school visit ideas

12 Fun School Event Ideas Students (& Teachers) Will Love

Now, more than ever, we are in need of fun experiences that will bring our school communities together.

If you are looking for innovative and fun school culture event idea that will set your learning community apart, you are in the right spot! 

These events could be used for…

• Class Incentives 
• School Spirit Weeks
• Themed Days 
• Community Building Opportunities

Nothing is better than instilling joy and fun into the lives of our learners; big and small. Let’s dive into 12 fun school event ideas you and your team can put together to incentivize and celebrate your students and communities. These are quick, easy, and of course super budget-friendly!

School Event Ideas: Fall

Meet the teacher.

A classic and fan favorite! In the cafeteria or auditorium, each grade level sets up a table to meet and greet their upcoming students and families. 

The tables can be decorated and small gifts such as pencils or snacks can be passed out. This is a great way for teachers to make a great first impression and for students to be less inclined to get those first day of school jitters. 

Trunk or Treat

Happening the week of Halloween, this can be a great alternative to a typical party and also allows students to celebrate outside of standard trick or treating (which we all know can be disastrous if landing on a school night). 

Parents and volunteers decorate the trunks of their cars and park in a circle around the parking lot. At the end of the day, students walk from car to car and collect candy and other treats. This is a great opportunity for members of the community to get involved and spend a little extra time with their kids! 

Family Feast

This typically falls the week before Thanksgiving Break and is a great opportunity for families to join their children and teachers for a gratitude-centered meal. 

The feast can be donated from the community, made in-house, or a potluck depending on your school community! If you are looking for an easy way to get parents more involved in your classroom or school in general, this is the perfect place to start. 

School Event Ideas: Winter

Camp read away .

Searching for a way to bring the great outdoors into the four walls of your classroom? This may be it! Teachers ask families to send in sheets, blankets, and flashlights. In partners, students work to create the best reading fort they can imagine. 

Then, lights out! For the rest of the time, students flashlight read independently or with a buddy. S’mores and other campfire friendly snacks can be provided as well, but are not necessary to make this a fun and exciting experience. 

Winter Art Contest

This is a great event for either the whole school or individual grade levels that have multiple classrooms. Teachers decide on a winter themed muse and have students create their own interpretation of it. 

Once all artwork is complete, students submit their masterpieces for voting. In order to make it fair, different grade levels or classrooms would vote on each others’ to avoid favoritism and give everyone a fair shot! Categories for voting could include most unique, most creative, the cutest, etc. and the winners could receive a virtual prize . 

Holidays Around the World

This event is best held by individual grade levels to ensure there is adequate time in the schedule to fully enjoy the experience. Every classroom on a grade level picks a country that has a unique holiday tradition or celebration. 

Examples include Israel, Germany, England, Mexico, etc. The teacher in charge of each country plans a quick read-a-loud or video to teach the students about the tradition and its importance, as well as a craft activity. The students then spend the day rotating to each country to learn and experience cultures and fun traditions unlike their own. 

School Event Ideas: Spring

Read across america.

Celebrated each year on March 2nd, Read Across America Day was first established as a way to celebrate Dr. Suess’s birthday. 

Today, its main purpose is to motivate and help children become aware and celebrate good reading habits. Students from similar or different classrooms and grade levels are partnered up to buddy read and share in their love of reading. 

STEM Field Day

This is a take on the classic field day event that students across all grade levels typically participate in each year. Instead of the average activities such as a cakewalk or relay race, students are challenged across all areas of STEM! 

This event could include activities such as a paper plate marble race, clothespin geometry, paper airplane challenge, or an array of engineering building challenges. The opportunities are endless and this event will get your kids involved in the many aspects of STEM-based fun. 

Graduation Celebration

Elementary and Middle Schools arrange with their affiliate or nearby high school an event where soon-to-be graduates visit the school and take part in a parade. 

The graduates wear their gowns or college apparel and stroll through the music-filled hallways to be celebrated as well as get younger students thinking and excited about their own futures. 

Students lining the hallways are encouraged to wear apparel from their favorite university and cheer as the graduates parade through.

School Event Ideas for Any Season

Pie a teacher.

This event is the perfect class or school wide incentive, especially if they have a favorite teacher they would like to surprise with a splat! Once classes or grade levels reach their predetermined goal, a teacher is selected to get pied in the face in front of the whole student body. 

Maybe not the most fun for the targeted teacher, but a memorable experience for everyone else! 

It is never too early to dream big about our future. This event allows students of all ages to explore the many opportunities they can explore in their adult lives. Each classroom represents an occupation and students can rotate or pick which ones they would like to visit to learn more about. 

Teachers can also invite members of the community to come in and talk about their occupations to give students first-hand experience.

Teacher vs. Student Competition

Calling all schools that have extremely competitive students and teachers, this one's for you. Once students or grade levels meet a goal, the students and teachers will go head to head in a friendly sporting event.

The competition could involve any sport or activity and snacks can be provided or sold to the audience. May the best team win!

Not only will these engaging and fun school events re-energize your students and offset rigorous learning time, they will also provide new and innovative learning experiences for your school community.  ‍

And these are just a jumping-off point. Happy creating and celebrating!

For more information on student reward events , check out episode 30 of our podcast!

About the Presenter

Katherine Neumeier has spent the last 8 years in education working with Title I schools to build strong classroom practices and close academic gaps with English Language Learners and Special Populations. She has taught across multiple grade levels as well as coached educators, served as a reading specialist, and built an intervention program from the ground up. Integrating EdTech platforms as well as utilizing behavior management tools such as Liveschool have transformed and supported her role as an educator. She earned a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University and a M.Ed from The University of St. Thomas.

About the Event

Walk into any school and you will see classrooms alive with rigorous learning and countless opportunities to show growth and student success. Now, more than ever, we are in need of fun experiences that will bring our school communities together.

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Top 12 Educational School Trip Ideas for Student Success

Table of Contents:

Learning is a never-ending process. It’s not only an educational institution that teaches you! And when it comes to students, what better way than a fun and engaging field trip!?

After all, who doesn’t enjoy a great field trip? It allowed students to leave life’s routine and experience something completely different. And, when it serves the purpose of an educational trip, students can’t wait!

But planning a school trip is more than just fun and excitement! It must add value to the students learning! If you have ideas for student educational trips, this article is for you!

Here, we list the 12 best school trip ideas to help students enhance their learning journey.  

We are your companions, like the best essay writing websites that help you prepare the paper by offering abundant ideas, knowledge, and understanding of your requirements.  

We’ve listed the fun learning opportunities for students of all ages at different price points that teachers can have a look at. Let’s get started!  

Idea 1: Local Museums

What better way than spending a day at the local museums that hold the history of the places?  

It doesn’t have to be a history museum; it could be art, science, or a combination!  

Museums and school trips are both fun and educational. Students get to learn about different cultures, periods, and history and gain appreciation for the work of artists and scientists.  

It is also a great approach to give a sense of belonging to them about their place’s history.  

Museums are also a great way to help students write a paper about it. Instead of having to reach out to a research paper writer who already holds the ideas and expertise to write the best essay, students can do the job on their own with a bit of help from them.  

Idea 2: Outdoor Adventures

Often surrounded by four walls and classes, why wouldn’t students love a fun outdoor activity? Nothing gets students outdoors like an educational trip. A trip with the teacher ensures that they are aware of what to do and what not to do, but in all, they will have great fun.  

An idea of the campground or state park sounds excellent. Students will get to explore nature while learning about the environment. Further, other activities include rock climbing, zip-lining, and hiking. With, outdoor adventure trips seek additional care from teachers!  

Idea 3: Cultural Destinations

When planning a school trip, consider embarking on an educational adventure at a cultural destination that speaks history and culture. It could be a historic site, a cultural center, or an archaeological site.  

In such trips, students explore customs, beliefs, and cultures. Museums are also a great idea, but the cultural destination holds its value! Students can gain insight into the people’s lifestyles in other countries and the periods they lived through, and even participate in workshops to learn more about them.  

Idea 4: Farm Visits

Educational trips for students , especially younger children, demand simplicity and fun learning. They barely understand the history of exploring around the museums. Here, a fun farm visit is both exciting and educational!  

Farms are perfect for exploring nature closely. Such a trip with the teacher will help students learn about the importance of sustainable farm practices, healthy food choices, and animal husbandry. Plus, they’ll enjoy watching and feeding animals.

Idea 5: Aquariums and Zoos  

Next on our list of school trip ideas are Aquariums and zoos. They offer many educational opportunities for students, especially the younger ones! Here, they will be able to learn about animals and their habitat.  

In fact, it is a way for them to see the animals they’ve always seen on screen and paper.  

In aquariums, they can uncover the ocean’s mysteries and lifestyles. Plus, it is always great to see some wildlife close!

Idea 6: Art Galleries

Art has its own way of expressing itself. It speaks differently to everyone. With art gallery trips, students can immerse themselves in art and history.  

They can explore the work of famous artists, view unique art, and get a deeper understanding of cultures and traditions worldwide.  

Idea 7: Theater and Dance Performance

A bit of entertainment included in the learning process does no harm. A field trip for students to theater and dance performances encourages appreciation of performing arts.  

To ensure that these cultures stay extinct, the student must know what theater and dance performance is! They will be exposed to different forms of art. Further, it can be an essential lesson to them on collaboration, communication, and expression.  

Idea 8: Theme Parks

The theme park is also a great field trip suggestion, depending on the subject. You can give students a thrilling educational experience at amusement or theme parks.  

They can learn more about physics and engineering while riding and playing! Further, from a business perspective, they get the idea behind what it takes to run a successful business . Amusement parks are also a place to practice mathematics by calculating the cost of food and rides.  

Idea 9: Industrial Sites

If your students are more into business, visiting factories and industrial sites can significantly help them.  

Here, they can learn how things are made from scratch. They can learn the manufacturing process, discover the importance of safety measures, gain insight into the product, and more.  

Factories can be eye-opening experiences for students to help them understand the value of hard work and effort.  

Idea 10: Charity Events and Fundraisers

A learning journey towards sympathy and affection teaches a lot. When you let your students attend charity events and fundraisers, you teach them the importance of helping others.  

Charity events provide great insight into how a small contribution can make a big difference. Further, charities and fundraisers can be something other than a school trip. Students can volunteer in these activities.  

Idea 11: Business Tours

Business tours are a great initiative to explore the world and entrepreneurship firsthand. On such a trip, students learn about different industries and how they operate, and they even meet entrepreneurs who can share inspiring stories.  

Going on a business tour and exploring a part of the world they want to become familiar with can be an invaluable experience for students.  

Idea 12: International Trips

While it might be a bit costly, compared to other ideas mentioned on the list, an international trip gives the students the taste of another culture.  

Here, they can explore different customs and businesses, learn about foreign languages and foreign cultures, and accept the beauty of the places. International trips are an unforgettable experience for everyone!  

Wrapping Up

This summarizes our list of the top 12 best school trip ideas for students.  

We have listed some of the most popular ideas, from museums and art galleries to amusement parks and international tours. Depending upon the subject, curriculum demand, and students’ wants, you can go with the trip that best suits the student.  

Further, consider the age and learning perspective of the students. A school trip is a significant responsibility for teachers and must be carried out carefully to be a success. With these ideas, you can come up with the best suit!

Have you ever planned any of the school trips? What ideas did you move forward with? Do let us know!

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The school visit: what to look for, what to ask

by: The GreatSchools Editorial Team | Updated: December 5, 2023

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Be sure to visit all the schools on your list, if you can. A visit is the best way to determine whether a school is right for your child. Even a short visit will help you identify a school’s strengths and challenges. It’s also the only way to get a feel for a school’s climate — intangible but important factors like the dynamism of the teaching, engagement of the students, quality of communication, level of respect between students, teachers, administrators, and parents, and the overall sense that the school offers a safe and inspiring learning environment .

School visit checklists

Use this printable guide to help you plan your elementary, middle, or high school visit.

Before your visit

• Do your homework. Read about the schools you’ll be visiting. Examine their school profiles on GreatSchools.org. Talk to other parents and check your local newspaper for articles about the schools.
• Contact the school.  Most schools conduct regular school tours and open houses during the enrollment season — typically in the fall. Call the school or go online to schedule a visit.
• Ask and observe. Jot down your questions before your visit (the sample questions below will help you create your list).

Key questions to ask

• Does this school have a particular educational philosophy or mission?
• What curriculum does the school use for math, reading, science, etc? Ask if the school follows the Common Core State Standards , Next Generation Science Standards , and which program(s) are they using to teach children to read ?
• What is the average class size ?
• What is this school’s approach to student discipline and safety? Do they practice restorative justice ? Are the discipline practices fair for families of color ? Do they practice corporal punishment , and if so, can you opt out of that for your child?
• How much homework do students have? What is the school’s philosophy/approach to homework ?
• What kind of library resources are available to students?
• How is technology used to support teaching and learning at this school?
• How do the arts fit into the curriculum? Is there a school choir, band or orchestra? A drama program? Art classes?
• What extracurricular opportunities (sports, clubs, community service, competitions) are available for students?
• How do students get to school? Is free school busing available?
• Is bullying a problem at the school? Does the school have an anti-bullying policy ?
• Does the school have a program for gifted students ?
• How does this school support students who have academic, social or emotional difficulties?
• What strategies are used to teach students who are not fluent in English?
• What professional development opportunities do teachers have ? In what ways do teachers collaborate?
• Does the school offer Physical Education (PE) classes?
• What are some of the school’s greatest accomplishments? What are some of the biggest challenges this school faces?

Features to look for

• Do classrooms look cheerful? Is student work displayed, and does it seem appropriate for the grade level?
• Do teachers seem enthusiastic and knowledgeable, asking questions that stimulate students and keep them engaged?
• Does the principal seem confident and interested in interacting with students, teachers and parents?
• How do students behave as they move from class to class or play outside?
• Is there an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA) ? What other types of parent involvement take place at this school?
• How well are the facilities maintained? Are bathrooms clean and well supplied, and do the grounds look safe and inviting?

Especially for elementary schools

• What are some highlights of this school’s curriculum in reading , math, science and social studies?
• What criteria are used to determine student placement in classes?
• How does this school keep parents informed of school information and activities? Are they easy to communicate with ?
• Does the school let parents know what their rights are (and aren’t ) in regards to your child’s education?
• Is quality child care available before and after school?
• How much outdoor time do kids get each day?

