Outdoor Kindergarten Field Trip Ideas

Oh, field trips! I feel like, as teachers, we either love them or loathe them. Regardless, I am always on the lookout for engaging and educational experiences, and field trips are something every child looks forward to. Outdoor kindergarten field trips offer a wonderful opportunity to explore the world beyond the classroom walls. Here are five exciting kindergarten field trip ideas that can be experienced in almost any state. These adventures will not only deepen your students’ understanding of the world around them but also create lasting memories.

Farm Exploration: A Hands-On Field Trip Adventure

One of my favorite kindergarten field trips is a visit to a local farm. Your students can observe and touch animals and learn about farming practices. At many farms, they can feed farm animals, pick fresh produce, and even take a tractor or hayrack ride. This trip provides a wonderful opportunity for sensory exploration and learning about where our food comes from. Check out local farms in your area to see if they do field trips. Oftentimes, a local orchard will have a small farm attached to it that welcomes field trips. If you’re in a rural area, there may be parents or staff members in the school that will allow visits to family farms.

We’ve done farm field trips as part of our orchard field trips in the fall. Additionally, we have an adorable children’s farmstead near us and it’s perfect for field trips!

Teacher Tip: Be sure to check out what “extras” there are before the field trip, in case students need to bring extra money. For example, the gem mining at our local farmstead is always a hit, but it cost extra. It’s always good to know-before-you-go so you’re prepared!

Nature Walk: Discovering the Wonders of the Outdoors

Another idea is to take your students on a nature walk to check out outdoor beauty. Find a local park or nearby trail, – maybe a nearby neighborhood has a trail! First, have your students observe and collect items they find along the way, such as leaves, rocks, or pinecones. Take the opportunity afterwards to discuss what they found. In addition, you can  create a scavenger hunt or have them take pictures on iPads to share when they return to school. This kindergarten field trip fosters a love for nature and helps your students develop an appreciation for the environment.

I usually do nature walks when it’s nice outside, but if you can bundle up, try a winter walk and talk about the seasons!

Environmental Exploration: Beach or Nature Reserves

Another idea is a field trip to the beach or a local nature reserve. At the beach, your students can investigate tide pools, search for seashells, or observe various plant and animal species. Students can connect with nature through activities like beach cleanups or planting trees. Nature centers are well-equipped for educational field trips as well. Even if you’re not in a coastal town, most states have lakes or rivers with some kind of beach area to explore. 

Zoo Field Trips

Another outdoor kindergarten field trip is a local zoo experience. As they explore the zoo, encourage them to observe and learn about different animal species. Consider arranging for a guided tour or participate in interactive shows where students can get up close with certain animals. Many zoos offer educational programming for field trips.

You may also want to incorporate a zoo field trip into a zoo animal unit. Prior to going, you can discuss topics such as animal habitats to build prior knowledge before going. Talk about different animals or exhibits you may see on the field trip. This field trip provides a unique opportunity for your students to connect with nature, develop a deeper understanding of animals, and see some animals that they don’t usually get to see!

Botanical Garden Field Trips

Another kindergarten field trip idea is a visit to botanical gardens. If you have one of these near you, these spaces are perfect for students to explore plants and nature. First, your students can walk through flower gardens, learn about different plant species, and start to understand conservation. Also, consider organizing a scavenger hunt of some kind: finding flowers in a variety of colors, finding plants in different sizes, etc.

Our nearest botanical center has indoor and outdoor areas, which makes it a great place to check out in most any weather!

After the Field Trip: Memory Keepsakes!

After a field trip (like, the next day – everyone will be really tired!), take time to reflect on the field trip. Share pictures you took, and have a class discussion about it. What was their favorite part? (Most of my students liked to bus ride as much as the field trip! :)) Did they learn something new?

Adding a Field Trip page to their kindergarten memory books is a must-do for me. Although you may not be ready to work on memory books at field trip time, you can still complete the pages and then save them for the end of the school year. Students can draw their own picture, but I usually like to take a class picture on the field trip and print out a copy for each student’s memory book.

Another easy way to integrate the field trip into your classroom is by doing a writing activity. Whether you do this as a whole group or in writing centers is up to you. You can give students a prompt or let them just write what they want. Either way, you’ll want to do this right after the field trip while those memories are fresh!

Enjoy Your Kindergarten Field Trip!

Kindergarten field trips provide valuable learning experiences for kindergarten students. These day-long adventures offer a wide range of educational opportunities and are a great way to build memories with your students. Grab your permission slips, plan your adventures, and get ready to create unforgettable memories with your class!

You might also like:

5 Tips for Creating Kindergarten Memory Books

A Closer Look at Memory Books in Kindergarten

Writing Centers in Kindergarten