Introduction: Why Take a Field Trip
Taking a field trip with your kids is one of the best ways to spend time doing outdoor activities and having family adventures. Field trips provide educational outlets that allow the kids to get into hands-on activities and maybe even get dirty. Kids love getting filthy, right?
Field trips are a great way to get out of the classroom and into the real world. Field trip topics can range from science to history, but most importantly, they allow students to have a hands-on experience with exciting topics.
A field trip with your kids is the perfect way to spend quality time with them and create memories. Family adventures, like hiking, camping, or even just exploring local parks, are some of the best things to do together. It also allows children to understand their natural environment and learn about the world around them. But it's not just outdoor recreation that's beneficial. Day trips to the museum also provide an educational opportunity to make memories.
What to Bring? Day Pack Checklist
Sometimes as parents must help pack supplies for the day out, but it's best to get them involved with the process. Here is a quick checklist of things you may have forgotten before your families next field trip:
Backpack
Water bottle
A snack
Sunscreen
Appropriate seasonal clothing
Notebook and pen or a nature journal
Car activities
Camera/phone and charging devices
Spending money
Packing and Preparation Tips for a Successful Outing
My kids love going on day trips, and I'm always so excited when we get ready to go, but there is always so much to remember. Below are a few key reminders.
1. Have your kids pack for themselves, no matter their age. Younger kids might need help finding all the right things but have them get started independently. Example: I might ask my 3-year-old to pack his favorite stuffed animal and backpack. I then set up a landing zone for the stuff going with us and requested the whole family to put what they wanted to take in that spot. This tactic allows us to see our packing progress and ensures we remember critical items.
2. Pack as much as possible the night before. Some of us are downright dysfunctional in the mornings, and if we don't pack, we stop at a gas station to buy sunglasses or shoes. So go ahead, fill the car, lay out clothing, and have a plan for breakfast, and your day will go much better.
3. Clean the car before you leave. An overnighter or a long day trip can trash a car fast. It's also a good idea to set up a garbage bag in your car and empty it during each fuel stop.
Have a good podcast and music ready to go. Bonus if it's about the location that you're visiting!
4. Remember food. If you can't budget for meals out, you'll need to pack plenty of healthy snacks.
5. Let the kids invite a friend! Older kids especially enjoy having their friends along for field trips.
Academic Preparation: Studying Ahead of Time and Creating New Lessons when you Return
When you go on a field trip to a place new to you, chances are your kids will have a bunch of questions. Questions like "What's it like there?" and probably "Is there Wi-Fi?" But there are many ways to answer these questions before getting in the car.
To make the most of the outing, watch a documentary or read a story about where you'll visit. What you learn in a movie, or a textbook can come to life in a new way when viewed in person. There's no reason a day trip has to be a day; the lessons can start before and continue for days or even weeks upon returning home. For example, you're visiting the space museum this weekend. Watch a documentary during the week and after you return, prepare a meal out of freeze-dried foods like a real astronaut!
The learning opportunities are endless here, and the curriculum will create itself!
Stay Safe! Safety Tips for Preventing Unwanted Adventure Plan Disasters
One of the most essential tasks is checking the weather and planning to ensure you're well-equipped with clothes galore, sunscreen, and a raincoat. You might need to reschedule or switch up your day to avoid issues on your trip. It's best to be prepared and have a plan before your trip to avoid these issues.
Check-in with the local visitor center online or in person the day before you head out. The visitor center is an excellent resource for information on the region and safety alerts, and they'll be happy to suggest day hikes and scenic drives. For example, if you're going on a walk in the woods, you'll want to know if a trail is closed due to high bear activity or a landslide.
Conclusion
Field trips are a fantastic way to teach kids about the world around them. They can learn about the environment, animals, and other cultures. Field trips are not just for kids. Adults also benefit from field trips, such as learning a new skill or having a better understanding of a topic they don't know much about.
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