 Especially for middle schools

• How does the school guide and prepare students for major academic decisions that will define their options in high school and beyond? Do they provide advice to parents on how to help this age group ?
• Does the school offer tutoring or other support if students need extra help?
• Are world language classes (French, Spanish, etc.) offered to students?
• If the school is large, does it make an effort to provide activities that create a sense of community ?

Especially for high schools

• Does this school have a particular curriculum focus, such as STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) or the arts?
• What kind of emphasis does the school place on college preparation ?
• Does the school have a good selection of Advanced Placement (AP) and honors classes?
• What percentage of students take the SAT or/and ACT ?
• Where do students go after they graduate? How many attend four-year college? Are graduates prepared for college ?
• Are counselors available to help students make important decisions about classes?
• Is college counseling and support available?
• Does the school offer a variety of career planning options for students who are not college bound?
• Does the school staff set high expectations for all students?
• Does the school have a tutoring program so students can get extra help if they need it?
• How do students get to school? Is there a parking lot, and are buses (public or district-provided) available?
• Does this school have any school-to-work programs or specialized academies ?
• What is the school drop-out rate ?

Especially for charter schools

• When and why was this school created ?
• Does the school have a specific focus?
• Who is the charter holder, or the group that created the school?
• How does the school select teachers? Are the teachers certificated?
• Is this the permanent location or facility for the school? If not, will the school be moving to another location in the near future?

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Fresh Ideas and Inspiration for education

10 fantastic free school trips and visits.

In need of some ideas for free school trips? In the present climate, teachers are tending to organise fewer trips and visits for their classes than in years gone by. This may be for several reasons, firstly the cost - budgets are tight and each pound spent has to be seen to be worthwhile and secondly, they are time-consuming - they need to be carefully planned, have to be linked to learning and objectives (not simply to have a nice time – heaven forbid!) and must be assessed for every possible risk.

english heritage

English heritage free school visit, free school trips, pizza express school visit, rnli school visit, rspb school visit, school trips, tesco - eat happy project, tesco farm to fork, warburtons school visit.

Despite all this, if teachers can manage to arrange school trips, they are still incredibly worthwhile because getting children out of the classroom can provide so many benefits, not least in social and emotional development and increasing confidence.

Here is our selection (in no particular order) of some of the best free experiences for your consideration.

1. veolia – waste management  and recycling.

Offering free downloads, lesson plans and worksheets, Veolia also offer school and club visits for educational purposes. Specific Veolia locations offer free school tours at their facilities . We have been lucky enough to go to one of these and it is truly fascinating. KS1 packs are available here .

2. Pizza Express

Pizza Express have been running free school visits since 1999 and have it down to a fine art! Children get the opportunity to visit the kitchen, learn about food hygiene, find out about the fresh ingredients, knead their own dough and make their own individual pizzas which are cooked and can be taken back to school for lunch! How brilliant and all free of charge! Booking can be made via the website .

The RSPB have teamed up with Aldi to offer ‘trained educators’ who will come to your school and work with you in your school grounds, not just learning about birds, but about wildlife in general. The 90 minute sessions are entitled: Giving Nature a Home, Bioblitz and Big Schools Birdwatch and are currently offered in 17 cities around the UK. There is more information as well as free resources on the website.

4. Warburtons

Warburtons offer schools visits for 5-11 year olds to learn about bread making, food and healthy eating. The sessions are practical and informative and 99% of teachers would book a second visit or recommend the experience. The school visitor programme has been running for 20 years and has reached almost 30 000 children. Find out more here .

5. English Heritage

English Heritage offer free visits to over 400 of their sites for self-led groups. There is also the offer of a free familiarisation visit so teachers are able to plan the sort of experience they would like their children to have. Visits must be booked at least 7 days in advance and all the locations are listed at the website here .

6. The Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust (WWT)

The Trust offers free admission and optional learning session to eligible schools until December 2017. Eligibility is for state-funded schools where a high proportion of children on roll are eligible for free school meals. There are excellent reviews from teachers endorsing the experience. Find out more here .

7. RNLI (Royal National lifeboat Institution)

Free visits available to locations of your choice all over the country, or an RNLI volunteer will come to see you in your school or setting. The outreach team aims to teach and inspire children, not only about the rescue work of the lifeboat crews and lifeguards, but also about water safety in general. There is a large selection of resources, including lesson plans, videos, and activity sheets, available for children and young people from ages 3 – 18. Find out more here .

8. Local libraries

Local libraries are great places to visit. You would be surprised by how many children have never been to a library. Local libraries often have temporary exhibitions or free events on. You could walk to the library with extra support from parent helpers for the walk. Children could be encouraged to bring their library card if they have one and choose a book.

9. Local Nature Walk

A nature walk can be such a lovely experience with your class. Often parents will help too. Depending on the time of year and place that you can walk to, children can collect rubbings, leaves, conkers, blackberries. They could be issued with a ‘What to spot’ list to tick off as they go. What can they identify? Go on a bug hunt or try to identify sounds heard on the walk.

10. Fire Station visits

Some local fire stations will accommodate small groups for tours of the station. They will also run community fire safety workshops.

With thanks to Beverley Smalley and Charlotte Parry for writing this blog. Beverley is an education specialist, writer and former primary school teacher.

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60 Unique School Spirit Ideas To Unite Your Student Body

Service+fun=community!

We know it when we feel it: School spirit warms a school, makes everyone smile and brings people together. It makes everyone feel that they are part of something greater than themselves. There are so many ways to foster school spirit, whether it’s through community service, school-wide initiatives, or just plain old fun. And for those involved in student leadership, they also make great student council ideas.

1. Hold a dress like a teacher day

Kids love to imitate their favorite teachers, so what better way than to host a dress-like-a-teacher day at your school? Students dress as their most influential teachers for the day. Check out the amazing students and staff in this video for fun inspiration!

2. Plant a school garden

Recruit green-minded students and start a garden club with a focus on sustainability and community involvement. In spring you can harvest early vegetables and pass out samples (a la Costco) in the lunchroom.

3. Engage in service learning

Inspire a sense of school spirit and generosity by bringing students together to do good work in your community. Check out these 25+ Meaningful Service Learning Projects for Kids and Teens .

4. Make team-themed spirit cowbells

Use craft paint and ribbons in your school’s colors to create custom cowbells for pep rallies and sporting events.

5. Produce a talent show or lip sync battle

Invite your school to an event where they can showcase one of their talents. Encourage teachers and school staff to join in too!

6. Put on a “Top Chef” competition

Try a mini version of Top Chef by hosting a pie-baking or cookie-making contest. Recruit the Home Ec teacher to coordinate and choose judges. Film the competition then stream it for students in home room.

7. Host a book donation project

Not everyone has access to Wi-Fi or e-books, and getting to the library can be challenging. Create a drop box at your school where classmates can donate books. Then, using a survey tool like Survey Monkey or Google Forms, reach out to families to find out who wants books and where to deliver them. Work with your advisor to create a plan for delivery.

8. Plan a design-a-mask challenge

One of our favorite student council ideas that is a little outside the box. Challenge classmates to come up with a design for a mask that celebrates school spirit. Then, pick your three favorites. Create a video where you interview each classmate and ask them about their design and how it represents your school. If you have the funds, work with a local printing shop to get the masks made and sell them to raise money for your school.

9. Hold a music trivia contest

Nothing brings people together like music! A music trivia contest is a fun home room idea. Or, hold it in the lunchroom to include a mix of people. To help get you started, check out this cool site for 50 Easy Quiz Questions About Music.

10. Put together a Senior Spotlight

Celebrate your seniors by broadcasting highlights of their greatest accomplishments on social media.

11. Hold a Community Day

This makes a great annual tradition that builds school pride and stronger neighborhood-school ties. Students, teachers, staff, parents, and alumni get together to give a day of service in the community, whether by cleaning up sidewalks, planting trees, visiting seniors, or serving at food banks.

12. Create a school cheer

Simple or complicated? It’s up to your school! Make it catchy so that years from now, it will still pop into alum’s heads and remind them of the good times they had at your school. This activity is a good opportunity to connect with your school’s cheer squad and collaborate!

13. Highlight your school’s diversity with holiday hallway decorations

Welcome classmates back from winter or spring break with holiday hallways. Decorate school hallways for different cultural traditions to educate students about different holidays around the world.

14. Host a Color Run

A Color Run is a healthy and fun way to show your school spirit. Check out 10 Reasons You Should Do the Color Run.

15. Make spirit shakers

Another super fun activity from our favorite student council ideas. Use liter soda bottles and pony beads in your school colors. Add curling ribbons to the lid and ribbons around the middle of the bottle. Then use them at school pep rallies and sporting events.

16. Set up a virtual calming room

School can get stressful, especially during exams or big projects. Link guided meditations, online puzzles and games, yoga videos, and other fun ways to take a break to your school’s website.

17. Send staff thank-you letters

Draft personalized letters to school staff to thank them for being a part of your school community! Consider sharing this meaningful gesture as an activity for back to school, end of year, Teacher Appreciation Week, or Activity Advisor Appreciation Day.

18. Celebrate your school’s unsung heroes

Plan a day to honor the support staff in your school. In addition to teachers, give a special shout out to the special-education aides, custodians, cafeteria workers and other generous souls who help in so many ways.

19. Create a school mantra that shows your school pride

For example, We are Eagles. We are considerate. We are responsible. Engage with your school principal to craft a mantra that reflects your unique school culture. You could even have specific mottoes for each grade.

20. Put together a gratitude chain

Give each student an opportunity to write something they’re thankful for on a strip of paper and then link the strips together to form a gratitude chain to decorate the hallways of your school.

21. Surprise your rival school with positivity

Spread kindness and positivity to your rival school! Surprise them by decorating their sidewalks or hanging posters with positive messages during the evening or over a weekend.

23. Use a spirit can

Jointly sponsor a spirit can in partnership with the cheer team. During school events and game time-outs, student council members or cheerleaders lift the lid on the spirit can, signaling for the crowd to cheer. The higher the lid is lifted, the louder the crowd cheers. As the lid is lowered to the can, the crowd becomes softer. The spirit can holds T-shirts and candy, which can be thrown out to the loudest fans.

24. Design a school spirit stick

Use your creativity to create a spirit stick with your school colors. Use an empty gallon water bottle, a broomstick, beads, and ribbon. Award the stick on a revolving basis to the grade or class that shows the most school spirit throughout the year.

25. Create decades-themed spirit boards

Brighten up your school’s hallways with decades of color! Assign an era to each grade level. For instance, 9th graders- 1950’s, 10th graders-1960’s, etc..

26. Host a photo booth

Design your own “frame” with your school mascot or colors and let students line up for photos. Post them on your school’s website (with permission, of course).

27. Host a school-wide Amazing Race

Looking for memorable student council ideas? Check this one out. It’s got lots of potential for getting lots of students involved. Students go on a scavenger hunt around the school, completing certain tasks. The last team to make it to each checkpoint is out.

28. Let seniors personalize their parking spots

Finally! Seniors get to park in the front row. Advocate for seniors to get designated prime parking spots and work with your school administration to allow custom decoration. Then, invite seniors to show their pride with a little personalization!

29. Have a student vs. faculty competition

Organize a game where students compete against faculty. It could be a basketball or kickball game—or even musical chairs. Hilarity is guaranteed!

30. Hold a door-decorating contest

Host door-decorating contests with themes such as holidays, homecoming, spirit days, or making the world a better place. Reveal the winning classroom over morning announcements and award the winners with prizes like pizza or an ice cream party. Here are awesome classroom door ideas .

31. Hold a T-shirt-decorating contest

Challenge students to design a spirit shirt for your school. Feature all entries on a bulletin board in a common area or webpage so that everyone can view the entries. Determine the winner by popular vote or by a committee vote.

32. Adopt a sister school

Find a school in another state, or even overseas, and collectively write letters to that school. Send your news and school highlights. Post replies where everyone can read them.

33. Share positive messages with a Kindness Rocks Project

Inspire positivity and kindness around your school community with a Kindness Rocks Project . Paint rocks with an encouraging word or message and scatter them throughout your school and community.

34. Create a community painting

During a stressful time for students like state testing or finals week, set up a large blank canvas in the common area along with paints in your school colors. Encourage students to “throw” paint against the canvas using paintbrushes and sponges. When the activity is over, you’ll have an amazing painting to display!

35. Celebrate your school’s history

Educate new students and introduce incoming students to the rich history of the school. Make weekly history announcements, include a history column in the school paper, or post a history board in the halls to feature influential teachers, founders, the school’s namesake, and outstanding alumni.

36. Hold an old-fashioned field day

Support your school’s field day activities by organizing and running different events and competitions.

37. Brighten up someone’s landscape

Find out who in your community needs help with their yardwork, and plan a day where students can sign up to rake lawns and bag the leaves. Your students may find that doing common yard work is a fun way to get everyone out of the house, spend time together, and help out your community.

38. Open a school spirit and supply store

Sell spirit wear so everyone can get decked out in your school colors. You could even create an online pop-up shop that makes it easy for families to buy school spirit wear from home. Use the proceeds to raise funds for your school or a charitable cause.

39. Showcase student art in a gallery

Use Google Slides or another display program to create a gallery where your classmates can put their artwork on display. This easy-to-follow tutorial will help you get started. You can even add background music and host an opening reception event that you promote on your school’s social channels.

40. Choose an entrance song for spirit events

Get students fired up with a rocking song that gets them on their feet and cheering. You can make it a classic jam like “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor or something more contemporary like “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, or create an entire playlist of appropriate songs to use as entrance music to pep rallies, assemblies, and ceremonies. Check out these song tips from Education to the Core , along with other great ideas for spirit assemblies.

41. Paint a unity wall

Make all students feel welcome in your school with a unity wall that highlights what makes them unique and the characteristics they share. This unity wall at Hesperia High School in Hesperia, CA celebrates their kind student body and makes it clear that everyone contributes to a culture of kindness.

42. Make spirit bracelets

Another one of those simple but effective student council ideas. Make spirit bracelets using beads made in school colors and letters. Pass them out at lunchtime or at sporting events. Customize them for special events.

43. Compose a school song

A school song is a tradition that will create lasting memories for generations. If you have a talented student or teacher musician, you could even compose an original song. Already have one? Host a contest to update and refresh it. Then teach it to the student body.

44. Share compliment cards

Challenge your student leaders to pass out compliment cards with notes such as “You have great style,” “I love your smile,” and “You’re a great friend!” Include instructions on each card that direct the recipient to pay the compliment forward to someone else—creating a butterfly effect of kindness across your school!

