Broward County Nature, Wildlife, and Botanical Destinations
Nature & Wildlife Destinations
Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center
3501 SW 130th Ave, Davie, FL 33330Phone: (954) 357-8797
Website: broward.org/Parks/Pages/park.aspx?park=22
Long Key Natural Area & Nature Center has trails, equestrian trails, an exhibit hall, picnic areas, public art, and classroom-style space. For homeschoolers, it can work especially well for a slower-paced nature study day where kids can observe the environment, sketch, walk, and talk through what they notice without feeling rushed.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- What did you hear, see, or smell while walking the trail?
- What was your favorite thing in the exhibit hall?
- How is this place different from a playground or neighborhood park?
Ages 9–12
- What kinds of habitats or land features did you notice here?
- How did the exhibit space help explain what you saw outside?
- Why do you think natural areas like this are set aside and protected?
Ages 13–17
- How can a natural area like this support both public recreation and conservation?
- What observations from the trails would be worth recording in a field notebook?
- How do exhibits and public art shape the way visitors think about a natural space?
Marando Farms & Ranch
5151 SW 64th Ave, Davie, FL 33314Phone: (954) 945-5744
Website: marandoranch.com
Marando Farms & Ranch is a working farm and ranch in Davie with a local market, farm-to-table café, field trips and tours, riding lessons and trail rides, birthday parties, and special events. The site also describes a petting zoo with rescue animals plus weekend pony and hay rides. For homeschool families, this can be a nice fit for a farm visit that mixes animals, food, outdoor time, and hands-on learning in one place.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- What animals did you see here, and what did you notice about how they acted?
- What is one thing a farm grows or makes that people can use?
- How is visiting a farm different from going to a regular park?
Ages 9–12
- How does a working farm combine animals, food, and daily jobs?
- What did you notice about the difference between a market, a café, and the animal areas?
- Why might field trips at a farm help students understand food and agriculture better?
Ages 13–17
- How does Marando Farms & Ranch blend agriculture, hospitality, and education?
- What parts of this visit connect most clearly to topics like food systems, animal care, or local business?
- How can a place like this turn everyday farm work into a meaningful learning experience for students?
Coconut Creek
RedStone Ranch
4551 NW 39th Ave, Coconut Creek, FL 33073Phone: (954) 282-1269
Website: redstoneranches.com
RedStone Ranch in Coconut Creek includes barnyard experiences, petting zoo activities, riding lessons, Mommy & Me classes, parties, and a homeschool Farm School. The official site lists multiple ranch locations, including The Barnyard, the Riding Academy, and the Farm School. For homeschool families, this can be a really fun option for animal encounters, horseback-related activities, and hands-on farm learning.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- What was your favorite animal you saw at the barnyard, and why?
- What do animals on a ranch need every day to stay healthy?
- How did this visit help you learn by seeing and doing?
Ages 9–12
- What is the difference between the barnyard, riding academy, and farm school parts of RedStone Ranch?
- How can animal encounters and riding activities help students learn in a different way?
- What skills or responsibilities do you think are important on a ranch?
Ages 13–17
- How does RedStone Ranch combine recreation, education, and animal-centered programming?
- What did you notice about the different ways this ranch serves families and students?
- How could a visit here connect to topics like animal science, agriculture, or experiential learning?
Coral Springs
Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital
3000 Sportsplex Dr, Coral Springs, FL 33065Phone: (954) 752-9453
Website: sawgrassnaturecenter.org
Sawgrass Nature Center & Wildlife Hospital is both a wildlife hospital and an education center. The organization offers animal care, educational programs, camps, volunteer opportunities, and visitor admission. For homeschoolers, this can be a meaningful place to connect animal study with real-world rescue and rehabilitation work.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- What animals did you see that might need help from people?
- What does a wildlife hospital do?
- How can people be gentle and helpful to wild animals?
Ages 9–12
- Why would a wild animal need rehabilitation before returning to nature?
- What is the difference between caring for wildlife and keeping wildlife as pets?
- How do education programs help people make better choices around animals?
Ages 13–17
- What ethical responsibilities do wildlife hospitals have when caring for injured animals?
- How does public education support conservation and animal welfare?
- What kinds of careers or volunteer roles connect to the work being done here?
Fort Lauderdale
Secret Woods Nature Center
2701 W State Rd 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312Phone: (954) 357-8884
Website: broward.org/Parks/pages/park.aspx?park=32
Secret Woods Nature Center has walking trails and a butterfly garden, and it is focused on native habitat and outdoor exploration. For homeschoolers, this can be a really easy field trip for observation, journaling, butterfly study, or simply giving kids time to slow down and pay attention to the natural world around them.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- What colors and patterns did you notice on the butterflies or plants?
- Why do butterflies need flowers and plants?
- What was one quiet thing you noticed on the trail?
Ages 9–12
- Why would a butterfly garden include certain kinds of plants?
- How does walking through a natural habitat teach you differently than reading about it?
- What evidence did you see of an ecosystem working together?
Ages 13–17
- How does habitat preservation support species like butterflies and other pollinators?
- Why are quiet observation and field notes valuable in nature study?
- What does this site show about the importance of native habitat in an urban county?
Everglades Holiday Park
21940 Griffin Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33332Phone: (954) 434-8111
Website: evergladesholidaypark.com
Everglades Holiday Park offers guided airboat tours, live alligator shows, animal encounters, and options for private, group, and school visits. For homeschoolers, this can be a fun way to turn a Florida ecosystems lesson into something hands-on and memorable, especially for kids who learn best by seeing a place up close.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- What did you see on the airboat ride that made the Everglades feel different from other places?
