21 of the Best Chicago Field Trip Ideas

In a city with over three 1000000 people, it shouldn't be a surprise that Chicago is a cultural center that is home to some seriously fun field trip destinations. Only in a metropolis so big, how exercise you choose the best spots? Don't worry; we've done the research for y'all! Whether you are ready to don your armor and defend a mystical kingdom or accept a trip back to the Jurassic era, Chicago has something for your and your students. Here are some of the all-time Chicago field trip ideas:

1. Are yous brave enough to peer over the ledge?

On the Skydeck of the Willis Belfry, brave students (and teachers!) can walk on a four-foot-broad drinking glass-lesser balcony—103 stories high! Dubbed The Ledge, this is sure to thrill students of all ages! For students who may not dearest heights so much, there are plenty of other exhibits in the Skydeck, including games such as I Spy on High and scavenger hunts.

ii. From subcontract to factory: How is water ice cream fabricated?

Oberweis is a pop dairy and water ice foam shop in the Midwest, and then most of your students have probably already tasted this deliciousness, but how many kids become to brag that they saw how their favorite ice foam is made! Visit the Oberweis factory at 951 Ice Cream Dr., Sugariness I, North Aurora (cute, correct?) and let your students see the behind-the-scenes workings of a existent factory.

3. Travel back to the fourth dimension of King Arthur.

A beautiful princess, daring jousting matches, and a feast fit for a king? Yes, please! A trip to Medieval Times is exciting for whatever pupil; there is a little something for everyone! When you book a field trip with a matinee show, your class will go even more: an educational presentation after your xc-minute show and a four-class dejeuner. What a fun mode to bring history to life!

4. Learn and play at the Chicago Children'southward Museum.

Children's museums are a popular field trip destination, and in that location are few amend than the Chicago Children's Museum. Students volition love the easily-on nature of this museum, particularly the chance to dig for dino bones! Some other favorite: the opportunity to explore a iii-story boat—without whatsoever of the seasickness! If you're planning a day at Navy Pier, this must be a stop on your take chances.

5. Watch the Bard come alive at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

If you're an English teacher and plan to teach Shakespeare this year, be certain to program a trip to the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. We know that Shakespeare isn't always easy for students to understand, only seeing one of the Bard's plays come up to life allows students to experience a play every bit it was intended—live.

half-dozen. Take an architecture boat tour.

Part of what makes Chicago such a wonderful city is the unique tapestry of architecture. Chicago Architecture Foundation river tours explore the urban center's architecture from the vantage point of the river. Because this excursion boards from the River Walk, it allows yous to explore the sights and sounds of the recently renovated walkway—consummate with a gelato stand. This would exist ideal for older students.

7. Become wild at the zoo.

When it comes to zoos in Chicago, yous've got choices. There is the Lincoln Park Zoo, but if yous're planning a field trip, opt for Brookfield Zoo. This zoo offers awesome experiences that will thrill your students. Tropic World allows yous to walk through the monkey showroom, while the Bird Encounter allows students to mitt-feed parakeets.

8. Attain for the stars at Adler Planetarium.

Studying the planets in scientific discipline class? Take a trip to Adler Planetarium. From exhibits suitable for preschoolers (a giant space-themed play place) to exhibits and movies suitable for high schoolers, this destination has something for all learners.

nine. Discover farm life at Off-white Oaks.

Granted, this field trip destination is exterior of the city (it's actually in Indiana), but information technology'due south the perfect opportunity for city slickers and suburbanites to experience a real working farm. Accept a omnibus tour to watch how milk travels from cow to carton. Students tin can as well see calves existence born, lookout man baby pigs play, and play in the several areas. Fair Oaks plans three-hr adventures plus a xxx-minute dejeuner. (P.S. Bring extra spending money if you're a cheese lover.)