45. Designate special dress-up days

One of those classic student council ideas but with a modern twist. Dress-up days ,  such as tie-dye day, beach day, jersey day, and favorite book character day, can be a great way for students to get creative and have fun. To increase participation and promote inclusion, be sure to incorporate ideas that are easy to do, such as favorite outfit day or school colors day.

46. Face-paint with your school colors

Recruit art students to showcase their talents by painting their peers’ faces with school colors. Schedule it on a pep assembly day to give students the opportunity to amp up their school spirit.

47. Hold a poster contest

Have different homerooms, school clubs, or teams make their best spirit posters to display in the halls. Present the winning one at a pep rally and reward the artists with small gifts like school key chains or rally towels.

48. Throw a back-to-school cookout

Get the whole school community together to get “fired up” for the school year. Having time to casually socialize with teachers and staff helps ease the transition for students and families.

49. Host a game tournament

Engage students and foster a positive school climate by hosting a tournament or game night. At Cimarron-Memorial High School in Las Vegas, Nevada, they hosted a virtual Among Us game where participants were divided into different Google Meet rooms, each moderated by a student council member.

50. Decorate with erasable chalk

Welcome back new and returning students and staff to a new school year or after spring break by decorating school sidewalks with positive messages. This could be a good opportunity to engage with art students to create an even more impressive display!

51. Come up with a yearlong theme

Collaborate with your principal to create a motivational school theme for the year, like “teamwork” or “respect.” Integrate the theme into as many aspects of your school as possible throughout the year. For example, introduce the theme at your back-to-school night and incorporate it in your school newsletters throughout the year. Read this great article from Education World on how to engage the whole school in a unified, yearlong theme .

52. Make DIY pom poms

This is one of many fun money-making student council ideas. Make and sell paper pom poms before your student athletic events and fill your gym with school spirit! Keep the cost low- 25 cents or so- to make them accessible to everyone.

53. Start a mentoring program

Pair older students with younger ones for the duration of the year. “Buddies” can invite each other to lunch (on specially designated days), write notes (monitored), and team up on field day competitions. Near-peer mentoring , with students just a grade or two apart, can be a big benefit for both students.

54. Host a school movie night

Spread a king-size sheet or painter’s tarp on the side of the school to project a movie and invite students and their families to bring lawn chairs or blankets. If the weather’s cold or rainy, turn your school gym into a movie theater and spread out the gymnastics mats for seating.

55. Spread cafeteria compassion

Write kind notes to your cafeteria staff and give them to students who are standing in line for lunch, along with directions to pass the note to a cafeteria staff member. With minimal effort, your whole student body can overwhelm your cafeteria staff with compassion and gratitude!

56. Host a senior breakfast

In the last week of school, host a senior breakfast to celebrate students’ graduation and give them a positive send-off. Be sure to offer decaf coffee—they’re already stoked enough!

57. Organize a tutoring program

Recruit classmates who are willing to tutor other students. Create a schedule and share it with families and students, so they can drop in and get help on a variety of subjects.

58. Make spirit bracelets

Another fun DIY project! This tutorial will teacher students how to make simple braided paper bracelets using school-colored paper. Tackle making them as a class project. Or encourage a school club to make them as a fundraiser.

59. Give out honorary school diplomas

Advocate to begin an honorary school diploma program, recognizing people in the community—living or historical—who have made outstanding contributions to the school or have noteworthy achievements that align with your school values. A student council can help to organize the program with support from administration and serve on the selection committee, nominating awardees and writing the citations.

60. Do an end-of-year graduation walk

Graduating high school seniors walk the halls in their caps and gowns to inspire younger students to go the distance.

How do you foster school spirit in the classroom? Come and share your ideas in our WeAreTeachers HELPLINE group  on Facebook.

Plus, check out these theme day ideas to steer clear of, and some recommended alternatives, you might also like.

110+ Sensational School Spirit Week Ideas, Activities, and Themes

Thoughtful ways to build community and pride. Continue Reading

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12 Steps to Take When Looking for the Right School

If you are looking for a new school for your child, your child's strengths, interests and specific needs will be the best guides for making the right decision. You want to find a school in which your child can learn, grow, and develop their own potential. This all has to happen in a caring, safe environment that will meet much more than your child's basic needs. 

The variety of choices available today can make this choice seem complicated. Your child probably has more school options to attend than you did while growing up. Many neighborhoods have local neighborhood public schools, charter schools, magnet schools, and even hybrid online/brick and mortar schools. Knowing where to find out information about these schools can help your family make a good choice.

While attending new parent nights and open houses can give you a starting point to learn about a school, they often do not give a complete picture. Teachers and staff have prepared to give a good impression to the public at these events. You see what teachers and staff are most proud of—not necessarily what your child will see on a day to day basis. Here are some other ways to gather information.

Research the School Online First

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Researching a school online before your visit will help to answer many standard questions. Once you know about test scores , reported class size , and rankings, you can move on to asking questions during your visit that will help you to really understand the school.

Attend an Open House or Schedule a Tour

Attending new parent nights and open houses can give you a starting point to learn about a school. These events often cover information that applies generally to all families interested in the school. You can expect to have some of your questions answered, but may not find specific information that applies to your child.

Keep in mind that during events for incoming families, teachers and staff have prepared to give a good impression to the public at these events. You see what teachers and staff are most proud of—not necessarily what your child will see on a day to day basis. 

To get a complete picture, call the school and find a time to visit. The ideal visit would be at a time when you can see the school in session on a regular day —the same type of day that your child would come to expect if they become a student at that school.

If possible, schedule a time to come to the school where you can:

• Breaks such as lunch/recess for elementary students or transitions between classes in middle and high schools
• Meet any teachers, counselors, or specialists that would be spending significant time with your child
• Observe classrooms your child may be placed into
• See any after-school clubs, sports or other extracurriculars you child is interested in
• See the school parking lot as students arrive at school or leave at the end of the school day

It may not be possible for you to see the school in session if you are finding a school over summer break and plan to have your child start immediately during the new school year . It helps to get as much information as you can to make your decision. You may not need to know the answer to every question offered to find the best school for your child.

Consider How the School Feels When You Enter

This particular quality is something that cannot be summed up purely with numbers or a simple across the board description for all schools. The feel of a school is a quality that varies tremendously between schools. Pay attention to these feelings, because they are the same feelings your child will experience every day if they attend that school.

Is the school inviting and warm? Does the school lend a busy and structured tone to itself? Is it regimented and orderly, or free-flowing with a creative spirit? Do students seem happy and engaged, or rude and checked out?

Each school has its own unique culture and charm.  You can gain a sense of this right away from the moment you walk into the school. Throughout your time at the school, notice this sense of feel. Think about how your child or teen will do in this environment.

Watch how the students treat one another. Are they kind and respectful? Playful and creative? Rude and hostile? Are student projects displayed in hallways and classrooms? What kind of assignments does the school choose to display?

How do teachers speak with students and one another? Does the school principal warmly greet students they see in the halls, or does the principal have a formal demeanor?

Determine If Your Kid's Needs Will Be Met

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Public school districts are required to provide free and appropriate education to all students under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. How different districts and individual schools decide to meet that requirement can vary tremendously.

If your child has an IEP , IFSP, or 504 plan , bring it when you visit the school. Share it with the school administrator and teachers that you meet and ask exactly how your child's needs would be met at the school.

Even children who do not experience disabilities may still have other unique needs. Keep these needs in mind when you visit the school to get an idea of what your child's daily experience will be.

If your child has allergies or asthma or requires medication to be available during school hours you will want to know if there is a full-time nurse at the school. If the school doesn't have one, find out how your child's needs are met at this school.

Ask What Standards and Curriculum Are Used

This question is particularly important to ask at schools of choice, such as charters, magnet, and private schools. Public schools across the nation have shifted to more rigorous standards, like Common Core State Standards (CCSS.)

Standards are the specific skills that are taught at a particular grade level. The curriculum includes the materials and methods used to teach the skills. 

Schools with rigorous standards are teaching the level and depth of skills necessary for children to get an education that will be competitive in the future. While CCSS has generated some controversy , the shift to these standards has created a level of rigor that is now expected across the country. 

Some states have adopted similar standards to the CCSS, opting for some minor differences that are preferred by that state. This effort by the states to adopt rigorous standards is an attempt to ensure that regardless of which state a child grows up in, they will be provided an education that teaches the same skills. 

Why Standards and Curriculum Matter

High level, rigorous standards are important. A good curriculum and quality teachers are necessary for effective teaching of the standards. Ask the school what standards they are using, and how they compare to CCSS. CCSS is the new benchmark. If a school does not teach to standards that are at least as rigorous as the CCSS, your child risks falling behind or learning less than children attending most public schools across the nation.

If you don't have a teaching degree you can still get an idea of how well the school is teaching high standards. Look at the work and assignments that students are doing at the school. In particular, look for assignments that emphasize thinking and analyzing more than just memorization of answers. 

Be sure to peek in on the work of higher grade levels as well. While your child may start at a school in a particular grade, you want to know what to expect as they advance in school.

Determine What Sets the School Apart

Charter, magnet and private schools are often founded on a central philosophy that differs from a standard neighborhood public school. Some neighborhood public schools have identified a particular focus that works well for their particular school.

Some schools choose to provide extra emphasis on art or STEM skills. Other schools may choose to focus on place-based education and to make a strong effort to use their surrounding community in school lessons. Still, other schools may choose to follow a particular educational philosopher's methods, such as Montessori or Waldorf education.

Each school will have its own style. If they are teaching to high standards and using good methods, they are often very impressive schools. 

It's important to keep in mind with these special focus schools how well your child would do in a school with that particular focus. A child who shows little interest in STEM subjects may lose interest in a school that goes beyond regular STEM expectations to teach more STEM skills. 

Children who like or benefit from a lot of structure may struggle to learn in a Montessori or Waldorf school, as both of those philosophies place emphasis on child choice rather than rigid classroom structures. 

Ask About Transportation

Transportation options can vary wildly between different schools and districts. Many schools of choice do not provide busing to students, leaving parents on the hook to carpool, and older students to walk . 

Public schools may not provide busing to students who live near the school, believing that those students can walk. While some public schools may accept students living outside of their normal boundaries, these students are rarely provided busing.

Check to see what transportation is available to your family, and how it would work with your daily schedule. It is a good idea to make sure that you have a backup plan in case your child's main mode of transportation cancels out.

Look at Extracurricular Clubs and Activities

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Check out what activities are offered outside of the regular school day. Extracurricular activities and clubs provide your child with a chance to explore things that aren't part of the regular school day. They can provide a high-interest activity to keep your child motivated to attend school.

Ask About the School Library

School libraries provide reading choice to school children. School libraries often check out books to their students. In-school librarians often have specific knowledge of what teachers class lessons are, and can even provide more targeted recommendations based on the relationships they are able to build with students.

If the school does not have a library, you may find that you will need to spend more time helping your child locate books and resources needed for school reports and projects. Expect to take your child to the city library to find books, or to spend more time at home helping your child find resources on the internet.

Tour the Lunchroom

Where students eat lunch and what lunchtime is like at a school will be a part of the school experience your children will remember.  

Some questions you can ask are: What is the lunchroom like?   What about the school's food? Do school students all go to a lunchroom together where all students get to mix and eat lunch at the same time, or do students stay in their classrooms and eat lunch as a class? 

Learn How You Could Be Involved

Do you see parents volunteering in the classrooms? Is there a parent lounge or other places in the school for parents to meet? Are their bulletin boards to keep parents connected with the latest school news? There are many ways for parents to be involved with their children's education—be on the lookout to see what the involvement is like at a school.

Explore the Campus

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Does the building appear well cared for? Is the playground equipment in good condition? If not, what are the plans to repair or improve the school?

The condition of the building combined with the way the people in the school treat the building will let you know if the students and staff respect and care for the school. If a school is older and in need of updating, asking about the efforts being made to repair the building will let you know more than just what the current appearance will tell you.

After the Visit

Even if you did not have the chance to check out everything listed, you probably have plenty of information about the school. Remember, you are looking to see how well the school will meet your child's needs.

If you feel that the school your child will be attending needs improvement, there are ways you can help. Above all, continue being an involved parent so your child will have the support they need to be successful.

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Maxwell S, Reynolds KJ, Lee E, Subasic E, Bromhead D. The impact of school climate and school identification on academic achievement: Multilevel modeling with student and teacher data . Front Psychol . 2017;8:2069.  doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2017.02069

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National Conference of State Legislators. Common Core state standards .

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Rodriguez NM, Arce A, Kawaguchi A, et al. Enhancing safe routes to school programs through community-engaged citizen science: two pilot investigations in lower density areas of Santa Clara County, California, USA . BMC Public Health . 2019;19(1):256.  doi:10.1186/s12889-019-6563-1

Hughes JN, Cao Q, Kwok OM. Indirect effects of extracurricular participation on academic adjustment via perceived friends' prosocial norms . J Youth Adolesc . 2016;45(11):2260-2277.  doi: 10.1007/s10964-016-0508-0

Duff D, Tomblin JB, Catts H. The influence of reading on vocabulary growth: A case for a Matthew Effect . J Speech Lang Hear Res . 2015;58(3):853-64.  doi:10.1044/2015_JSLHR-L-13-0310

Rollings KA, Wells NM. Cafeteria assessment for elementary schools (CAFES): development, reliability testing, and predictive validity analysis . BMC Public Health . 2018;18(1):1154.  doi:10.1186/s12889-018-6032-2

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By Lisa Linnell-Olsen Lisa Linnell-Olsen has worked as a support staff educator, and is well-versed in issues of education policy and parenting issues.

24 Best Ideas for Field Trips for Schools for All Ages

Leah Nguyen • 08 Aug 2023 • 6 min read

The best part of when you’re a student is probably going on a school field trip (no homework, no sitting around waiting for recess, who doesn’t like it?)

That’s why as a teacher, coming up with a field trip that ensures the students are having the time of their life but also educative has been the top priority.

Here are 24 awesome ideas for field trips for schools that offer tons of fun and great lessons!

Table of Contents

The importance of field trips in education, kindergarten field trips ideas, primary school field trips ideas, middle and high school field trip ideas, homeschool field trip ideas, bottom line, frequently asked questions.

