Why Museums Make the Perfect Field Trip for Homeschoolers

Museums make the perfect field trip for homeschoolers —where else can you step into the worlds of art, science, and history all in one place? They aren’t just quiet buildings filled with exhibits; they’re hands-on adventures waiting to happen. As homeschool families, a museum trip can be tailored to every age and stage.

For the little ones, turn each gallery into a game by asking silly “I spy” questions or sparking conversations like, “Which painting looks the happiest?” or “What invention would you want to bring home?” Middle schoolers can dive into scavenger hunts, sketch their favorite artifacts, or solve riddles hidden in the exhibits. Older students can take it a step further—maybe brainstorming a project idea, writing an analytical essay, or even debating a big “what if” question inspired by what they see.

Every age group in your homeschool family leaves with fresh curiosity, new knowledge, and plenty of stories to share. Best of all, museums make learning feel like an adventure—because it really is!

Fun and Thought-Provoking Museum Questions for your homeschool field trip

Here’s a list of fun and thought-provoking museum questions you can mix and match depending on your child’s age and the type of museum you’re visiting:

For Littles (ages 4–8)

• What colors do you see the most in this painting/sculpture?
• What shapes do you see in this piece of art?
• If this object could talk, what do you think it would say?
• Does this remind you of anything at home or in nature?
• Which piece here would you want to hang in your bedroom? Why?
• Can you copy the pose of this statue or the face in this painting?

For Middles (ages 9–12)

• What story do you think this artwork/object is trying to tell?
• If you were going to make art like this, what supplies would you use?
• How does this piece of art make you feel?
• If you could ask the artist/scientist/inventor one question, what would it be?
• How would life be different if this invention/artwork/animal didn’t exist?
• Which object in this room do you think took the longest to make? Why?
• How is this object/artwork similar to something we use or see today?

For Bigs (teens)

• What values, beliefs, or emotions do you think are reflected here?
• How does this artifact connect to what you’ve studied in history/science?
• If you could curate an exhibit around this piece, what would the theme be?
• Do you think this artwork or discovery was appreciated in its own time, or more today? Why?
• What’s one modern parallel you can draw to this object, event, or discovery?