When I was a student, field trips were these exciting opportunities that got me away from my desk. I would pack a lunch and be eager to go to school. So when I became a teacher, I remembered the power behind those outings and how much I looked forward to them as a kid. But the profession also made me realize that field trips are a lot of work!
When I remember that excited little girl, the effort becomes worth it. Throughout the years, I’ve learned that field trips don’t have to be elaborate. Many simple outings can get students out of school and still teach a lot. Here are some out-of-the-box field trip ideas for middle school students to connect them to real-world learning that they’ll always remember.
Field trips for middle schoolers in Grades 6–8
1. The food bank
One of my most memorable field trips was a visit with my middle school students to a local food bank that was five minutes down the road.
It was a particularly special event because the kids were already invested in a mission to feed the hungry. We had organized a school-wide penny drive, where students and faculty brought in spare change and raised $200 for this local organization. Plus, another teacher and I had integrated the topic into our unit on world hunger.
My students were able to bring all the money (neatly rolled) to the organization in person. They even got a group picture published in the paper and were able to take pride in giving back to their community.
While we were there, a volunteer took us on a tour. Students saw the donations and met the volunteers. This trip even inspired a few kids to contribute to the food bank in the future.
The outing didn’t need a ton of planning, and we only had to drive down the road. It also meant a lot to the students and connected them to their community in a meaningful way.
2. Landfills and recycling plants
As a student, I still remember visiting a local landfill and recycling plant. This was part of a science sustainability unit that has stuck with me after all these years.
We talked about waste and how much humans produce. The owner then led a tour while listing off some stunning statistics—for example, that the average American throws out 4.9 pounds of municipal solid waste per day.
He also showed us a section of the landfill with items that looked almost new and had no place in the trash. I learned that mechanics sometimes found pieces for cars there, information I recalled in the future when I broke the door handle on my car. I saved a ton of money by finding a replacement in the junkyard. Talk about life lessons learned from unexpected places!
We also learned about recycling and how reducing and reusing can help our planet. Seeing all the waste and recycling had a big impact on me. The equipment that’s involved and all the energy that went into the process still moves me.
Visiting the recycling plant and landfill was an excellent experience for a kid who had never before thought about the concepts of waste and sustainability.
3. Learning in nature
In the interest of full disclosure, I used to work at Nature’s Classroom. I think this organization offers great outdoor education experience for teachers and students.
Teachers stay with their students for a week in cabins in the woods. While soaking in Mother Nature, they learn outdoor skills and academic lessons from experienced teachers.
Kids participate in fire building, putting on skits, weighing food waste, and more hands-on learning experiences. They get to enjoy the great outdoors in a truly unique way.
But you don't have to spend a week in the woods to learn from nature. I used to teach poetry in the woods where students would write while sitting next to a stream.
Hannah French, a fourth grade teacher, also embraced teaching outdoors and gave her students plenty of opportunities to do outdoor activities and challenges. To hear about Hannah's experiences teaching outdoors, listen to our Teacher's in America podcast episode.
Research what natural attractions are near you, such as lakes, parks, and botanical gardens. These outdoor experiences can teach students about different plants and wildlife that can be found in their home.
4. Animal experiences
Animals have an incredible way of sparking curiosity, inspiring us to learn more about their behaviors and habitats. Animal-focused field trips are a hit for both kids and adults alike. I had two great experiences with my students: One at an emu farm and another at an alpaca farm.
I took a group of students to the emu farm when I worked at an alternative school. The farmer sold emu eggs and had about 20 of these fascinating birds on his property. He showed the kids the eggshells and feathers all while rattling off a ton of fun facts. My students were mesmerized!
Capturing the class’s attention was a triumph because some of these kids refused to take part in traditional lessons and had learning challenges. But after that trip, they requested to read articles on emus and couldn’t get enough of these Australian birds!
The alpaca farm was another awesome (and free!) field trip. You could feed the alpacas and hang out with them. My students loved watching a woman shear the alpaca and then use the wool to make blankets. You could even buy these blankets at the gift shop. The kids were fans of the entire process through and through.
This option will depend on what kinds of animal farms you have locally. With a little research, you may be surprised by the ones that live nearby. Many farmers are more than eager to give you a free field trip and will blow your mind with their knowledge.
5. Restaurant visits
I knew a Spanish teacher who had the brilliant idea to take her class to a Spanish restaurant every year. In preparation, they’d participate in a unit on ordering food in Spanish and acquaint themselves with the cuisine.
The kids had a blast, and what a brilliant way to integrate foreign language studies with experiential learning! I’m certain those students retained more vocabulary through this hands-on experience than they would have otherwise.
Besides dining and taking in the atmosphere, you can request a tour of the kitchen and learn about health inspections and food safety. You could also teach students about healthy eating and careers in the restaurant industry. Restaurant field trips are fun, educational, and, of course, tasty.
Although it is important to be mindful whenever you give food to students. You should ask parents about any food allergies or health conditions before going to the restaurant. Most restaurants are able to accommodate around allergies if they know ahead of time.
6. Assisted living facilities
I’ve participated in field trips with both public and alternative schools to visit assisted living and nursing homes. These are wonderful places where students can once again give back to their community. We used to volunteer and sit and talk with seniors. Students played games, made crafts, and completed puzzles. It was just hanging out, but the kids learned a ton.
Our younger students would also hand out holiday crafts and put on special concerts at these homes. The field trips to assisted living facilities were beneficial learning experiences for both the students and the residents.
Selecting middle school field trip ideas that venture beyond the box
I hope these creative middle school field trip ideas inspire you to explore some meaningful educational outings. Yes, outings are certainly hard work for teachers, but they’re so worth it! By getting your students out of the classroom, you’ll help shape their future with experiences they simply won’t have while sitting behind a desk.
Virtual field trips can also be a wonderful way to inspire your class without ever having to leave the classroom. Check out our blog on how to create virtual field trip to learn how to make your own!
This article was adapted from a blog post initially developed by the education technology company Classcraft, which was acquired by HMH in 2023. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.
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