If you’re looking for the perfect field trip activity this winter, there are so many great field trip ideas to explore right here in Chicago. In this article, we’ll discuss why indoor field trips are a must for Chicago schools this winter, as well as a few of our local favorites to help get you started.
Why Should You Choose an Indoor Field Trip in Chicago this Winter?
Indoor Field Trips Keep Students Active
Chicago winters are known to be harsh. During the winter months, kids’ normal activities like recess and outdoor learning become more difficult, meaning that students often end up sitting for longer stretches inside. This can make everyone a little restless, but that’s where indoor field trips can help. Taking your students to an indoor venue like a sports complex can get them moving in a fun, safe location where they’re free to roam, play, and learn. Additionally, physical activity doesn’t just burn energy, but it can actually help kids focus better when they’re back in the classroom.
Field Trips Support Learning in Creative Ways
A good field trip offers an opportunity to make lessons more tangible than what you might typically find in the classroom. When students can see and experience what they’ve been learning about in class, those lessons tend to stick better than if they were learning on paper only.
Museums are a great indoor field trip idea that takes advantage of this concept. The Museum of Science and Industry, for example, can help kids experience science concepts while having fun. Or if you’re teaching art or history, a trip to the Art Institute of Chicago or the Chicago History Museum can also make subjects come alive. Students who see artifacts and paintings in real life often understand them in ways a textbook could never replicate. Even better is that many Chicago museums offer special school programs with guided tours, making it easy to plan your visit.
Indoor Field Trips Mean Less Stress
Organizing a field trip in the middle of winter can be tricky, since you’ll need to juggle the usual logistics like permission slips and bus schedules alongside additional challenges like unpredictable weather. Fortunately, indoor venues make planning easier, since you won’t have to worry about rescheduling due to snow or rain. Many indoor facilities also come ready to host large groups of students, which means less planning for you and more fun for both you and your students.
Indoor Trips Can Encourage Teamwork
Winter can make students feel cooped up, which can sometimes lead to tension in the classroom. A great indoor field trip will give your kids a chance to burn off some of that pent-up energy while also learning to work together in new ways. For example, you could take a trip to an indoor ropes course or laser tag arena, both of which encourage problem-solving and communication. Even simple activities like bowling or indoor mini-golf promote friendly competition. When students cheer each other on and work together to reach a goal, it can help build a sense of camaraderie that will carry back into school life.
Indoor Field Trips Support Learning Year-Round
One of the best things about indoor field trips near you in Chicago is that they’re not limited to a specific season. You can make them part of your ongoing lesson plans, extending learning throughout the year. For example, after visiting a museum, have students create a class project or presentation based on what they learned. Or, following a trip to an indoor sports complex, tie in lessons about nutrition or the science of motion. When you combine your field trip into your curriculum, it can become an experience that helps support the learning you’re doing in your classroom.
Indoor Field Trips Can Help Encourage School Spirit
If you’re looking for a way to boost your kids’ morale during the cold Chicago months, an indoor field trip can do wonders. It’s a shared experience that brings students together outside the normal classroom setting and can create stronger school pride. For younger grades, this might be as simple as planning an afternoon at a local play museum. For older students, you could consider hosting a sports competition at a large indoor venue that’s set up just for the purpose.
Field Trips are Fun for Teachers, Too!
Just like students, teachers deserve a break! An indoor field trip is a great way to refresh your own energy in the classroom. When you see your students learning and laughing, you’ll be reminded why you love what you do. Field trips can also allow you to connect with your class in a new place, and the change of scenery can spark creativity and make teaching feel rewarding again.
Indoor Field Trip Ideas at Wintrust Sports Complex
Here at Wintrust Sports Complex, we’re proud to say our facility ticks every box for indoor field trip activities in Chicago. Our spaces are clean, modern, secure, and full of opportunities for learning. 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 no matter what the weather is outside. 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.
We offer school trip packages designed just for educators with access to various zones of the complex. Contact us today to learn more!
Learn More About School Field Trips at Wintrust Sports Complex
Winter field trips are a chance to get your students out of the classroom and create fun memories. If you’re looking for 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 to suit every group size and age range!