10. Time travel to the Jurassic period.

Full general, Fieldtrip, Evolving Planet

Do your students love dinos? Have a visit to the Field Museum where your students can see a diverseness of dinosaur skeletons, including the world famous Sue! The museum experts tin can even create a bout customized to the age of your students. Chicago and Illinois residents are costless, only even an out-of-state ticket is reasonable at $17.75 per person.

11. There'southward null fishy nearly the Learning Labs.

A visit to the Shedd Aquarium is more than than merely watching fish swim in giant aquariums. A visit to the Shedd is as hands on as an aquarium can exist! From touching the sting rays (a seasonal offering) to petting a existent-life starfish, students can interact with several types of marine life. There is also a play area for young students (across from the penguins) and several learning labs for loftier school students.

12. Extract your ain DNA at the Deoxyribonucleic acid Learning Lab.

The University of Notre Dame offers some seriously cool field trips. In the DNA lab, students can excerpt their own Deoxyribonucleic acid or acquire about forensics past solving a pretend crime (a kidnapped leprechaun, to be precise!). Although this field trip is in S Bend, Indiana, it is a viable 24-hour interval-long field trip for whatsoever school in the greater Chicago area. Ideal for high schoolhouse biological science classes.

13. Become an Iron Chef.

What's more than fun than getting your hands muddy in the kitchen? Learning the science behind what makes your favorite recipes so yummy! With multiple bill of fare options available, your students will love this cooking lesson at The Chopping Cake.

14. Accept flight at iFly.

Who doesn't dream of flight? At iFly, you tin! This STEM-enriched program first teaches students almost the physics of skydiving. Students then undergo "flying training" before they get to experience their ain skydive in a giant wind tunnel. BRB as I go get fix.

xv. Let the field trip come up to you lot.

The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum boasts something unusual: They can bring the field trip to you! When you volume a classroom-based field trip, curators from the museum bring science-based, hands-on activities to your students. All of the fun without any of the travel!

xvi. Design your own house with the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust.

Venture to nearby Oak Park to visit the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust. Students will not only learn about the vision and design behind the Wright house only they will get the chance to doing a niggling designing of their ain. The Trust even offers lessons plans and then y'all can prep your students before the field trip. If you can't brand it to Oak Park, y'all tin rent equipment and host a design workshop in your ain classroom!

17. Channel your inner Neb Nye at the Museum of Science and Industry.

The Museum of Science and Industry, located in Hyde Park, is a tried-and-true field trip destination. Where else can you venture deep into the heart of a coal mine, explore the depths of the bounding main on a U-505 submarine, or learn about genes through the world's cutest farm brute (baby chicks)?

xviii. Learn near art through making art.

The National Museum of Mexican Art offers hands-on learning! The work of art your students make will be influenced by upcoming Mexican holidays, so your students will learn a lesson in both art and history. Take hold of your painting smock and caput over to Pilsen.

19. See history from a beautiful perspective.

Interested in a trip to the DuSable Museum of African American History but non sure where to outset? As a Smithsonian affiliate, the DuSable has you covered. Grab your lessons plans and guide your students through the astonishing history of African Americans, from the brave heroines of the Civil War to the number-crunching African Americans who changed the globe of mathematics. Did we mention there'due south also a "mobile museum" that can bring the history to your school?

xx. Make a stand for peace at the Hull House Museum.

Did you lot know the Hull Business firm was once Jane Addams' habitation? It was also a safe haven for immigrants, a nursery school, a hub for the Women'due south Peace Party, and a schoolhouse for ESL and cooking. Visit the Hull House Museum and run into commencement paw how Jane Addams' work led to her Nobel Peace Prize.

21. Write your ain story at The American Writers Museum.

A trip to The American Writers Museum is role museum (see and touch real typewriters), part writing lab, and part write0in. This is slap-up for English teachers who want to help foster of love of writing in their students!

What Chicago field trip ideas did we miss? Come up share in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group on Facebook.

Plus, check out the best Houston field trip ideas.

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Source: https://www.weareteachers.com/chicago-field-trip-ideas/