Teenagers don’t get excited about field trips the way younger kids do – whether that’s because they don’t get as many or because the field trip ideas don’t appeal to them. The right kind of field trip, one that’s creative, hands-on, and interesting, will make all the difference, though, and help make the learning stick.
Covering many categories, we’ve put together a guide of the best field trips for teens that are fun and educational.
What is a school field trip?
A school field trip is a planned experience outside of the classroom. Field trips are used as a learning tool to engage students and connect what they learned at school to real-world experiences. During these trips, students are encouraged to ask questions, explore, find inspiration, and make learning stick.
Field trips are often tied to a school subject, like government, science, or literature, but they can also involve visiting new environments, thinking of future careers, exploring other cultures, or building life skills. Sometimes, field trips are simply for fun and bonding, but most have at least a hidden learning component.
Value of Field Trips for Teens
Field trips for all grades and ages should be fun and educational, but there’s even more value than meets the eye. Not only do they put learning into real-life scenarios, but they also support different learning styles. Some students don’t do as well in a classroom as they do in hands-on or visual settings, and field trips give them the connection they need to learn and grow.
Teens become more engaged during field trips, too, boosting interest and helping teens focus on the topic. They also expose teens to careers they may not have otherwise thought of while encouraging them to be independent.
Field Trip Ideas
Field trips for teens span every school subject, and they may not even realize how educational some of them are. The best field trips are fun and educational. Check out the following field trips to consider for your class.
Science and Nature Field Trip Ideas
Nature center
Connecting to the natural world helps students understand how climate change, pollution, and sustainability impact the earth. Putting it into the perspective of your local environment makes it real to kids, helping them connect it to their daily life.
Botanical gardens
Botanical gardens are a mix of science and art, where plants are grown for scientific purposes, conservation, and public display. They’re not only beautiful spaces to explore, but they are also a great place to learn and feel inspired.
Planetarium
Planetariums are indoor spaces where stars, planets, and other parts of the solar system are projected overhead onto a screen. Teens can watch and learn about astronomy while feeling like they’re actually outside under the night sky.
State and National Parks
Exploring state and national parks can help teens remember the environmental aspects of the area they live in. They can also see iconic landmarks firsthand, something they’ll never forget. Guided tours are often available, so experts can explain information and key areas. You can find nearby parks on the national parks website.
Local Farm
If there is a farm near your school, consider planning a field trip there! Even teens enjoy visiting animals, and at a farm, they can also learn history, biology, and economics. Your local farm probably has demonstrations ready, such as milking cows, or planting crops.
Career-Oriented Field Trip Ideas
Local colleges and trade schools
To get students thinking about future careers, consider visiting a local college or trade school. While colleges are perfect for those seeking a job that requires a degree, trade schools are better options for those looking into technical fields. Colleges love these field trips because it also serves as a campus tour for the students.
Tour a Local Small Business
Visiting local businesses can inspire teens to start their own business after high school or college. Try reaching out to local businesses and see if anyone is willing to give the class a tour. You can also ask the students parents to see if there are any business owners or people who work at a company willing to show the students around.
Cooking classes
Consider taking the students to a cooking class to learn a new skill. Real-life learning will stick with teens throughout their lives, and cooking is one they’ll need to know. See if you can visit a local restaurant or kitchen that is willing to give the class a tour.
Museum Field Trips
Art museum
Teens can find inspiration and engage in hands-on activities while appreciating art history and techniques. Art museums often inspire self-expression, leading teens to continue learning more or trying techniques for themselves even after the field trip is over.
Heritage museum
Heritage museums teach teens about identity, diversity, and history in a real-world context. They’ll learn about other communities and cultures, helping them see beyond their immediate environment.
Science museum
Teens can explore interactive science exhibits that’ll keep them engaged. The more hands-on the science center is, the more likely teens are to remember it.
Team-building Field Trip Ideas
Outdoor adventure experiences
Many outdoor adventure activities encourage teamwork, leadership, and personal growth. You may be able to find places that offer zip lining, rope courses, or rock climbing.
Amusement parks
Taking teens to an amusement park is one of the best ways to help them understand the concept of physics. They can understand gravity, force, acceleration, momentum, and friction in action, which is perfect for retaining the knowledge.
Escape rooms
Teens will have fun problem-solving while working on their communication and teamwork skills. Escape rooms are also STEM-related, making them educational without effort.
Government and Civic Engagement Field Trips
State Capitol
Understanding state government can help students see beyond their immediate environment and learn how they can make a difference. It is an exciting way to help understand the levels of politics, eventually helping them understand the federal government level. If you reach out to your state capitol ahead of time, you can probably coordinate a tour through the building.
Courtrooms
By visiting a courtroom, teens can get a real-life glimpse into how the justice system works, helping them retain the information they learn about this part of the government. They can also see many career options in action, helping them think about their future and all the choices they can make.
Police or fire department
Reach out to your local police or fire departments to see if you can coordinate a tour! Touring facilities and talking to those who serve the local community is beneficial for teens to think about future career opportunities and remember to appreciate the people in these roles.
Historical sites
Research historical sites and landmarks to get ideas for field trips near you. Exploring historical sites near you is an interactive way for teens to learn about and remember the locations and events. Historical sites can involve learning about and understanding other cultures and communities, or they can be historical or political landmarks.
Field Trip Ideas for Creative Arts
Poetry reading
A poetry reading is an emotional and intellectual field trip idea for teens that inspires creativity and art exploration. Teens will also practice listening and reflecting as they listen to poets share their work.
Theater performances or tours
Teens can learn about the art of performance, stagecraft, and storytelling, perfect for those interested in acting, music, or production. Not only does it help them learn about how a show comes together, but it also helps them build confidence.
Field Trip Tips
Before a field trip, there are some preparation essentials you won’t want to skip. These tips help ensure everyone stays safe, has permission, and feels their best.
Field trip safety
Finding volunteer chaperones is essential when planning field trips for teens. Assign them to groups of students who they will be in charge of until the end of the trip.
Teens should know which chaperones they’re with and understand the rules and guidelines for each field trip before leaving school.
Permission slips
Teens shouldn’t leave the school building without signed permission from their parents. It ensures parents know where their teen is, and it gives the coordinator legal permission if the student needs medical care.
How to make a field trip fun
Making a field trip fun is all about building anticipation, and one way to do that is by involving students in the planning. When they feel like they’ve had a say in the decision, they’ll be more engaged and ready to go.
Learn about and engage in the topic you’ll be having a field trip about to get teens excited for what’s to come. While you’re on the field trip, consider interactive activities like scavenger hunts through historical sites to maintain engagement.
Once the field trip is over, don’t stop talking about it. Students can spend time journaling or reflecting in another creative way to help the information stick. A follow-up project also gives teens the chance to hone in on the inspiration they found during the field trip.
Recap: Field Trip Ideas for Teens
Learning doesn’t only happen at school, and field trips for teens can be fun, engaging, and memorable while offering real-life opportunities to learn, try new things, and make memories. Considering what teens are interested in and basing field trips around those ideas inspires curiosity, confidence, and helps them retain what they’re learning. Most students really look forward to the days where they don’t have to be in their usual classrooms and get to experience something new. While planning and coordinating field trips may seem like a lot of work, it is worth it for the sake of enriching the student’s learning experience.