Field trips for schools provide many positive aspects to students’ learning pathways. They can:

• Provide hands-on, experiential learning: Students learn best when they have opportunities to directly experience and interact with what they are studying. Field trips allow students to make real-world connections to classroom concepts, for example, a field trip to the science museum will let students interact with real experiments that they only have seen through textbooks.

• Supplement the curriculum: Field trips can complement and reinforce what students are learning in the classroom. Visiting places related to curricular topics brings lessons to life.

• Develop real-world skills: Field trips provide opportunities for students to practice skills like observation, critical thinking, collaboration and communication in authentic settings outside of school.

• Inspire continuous learning: Experiencing new places can spark students’ curiosity and motivation to learn more about related topics when they return to the classroom. Field trips ignite students’ imagination and natural sense of wonder.

• Foster social and emotional growth: Field trips for schools in groups give students opportunities for social interaction, teamwork, responsibility and independence – skills that contribute to social-emotional learning and development.

• Expose students to new people and places: Field trips broaden students’ experiences and exposure to the world, helping them build background knowledge and vocabulary. This can be especially valuable for underserved students.

What are Good Ideas for a Field Trip?

From homeschooling to high school, these field trips for schools will bring great memories to students and enrich their experience with the outer world.

#1. Zoo – Kids love seeing and learning about different animals at the zoo. Focus on the smaller animals and insect exhibits. You can collaborate with the zoo to have tour guides talk about wildlife and animal behaviours.

#2. Farm – Seeing farm animals up close like fluffy sheep and cute rabbits will surely enchant all the young kids. They can also pick produce, and experience rural life firsthand. Petting zoos are especially fun for kindergarteners.

#3. Botanical garden – Colourful flowers, plants and outdoor spaces make botanical gardens a sensory-rich experience for kindergarteners. Consider a children-friendly space if available.

#4. Fire station – Seeing a firefighter in real life is like observing a superhero on missions, and your little ones sure are fond of that! Kids love seeing a real fire truck, meeting firefighters and learning basic fire safety. Many stations offer station tours and demonstrations.

#5. Orchard – Picking and tasting fresh produces in an orchard connects kids to the cycle of nature while engaging multiple senses. You can contact a local orchard and plant out in advance, but be aware if there’s any kid that is allergic to the fruit.

#6. Cooking class – A hands-on cooking or baking lesson allows kindergartners to develop early math, literacy and fine motor skills through food prep and following recipes.

#7. Nature centre – Field trips to nature centres provide opportunities for kids to experience and learn about the outdoors through guided hikes, activities and exhibits.

#8. Nursing home – Intergenerational field trips for schools give kids a chance to talk with and learn from seniors while bringing joy to residents. Kids this age often connect easily with the elderly.

#9. Aquarium – Tanks full of fish, turtles, rays and other aquatic creatures inspire wonder in primary school students. Many aquariums have interactive programs and touch pools.

#10. Theatre – Watching a live performance designed for children gives students an introduction to the performing arts in an interactive and engaging way.

#11. Camping – A 1-day outdoor camping provides plenty of activities. Nature observation, outdoor cooking (don’t forget the S’mores), campfire programs and games will bring the camping experience to life for students.

#12. Virtual museum visit – Can’t organise this year’s field trip? Not a problem because there are plenty of exciting virtual museum tours that you can show students in the class. You can triple the engagement and discussion by organising an interactive quiz to test students’ knowledge after that.

Host fun quiz games with AhaSlides

Lessons can be learned in a fun way. Make engaging quizzes for students with our free education templates❗️

#13. College campus – Visiting a local college campus can inspire and expose students to future possibilities as well as provide an engaging learning experience.

#14. Art museum – Art museums offer exhibitions and programs tailored for teens that expose them to new artists and develop their visual literacy and critical thinking skills.

#15. Science museum – Hands-on exhibits and interactive activities at science museums bring concepts to life in engaging ways that capture teenagers’ interests.

#16. Community service project – Volunteering as a class for a community service project teaches valuable skills while engaging students in important social issues and causes. You can choose an animal shelter, a food bank, or a community shelter. The choices are endless, depending on what your learning objective is.

#17. Business/industry tour – Touring a local business or area of industry relevant to student’s interests can provide real-world connections and potential career exposure. It also encourages students to know the importance of small businesses in supporting the local economy.

#18. Indoor recreational areas – These areas are often equipped with exciting activities such as indoor rock climbing, zipline and adventure games that will bring the adrenaline rush to the young blood. They also have team-building activities that are perfect for bonding and learning the spirit of teamwork.

#19. Farmers market – Bring your kids to a local farmers market to learn about produce, talk to farmers, and get ideas for meals. Kids can help pick out fresh items to cook at home, making this a nice bonding lesson.

#20. Artisan workshop – Sign up for group knitting or crocheting lessons just for kids. It’s a great hands-on way to learn a useful life skill.

#21. Trampoline park – Great for all ages, trampoline parks are a unique indoor field trip option for physical education and socialising during homeschooling. Kids get lots of exercise too.

#22. Working studio – Artisans like ceramicists, glassblowers, woodworkers and more may welcome student groups to observe and learn from their creative process. Kids come away inspired.

#23. World cultures VR – In the age of technology, we can tour around the world from the comfort of our houses. Equip the kid with a VR headset and let them explore different locations around the world to learn about each distinctive culture immersively.

#24. Performing arts venue – Theaters, orchestra halls, opera houses and dance companies offer backstage tours, workshops and lectures for students of all ages. Kids can get inspired by the creative process.

With proper planning, guidance and age-appropriate structure, field trips for schools can provide students opportunities for hands-on learning, team building, developing responsibility and independence, and unplugging in the outside world – all valuable educational benefits. Just be sure safety, preparedness and educational goals are prioritised in your planning.

What is a field trip in the classroom?

A field trip in the classroom is an excursion outside of the school that has an educational purpose.

What is the purpose of a field trip?

The primary purpose of field trips for schools is to provide students with educational experiences beyond textbooks and classrooms that complement and reinforce curricular aims while developing important skills and social tendencies in students. Field trips offer “invisible” benefits that transcend direct academic goals.

How do you organise a school field trip?

Here are the key steps to organise a successful school field trip: · Identify learning objectives · Get administrative approval · Coordinate logistics · Plan pre-trip lessons · Prepare chaperones · Conduct the field trip · Conduct post-trip debrief · Evaluate and improve.

Leah Nguyen

Words that convert, stories that stick. I turn complex ideas into engaging narratives - helping audiences learn, remember, and take action.

More from AhaSlides

40+ Virtual School Trip Ideas You Can Do For Free

This is a complete guide with 43 virtual school trip ideas you can use to bring your next school trip into the classroom.

School trips have always been a powerful way to bring learning to life. Not to mention their ability to spark new interests in students and become highlights of the school year.

Even though we’re so excited that the DfE has now allowed school trips, we know that for many schools an educational visit will not be possible this academic year.

So that’s why we’ve brought you 40+ virtual school trip ideas you can use to bring school trips into your classroom! Here you’ll find a wide range of online exhibitions, virtual tours and activities, each with their subject links and Key Stage suitability.

There are options for all ages and subjects, with accompanying resources to connect the virtual school trip with the curriculum.

And best of all – nearly all of these virtual school trip ideas can be accessed for free at school or by your students at home.

About The School Trip

The School Trip Community’s goal is to make school trips as accessible as possible. We work with thousands of teachers across the UK to help them bring arts & culture to life. We share free teaching resources such as this, as well as news, teaching ideas, tips and guides.

Get more resources, tips & guides.

If you haven’t already, also sign-up to our weekly newsletter . A quick round-up packed with all the latest news, updates, resources and activities you can use to bring school trips into the classroom.

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Different types of virtual school trips ideas

This is a complete guide to virtual school trip ideas and all the virtual school trip options out there.

Have a look through the whole guide, or you can jump to a venue or type of virtual school trip using the links below.

There are loads on offer to bring your next school trip into the classroom. Here you’ll find virtual tours, virtual sessions, online exhibitions and online performances that you can stream and use from your classroom.

And finally, a range of teaching resources – all of which you can download and use for free. These are great to accompany a virtual school trip and connect it to the curriculum. Or you can use them as fun teaching ideas and activities whenever you want.

Looking for something in particular? Get in touch!

We’re here to help you find exactly what you’re looking for. If there’s a particular type of virtual school trip or virtual session you need – we can help you find it.

Let us know what you’re looking for , and we’ll send you some options. We love helping teachers like you find suitable virtual school trip ideas and resources based on Key Stage, subject or topic – so do get in touch!

Actors of Dionysus

Almeida theatre, ashmolean , british museum.

• Bush Theatre

Cirque du Soleil

Disney’s the lion king, donmar warehouse, frantic assembly, gate theatre, houses of parliament, imperial war museum, jacksons lane, jewish museum london, kiln theatre, little angel theatre, matilda the musical, museum of london, national museums liverpool, national portrait gallery, national theatre, natural history museum.

• Old Royal Naval College

Oxford University Museum of Natural History

Pitt rivers museum, roman baths, royal academy of arts, royal albert hall, royal shakespeare company, shakespeare’s globe, shrek the musical, st albans cathedral.

• St Paul’s Cathedral

Swinging The Lens

The national gallery, the new art gallery walsall, the old vic, westminster abbey.

Actors of Dionysus (aod) are one of the UK’s leading theatre companies in the field of Ancient Greek drama. Their productions have been seen by over 750,000 people in theatres and arts festivals across the UK and Europe.

You can now stream their full production of Lysistrata online for free!

What’s on offer:

• Free Online Productions

Suitable for : KS5

Subject links:  Classics, Drama, English

Dates available:  Ongoing

Watch aod’s production of Lysistrata.

Read more about the work of aod..

The Almeida Theatre are offering schools exclusive access to recordings of their productions of Mike Bartlett’s Albion, and Rebecca Frecknall’s production of The Duchess of Malfi.

They’ve also made their teaching resources of past productions available for you to download and use for free.

• Teaching Resources

Suitable for:  KS4, KS5

Subject links:  Drama, English

Find out more about Almeida Theatre’s recordings for schools.

Amazon Fulfilment Centre Tours

Amazon Future Engineer has partnered with Kahoot! to make it easier than ever for classrooms to learn all about STEM with Amazon Fulfilment Centre Tours.

These interactive FREE online class trips take students behind the scenes at Amazon’s fulfilment centres, where they can learn about the computer science, engineering, and the people that make it all possible.

The tour is designed for students’ abilities and aligns with the national curriculum, creating the perfect free lesson resource for teachers in secondary schools. 

A version suitable for primary age students will be available later this year. In addition to the tour, Amazon also offers a variety of classroom resources, including lesson plans, activities, and assessments.

• Free Online Tours

Suitable for:  KS3, KS4, KS5

Subject links:  STEM

Find out more about Amazon Fulfilment Centre Tours.

The Ashmolean is the University of Oxford’s museum of art and archaeology. You can explore their collections online and support with their free teaching resources.

• Online Collections
• Online Exhibitions

Suitable for:  EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Subject links:  Art & Design, Early Years, Geography, History

View all of the Ashmolean Teaching Resources.

Take a look at the ashmolean’s online collections..

Fancy a virtual school trip to the British Museum? Explore the museum’s 60 free galleries online, complete with images, facts and highlights. The British Museum also offers a range of teaching resources supporting a variety of subjects for early years, primary and secondary.

Students can also explore their new ‘Teaching History with 100 Objects’ website. The site hosts 100 objects from museums across the UK with resources, information and teaching ideas to inspire your students’ interest in History. The website is also supported by the Department of Education.

• Educational Videos 
• Virtual Tours

Subject links:  Art & Design, Citizenship, Drama, Early Years, Economics, English, History, Maths, PSHE

See the British Museum’s Teaching Resource Hub.

View the teaching history with 100 objects website..

Enjoy the magical, world-renowned performances of Cirque du Soleil from the comfort of your classroom or home with #CirqueConnect. Take a front-row seat and enjoy moments from their awe-inspiring performances.

• Educational Videos

Suitable for: KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Subject links:  Dance, Drama, English

Dates available: Ongoing

Watch Cirque du Soleil’s #CirqueConnect Performances.

The Lion King’s ‘Getting Ready to Roar’ documentary gives a unique insight into the intense backstage preparation of the show. The film is perfect for students interested in backstage roles. The documentary is accompanied by supporting education packs for KS3 and KS4.

Suitable for: KS3, KS4, KS5

Subject links:  Drama, English

Watch Disney’s The Lion Getting Ready to Roar Documentary.

You can watch past Donmar Warehouse productions through the National Theatre Collection. You can watch Coriolanus and King Lear – all for free!

Suitable for:  KS3, KS4, KS5

Find out more about the National Theatre Collection.

Take a look behind the scenes of the Frantic Method with their new Frantic Digital teaching resource hub. The hub shares insights into the creative and rehearsal process. Also practical, creative tasks and fun, production-related warm-ups.

The site shares educational videos, teaching ideas and resources from past Frantic Assembly productions. Current content includes activities from Beautiful Burnout, Othello and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.

View Frantic Assembly’s Frantic Digital Hub.

Watch the critically acclaimed Gate Theatre production of The Unknown Island. 

Suitable for:

KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Watch the Gate Theatre’s The Unknown Island.

Award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company, Gecko, have made their production of The Time of Your Life available to watch for free.

You can also join their Teacher Facebook Group for free resources and videos to accompany the production.

• Online Productions

Subject links: Drama, English

Watch Gecko’s The Time of Your Life.

Join gecko’s facebook teacher facebook group., find out more about gecko..

The smash-hit Broadway production of Hamilton is streaming on Disney+. If you and your students have an account, they can watch this full-length, stage performance as part of the subscription. For those that do not yet have an account, there is a 7-day free trial available for new users.

Subject links:  Dance, Drama, English, History, Music, Politics

Learn more about Disney+.

Take a virtual school trip around the historic Houses of Parliament. The virtual tour gives a close-up view of famous rooms, halls and lobbies, including the House of Commons and House of Lords chambers.

You can then extend learning further using the UK Parliament’s free teaching resources. Here you’ll find a range of education packs, educational videos, games and more that all link directly to the national curriculum.

• Educational Games

Suitable for:  KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Subject links:  Citizenship, History, Law, Politics, PSHE

View the Houses of Parliament Virtual Tour.

View all of the uk’s parliament’s free teaching resources..

You and your students can take a virtual school trip to the American Air Museum using their online, virtual tour.

The site explores the story of Anglo-American collaboration through conflict and takes you up close to the most extensive collection of American military aircraft outside of the United States.

