When it comes to education, not all learning activities come from inside the classroom. A big part of a child’s educational development is looking at the world around him and learning to apply it to lessons taught in school.

Field trips, when planned correctly, can help enforce a lesson plan and give a visual to back up the subject that was taught. While almost any destination could potentially become a field trip, finding those that are unique, educational and fun can take a bit of work.

Field trips for City Dwellers
Ethnic Market or Restaurant: Depending on your city, there might be a variety of places that serve ethnic foods. You could visit a Hispanic market to discuss the type of food available and how they differ from those at their neighborhood store. Thai, French or even some Italian restaurants could offer an insider’s look into a foreign culture after a course on geography.

Local Music Store: Children love to sing and dance but it's not often they get to see a wide assortment of instruments outside of the basic collection you may have in your center. Take them to the local the music store, and let them see the instruments up close. You may even be able to arrange with the owner to let them handle some of the more sturdy instruments! Even things as simple as egg shakers can seem exotic to a youngster. Once back in class, play music for the children and ask how many different instruments they hear.

Dog Groomer: Many children have pets or, at the least, know someone who does. When they’re young, they might not realize how much work goes into the care and well-being of an animal. A visit to a dog groomer is a good way for students to see just what happens when a dog is dropped off at a groomer. In addition to learning about the care of animals, this can also be used after a lesson in how we all need to wash and take care of our basic hygiene tasks.

Field Trips in Cities or Rural Areas
Cemeteries: It might seem like an odd place for a field trip, but most towns, even the smallest ones, have a cemetery nearby. A trip to the cemetery doesn’t need to be a lesson about death; there’s a variety of ways to turn the trip into an educational experience. Depending on the coursework, students can use their math skills to figure out how long ago someone was born or, after a history lesson, students could look for those that died in wars. Lessons on nature are also possible; a quick talk from the groundskeeper might show students how artificial flowers are preferred, due to the wildlife that comes through.

Post Office: Children see the mail truck drive down the street and the mail that comes from the mailbox, but do they know how the mail gets to them? Visiting the post office is a fun way for children to see just how that mail gets to their home. Older students can also use this as a lesson in geography by bringing a stamped letter with them and marking the destination on a map. A post office visit can also be scheduled after a lesson on handwriting, with instruction on how to write and properly address a letter.

Bakery: Most towns have some form of bakery on hand; if your city has multiple, you can choose from those that make bread, desserts or even chocolate. A trip to the bakery can occur after a lesson in nutrition, where students can learn all about the different types of bread. Older students might find learning about the yeast needed to make the bread rise as an interesting experience after a science lesson. Check with all the parents, however, to make sure there are no food allergies in the class; some life-threatening allergies make this field trip a no-go.

Water Treatment Plant: When it comes to explaining concepts such as water conservation, showing can go a lot father than telling. Students can visit a water treatment plant to understand just how the water gets from the ground to the tap in their house. In addition to learning about where water comes from, students can learn how the water gets purified and what items should never get put down the drain. This field trip might make a good addition to an Earth Day lesson plan.

Rural Field Trips
Farm or Farmer’s Market: Even though it might seem that way, food doesn’t come from the grocery store. Students can learn all about where their food really comes from when they visit a farm. Whether it is a dairy farm or one that produces fruits and vegetables, children can see their food in its most basic state. Students can learn about harvesting and how plants grow, in addition to seeing the different ways plants can grow: either underground or above and on a plant. This trip would compliment a lesson on nutrition, food groups and healthy eating.

Old Buildings: Most people don’t look at an old building and see an educational opportunity, but they are there. Have students do research on an old building or area in town prior to the trip. Once there, have students look at the plants and wildlife that have taken residence since its inhabitants left. Budding photographers could take pictures of the building in various states of decay. Once back in the class, you could compare present-day pictures with historical ones.

Artist’s Studio: Art is everywhere and it isn’t always just done with paint and a brush. There are a variety of craftsman today that provide many types of art such as blown glass, quilts, photographs and sculpture. Students can learn from the artist about the medium she uses and, hopefully, see her in action. Once they return to class, they can try to make their own masterpieces.

Rachel Mosteller is a freelance writer and mother of two young children. Her work has appeared in Redbook, American Baby, BabyZone and The New York Times. See more of her writing at www.rmosteller.com.