Let’s Go: Field Tripping During a Pandemic

When I first started writing about homeschooling, Traci Matt reached out to say “hi” and to welcome me to the world of books. I still remember her words, “enjoy the ride!” And since she told me to, I do.

Traci is a great author herself. Her book Don’t Waste Your Time Homeschooling was a long-time (years?) homeschool bestseller on Amazon. Now she has written a new book that will be one of my most-used resources this year: Let’s Go! Field Trips for Teachers, Homeschoolers, and Active Families. Those two great books are combined in her new Homeschool Bundle.

You may have heard our great conversation about field trips in the Homeschool Made Easy group (are you a member?). I asked her to come today with more ideas for field trips I need to take.

Are you and your kids bored out of your minds? Do the walls seem to be closing in? Never underestimate the power of a field trip to energize your family and your home school. Here are some tips and ideas to make quarantine-friendly forays into your community and learn something at the same time.

Set learning goals. This should always happen right (cough, cough)? If school is not in session, the kids don’t even have to know. Look ahead at your curriculum for the year and schedule trips around what you are actually studying.

Focus the whole day around the trip’s theme. If you are going fishing, bring goldfish crackers and play Go Fish when you get home. If you go to a model airplane, drone, or kite demonstration, watch “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” that evening. You get the idea. 

Be sure to phone ahead. No matter where you are going, Google may not get it right. Things change so quickly, sometimes businesses don’t have time to update their hours online.

Bring your own food. This not only saves you money, but regular food service at many places is shut down during the pandemic.

Plan to pay with plastic. Most will prefer payments be as contact-free as possible. 

Invite Grandma along for the fun. Outdoor, low-contact field trips may be a great opportunity to log some time with older relatives who have not been out much since last spring. 

Some ideas to add to your school calendar

Virtual field trips. From zoos to museums to science centers to national parks to working farms (piggy cam, anyone?), the ideas go on and on. Stream the websites on your smart TV and gather the family around!

Old towns, homesteads, one room schoolhouses, historical manufacturing sites. These visits can be done mostly outside, without a tour guide, and germ-free. Check with your local historical society for these structures. 

Houses of worship. Choose a religion you are not familiar with and call for a tour. This is an especially good time to check them out because many buildings are empty. There is no better way to eliminate prejudice than with knowledge!

Golf courses. Study soil testing, landscaping, physics, grounds keeping, and even the rules of the game. Thefirstgreen.org is a thorough resource for these STEM learning opportunities. 

Master gardeners. These experts in all things outdoors love to show off their beautiful gardens and knowledge of plants, birds, and insects. Check with your county extension office for master gardener contacts.

Farms and farmers markets. Study everything from biology to business by visiting farms or markets. Go maple sugaring, pick strawberries, or just wander around the pumpkin patch. 

Small artisans. Leather workers, glass blowers, coffee roasters, and candle makers may welcome your family for a private tour. Check with your Chamber of Commerce for a list of your local artisans.