New Jersey Field Trips for Homeschoolers

To help you locate fun things to do in New Jersey with your homeschooler, we’ve organized your field trip ideas by geographical area. Plan out each of your learning adventures on this printable map of New Jersey from Time4Learning.

Plus, as a bonus, we’ve even included a free download of Time4Learning lesson tie-ins that might be the perfect supplement for each trip [at end of article]! Please make sure to contact each site before you plan your visit, as COVID-19 may have impacted their hours of operations.

Homeschool Field Trips in the Skylands Region, NJ

• Franklin Mineral Museum, Franklin – Nature, history, and science are all on display at this educational venue. Not only can you learn about the history and mineralogy of the Franklin-Sterling Hill mining district, but you can begin to understand how minerals and mining affect our everyday lives.
• Frelinghusen Arboretum, Morris Township – Begun as a working farm in the late 1800s, this estate was turned into an arboretum in the mid-20th century. The 127-acre site is the perfect stretch-your-legs field trip, and offers wonderful picnic opportunities. Regular education programs are offered for toddlers through junior high age, and there are even specific homeschool days throughout the year.
• Historic Speedwell, Morristown – It was here, in 1838, that Samuel F.B. Morse and Alfred Vail demonstrated the telegraph to the public for the first time. The remains of the Speedwell Ironworks are on the site as well, giving you the opportunity to tie in learning about iron, manufacturing, and the Industrial Revolution.
• Pequest Trout Hatchery and Natural Resource Education Center, Oxford Township – Take an educational trip to the only state-owned trout hatchery in New Jersey where up to 700,000 trout are bred annually for stocking in the public waters. Regular programs like “Family Fishing Basics” give students hands-on experiential learning about fish biology and identification as well as casting techniques and knot-tying.

Homeschool Field Trips in the Gateway Region, NJ

• Grover Cleveland Birthplace, Caldwell – The 22nd president of the U.S., Grover Cleveland, was born in the manse (pastor’s residence) of the First Presbyterian Church of Caldwell. On this educational field trip you can learn about Cleveland’s mud-slinging campaign tactics and about his financial and political success over his two split terms. The home has been restored to depict how life would have been for the Cleveland family in the 1830s and 40s.
• Montclair Art Museum, Montclair – Specializing in American and Native American art, the this museum’s collection includes over 12,000 works. Take your time to appreciate the cultural achievements in weaving, pottery, wood carving, jewelry, and textiles of indigenous Americans. The Yard School of Art offers programs for adults, children, and teens throughout the year here, as well.
• Palisades Interstate Park, Alpine – The Palisades are a line of steep cliffs along the west side of the lower Hudson River. This geographic feature even appears on the first European map of the New World, created in 1541.  2,500 acres of shorefront, uplands, and cliffs are waiting for you to explore them at this natural landmark.
• Thomas Edison Center, Edison – What would you like to know about inventor Thomas Edison? Chances are you can get answers at the site of the world’s first organized research and development laboratory, Menlo Park. Edison and his staff created 400 of his most important inventions here. Educational materials to enhance your science learning can be downloaded from the website.

Homeschool Field Trips in the Delaware River Region, NJ

• Edelman Planetarium, Glassboro – Not that many New Jersey day trips focus almost entirely on astronomy, so definitely take advantage of this destination on the campus of Rowan University. The domed theater offers regular public, family, and school shows. During observatory open houses, homeschoolers can view the night sky through the planetarium telescopes.
• Historic Whitesbog Village, Pemberton Township – In the early 1900s, Whitesbog was the largest cranberry and blueberry farm in New Jersey. Travel back in time to learn about fruit farming in the area. The village is part of the Brendan T. Byrne State Forest which includes 25 miles of hiking trails. When you need homeschool field trip ideas that let you stretch your legs, this is a great destination.
• Old Barracks Museum, Trenton – Looking for family activities in New Jersey that tie in with a study of the Revolutionary War? The Old Barracks was built in 1758 as winter quarters for British troops in the French & Indian War, then became a military hospital in 1777 under the order of General George Washington. The museum brings the world of colonial America to life through interpretive programs, exhibits, and preservation.
• Rancocas Nature Center, Westampton – Within the Rancocas State Park you’ll find this environmental education facility with three miles of hiking trails through meadows, forest, and wetlands. The Nature Museum, where kids can get hands-on with hundreds of nature items, is open Tuesday – Sunday, 10 a.m to 4 p.m.

Homeschool Field Trips in the Coastal Region, NJ

• Absecon Lighthouse, Atlantic City – Not only is this New Jersey’s tallest lighthouse, but it is the third tallest lighthouse in the country. Your family can ascend the 228 steps of this 150-year old structure to view the wide Atlantic City skyline. Other attractions on the site include a replica of the lighthouse keeper’s dwelling and an educational museum.
• Historic Village at Allaire, Farmingdon – Homeschoolers can learn so much at a living history village. Allaire was once an iron-producing factory town. On the site, students can interact with costumed period interpreters and explore 13 historic homes, a chapel, a store, a bakery, and other buildings with hands-on activities for all ages.
• Jenkinson’s Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach – This facility on the boardwalk is focused on education and conservation of marine life. Some of the animals your homeschooler will encounter here include penguins, a harbor seal, sea turtles and sharks. The touch tank pool lets students get up close and personal with many of the species.
• Wetlands Institute, Stone Harbor – Looking for fun things to do with kids in New Jersey? Your nature lovers will be excited about the guided tours, aquarium feedings, lectures, touch tank demonstrations and featured programs at this facility. There are monthly programs for homeschoolers that combine classroom instruction with outdoor experiments and activities.

For additional New Jersey field trips ideas, visit A2ZHomeschool’s New Jersey Field Trips page. Do you have any additional New Jersey field trips we didn’t mention here? Add them in the comments or share them on our New Jersey Homeschool Support forum!