Autumn is just around the corner promising cooler temps, crisp air, and falling leaves. I’m so thankful our homeschools don’t have to be stuck inside and miss out on all the beautiful fall weather.
If you’re like me and looking for any excuse to get your students out of the house, here are a few of our favorite fall field trip ideas.
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Apple Orchard
If you’re lucky enough to live near an apple orchard, fall is a great time to visit. In addition to a farm tour, many orchards offer a “you-pick” option where your family can go and pick your own apples to bring home.
Before you go: Pull out the book, How to Bake an Apple Pie and See the World and complete some of the Five in a Row Lessons. Pick apples, bring them home, and make your own apple pie using the recipe in the book. And print an apple orchard scavenger hunt at the bottom of this blog too.
Pumpkin Patch
Of all our fall field trip ideas, this one is our favorite. We visit the same pumpkin patch every year. It’s become a family tradition. Through the years and thanks to agri-tourism, the farm that hosts the pumpkin patch has expanded to include activities that keep us entertained all day long.
We pack a picnic lunch, have a scheduled time for our homeschool group to enjoy a covered wagon tour of the farm, race through the corn maze, play and take pictures in the tiny town, pet the animals in the petting zoo area, enjoy our picnic under a covered pavilion, play on the playground, visit the old cabin museum, and shop in the country store before choosing our pumpkin from the patch and heading home.
Before you go: Read books about pumpkins and learn about the life cycle of a pumpkin. Maybe even plant a few pumpkin seeds. And don’t forget to print our pumpkin patch scavenger hunt.
Local Library
Every day is a good day to visit your library, but fall is a great time to visit during the day. With public and private schools back in session, there will be fewer patrons and you could possibly get a tour from your favorite children’s librarian.
Before you go: Talk to your small children especially about proper behavior inside the library. Help your big kids create a list of books they want to check out. Make sure the list contains books for both pleasure and academics.
We just visited our library last week, and even the kindergarteners enjoyed having an assignment of what kind of books to look for. I’ve also included a library scavenger hunt below for your trip.
Local Park/Nature Trail
Because the weather is cooler than our hot and humid summers, we love to visit our local parks during the fall. The one closest to our home has a walking trail, covered pavilions, and a playground so there’s plenty to satisfy our wide variety of ages.
Our nearest state park is only about 20 minutes away and offers similar amenities in a slightly more secluded setting.
Before you go: Having a talk about proper behavior with little ones is appropriate no matter where you’re going. Maybe discuss what you will do and how long you’ll stay. I know my smallest ones hate to leave the playground, so a heads up before we go helps to offset meltdowns later.
Don’t forget to print the nature scavenger hunt at the end of this blog post to keep little ones interested in a nature walk.
Farmer’s Market
There are so many fall vegetables we love to enjoy. If you don’t grow your own, or even if you do, a trip to your local farmer’s market can make a great field trip. Your family will have the opportunity to meet many farmers and craftsmen from your area.
At our local farmer’s market, there are farmers who bring beef and dairy, broccoli and squash, as well as local honey, teas, homemade candles, and soaps.
Before you go: Let your students help you make a shopping list. What would the family like to buy? And then how will you use it once you bring it home? Don’t forget to print the scavenger hunts below.
Star Gazing/Camping
A clear, cool autumn night is the perfect time to go camping, even if it’s in your own back yard. Every camping activity is an educational one. From planning, preparing, and packing to putting up a tent, building a fire, and cooking over it.
All of these are useful skills your child wouldn’t get in a traditional classroom. So mark the calendar, and plan to make it happen. While you’re enjoying the fresh air on a cool night, don’t forget to appreciate the beautiful night sky. For more learning, look for constellations and shooting stars.
Before you go: You may need to purchase a tent, sleeping bags, or chairs if you don’t already have them. Be sure to include your children in the planning and prep for your trip, possibly assigning specific tasks to your older children.
You may also want to purchase constellation cards (Amazon) or download the night sky app on your smart phone to make constellation spotting easier. And enjoy a camping themed scavenger hunt.