Lots of field trips cater to elementary school age, but what about our preschoolers? These preschool field trips put the focus on play, interaction with nature and art, and exploration.
In alphabetical order:
Deanna Rose
Deanna Rose Children’s Farmstead in Overland Park, Kansas, offers visits to the animals, feeding baby goats, pony rides, mining, fishing, and more.
Attractions include a one-room schoolhouse, an Indian encampment, and a turn of the century main street. The play barn, various playgrounds, and children’s garden are especially geared towards preschool field trips!
Johnson County Museum
This museum was renovated in 2017. Today it features time-honored favorites such as KidScape and the 1950s All-Electric House.
Kaleidoscope
Kaleidoscope at Crown Center provides free 40-minute art sessions for children and their parents. Free tickets are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The activities and materials provided come from the materials Hallmark uses in their manufacturing, and are subject to change. This is a great opportunity for creativity!
Kansas City Zoo
The Kansas City Zoo is in Swope Park in Kansas City, Missouri. Throughout the day, visitors can listen to various zookeeper chats, watch animal shows, and take zoo rides.
Lakeside Nature Center
Lakeside Nature Center is also in Swope Park. Visitors can learn about local wildlife through exhibits in the center.
Aquariums and terrariums display aquatic turtles and native fish. Injured birds of prey find a home here, and are open for observation by the public. Nature trails and gardens are also a fun place to explore.
Mahaffie
Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm Historic Site is in Olathe, Kansas. Visitors can tour the house, grounds, and barns, ride the stagecoach, and visit the animals.
In addition to its other programs, Mahaffie has “Homeschool Days” in the spring and fall with special discounts just for homeschool families. Volunteers at this site have also been homeschooled students, too!
Nelson-Atkins
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri, offers Free Weekend Fun through July. These events provide “free activities for all ages.”
These vary throughout the months, so check out their calendar to see specific activities.
Science City
This Union Station favorite has many activities and exhibits for little ones (kids tickets are for ages 3-12). Science City also features “Discovery Areas” like a test kitchen, maker studio. and engineerium. These require pre-scheduled bookings.
Tinkergarten
Tinkergarten classes are available in various locations in the area.
The idea behind these classes is to “provide high-quality early childhood learning in the healthiest classroom of all—the outdoors.” They focus on developing skills like problem-solving, focus, communication, empathy, creativity, etc.
Wonderscope
Wonderscope Children’s Museum of Kansas City seeks to help children to “learn, play, grow.” The museum is designed for children 8 and younger, and in their words, “If your child is crawling, then there are fun things for her/him to do!”
Different days of the week offer different programs, including circle time, music, art, and story time/crafts.
What are your favorite preschool field trips? We always love to hear what worked (or didn’t!).
We have updated this blog post, originally published in May 2017, for timeliness and detail.