You can then accompany your virtual tour with IWM’s free teaching resources. Their learning hub includes educational videos, teaching resources, and activities to support the teaching of History and all available for free.

Subject links:  Art & Design, Citizenship, History, PSHE

See all of IWM’s Learning Resources.

Take a virtual school trip to the american air museum..

A series of mini-films featuring some of Jacksons Lane’s favourite supported artists. Artists have been posting demonstrations of what they do, followed by a simple, short exercise.

Watch Jacksons Lane’s JL Shorts

The Jewish Museum’s new virtual sessions bring their award-winning workshops into your classroom.

Their workshops are based on a guided exploration experience of their unique collection of authentic objects, enabling students to ask questions about what it means to be Jewish in Britain today.

The Jewish Museum London also offers educational resources, videos and podcasts for students of all ages. Primary resources cover a wide range of subject areas from learning about the Torah, tallit, kippah and other aspects of Jewish life. Their GCSE and A-Level resources include specific exam board related questions and topics.

• Virtual Sessions/Workshops

Subject links:  Citizenship, Early Years, History, PSHE, Religious Education

Find out more about the Jewish Museum’s Virtual Classrooms.

See all of the jewish museum’s teaching resources..

Kiln Theatre’s ‘Kiln Insight’ is a new programme of ways to learn more about, and get involved in their work. The programme includes exclusive interviews, webinars and filmed content – all accessible for free.

Suitable for: KS4, KS5

Learn more about the Kiln Theatre’s Activities & Resources.

Little Angel Theatre is a home for puppetry. Since its doors first opened in 1961 the theatre has been dedicated to creating and sharing inspiring stories. Puppetry is at the heart of this innovative theatre, from igniting the imaginations of the youngest minds to equipping tomorrow’s puppeteers with the tools they need to succeed.

Since March 2020, Little Angel Theatre has created a host of free activity guides and video stories to help keep children entertained.

All can be accessed for free on their YouTube channel and enjoyed by children of all ages.

• Online Performances

Suitable for: EYFS, KS1, KS2, KS3 (though can be enjoyed by all ages)

Subject links: Art & Design, Drama, English

Explore Little Angel Theatre’s Educational Videos & Online Performances.

Get an in-depth insight into how to create a hit West End musical with the show’s creators Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly. Their teaching resources, educational videos and interactive games and activities cover character, plot, music & lyrics, dialogue and writing.

• Interactive Activities

See all of the Matilda The Musical Teaching Resources.

Museum of London has a vast library of teaching resources, activities and interactive games to help teach History. Resources are suitable for all age groups and link directly to the curriculum.

Students can take a look at their free online exhibition exploring the Suffragette movement.

Their accompanying resources cover a wide range of History topics. Explore the Stone Age, Iron Age, Romans, Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Medieval Britain, Fire of London, Tudors, Stuarts, Victorians, Edwardians, World Wars, and up to the present day.

Highlights include their Bronze Age and Stone Age Educational Videos, Quizzes and their Pocket Histories series. Museum of London also offers an extensive range of teaching resources, activities and games to help explain the Great Fire of London.

Subject links:  Art & Design, Citizenship, Drama, Early Years, English, Fashion & Textiles, Geography, History, Law, Politics, PSHE

Take a look at the Museum of London’s Suffragettes Online Exhibition.

See the museum of london’s free teaching resources..

National Museum Liverpool’s brand new  virtual classroom workshops  are now available to book.

Created for schools for the new academic year, their interactive curriculum-linked workshops – led by museum experts – will bring learning to life and inspire the imaginations of your pupils by engaging them in activities based on real artefacts.

Using feedback from teachers, they designed six live workshops for Key Stages 1-3, each of which are supported by resources and activities that you can use before and after your session.

You can also take a virtual school trip around the National Museums Liverpool’s exhibitions, collections and galleries with their six interactive 3D virtual tours. Then, further student’s learning with their free teaching resources, broken down by Key Stage, venue and topic.

Subject links:  Art & Design, Early Years, English, Geography, History, PSHE, Science

Find out more about National Museum Liverpool’s Virtual Classroom Sessions.

See the national museums liverpool teaching resources., view the national museums liverpool virtual tours..

Take a virtual school trip around the National Portrait Gallery with one of their ready-made virtual tours. You can then find out more about each painting in their ‘Explore Further’ hub. Here you can explore their collection, filtering by artist, sitter and date.

To extend learning, use their specially developed downloadable PDFs, audio, and web-based resources – all available for free.

Subject links:  Art & Design, English, Geography, History, PSHE, Science

See all of the National Portrait Gallery’s Teaching Resources.

View the national portrait gallery’s virtual tours., take a look at the national portrait gallery’s explore further hub..

The National Theatre offers a wealth of free online productions, teaching resources, educational videos, insights and activities.

You can sign up (for free as a UK state school) to the National Theatre Collection and get access to 29 productions – all accompanied by free teaching resources.

Highlights include One Man, Two Guvnors (starring James Corden), Frankenstein (starring Benedict Cumberbatch) and A Streetcar Named Desire (starring Gillian Anderson).

Subject links:  Dance, Drama, English, Music

Read more about the National Theatre Education Offering.

Read more about the national theatre collection..

Students can explore the Natural History Museum’s collection with the new ‘Virtual Museum’ hub on their website. You can take a deep dive into the life of a blue whale and even get a guided-tour from Sir David Attenborough. Students can also see behind-the-scenes of films shot in the museum, including Paddington and The Mummy.

Their accompanying teaching resource library supports the teaching of Science and nature with topics from the dinosaurs, to habitats and evolution.

Suitable for:  KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Subject links:  Art & Design, History, Science

Take a Virtual Tour of the Natural History Museum.

See all of the natural history museum’s teaching resources..

Bring the Oxford University Museum of Natural History into your classroom!

Use their interactive virtual tour to take a virtual school trip to Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

Students can explore their collection and learn more about their exhibits with interactive facts and information cards.

You can also view all their recent exhibitions online for free!

Suitable for:  KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Subject links:  Biology, Science

Find out more about the Oxford University Museum of Natural History’s educational offering.

Take a virtual school trip around the Pitt Rivers Museum with their online learning hub, virtual tours and online collections.

Students can explore the museum through their virtual tour and then learn more about the individual objects of their collections.

For teachers, their education hub includes primary and secondary resources to extend learning. Resources explore their objects and History topics such as Stone Age and Iron Age Britain.

Subject links:  Art & Design, Geography, History, Science

See all of the Pitt Rivers Museum Learning Resources.

Take a virtual tour of the pitt rivers museum., view the pitt rivers museum’s online collections., take a look at pitt rivers museum’s online exhibitions..

The RAF Museum is made up of two sites – Cosford and London. They both have loads to offer to bring your next school trip into the classroom.

Their virtual workshops link to STEM and Science topics and cover a range of History topics from the World Wars to the Cold War.

These are accompanied by engaging fun teaching resources including a brilliant time-travelling short story commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Britain.

Suitable for: KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Subject links: Art & Design, English, History, Science, STEM

Take a look at the RAF Museum’s Virtual Workshops.

Explore all of the raf museum’s teaching resources..

Explore the History of the Roman Baths with their online collection, virtual tours, activities, quizzes, and more.

Students can explore and learn about their objects in their virtual tours. Tours explore the Sacred Spring, the Roman Temple, the Roman Bath House and finds from Roman Bath.

The Roman Baths also offer educational games, activities and resources to teach the History curriculum through their objects. 

Subject links:  Art & Design, Citizenship, Design & Technology, English, Fashion & Textiles, Geography, History, Maths, PSHE, Science

See all of the Roman Bath’s Virtual Tours.

See the roman bath’s free teaching resources..

Take a virtual tour, create arts & crafts and learn more about British Artists with documentaries you can stream online for free.

For more in-depth activities, students can have a go at making stop-frame animations and explore the stories of the Royal Academy’s collections.

Also take a look at their Teacher Resource Hub for education packs and more teaching ideas, inspired by past exhibitions.

Subject links:  Art & Design, Early Years, English, History

See all of the Royal Academy’s Activities.

View the royal academy’s teaching resources..

The Royal Albert Hall created a series of exclusive online sessions. All shows are still available to stream for free and include performances from top names in the music industry.

Subject links:  Drama, Music

View all of the Royal Albert Hall’s Previous Sessions.

The Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) has loads of resources, educational videos and activities that you can use in the classroom for free. 

Studying a particular text? Use their Learning Zone to find resources for specific plays. You’ll find key facts, key scenes, pictures from past productions, videos of actors and directors working on and performing the plays and find out about all the main characters and how they relate to each other.

The RSC is also broadcasting productions, for free, for schools. Currently showing is Shakespeare’s Much Ado about Nothing available to use for remote learning until 30 June 2022.

Find out more about the RSC’s Educational Offering.

Take a look at the rsc’s learning zone., find out more about the rsc’s school broadcasts..

Take a look at Shakespeare’s Globe’s ‘Teach Shakespeare’ site. The hub offers hundreds of free learning resources, educational videos and activities to bring Shakespeare to life.

• Facts, Insights & Trivia

Subject links:  Art & Design, Drama, English, History

Find out more about Shakespeare’s Globe’s Macbeth.

See all of shakespeare’s globe’s free education resources..

The greatest fairy tale never told comes to life in this colourful, song-filled, Tony Award-winning Broadway production based on the hit movie.

Shrek The Musical is free to stream as part of a Netflix subscription.

Watch Shrek The Musical on Netflix.

Every Monday throughout the Spring Term, St Albans Cathedral will be uploading a special video short ideal for Key Stage 2 students.

The videos feature fascinating facts and costumed characters from the Roman, Saxon, Medieval, Tudor and Victorian periods – giving every history lesson an extra lift.

Suitable for:  KS2

Subject links:  History

Find out more about St Albans Cathedral’s History Virtual Visits.

Stream the full production of Swinging The Lens’ Richard II – the Bard’s great Play of England. Enjoy the critically acclaimed first all women of colour Shakespeare on a UK stage – from the 2019 Globe Season.

Watch Swinging The Len’s Richard II

Follow Nick Grimshaw and Frances Morris on a whistlestop virtual school trip around Tate Modern’s Blavatnik Building.

Subject links:  Art & Design

Explore Tate Modern with their 360 Virtual Tour.

Take a virtual school trip to The National Gallery’s Rooms and Galleries. Their new virtual offering includes online themed tours such as ‘Sensing the Unseen: Step into Gossaert’s ‘Adoration,’ mobile edition.’ Students will be able to immerse themselves into the world of Gossaert’s masterpeice and its awe-inspiring intricate detail.

For further study, their teacher notes include useful background information about paintings from their collection. Resources also have suggestions on how to use the works of art in your teaching.

Subject links:  Art & Design, English, History

See all The National Gallery’s Teaching Resources.

Take a virtual tour around the national gallery..

The New Art Gallery Walsall presents, collects and interprets historic, modern and contemporary art in innovative and challenging ways, welcoming visitors from all over the globe as well as their immediate locality.

Education is at the heart of everything they do, promoting the use of visual arts as an educational tool to inspire, excite, and develop skills, knowledge and understanding. With an aim to provide an excellent model of accessibility to reach the broadest possible audience.

See The New Art Gallery Walsall’s Twenty Years of Collecting Contemporary Art Online Exhibition.

Take a look at the new art gallery walsall’s online workshops., virtual visit the new art gallery walsall with their 20 for 2020 virtual tour..

The Old Vic has launched a new education hub providing resources for teachers, students, parents and young creatives. The new hub includes behind-the-scenes insights, education packs, educational videos, online workshops and guides.

• Online Workshops

Suitable for:  Upper KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

Subject links:  Art & Design, Citizenship, Drama, English, Music, PSHE

Read more about The Old Vic’s Education Hub.

Whether you can visit in person or virtually, Westminster Abbey offers a wealth of great learning experiences.

If you’re looking to go ‘self-guided,’ students can take a virtual school trip to view the treasures of Westminster Abbey with their virtual tour. The tour explores the Shrine of St Edward the Confessor, the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, the High Altar and the Coronation Chair in unprecedented detail.

Also, take a look at their vast library of free teaching resources. Resources cover a variety of subject areas across multiple Key Stages and explore topics from medieval times to the modern-day.

• Online Lectures

Subject links:  Art & Design, Citizenship, English, History, Law, Maths, Politics, PSHE, Religious Education

See Westminster Abbey’s Virtual Tours.

Find activities in westminster abbey’s free teaching resource library..

The WWT (Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust) have built a new education resource hub to help with home learning.

The 12-week learning programme includes everything you need to teach key science and geography topics to your students at home.

The site also includes a range of fun resources, activities and quizzes that your students can use for free!

Subject links:  Geography, Science

Take a look at WWT’s education hub.

You can watch past Young Vic productions through the National Theatre Collection. You can watch A Streetcar Named Desire, A View from the Bridge, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and Yerma – all for free!

Plan a school trip

School Trip Ideas with everything you need to plan, book and take your next Educational Visit or Field Trip. Includes theatres, museums, galleries, attractions & more.

Find a workshop

Make the most out of your school trips with an Educational Workshop. Or bring the school trip to you with In-School Workshops & Virtual School Trip Ideas.

Explore resources

Bring the school trip back into the classroom with 400+ Teaching Resources from arts & cultural venues – all available to download & use for free.

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Student tickets from £15

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From £22.50 per student

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Student tickets just £20

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Student tickets just £25

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Find a teaching resource

Turner Contemporary’s Mindful Drawing Activity

Use this free educational activity from Turner Contemporary to help your students relax, recuperate and refocus.

KS1, KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5

TINA – The Tina Turner Musical’s KS4 & KS5 PSHE Education Pack

Download this free teaching resource from Tina - The Tina Turner Musical to explore the show back in the classroom.

The Golden Hinde Educational Podcast

The official Golden Hinde Educational Podcast, packed with fun History facts.

KS3, KS4, KS5

Oxford University Museum of Natural History’s Sensing Evolution: Endless Variations Video

Discover some of the most important ideas in the theory of evolution and variations with TV’s Steve Backshall around Oxford University Museum of Natural History.

The Beatles Story’s Draw a Beatle Art Resource

Download this free teaching resource from The Beatles Story to draw your own Beatle.

Birdoswald Roman Fort Timeline

This educational resource from English Heritage explores a timeline of events in English History.

Kenilworth Castle Teachers’ Kit

Use this free teaching resource from English Heritage to support learning at Kenilworth Castle.

Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Investigating Map Skills Teaching Resource

Download this free teaching resource from Birmingham Botanical Gardens to develop your students map reading skills.

KS1, KS2, KS3

David Livingstone Birthplace’s Origami Lion Resource

Download this free teaching resource from David Livingstone Birthplace to make your own origami lion.

The Beatles Story’s Peace Songs Resource

Download this free teaching resource from The Beatles Story to learn more about Peace songs and the 1960s peace movement.

Explore workshops

Roald Dahl Museum Building Biography Workshop

Learn more about biographical writing techniques as part of your school trip to the Roald Dahl Museum.

Aerospace Bristol’s Mission to Mars: Winning Prototypes Workshop (KS3)

Enjoy this workshop from Aerospace Bristol where your students will explore potential developments in the future of aerospace.

WWT London’s Brilliant Bird Adaptations Workshop

Learn more about wetland birds as part of your school trip to WWT London.

The British Library’s Listen Up! Workshop

Enjoy this hands-on workshop from The British Library where your students will learn all about sounds; history, textures and create their own.

St Albans Cathedral’s Virtual Religious Education Workshops

Virtual Religious Education Workshops from St Albans Cathedral.

KS2, KS3, KS4

WWT Llanelli Minibeast Safari Workshop

Learn more about wetland minibeasts as part of your school trip to WWT Llanelli.

WWT Llanelli Pond Explorers Workshop

Learn more about pond animals as part of your school trip to WWT Llanelli.

Museum of Liverpool’s Best Buildings Workshop

A creative workshop from The Museum of Liverpool to engage students in Liverpool's cityscape.

WWT Martin Mere’s The Water Cycle, Wetlands and Me KS1 Workshop

Learn more about the water cycle as part of your school trip to WWT Martin Mere.

The Auckland Projects’ Knights and Bishops workshop

Enjoy this fun and interactive workshop from The Auckland Project where students can handle artefacts, enjoy a ball and learn the Castle's history.

• ABOUT NF FEST
• Meet the NF Ninjas
• Books by the Month

Friday, February 28, 2020

The power of great school visits.

109 comments:

Steve, Great advice! As a librarian, I echo everything that you have said. As a writer just starting out with school visits, I also am learning the ropes from the other side of the aisle. I'm so looking forward to reading your new book!

I’m thinking of all the school kids you must have inspired with your books and author visits. Bravo!

Steve, thank you so much for sharing your tried-and-true school visit tips. I'll try each and every one of them as I venture out to classrooms as a debut author. I'm planning to start small and am glad to know it's okay to wade in and become comfortable. I love your books and am inspired by how many children across the world you reach.

Really great advice. Thanks!

Always love learning from you, Steve! I can't wait to read your new book. Yay! It's out next week! I recently wrote a very short poem about sea turtles. My go-to books for information and inspiration included Turtle Tide and Sea Turtle Scientist.

Hello from a fellow Vermonter! The thought of a school visit is the stuff of nightmares for me! Thanks for this great article with your clear and commonsense information.

In my limited classroom experience, I too have found that kids want to know about pets! Other than that, I'm very grateful for all your advice and hope to put it to use someday. Thanks, Steve! I'm also excited for your new books.

These tips are incredible! The school visit has always been something that has terrified me.

Thanks for your tips!

This was so informative! Thank you for sharing your best practices.

I grew up in a very small town and we never had an author visit either. I love that today's children have this wonderful experience! I'm still far from an author's visit, but this is all great information to save for when I need it down the road.

Steve, your tips for school visits were right on point! They can be a lot of fun but you also can never tell what might happen so best be prepared! Thanks.

I am a reading teacher and I just mentioned to another at our elementary school yesterday that we haven't had an author visit for YEARS. I've been there for 5 years. When my kids were there, we had at least 3 that I can think of. So disappointed to know these kids haven't had the opportunity. When I share my stories in reading groups, I never tell the kids I wrote them. I read it and then see what they say. Once they find out I wrote it, they are blown away and then will pick up the pencil and edit their work a little more. I usually bring in all the draft from that ONE STORY and that helps my editing talk... Thanks for the post!

Great info. We didn't have author visits when I was a kid either, but my first librarian job was for a rural district in WY that planned author visits for every third & fourth grader in the district. They were amazing and took 2-3 days! It's not only the kids that get inspired when an author visits. 😊

Thank you so much, Steve, for all that valuable information on school visits. I loved all your tips and especially knowing that every author feels nervous at first!

Great tips for an author visit. Thank you for sharing your journey and success as a reluctant reader turned author.

Some excellent advice here! I see how I can improve my school visit talks. Thank you!

Love the idea of the thank you follow-up! Ty for the itty-gritty on school visits, Steve.

Oh, you know kids and what they like, Steve--great tips!

Steve is right on the button with being ready when your audience arrives. And my experience even years ago was that if the librarian was not engaged, the kids wouldn't be either. In one instance, they had no idea who I was or why I was there because someone else arranged the visit and no preparation had been made for me to be there. But, back in the dear-dead-distant past when I was going to schools, my biggest response from teachers came when I pulled out revisions. I had a story I had worked on for years. This started back when printouts were on those accordion-folded stacks of paper. I pulled up the top sheet, the others followed, red marks everywhere. After explaining I had rewrote and printed again, I pulled up the next sheet and its companions, filled with more markings. By the sixth version, kids were groaning and teachers beaming. By the way, that story is still not published! Another

Thank you for such wonderful tips! My debut PB comes out in about a year, and it's science related and I'm having fun thinking of the creative ideas to incorporate for school visits. I'm definitely bookmarking this post!

Great advice, Steve! Your tip about starting small resonates with me. I did my first library visit last month. (It was a blast!) Our town library promoted it as an after-school activity for grades 4-6, and about 20 kids plus a few parents came. Then a teacher learned about it through Facebook and asked if I would volunteer to speak to a few classes at her school. I hope these small, local presentations will prepare me for whatever bigger events may come in the future. I will refer back to this post again to keep learning from your experience!

I love the idea of being someone who follows up! Thank you very much for that advice!!!

Wonderful advice. School visits are one of the best parts of our job, and I love your idea to send Thank You postcards.

School visits are so fun!

Thanks for the wonderful tips! I think sharing personal details is a great way to jumpstart a connection.

Great tips, Steve! Esp. with being early - and knowing where the bathrooms are! I remember presenting a session at a conference and anything that could go wrong did go wrong. I had printed out hand-outs and had loaded my photos on a flashdrive so I could do a slide show. Lesson learned: assume nothing will work the way you plan.

Thanks Steve! You make it sound fun! And it can be. As a retired school librarian I know the magic of getting kids hooked on a book/subject/idea. Your practical suggestions will be helpful in relaxing and enjoying school visits.

Thanks for the tips! It's really useful to see what details need to be discussed with the teacher/school beforehand.

Thanks for all the great tips. I use some of them already with my school visits. I like the idea of sending postcards to the librarian or teacher as a follow up to your visit.

Thank you Steve for your tips! I like your advice of, humor, be yourself, and, arrive early! My first author visit was a Skype visit and the voice continued without the video connection! Kids were wonderful, the teacher made into a true go -with- the -flow - moment, triumph! Yes, laughter, and.....check your tech!! Looking forward to your newest book!

As a teacher, I want to second this point: "Be you. Students don’t meet authors every day. You’re special." This is so true! Teachers, and in turn kids, really revere authors and they love to meet them and ask the most random questions. Whenever we are lucky enough to have them, author visits are the highlight of the year! Skype visits are a great alternative and kids get a kick out of these, too! -Sara Ackerman

Really valuable advice. I have started a second Evernote file on subtopics that probably won't make it into the book but would (I hope) make for interesting material in school visits.

Thanks for your excellent tips on creating meaningful school visits for children. As a former educator, I can vouch for how much children look forward to author visits and for how much teachers appreciate the backup of the writing process, especially revision!

Great tips, Steve! It’s easy to forget how much children look up to us!

Steve, your presentations are always funny, especially your ukelele poop song!

What great ideas for author visits! I like the geography comparison between you and school, as well as the other tidbits in that section. overall a fantastic post Steve. Thank you.

Steve, thank you so much for these helpful school visit tips. I especially agree with your tip about sharing pictures of your dogs with the kids. Every time I show kids a picture of my writing assistant, Bear (my golden retriever), I get a collective "AWWWW..." from the audience.

Wow! Wow! Wow! What a wowser kind of post. You are flexible, Steve. Look how you've taught and entertained a zillion adult "kids". Thank you!!!

Wonderful school visit tips! I will be brushing up my presentation. Thanks for sharing today.

Thank you for this great advice. The whole list is wonderful and I'll be sure to use all of it. "Be flexible" is the one that jumps out at me the most. Thank you, Steve.

I was inspired by this post to go visit your website. Wow. It's inspiring, and what's best is how unaffected you are and how clearly excited you are about life. That's what makes your books great too. The world's better for your contributions.

Wow! A ton of information and four pages of notes. Thanks!

I'm not there yet, Steve, but I'm filing your post away for the future. Thanks so much for all this great advice.

Thank you for all the advice and tips about school visits! Very exciting! 🙂

Thank you for your detailed post, Steve! I appreciate your suggestions on how to overcome nervousness with small groups first before taking on large ones.

"After every school visit, I mail the librarian a postcard. It’s a nice follow up. And, as often happens, a week or two after your school visit, a package of “Letters to the Author” might show up in mail." Great tip. I wish I had thought of that because I enjoy sending postcards.

Great post, Steve! Hello from another Vermonter! You’re about 34 minutes away from here taking Rte 11 through Chester. Thank you for sharing your journey from reluctant reader to an author doing school visits. I’m bookmarking your tips for school visits, which scare the living daylights out of me… but better a visit with kids than adults. I love the idea of sending postcards to the librarian / teacher as a follow up to your visit.

Great information! I especially love the tip about getting thank you postcards, as I'm a big fan of sending handwritten notes.

Wow, what a primer! Thank you so much for this rubric! I would've loved the experience of having authors coming to my classes as a child, too.

How much a difference the common courtesies of introducing yourself and sending thank you postcards can make. Thank you for sharing the nitty-gritty details, especially the ways to connect and how to make each talk into a low key writing lesson. So helpful!

Thank you for a very detailed and informative post. And thank you for the way you enrich the young lives who get to participate in your author visits. If I'm ever blessed enough to be in a position to be a visiting author, I will be reviewing my notes on this for sure!

School visits rock. Simply said. School visits rock. Thank you for the reminders and hints!

And you are special, too, Steve! Thank you for sharing many helpful tips for school visits. I’m impressed by the number 50! That’s quite a few presentations throughout the year—Lucky kids. Suzy Leopold

This is all such great practical advice! Thanks for sharing your front line experience, and for the reminder that we're there for the kids, so anything we can do to make the visit better for them is the right choice.

Your visits to our school always inspired my students. Your patience and encouragement of those young writers empowered them. Keep up the great work, Steve!

I would LOVE to do classroom visits. Thanks for the inspiration!

Great post, Steve! Lots of good advice!

Excellent advice, Steve, and how I wish I had been able to meet a real, live author as a kid, too! PS: Would love to see photos of your two dogs:-)

Excellent advice for author visits! Thank you for your advice and for sharing your school experiences - Priscilla

Great information. Thank you.

Thank you, Steve, for this wonderful post on school visits. I appreciate the advice you shared, and especially enjoyed the vision of the giraffe snatching the biscuit from your mouth. I can see why the children would enjoy that.

Thanks for all of these helpful tips! It looks like you play the ukulele. Music is always a big hit with kids, and mixing it with reading is a terrific combo. Helps get rid of the wiggles, too.

Dongles? MacBook? Smartboard? Oh, I am so not ready for today's classrooms. But I love your idea about telling the kids what kind of reader you were as a child. So many good tips. Thanks, Steve!

Thanks, Steve. These are all fantastic tips. I'm saving this post for when I start doing school visits.

Hi! Great post - I'm not there yet but when I am, I'll refer back to your post. I really like how you show a slide where you live in comparison to where the school is. So great and concrete. Thank you and look forward to reading your books.

Steve, love your postcard idea. Congrats on all your books.

Thanks, Steve! Be You! Yes, always! There’s so much good stuff for prepublished peeps like me wanting to get into schools some day. This will help create an awesome checklist!

This is a great preparation checklist. Can't wait to use it.

Love your advice. This is practical and positive.

Good advice. Being a former teacher, I am not afraid of a room full of kids. It is the changes in technology that scare me!

Thanks so much for this practical information and advice. It is useful to know what has worked for you, and what other writers can learn from your lived experiences. Your school presentations sound wonderful! Celia Viramontes

Steve, THANK YOU! There is so much helpful information in here. I have a feeling I will be looking back at this for many years. I loved your advice to "Make friends with the custodian. Locate the bathroom." And to send postcards to the teachers and/or librarians. What a genius idea. Thanks again.

Thank you Steve! Getting real with the kids makes such a difference for them. Sharing stories about yourself, and about writing is sure to inspire. Thanks for so many great tips, esp. about starting with small groups. As a Librarian, I still get nervous before story times, and when visiting schools to promote Summer Reading. So, your advice helped me for this as well. But, I hope to one day be a visiting author! If I get the chance, I'll look back at your advice. I'll put on my big girl pants, prepare, share stories, and be grateful to all the staff and kids. But, first, I'll find the bathroom. Best to you!

I never had an author speak at my schools growing up. I never knew authors did that. Even when I taught a few years, that never happened and I wasn't aware of it. As an adult, I still thought only ceratin people were capable of being authors. I hope I'm able to visit schools as an author to shate with them that they can do it. -Ashley Congdon

Thank you for the great tips. As a retired teacher I love sharing with kids. I’m looking forward to one day being a visiting author.

So many great suggestions, but I especially liked Be you and Be entertaining. Thank you, Steve!

Authors confirming teachers is such a powerful experience. As a writing teacher, I look for all kinds of opportunities to bring authors into my classroom and my students always enjoy them!

As both a teacher & a writer, I appreciate both sides of the presentation. The teachers too are nervous--nervous the kids won't behave, will be too loud, will have a b/room accident (esp if they're little). Knowing your presentation audience is just as crucial as arriving on time & having all the "write" equipment. Thx for sharing all your great tips!

I met Steve at a 2013 nonfiction Highlights Founders workshop and found him to be engaging, fun, and knowledgeable. This is good advice, coming from someone "who's been there, done that."

