One of the best perks of homeschooling is having the freedom to learn about the things that interest your family. With so many attractions, natural landscapes, and exciting destinations, there is no shortage of field trip ideas in Connecticut. Finding ways to delve deeper into a particular unit of study or reinforce your child’s current homeschool curriculum is easy in the Constitution State.

Below are fun field trip ideas in Connecticut categorized by geographical area. You can use this printable map of Connecticut from Time4Learning to start making your plans. Please make sure to contact each site before you plan your visit, as COVID-19 may have impacted their hours of operations.

Plus, as a bonus, we’ve included a free download of Time4Learning lesson tie-ins at the end of this post that might be the perfect supplement for each trip.

Home education is not the same in every state. Make sure you’re getting the information you need to start homeschooling in the Constitution State.

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Homeschool Field Trips in Northwest Connecticut

Northwest CT Field Trips

Homeschool Field Trips in Central Connecticut

Central CT Field Trips
  • Mark Twain House & Museum, Hartford, CT – Fans of this American author whose real name was Samuel Clemens, can visit the place that was his home from 1874 until 1891. Guided tours allow visitors to explore the 3-story, 25-room mansion where he wrote such novels as “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” and “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”.
  • Dinosaur State Park, Rocky Hill, CT – Bring your homeschool science curriculum to life by visiting one of the largest dinosaur track sites in North America. Discovered in 1966, the tracks date back 200 million years. You can explore the geodesic dome which is home to approximately 500 of these tracks as well as life-sized dioramas, interactive displays, and more. Educational films, guided trail walks, and lectures are also available.
  • Connecticut Science Center, Hartford, CT – Explore this nine-story, 154,000 square foot museum on the Riverfront that opened its doors in 2009. Some of the more than 165 interactive exhibits include Engineering Lab, Picture of Health, Energy City, River of Life, and more. The museum hosts several homeschool days and offers homeschoolers several educational programs, memberships and special pricing.
  • Gillette Castle State Park, East Haddam, CT – Bring your history curriculum to life by visiting this medieval fortress lookalike. Once the private home of actor William Gillette, this 24-room castle offers tours, guided trail walks, and more. Visitors can explore the 14,000 square foot home that took five years to build and all its details, including 47 doors, of which no two are alike.
  • Wadsworth Falls State Park, Middletown, CT – Established in 1942, visitors can enjoy the great outdoors and hike or bike the numerous trails at this park that features two waterfalls. Located on the Coginchaug River, families can also fish, swim or picnic in the designated areas.

Homeschool Field Trips in East Connecticut

East CT Field Trips
  • Mystic Aquarium, Mystic, CT – Opened in 1973, this aquarium features a 4D theater, a number of special exhibits, a touch pool, and more. Guests can visit the aquarium’s beluga whales, African penguins, and more. Classes for homeschoolers are available as well as other activities and programs for students.
  • Mystic Seaport Museum, Stonington, CT – If you’re child is into sailing, boats, and all things nautical, a stop at the largest maritime museum in the U.S. is a must. The 19-acre museum is made up of over 60 buildings and is home to a number of historic vessels including a whaling ship built in 1841. Homeschool programs are available, as well as a number of sailing programs, workshops and classes.
  • Submarine Force Museum (USS Nautilus), Groton, CT – This museum, located on the Thames River, is home to a number of historic submarines and replicas, over 33,000 submarine artifacts, and an impressive library with tens of thousands of documents, photos, and books. Visitors can take a self-guided audio tour of the USS Nautilus submarine as well, the first nuclear-powered submarine in the world.
  • Buttonwood Farm, Griswold, CT – Started as a dairy farm in 1975, this family attraction is known for its ice cream and other sweet treats, hayrides, cow train, annual sunflower event, and more. Visitors can also take part in a 7-acre corn maze, pick pumpkins, and pet farm animals during seasonal activities in the fall.

Homeschool Field Trips in Southwest Connecticut

Southwest CT Field Trips
  • Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport, CT – Opened in 1922, and named after a wealthy farmer who donated over 100 acres of land, this zoo features nine major exhibits including Alligator Alley, New England Farmyard, and W.O.L.F. A number of educational programs are available for students.
  • Stepping Stones Museum for Children, Norwalk, CT – This hands-on children’s museum features a number of interactive exhibits including Energy Lab, ColorCoaster, and Express Yourself. A number of programs, events, and activities are available for families and educators.
  • Bruce Museum, Greenwich, CT – Established in 1912, this art and science museum features a number of exhibits on a wide range of topics including wildlife, Native American history, minerals, and more. Family programs include workshops, gallery tours, and family days.
  • Yale University, New Haven, CT – Homeschoolers thinking about college can take a guided tour of this Ivy League university led by undergraduate students. Families with young children can also take part in an architectural treasure hunt. Founded in 1701, Yale is the third oldest higher education institution in the U.S. Five U.S. presidents have graduated from Yale:

Connecticut Field Trips

Is there anything more fun than learning through field trips? To make your experiences at these destinations even more meaningful, Time4Learning members will appreciate this download of free activity tie-ins.

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