State Park Nature Center is great for families to get close to nature. The center has wildlife exhibits, kid-friendly activities, and an impressive array of educational programs. Their activities calendar includes events like naturalist guided hikes, kayak tours, nature photography, and even beekeeping lectures! Devil's Lake State Park is located in Baraboo, Wisconsin. It has an area of more than 7,600 acres and offers numerous recreational activities for visitors.
Devil's Lake State Park is one of the most popular parks in Wisconsin, with over 3 million visitors every year. Hiking trails, rock climbing and bouldering, canoe rentals, and camping are among the many activities offered at this site.
The Ice Age Trail at the Devil's Lake Segment is 11 miles long and travels through the park. The IAT is 1200 miles long and one of only 11 trails to qualify as a National Scenic Trail.
6. Wisconsin State Capitol Building: The Wisconsin State Capitol is located in Madison and is the house of the Wisconsin legislature. Construction on the building began in 1837 and was completed in 1842. The Capitol building has a rectangular shape and is made up of two stories, with a large central dome rising from the center of the structure.
Visitors to the capitol can take tours available during weekdays, weekends, and holidays from 8:30am-4:30pm. It's a site to see at Christmas as they put in a massive tree, and you might even catch a choir or band playing when you're there! Tours are self-guided, but visitors may also request a tour guide for an additional fee. Tours are available for school groups, senior citizen groups, or other organized group tours only by appointment.
7. Olbrich Botanical Gardens: Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a fantastic place for educational field trips for homeschooling families. It has a wide variety of gardens and plants from all over the world.
The Olbrich Botanical Gardens is a Madison, Wisconsin garden located on the shores of Lake Monona, just west of downtown Madison. The gardens are open year-round with free admission and offer educational programs for homeschooling families and a wide variety of plants from all over the world.
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