Have fun outside the preschool environment with these seven tips for planning a successful field trip. Add a sense of adventure to your classroom schedule with the fun of planning and anticipating a special outing.
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Plan the best preschool outing you can by being carefully prepared and outfitted. A field trip with a group of kids can be exciting, but it can also be challenging without proper planning.
Did we remember to pack sunscreen? Has anyone seen the wipes? Do you think the rain will hold off?
Outings can throw anything and everything at us: delays in traffic or lineups; changes in the weather; hungry and tired toddlers – and teachers! – who want to call it a day. And before you head out, there’s a lot of stuff that has to get packed to meet the needs of preschoolers away from the home or classroom.
Like these basic essentials:
- snacks and drinks
- sun hats and appropriate footwear
- wipes
- contact information
Venturing outside the home or classroom environment is well worth the effort. A field trip allows kids and adults to stretch their legs, enjoy a change in routine, and explore the community hands-on.
Whether you are spending an afternoon at the playground, or visiting a local industry, being prepared is key to a successful field trip. There are steps both teachers, and students, can take to participate in the planning.
Planning your preschool field trip
Here are seven tips to help with the planning of your outing to make it safe and enjoyable.
- Make a check list to identify essentials.
You list may include a first aid kit, a package of wipes, and a list of children’s names and emergency contact numbers.
Here is a free printable to help with the planning of your field trip.
Field trip checklist for teachers and parents - Carry essentials in a backpack.
Stay hands-free to attend to the needs of the children, including holding hands as you explore the surroundings. - Confirm mode of transportation on the field trip.
Consult public transportation guidelines and licensing regulations as well as your insurance policy for current restrictions. - Don’t overlook footwear.
Children should have appropriate outdoor clothing, including footwear. Specify rubber boots for the farm, water shoes for the pool, sneakers for the neighborhood walk.
Do a clothing check before departure. - Collect permission slips.
Set a deadline for securing signatures. Carry a clipboard or binder with necessary documents. - Notify parents and guardians of your itinerary in advance.
Pick-up times or other daily scheduling may be altered in order to accommodate the field trip. Provide parents and guardians with a contact number of a staff person on the field trip. - Determine if snacks and water will be required.
This may depend on the nature of the field trip, accessibility of food and drinks while away from the center, or length of time of the outing.