What a fantastic post! Thank you for all of this great info; school visits make me sweat! 😬

Thanks so much for this vital information. The audio visual part scares me the most. I feel ready to proceed, though, when the time for my first school visit comes.

Steve, it sounds like you're great with the kiddos! Thanks for sharing your tips. As a teacher, I know we all love to have authors visit and talk with our students and THEY adore meeting real-authors (lol... Even when they know their teacher is also an author--who happens to teach math too. ;) )

What a wonderful post, with great tips on preparing for an author visit. Thank you for giving us concrete examples of how to make things work— like the example of being stuck in traffic and why it's important to show up early. So appreciated. One minor observation on the author bio, though, with exception of Africa, all the other places visited are mentioned by name Borneo, Bangladesh, Dubai, rather than the more generic regions Asia and the Middle East. It's so important not to perpetuate the idea of Africa as a monolith, it's a large continent that varies greatly in diversity, geography, languages and cultures, why not mention the countries visited by name? For example, I'm fairly sure that the Giraffe Center mentioned is probably in Kenya. Why not name it? I normally wouldn't comment on this, but since we are speaking about non-fiction and the importance of presenting more diverse world views and striving for nuanced thinking, I felt the need to point it out.

Wonderful information. Thank you!

Thanks for these detailed suggestions. I love the point about sending thank you postcards after school visits and also the suggestion to share slides about our favorite books from childhood and the geography of where we live. I look forward to Giraffe Math!

This is wonderful advice. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and expertise!

What great information on school visits here, thank you so much. I am going to print out this post and put it in my school visit folder!

Thanks for the great tips! As a teacher, be entertaining and be you will really help an author connect.

Great ideas and advice. Thank you!

What a fabulous check-list of what to do. Thanks so much!

Great post. Thanks for sharing!

So much great info here, thank you!

Steve, what a perfect post for wrapup. I and many others consider you one of the best of school visit gurus. Especially those of us who have taught professionally. You've listed all the things a person needs to teach well. Thanks!

Your insight and cardinal rules are gold! Steve, thank you for this post of goodies to make a solid school visit.

Super suggestions Steve! Thank you for the post.

Why, yes, I CAN hoot like an owl! Thanks for this encouraging and comprehensive post.

"I always begin my presentations with a slide pinpointing where I live compared to where the school is located. It sets up the geography." This is a great tip! And I need to be better at thank you cards to the teacher or librarian who invited me. I always have good intentions and sometimes follow through. Thanks!

I can't wait for the day that I have a published book and share it with a class of excited readers.

Thanks everyone for your lovely comments. Sending good thoughts on your writing and MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU when you do your school visits! Cheers!

Sound advice! Being prepared is half the battle. :D

As a librarian these tips are bang on!

Excellent strategies, Steve. Thanks for sharing!

Wonderful insight on a successful school visit! Thank you;) Be Inspired, Nicki Jacobsmeyer

Excellent post. School visits definitely entail a lot of planning and preparation. The "be prepared" paragraph is what concerns me the most. I don't own the equipment I would need for such an event and am "technically challenged". That's one thing I need to learn before I (hopefully) have a book out in the world. Thanks for the reminder.

Be a storyteller! Love that!

These tips are superb, and I hope to put them to use someday if I ever get a book published! I'll be sure to follow your advice to practice lots in advance and triple check I have all the necessary equipment. As an annoying early bird, I don't think arriving late will be an issue, but I'll try my best to be adaptable and patient and keep my sense of humor in good working order. Thank you, Steve!

Good advice! Thanks for the post, Steve.

A Writer's Path

Sharing writing tips, information, and advice..

Writing Articles

How to Do an Author School Visit

by ARHuelsenbeck

Today’s article is for teachers and librarians and media specialists as well as for authors of books for children and teens.

When my children were in school, occasionally a form came home explaining that an author was visiting the school and my child could purchase a book which would be signed by the author.

We never bought the books. We were on a budget. Most of my children’s books came from the library or the Scholastic book club flyers. I didn’t really get what author visits were all about.

The next time I heard about author visits was in 2004 when I attended the Maui Writers’ Conference. I heard a talk by Christopher Paolini, who wrote  Eragon  when he was a home-schooled 15-year-old. His family originally self-published the book, and they traveled around to Renaissance festivals to market it, often standing in the rain all day to sell two books. Somehow he stumbled on the idea of offering to do a presentation at a school.

His appearance was a success, and word spread among school librarians, who were happy to have him come to talk to kids about writing fantasy in exchange for book sales. The audience for his book multiplied, buzz got out, and Alfred A. Knopf snatched up  Eragon  and gave Paolini a contract for three more books.

After I returned to teaching, I got to attend some fabulous author visits at my elementary school. Now I understand what a win-win-win enterprise author visits are for students, teachers, and writers.

The best author visits are the ones where a large portion of the students have already read at least one of the author’s books (which are especially beloved by children of all ages and their teachers and the media specialists because they are so well-written and relevant), and the teachers have read at least portions of a book to or with their classes, and the author is prepared with an engaging educational presentation and activities that tie in to the state standards.

Author visits can be arranged through several different avenues:

1. Through publishers.  Most large publishers maintain lists of their authors who are willing to visit schools and libraries. There is a cost for this service: an honorarium for the author (somewhere between $200-$5000), plus travel expenses, including mileage or transportation, lodging, and meals, depending on the distance the author travels and the length of the visit.

2. Through bookstores . When publishers send well-known authors on book tours, each bookstore they come to for a signing has the option of arranging school visits. Since the publisher is paying the author’s expenses, no honorarium or expenses are paid by the school, but they must order a certain number of books. These can be bought by the students to be signed by the author, or purchased for the library, or for classroom sets, or any combination thereof.

3. Directly through the author.  Many authors are published through small houses which do not have the resources to set up visits, or are self-published. These authors may seek out schools and libraries that they are willing to visit, or list their availability on their author website or other websites and publications. They determine their own requirements and rates for honorariums and expenses.

Author visits can take a variety of forms:

• The author reads and/or talks about his book.
• The author talks about his process of writing, where he gets his ideas, his pathway to getting the book published.
• The author conducts a workshop to help the students write stories or poetry.
• A large scale presentation in an auditorium for several grade levels.
• A small scale presentation for a single class.

One of the best author visits I’ve ever seen was a presentation by Jack Gantos, who wrote the  Rotten Ralph  and  Joey Pigza  books. He’s kind of nerdy-looking in his narrow tie and eyeglasses. He had a slide show with illustrations on his computer that was projected on a screen while he told stories like this one . He had our students rolling on the floor laughing.

Author visits are excellent avenues for authors who write for children and teens to promote their books. They’re great for students, especially those who have already read the books, to see that ordinary people can write meaningful stories that touch people deeply. And they’re worthwhile for teachers, because they support and enhance the teachers’ writing and literature instruction.

Author visit resources:

• HarperCollins
• Little, Brown

Examples of visit pages on author blogs:

• Jack Gantos
• Hazel Mitchell
• Todd Mitchell

Some bookstores that set up author visits:

• Tattered Cover Books
• Green Light Bookstore
• Parnassus Books
• A list of authors  who do school visits (see left-hand column, listed by state).
• Most comprehensive list  of authors who do school visits; you can choose an author, an illustrator, or a translator; a particular region, or a certain radius from your zip code; or select by the age of the students you wish to serve.
• What teachers and schools can do  to make the author visit more meaningful to students.
• An author/teacher’s advice  to schools.
• Tips for authors and teachers  concerning author visits.
• First article
• Second article
• This article is from England , but much of the information is applicable to the US
• Should an author  speak for free ?

Do you know of an author who does wonderful presentations at schools? Do you do school visits? Have any tips? Please share in the comments below.

Was this article helpful to you? Please click the “Like” button and share on all your social media.

Guest post contributed by ARHuelsenbeck. Former elementary general music teacher ARHuelsenbeck blogs about the arts and the creative process at  ARHtistic License . She is currently writing a YA mystical fantasy and a Bible study guide, and submitting a poetry chapbook, with mystery and MG drafts waiting in the wings. You can see some of her artwork, photography, and quilts on Instagram .

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12 thoughts on “ how to do an author school visit ”.

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Reblogged this on Stow-away Book and commented: I feel left out. No one came to my school and talked to us. My school though sucked and hated everything but sports. GG!

Like Liked by 1 person

I hope all school administrators and librarians read this and find ways to bring authors to their schools! How could author visits NOT be a priority! They promote literacy!

Comprehensive info! Children also enjoy relevant handouts like Q&A or colour-in pages.

Good point!

Reblogged this on Author Don Massenzio and commented: Check out this post from The Writer’s Path Blog with tips on how to do an author school visit.

Reblogged this on Kim's Musings .

Reblogged this on When Angels Fly .

I remember several authors and children’s book illustrators coming to my elementary school. It was so much fun and was inspiring to see someone else who had achieved a dream I didn’t even realize was an option.

As a former school librarian, I appreciate this post. Although, in my experience how well written a book is and how well an author presents can be two different things. One of the best author visits, among the many we hosted, was Jason Reynolds.

• Pingback: To School Visit, or Not... - Chiara Talluto

Reblogged this on quirkywritingcorner .

• Pingback: ARHtistic License: 2019 in Review | ARHtistic License

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Educational visits is a one stop shop for exciting and inspiring school visits. Our huge range of fantastic attractions and top quality accommodation means we have something for students of any age and at any academic stage. Whether you know exactly what you want or need a little inspiration, we make it easier than ever to plan an  educational and unforgettable trip .

300+ School Event Ideas 2024: Fun and Engaging Activities

• 23 April 2024
• Community Events

This guide, regularly updated with new, innovative concepts, offers the best school event ideas to inspire and unite students, parents, and teachers. From artistic performances to unique fundraising activities, these ideas are tailored to create a vibrant and inclusive school community.

Discover a range of fun and creative events that promise to bring everyone together joyfully and engagingly.

School Event Ideas for Elementary School

School event ideas for middle school, school event ideas for high school, school event ideas for college, school event ideas for students, student council event ideas, back to school event ideas, pta event ideas.

Table of Contents

Choosing the Ideal Event Ideas

When considering school event ideas, it is important to select ones that match the students’ interests and the school’s objectives. Brainstorming sessions, surveys, and past event success can guide the planning process for educational, enjoyable, and inclusive events for the entire school community.

• Encourage family bonding and creativity.
• Low-budget events in the school’s gym or multipurpose room.
• Include LEGO or board games to appeal to various age groups.
• Ignite students’ passion for learning.
• Invite guest speakers, hold demonstrations, or set up interactive stations.
• Promote fun learning experiences.
• Foster a sense of community.
• Encourage families to participate in activities together.
• Promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles.
• Venues can include school outdoor spaces or nearby public parks.
• Screen age-appropriate films in the school gym or auditorium.
• An entertaining evening for the entire community.
• Celebrate diversity by sharing cultural traditions.
• Highlight food, dance, and performances from different cultures.
• Create cherished memories for families.
• May require a larger budget for decoration, food, and entertainment.
• Consider a formal venue like a banquet hall or event space.

Event ideas for elementary schools should be fun, educational, and safe. Carnivals, reading challenges, science fairs, and costume parades can excite learning. School event ideas for this age group can also include interactive and hands-on activities that encourage participation from students and their families.

• Encourage dressing up and decorating car trunks.
• Safe, supervised environment for collecting treats.
• Fosters a sense of community and Halloween fun.
• Replace traditional prizes with books to promote literacy.
• Partner with local bookstores or libraries for book donations.
• Fun and interactive way to engage students and families.
• Promote outdoor activities, skill learning, and peer bonding.
• Mix traditional and unconventional games for all interests and abilities.
• Encourage friendly competition and physical activity.
• Bring magic to the school community with a variety of activities.
• Includes face painting, bouncy castles, food stalls, and more.
• Customize the event to reflect the school’s spirit and identity.
• Involve parent volunteers and local businesses for community-driven fun.
• – 40. Further School Event Ideas for Elementary School

Middle school event ideas should cater to young adolescents’ energetic and diverse interests. Talent shows, sports days, art exhibits, and field trips are great ways to engage students. These school event ideas can also focus on team-building and social development, which are crucial during these formative years.

• Low-cost and inclusive event.
• Students bond over a variety of board games.
• Opportunity for parents and students to contribute games.
• Set up tables around the school for everyone to enjoy.
• Hire a local magician for thrilling tricks and illusions.
• Offers a unique and memorable experience.
• Leaves middle schoolers thrilled and amazed.
• Plan goofy events and challenges for families.
• Encourage teamwork through activities like three-legged races.
• Fun and bonding experience, especially during Olympic years.
• Set up a designated area with props, backdrops, and more.
• Allows students to capture and share fun event memories.
• Enhances the overall experience of any school event.
• Community-building event for middle schoolers.
• Organize a special breakfast gathering.
• Students invite parents, grandparents, or respected adults.
• Fosters family bonding and sharing of school experiences.
• – 41. Further School Event Ideas for Middle School

High school events should focus on teenagers’ interests and needs as they prepare for adulthood. Proms, graduation ceremonies, career fairs, and academic competitions are school event ideas that can celebrate achievements, foster school spirit, and prepare students for the future.

• Spice up school spirit with themed days.
• Examples include wacky hair days and decade-themed days.
• Encourage students to express themselves and have fun.
• Showcase students’ unique abilities and talents.
• Create an atmosphere of excitement and encouragement.
• Allows students to perform as musicians, dancers, comedians, or magicians.
• Organize outdoor movie nights for students.
• Enjoy popular films with friends.
• Provide snacks and comfortable seating for a cozy experience.
• Ideal for relaxation and unwinding after a busy week.
• Engage students in various roles, from organizing games to managing food stands.
• Bring the school community together.
• Potential for fundraising for school projects or initiatives.
• Unique twist on Halloween trick-or-treating.
• Transform the school parking lot into a treat-filled extravaganza.
• Students decorate car trunks and distribute candy in a safe environment.
• -35. Further School Event Ideas for High School

Event Success Tips:

• Think creatively and involve students in decision-making.
• Offer a variety of events to cater to different interests.
• Create engaging, fun-filled experiences that result in lasting memories for all participants.

School event ideas for students should provide a variety of activities that can cater to different interests, such as clubs, guest speaker events, and environmental campaigns. By involving students in the planning process, events can be more tailored to their interests, leading to higher engagement and participation.

