robsiew Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Okay, I'm not feeling very creative. I would really like to do some field trips this year with my kiddos. My oldest is 4th grade and things will only ramp up for him after this. My youngest are K and 1 and they just haven't had many "fun" school experiences. I'd love to help their younger years seem more "fun" before we run into times when we need more "book" time. So... I can find PLENTY to do that costs money! But, I really need to find some things that don't. I know it sounds lame that I can't come up with it on my own, but really... I'm very good at finding the most expensive thing at a thrift store! :001_huh: So, ideas of fun educational things that wouldn't cost anything (or much)? With 4 kids things add up fast! Thanks! Oh... and we're in MN and going into a great month or two of "good time to be outdoors". After that it's not as nice to be outside until March! Unless of course you're snowshoeing (which most of my children hate!) :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2_girls_mommy Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 If you can get a couple of other families together, a trip to the fire station is always awesome. We also went to a recycling plant that gave tours last year for free (with a scout troop.) Free hiking trails that have things marked for the kids to see (plants, types of birds, etc.) You can take plaster of paris and look for animal tracks to immortalize. I also like to watch for free days at our museums. We have a natural history museum that is free the first Mon. of every mo. and a state history museum that does a free homeschool day once a year. I would call any close to you and ask. Or look for a place that prints this type of thing. Our library carries a free city magazine that lists activities free and of cost monthly. Libraries are another good place. Ours has classes throughout the year. Weekly storytimes for the prek/K set, and evening classes and plays and clubs throughout the year for the olders. Our zoo has a lowcost day once a week. T.V. news stations do tours. Again, this might be one to get a small group together for. Very fun for the kids to see themselves in the weather station and on the green screen! Something not free here are pumpkin patches in the fall, but if you can find one that is not too expensive, it is a lot of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 I don't know where you are exactly, but Macy's has a program through the local library where you can "check out" museum passes; maybe there is something like that in your area. Here's the one for Minneapolis: http://www.melsa.org/MuseumAdventurePass/index.cfm I also constantly read local publications and websites for free activities for my kids. Also -- At the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and The Weisman Museum, admission is always free. On Thursday nights, The Walker Art Center opens its doors to the public (for free), while the neighboring Minneapolis Sculpture Garden never charges for browsing. For the kiddies? Como Park Zoo & Conservatory, Lego Land at Mall of America, State Capitol tours are always gratis. Kids eat free on Sundays at D’amico & Sons, as well as free every Tuesday at many Mall of America restaurants. http://www.minneapolis.org/page/free-cheap-things-to-do-minneapolis.jsp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poke Salad Annie Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Check your local planetarium also. I have found one within a reasonable drive, and they have a great autumn backyard astronomy schedule posted. We'll definitely take advantage! :) What about U-Pick farms, dairy farms, honey farms, etc.? Are there any local historical sites or battlefields to visit? Bakeries? Small, privately owned businesses? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mo2 Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Try this: http://www.fieldtripfactory.com/ For some of them you might have to try to get a few families together though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 What about U-Pick farms, dairy farms, honey farms, etc.? Are there any local historical sites or battlefields to visit? I agree. These are awesome. My kids have loved picking berries and seeing animals. It's beneficial (in my opinion) to see how things grow or how they are made. Also parks, as many may have events (including seasonal ones). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwilliams Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 State parks usually offer free programs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Geocaching. If your phone gives you GPS it is free. I love the idea of expanding our curriculum for my 6th, 2nd, and preschooler. They can make small crafts to leave behind which are virtually free. They will learn to coordinates and directions to the location. We will read maps, and of course enjoy the outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nmoira Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 You might need to put a small group together for some of these. Fire station recycling depot wastewater treatment plant local bakery local factories Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsiew Posted August 30, 2010 Author Share Posted August 30, 2010 Thanks Ladies for these ideas! Many we have done, but there are some new ones too! Actually, from reading your posts, I'd kind of like to put together a "community" field trip plan where we visit different places that help our community run. Hmmmmm.... I'm liking that! I bet I could get a couple other families involved as well! Going to think on that one! Thanks for helping me get the fire stoked! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stripe Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Target and Bank of America also subsidize some museums. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsiew Posted August 30, 2010 Author Share Posted August 30, 2010 Target and Bank of America also subsidize some museums. This is nice! Thanks! Someone mentioned library passes, which would be great if I was in the county they issue them. They don't issue them statewide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsiew Posted August 30, 2010 Author Share Posted August 30, 2010 Target and Bank of America also subsidize some museums. Hmmm.... looks like these are pretty popular... our children's museum has had to limit people on the free Target day because there are too many people! Unfortunately, the Bank of America doesn't have any opportunities in my state. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shinyhappypeople Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 The post office has free field trips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 one of my local food banks offers tours when I was in high school, we had a field trip to the FAA to see the flight controllers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherry in OH Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Check the arts calendar for your nearest college or university (look on the university website). Art exhibitions and student recitals are usually free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annlaura Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Our vet clinic offers tours. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whybenormal Posted August 30, 2010 Share Posted August 30, 2010 Some free ones we've done over the years: Police station Petco Krispy Kreme Donuts local PBS television station Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In2why Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 Thanks Ladies for these ideas! Many we have done, but there are some new ones too! Actually, from reading your posts, I'd kind of like to put together a "community" field trip plan where we visit different places that help our community run. Hmmmmm.... I'm liking that! I bet I could get a couple other families involved as well! Going to think on that one! Thanks for helping me get the fire stoked! :D You actually helped me by asking. I got out my Tom-Tom (car GPS) and found out that I could enter the geo-caching into it and then looked up local hiding spots. I plan on introducing it at the end of September when we begin our explorers unit. I am excited to start it. The boys will think it is a treasure hunt, and can learn about longitude and latitude. We can also go online and comment on each one we find. I always had the idea in the back of my mind but your post, got me out of the idea stage and into the action one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tina Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 I'll send you a handout I did up a few years back with a huge list of ideas, if you like. All field trips we did in MN. :) Tina Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kbpaulie Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 In a couple weeks we're going to our State House Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mammaruss Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 We have a commercial dog training and boarding facility you could come visit! We are approx an hour north of Rogers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rivka Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 We recently took a field trip to an Asian supermarket. It was a great and free way to expose our young kids to aspects of another culture. My city has a lot of ethnic festivals which are usually free to enter, and offer exposure to another culture's art, music, food, traditional dress, etc. Going to watch a construction site makes a good field trip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
La Condessa Posted August 31, 2010 Share Posted August 31, 2010 I just posted this on the general board, but you can get free museum tickets to a ton of museums around the U.S. for the 25th of September from this website. http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html?2010 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsiew Posted September 5, 2010 Author Share Posted September 5, 2010 Thanks everybody! Lots of great ideas! I just got back to this post and there were a lot more posted! Thanks again!:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2two Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 I haven't read thru the entire thread, so this may already be suggested but we love our "Kids Love..." book. If you get one for your state it has great ideas organized by region or places to go and see. for my state it has many free suggestions. I don't know what state your are in, but if they have one for your state they are a great resource. http://www.kidslovetravel.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilly Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 I just posted this on the general board, but you can get free museum tickets to a ton of museums around the U.S. for the 25th of September from this website. http://microsite.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/admission.html?2010 :iagree: We signed up for this a couple weeks ago and are looking forward to our free day at the museum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcconnellboys Posted September 5, 2010 Share Posted September 5, 2010 MN's a very long state! Are you in the northern half or the southern half, please? Close to any bordering states? It would help us to know a little more about your locale in order to help us think of resources that might be close to you.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robsiew Posted September 5, 2010 Author Share Posted September 5, 2010 MN's a very long state! Are you in the northern half or the southern half, please? Close to any bordering states? It would help us to know a little more about your locale in order to help us think of resources that might be close to you.... It's okay, I'm not looking for specifics, mainly some general ideas. Anything near Minneapolis/St. Paul would be doable for us. We live in Southern MN though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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