Spring is finally here, which means it’s the perfect time to plan a school trip. Not sure where to begin? Here, we discuss our top tips to make your planning process easy, including some school field trip ideas that you and the kids are sure to remember.
Why Spring is Great for Field Trips
After months of cold weather and indoor learning, students want to get out and move. In many areas, spring brings some of the best weather, and many venues use this time to ramp up their programming for school groups. This means there are likely to be fewer crowds, and you’ll have more flexibility as you research school field trip ideas.
Field Trip Ideas Near You
As you’re brainstorming school field trip ideas, think about places that mix physical activity with learning or venues that encourage teamwork since these tend to be the best for kids. Here are a few of our favorite school field trip ideas that check these boxes.
Science Museums
Science museums often have hands-on exhibits that make learning about new topics fun and accessible.
Zoos and Aquariums
Both zoos and aquariums give kids the chance to see wildlife and ecosystems up close, which can help them build an appreciation for animal conservation and biodiversity.
Local Farms
Farm visits are a great school trip idea because they show students where their food comes from. Many local farms offer spring tours.
Historic Landmarks
Exploring these sites can help students connect with their community.
Community Theaters
Live performances can spark interest in the performing arts and storytelling. Look for theaters that offer afternoon performances.
Nature Preserves
If you’d like your kids to learn about ecology and conservation, a nature preserve is a great school trip idea.
Field Trip Ideas by Grade Level
Not sure what kind of school field trip ideas will work best for your students? For kindergarten to second grade, we suggest fun, lighthearted activities that are good for groups, like petting zoos, storybook gardens, and puppet shows. For third to fifth graders, science centers, climbing gyms, and botanical gardens can be great options since they mix learning and adventure. For middle schoolers, we suggest interactive museums, sports facilities, and urban scavenger hunts. Finally, for high schoolers, you may want to consider career exposure trips, behind-the-scenes tours of things like TV stations and factories, and possibly college campus visits as well.
Wintrust Sports Complex
Here at Wintrust Sports Complex, we’re proud to say our facility ticks every box for a spring field trip. Our spaces are clean, modern, secure, and full of opportunities for learning. We are equipped to host big school outings as well as smaller field trip groups. Here, we cover a few of our top features.
Lots of Activities for Kids
Our complex includes multiple basketball courts, volleyball courts, and spaces for other sports, giving kids a chance to get out of the classroom and play. We also have a 4,000-square-foot arcade and a 2,000-square-foot laser tag arena with two levels of challenging obstacles, making it the perfect place for kids to test their reflexes and even come away with some educational benefits.
Flexible Packages for School Groups
We offer school trip packages designed just for educators with access to various zones of the complex. You can mix and match to suit your group’s age and interests.
Educational Opportunities
Teachers can incorporate educational opportunities into a field trip at Wintrust Sports Complex by including lessons on the physics of sports and team-building exercises.
On-Site Lunch Options
No need to stress about packing food. We have on-site concessions and can help coordinate lunch options for your group.
Field Trip Lunch Ideas
Here are some of our go-to field trip lunch ideas that are easy to prep and pack.
Sandwich Kits
Sandwiches are great because they can be made in bulk and easily transported. We suggest options like turkey and cheese, PB&J (if your group allows peanuts), and hummus and veggies on whole grain bread. For a side, you can add things like baby carrots and juice boxes.
Bento Boxes
Bento boxes are fun since the kids will get small portions of different foods like fruit, cheese cubes, crackers, trail mix, and a sweet.
Wraps
Wraps travel well and are less messy than sandwiches, but they can be made with the same fillings.
Group Lunch Orders
Wintrust Sports Complex offers group-friendly menus for field trips. To learn more about our offerings or to get started on your order, contact us today.
Tips for Planning a School Trip
As you’re planning your school trip, we suggest getting the paperwork done early. This includes submitting permission slips, emergency contact forms, and liability waivers at least a week ahead of time. For the day of, create a flexible itinerary. Kids do best with structure, but you should expect delays, especially if you’re working with a big group. It can be helpful to build in cushion time between activities. Make sure you have enough chaperones for your kids, aiming for one adult per three to ten children. This depends on the kids’ ages—younger kids will typically need more supervision, meaning more adults per group. Finally, make sure to have a first aid kit on hand. Minor scrapes or headaches are common on field trips and can be handled with basic medical supplies.
After your school field trip ends, you can maximize the experience by weaving the day into your lessons. Have students write a recap or reflection, create a photo collage to hang in the classroom, let groups present a fun fact they learned on the trip, or set up a “what we didn’t know” Q&A session. These kinds of activities help kids retain what they have experienced.
Learn More About School Field Trip Ideas at Wintrust Sports Complex
Spring field trips are a great chance to get your students out of the classroom and create fun memories with the group. If you’re scouting field trip ideas near you, come check out Wintrust Sports Complex. We love hosting school field trips, and we offer a wide range of flexible school packages.