• Host a Halloween event for students to trick-or-treat safely at school.
• Encourage parents and staff to decorate car trunks and distribute treats.
• Creates a festive and secure atmosphere for Halloween celebrations.
• Promote community and enhance the school’s appearance.
• Involve students in planting flowers, vegetables, or other plants.
• Fosters teamwork, responsibility, and a connection to nature.
• Encourage reading and literacy among students.
• Invite local authors for meet-and-greets and literature quizzes.
• Organize book exchanges for students to share their favorite reads.
• Utilize online platforms like Remo for creative virtual events.
• Organize virtual talent shows, online game nights, or collaborative art projects.
• Enables socialization and showcases students’ skills in a remote setting.
• – 40. Further School Event Ideas for Students
• Foster a friendly atmosphere to create memorable experiences.
• Inject creativity into school events to engage students, parents, and staff.
• These ideas aim to liven up the school atmosphere and strengthen the sense of community among students.

Student councils can brainstorm event ideas that foster leadership and community. Elections, debate competitions, and charity fundraisers are just a few school events and activities ideas that student councils can organize to enhance student life and promote civic responsibility.

• Students take turns cooking lunch for each other on special occasions.
• Prepare full meals, including main dishes, drinks, and desserts to share.
• Promotes camaraderie and teamwork while enjoying homemade meals.
• Distribute warm apple cider in decorated paper cups.
• Cups contain affirmations, inspirational quotes, or positive messages.
• Fosters a positive atmosphere and a sense of community during lunchtime.
• Create teams comprising students and teachers for friendly sports matches.
• Encourages healthy competition, bonding, and memorable experiences.
• Enhances school spirit through sports events.
• Identify unrepresented interests and create clubs catering to those passions.
• Provides a platform for students to pursue hobbies and connect with peers.
• Expands the variety of extracurricular activities available.
• Pair older students with younger ones for the academic year.
• Offers valuable learning experiences and fosters bonds across grade levels.
• Supports personal and academic growth for both mentors and mentees.
• – 41. Further Student Council Event Ideas
• Effective teamwork, creativity, and a genuine commitment to improving the student experience are essential for successful school events.
• These ideas aim to engage students, enhance connections, and boost school spirit. Happy planning!

Back-to-school event ideas are an opportunity to welcome students and set a positive tone for the year ahead. Orientation days, welcome-back parties, and parent-teacher meet-and-greet events are excellent for building community and excitement for the new academic year.

• Allow students to showcase their unique skills and interests.
• Inclusive and supportive atmosphere.
• Sets a positive tone for the school year.
• Award books as prizes to promote reading.
• Fun and educational for families.
• Low-cost event for all to enjoy.
• Incorporate creative themes and interactive games.
• Activity stations based on subjects like math or science.
• Learning through play and connecting over shared interests.
• Get parents and guardians involved in the school community.
• A chance for families to socialize and discuss their expectations.
• Builds connections and a strong support network within the school.
• – 34. Further Back to School Event Ideas
• Inspire a positive and enthusiastic atmosphere.
• Combine fun activities, inclusive themes, and a focus on community building.
• Creativity, collaboration, and enthusiasm are key to exceptional school events.

• Hire a local magician for family entertainment.
• Creates a sense of wonder and excitement for all.
• Organize goofy and fun events for families.
• Capitalize on Olympic year excitement.
• Promotes healthy competition and bonding.
• Borrow items from NASA and Lockheed Martin .
• Unique exploration of space for students and families.
• Partner with local resources for an out-of-this-world experience.
• Parents, teachers, and staff donate items.
• Auction off donated items during a special event.
• Consider attractive items like “reserved carpool line spots.”
• Collect gently used shoes from the community.
• Environmentally friendly fundraising option.
• Raise funds while keeping shoes out of landfills.
• – 41. Further PTA Event Ideas
• Engage the community and create lasting memories.
• PTA leadership and commitment make a significant impact.
• Prioritize creativity and enthusiasm in event planning.

FAQ about School Event Ideas

What are some fun school event ideas that kids will love.

There is a wide range of activities you can plan for your school event, depending on the age group and interests of your students. Some ideas include a Trunk-or-Treat party for Halloween, a roller-skating party to encourage physical activity, and a Read Across America Day event to promote good reading habits.

How can I make my school event more engaging and interactive for students?

To keep students involved and excited about the event, try incorporating interactive activities and games that encourage teamwork and friendly competition. For example, you can organize a talent show, treasure hunt, or a fun science fair. You might also consider activities that allow students to express their creativity, such as art stations, DIY crafts, or a school-wide mural project.

How can I involve parents and community members in my school event?

Involving parents and community members in your school event not only supports your event’s success but also fosters a strong sense of community. You can invite local businesses to sponsor or donate prizes, food, or resources for the event. Additionally, you can ask parents to volunteer their time or skills, such as providing photography services or helping with set up and clean up.

What are some tips for promoting my school event?

Effective promotion is crucial for the success of your school event. Make use of multiple channels to reach your target audience, such as sending out email invitations, distributing physical flyers, and posting on social media platforms. Additionally, engage the student body by creating eye-catching posters and flyers to place around the school. Be sure to include essential information like the date, time, and location, as well as any special instructions

If you enjoyed reading about School Event Ideas, check out our other articles:

• Exciting Event Ideas For Adults 2024: Perfect For New Experiences!
• Neighborhood Event Ideas 2024: Fun and Engaging Activities for All Ages
• Spring Event Ideas 2024: A Guide to Hosting Memorable Gatherings
• Outdoor Event Ideas 2024: Fun and Engaging Activities for All Ages
• Creative Resident Event Ideas 2024: Build A Strong Community

Feel free to also check out our other Articles from the category “ Community Events “ and don’t forget to follow us on  Pinterest .

Martin Lange

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Educational school trip ideas for primary school teachers based on the KS1 & KS2 National Curriculum

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Class Trips is about helping primary school teachers find school trip ideas and educational class visits for infants and junior school children in the UK. We list only educational places to visit that are related to the National Curriculum for Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2 subject areas.

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School trip ideas for primary schools based on The National Curriculum KS1 & KS2 subjects

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Edinburgh Zoo

The Ice Cream Farm

The Camp Hill Estate

The commandery – worcester.

The Hill End Centre

Allerton waste recovery park.

Bolton Castle

Victoria Art Gallery

Tudor world, worcester city art gallery & museum, wwt slimbridge wetland centre, skern lodge, sea life manchester, noah’s ark zoo farm, the silverstone experience.

Fairytale Farm

Animal education centre, east park, the kingswood trust, xscape yorkshire, worcestershire county museum, boundless outdoors, legoland discovery centre manchester.

The SSE Arena Wembley

Roald Dahl Museum and Story Centre

The beatles story, treetop trek manchester, go ape, normanby hall – lincolnshire, wicked the musical, paultons park, find your next primary school educational trip.

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School Visits Classroom Read Alouds Pop-Up Events

School visits.

What's the best way to inform children and their parents about the public library? Meet them where they're at! For children that means in the classroom and, believe it or not, getting into your local schools may be easier than you think. If you are not already visiting your schools regularly, just give one of their main offices a call to see if you need permission from the principal to schedule visits or if you can contact the teachers directly. 

Be sure to ask if any flyers you hope to distribute need to be signed off on by the principal or superintendent. 

Below is a standard script for visiting classrooms to promote summer reading, but it can easily be adapted for any season or theme:

" Hello! My name is Marta and I am a youth librarian at  __________. Raise your hand if you have been to the __________ Library. What did you visit the Library to do? Raise your hand if you're willing to share with us!...

You can do all those things and more at the Library! I'm here to tell you what's going on at the Library this summer. This summer's theme is "On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!," so we're exploring sports, being active, and exercising your mind. Do you have a favorite sport you like to watch or play?

I've brought along one of my favorite books about...[Read Aloud for Grades K-3]

I've brought along some sports trivia to test your knowledge. I'm going to split the room into 2 teams and we'll see which one knows the most...[Grades 4-8]

The best part of summer is our Summer Reading Club, and here’s how it works. Stop by the library or go to our website to create a reading log.  Record the number of minutes you read and you'll automagically get your named entered into the grand prize drawings for every 30 minutes. So the more you read the better your chances of winning! This year's grand prizes include gift cards to some great places. I’m going to hold up a picture of each store's logo, guess which store it is...Everyone who participates will get a free book each month and a coupon for things like ice cream sundaes or laser tag/roller rink.

The best part is that you can read anything you want!  What books have you enjoyed reading or do you want to read this summer?...If you need some ideas here are some great options...[4 or 5 Book Talks]

In addition to winning prizes just for reading, there are fun events and activities at the Library every week. Programs just for you include... I am giving your teacher flyers to send home with you that look like this [show flyer]. It lists all the programs I just mentioned plus information about how to sign up for Summer Reading Club. It also includes the Library's contact information. Share this flyer with your parents so they know what's going on!  Everything is FREE to attend, including getting a library card to borrow materials.

We start the summer with a kick-off party on... Ok, now you know all about what's going on at the Library this summer.  Do you have any questions about the Library or the Summer Reading Club? "

In addition to distributing flyers, we make up bookmarks that list the book talk titles. You would be surprised how many kids from even the most unenthusiastic classes show up at the Library looking for those books! 

In the fall, we visit each first grade classroom to encourage kids to get their very own library cards. We call this outreach "First Grade Library Stars" and give each child a letter to take home to caregivers informing them that if they return that letter to the library and get their child a library card (or show an existing card), they will earn a prize (a library logo lanyard for their shiny new card!). Plus, a free book is awarded to the teacher who has the most students visit the library. 

Classroom Read Alouds

Here are some tried and true read alouds guaranteed to capture the attention of any classroom. 

Pop-Up Events

Where else do people in your community congregate or where could they?  Bring the library to them by popping up in unexpected places. Great places include sporting events, shopping centers, parks, and nature areas. Bring along a table, materials for checkout, crafts, coloring sheets, movement activities, and promotional materials. Contact the people in charge of the location for permission, pick a block of time, and show up! We never know how many people we'll see or when they'll stop by, so I tend to plan a variety of passive activities that can easily be done on the fly for however many people happen to be there. 

Movement activities you can use at any location include:

The Giant Dice Game - Nothing seems to catch a child's attention like seeing a giant die tossed around. You can buy large dice at 5 Below or make your own giant die by wrapping a box in paper, drawing or adding paper dots, then "laminating" the sides with clear acrylic tape. Create a list of things that the kids must do if they land on a certain number.

For example, if you roll a number:

Sing a song or nursery rhyme

Tell us the title of your favorite book

Listen to a short story or silly poem

Dance like a robot

Do 5 Jumping Jacks

Sing " The More We Get Together " using Sign Language (which means you have to teach it to them!)​

Beach Ball Toss  - Very similar to the Giant Dice Game. Ask the kids to do an exercise or activity based on whichever color lands up or use a sharpie to write actions in each colored panel, such as 5 Jumping Jacks, Touch Your Toes, Clap Your Age, Roar Like a Lion, etc. 

Sporting Events

Are sports popular in your area? If so, check with your local recreation department or sporting associations to find out when games are taking place and if you can operate a space onsite. Whether it's youth soccer, little league, or football, there are bound to be little ones mulling around while their older or younger siblings play. Make life a bit easier for the parents by setting up a library booth (within eyesight of the fields, but far enough to not be a distraction) for kids to enjoy between or during games. 

In addition to the movement activities listed above, offer coloring sheets and a fun craft, such as:

Pennants - Set out markers/crayons and stickers to decorate cardstock triangles. Duct tape a chopstick, kebob or paint stick on the back and you're ready to show team spirit. It's a dream come true when you see kids waving them on the sidelines while cheering on their family and friends. 

Parks or Nature Areas

Activity ideas include:

Nature Scavenger Hunts  - Pass them out at parks or trail heads and offer incentives, such as a free book, library logoed item, stickers, etc., if they return the completed sheet to the library.  You could even leave a few tacked to trail head sign posts...if so, be sure the sheets include your library logo and contact information.

Butterfly Finger Puppet Craft - Cardstock butterflies with two horizontal slits cut through the middle for your finger. Offer markers, stickers, and/or nature items, such as flower petals and leaves, to decorate your butterflies. . 

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The University of Chicago The Law School

Law school federalist society wins 2024 chapter of the year award.

The University of Chicago Law School Federalist Society received the James Madison Chapter of the Year Award at the national organization’s annual student symposium that was hosted at Harvard Law School this spring. The last time the Chicago chapter won the award was in 2019.

The victory capped a very productive year for the Law School Federalist Society, characterized by robust efforts to enhance alumni engagement. The chapter launched several new initiatives, including an alumni mentorship program pairing members with alumni across the country, an alumni newsletter, and a student-focused professional development newsletter.

This year, the chapter also visited the Supreme Court of the United States. Thirty-four chapter members traveled to D.C. to meet with Justice Brett Kavanaugh, a visit facilitated by a Law School alum who had clerked with the Justice.

“Our chapter was honored to meet Justice Kavanaugh,” remarked Chicago Chapter President Tiffany Pages-Sanchez. “We were excited to participate in a quick meet-and-greet, but Justice Kavanaugh spent over an hour answering all our questions. Every student in attendance had the chance to ask him a question. It was an incredible experience. Our chapter is grateful for Justice Kavanaugh’s generosity.”

The Law School Federalist Society Chapter hosted nearly 50 lunch talks and welcomed 23 federal judges to campus over the last year. And as part of its efforts to foster debate and collaboration across the Law School, the chapter teamed up with seven other student organizations, including the American Constitution Society, the Texas Law Society, and the St. Thomas More Society, to host almost 15 co-sponsored events.

“UChicago is a special place,” said Pages-Sanchez. “We’re proud to belong to a law school where students and faculty are keen to engage with and debate the ideologically diverse speakers we host at our events. We’re also grateful for our alumni’s willingness to remain involved in our chapter; their strong engagement helped make this year a great success, especially as we launched the new mentorship program. We are particularly grateful for the continued involvement of Professor Todd Henderson, ’98; Adam Mortara, ’01; Solicitor General Eric Wessan,’19; Sarah Welch, ’19; Matt Pociask, ’20; and Sam Ellis, ’23.”

Todd Henderson, the Michael J. Marks Professor of Law and the chapter’s faculty director, expressed immense pride in the chapter's accomplishments. “The culture of our chapter is one of a passion for ideas, professionalism, flawless execution, and a deep commitment to the values of the Society. The student leaders are prodigious and exemplary.”

Henderson went on to quip, “I’m surprised they don’t win every year—I guess they need to spread it around.”