20 Simple Fall Field Trips

Recently I posted: “In Defense of the Simple Life,” where I claimed all kids really need to be happy is a lot of love and a little yard.

In the same vein, today I’m talking about simple fall field trips for little ones. Fortunately, kids are entertained by very simple things. If you think creatively, you can find inexpensive places right in your town for little ones to learn and love.

This fall, in conjunction with our homeschool preschool, we’re planning to do a field trip every other Thursday with other families. Here are 20 great ideas for frugal, creative field trips…Many of these are perfect for the fall!

Here are two important tips:

• Get some books at the library on the topics ahead of time. Example: airport = books on planes. This is easy, and will get the kids excited to see it all!
• Find a local support group – like MOPS or The Mommies Network (which I love!) and ask these mommies advice about the best places to go!

Now, the trips!

1. Airport – Our local commercial airport has a great landing area to watch the planes, and it also has an inexpensive aviation museum, which I’ve heard great things about!
2. Dads’ workplaces – This is a great one! Think about your hubby, or those of your friends. I bet you could come up with lots of interesting tours. My dad and brother-in-laws work at a race track, which is a huge hit! My husband manages a landscaping company, and seeing all the equipment makes my kids’ day!
3. Zoo – This will be our most expensive trip of the year. But so worth it, right??
4. Pumpkin Picking – Don’t forget to pack a lunch and eat it at the patch!
5. Apple Picking – There are some great apple crafts for kids, and of course, recipes! How about letting your kids roll out the dough for an apple pie? Oh, yes – it’s a total mess. But once a year couldn’t hurt! 🙂
6. Fire Station – I was in awe of how friendly and informative our local firefighters were. My kids literally talked about this for months.
7. Interesting parks – Find a new one. Bring your bikes and go on a long adventurous ride, or go on a for real, nature walk – like the one I talked about here at Keeper of the Home.
8. Raptor Centers or Reptile Parks – This might require a little drive, but worth it if you have a little owl-lover like I do. 🙂
9. Pet store – Some stores, like Petco, even offer “classes” to kids about animal care and education!
10. Story/craft time at library – This is a great “easy” trip for moms and kids. Most libraries offer great little crafts if you just plan ahead to be there.
11. Local farm – Don’t be afraid to call a local farm, and ask for a tour. You’ll probably get a free, memorable tour.
12. Maize Maze – Just make sure everyone goes the bathroom before entering the maze. 🙂
13. Service-oriented trip – Visit a nursing home to sing songs or deliver cards, or deliver meals to needy folks through a program such as Meals On Wheels
14. Local Bakery
15. Recycling Center
16. Local factory to tour – I still get warm fuzzies remembering the tour of a potato chip factory I took as a kid. We even got a warm potato chip right off the line. Ahh… 🙂
17. Farmer’s Market – I’d prep this one by checking out some books on farming, how things grow, etc. I’d also have my kids pick out a food and we’d made a meal with all our ingredients.
18. Veterinarian Office
19. Police station – Yes – most do give tours! Contact the local crime prevention officer.
20. Rodeo – Ours around here runs in the fall, and at nights, but how about joining up a few families for a really memorable night?

If you need some more local ideas, Family Days Out lists local attractions.

What was your favorite field trip you remember as a little one? Have you taken your kids there yet?

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