- What did you learn about alligators today?
- Why do some animals live well in wetlands?
Ages 9–12
- How did the guide help you understand the Everglades ecosystem better?
- What animals or plants seem especially suited for wetland life?
- What is the value of seeing a habitat in person instead of only learning about it from a book?
Ages 13–17
- How does tourism in the Everglades balance entertainment with environmental education?
- What did this visit teach you about wetlands as an ecosystem?
- How might a visit like this deepen your understanding of Florida conservation issues?
South Florida Wildlife Center
3200 SW 4th Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315Phone: (954) 524-4302
Website: southfloridawildlifecenter.org
South Florida Wildlife Center is a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation, and education organization. It operates a wildlife hospital and offers educational outreach with ambassador animals. For homeschool families, this can be a strong fit for kids interested in animals, service, conservation, or future careers connected to wildlife care.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- Why might a wild animal need help from a wildlife center?
- What is one thing people should do to help local wildlife stay safe?
- What animal did you learn the most about today?
Ages 9–12
- What is the difference between rescue, rehabilitation, and release?
- How do ambassador animals help teach the public?
- What choices by people can harm wildlife, even if they do not mean to?
Ages 13–17
- What role do wildlife hospitals play in the larger conservation system?
- How can education and rescue work together to reduce future harm to wildlife?
- What careers, skills, or volunteer paths connect to the work done here?
Plantation
My Little Farm Davie
141 SW 54th Ave, Plantation, FL 33317Phone: (754) 246-6622
Website: mylittlefarmdavie.net
My Little Farm Davie is a family-owned farm venue that offers children’s party packages, event rentals, and pony rides. For homeschoolers, this can be a sweet option for younger children who enjoy animals, outdoor settings, and a more relaxed farm-style visit that feels approachable and familiar.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- What did you notice about being around farm animals or ponies?
- How is a farm setting different from a city setting?
- What jobs do you think people do on a farm or animal property?
Ages 9–12
- What responsibilities come with caring for animals in a farm setting?
- Why do places like this appeal to families with young children?
- What did you learn from seeing animals in person rather than just reading about them?
Ages 13–17
- How does a small family-owned farm venue create a different experience than a large attraction?
- What kinds of life skills or responsibilities are connected to animal care?
- How could a visit like this connect to agriculture, entrepreneurship, or child-focused event planning?
Southwest Ranches
Animal EDventure Park & Safari
16222 14th Ave, Southwest Ranches, FL 33331Phone: (561) 350-6948
Website: animaledventures.com
Animal EDventure offers guided safari visits by reservation and includes educational animal encounters with species such as sloths, kangaroos, lemurs, porcupines, and more. For homeschool families, this can be a great fit for animal-loving kids who enjoy interactive learning and remember things best when they can connect the lesson to a real experience.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- Which animal was most surprising to see in person, and why?
- How are these animals different from pets?
- What did you learn by watching how the animals moved or behaved?
Ages 9–12
- What did the guided tour help you notice that you might have missed on your own?
- How do different animals seem adapted to different environments?
- Why do educational animal encounters make a strong learning experience for some students?
Ages 13–17
- What are the strengths and limitations of learning through animal encounters?
- How does guided interpretation shape what visitors understand about the animals?
- What questions would you want to ask about animal care, habitat needs, or educational programming here?
Botanical Gardens & Plant-Focused Parks
Davie
Flamingo Gardens (Botanical Garden)
3750 S Flamingo Rd, Davie, FL 33330Phone: (954) 473-2955
Website: flamingogardens.org/botanical-garden/
The botanical garden section of Flamingo Gardens features tropical and subtropical plant collections within the larger garden property. For homeschoolers, this can be such an easy place for plant study, sketching, observation, vocabulary practice, and just getting kids outside to notice details they might usually miss.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- What shapes, colors, or textures did you notice in the plants?
- Which plant felt the most different from the ones you see at home?
- Why do gardens need people to care for them?
Ages 9–12
- What is the difference between a botanical garden and a regular park?
- How do tropical and subtropical plants seem suited to this climate?
- What patterns did you notice when comparing different plant types?
Ages 13–17
- How can botanical gardens support both education and plant conservation?
- What did this space reveal about the diversity of plant life in warm climates?
- How does direct observation in a garden deepen scientific understanding?
Lauderhill
Ilene Lieberman Botanical Gardens
3801 Inverrary Blvd, Lauderhill, FL 33319Phone: (954) 730-3000
Website: lauderhill-fl.gov botanical gardens page
Ilene Lieberman Botanical Gardens is a 3.05-acre park with a walking path, pavilion, amphitheater, benches, public art, water fountain, dock/pier, and a small playground. For homeschoolers, this can work especially well for a gentle outing that mixes nature, conversation, quiet observation, and even a little play for younger siblings.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- What did you notice while walking through the garden?
- What part of this park felt calm or peaceful to you?
- How did the plants, water, and art make this place feel different from other parks?
Ages 9–12
- How do the path, pavilion, and garden features shape the experience of this place?
- What role does public art play in a garden setting?
- Why might a botanical garden include both natural and built features?
Ages 13–17
- How does the design of this garden encourage reflection, recreation, and community use?
- What makes a smaller botanical site valuable for local families and students?
- How can spaces like this support observational writing, art, or environmental study?
Plantation
Plantation Arboretum & Botanical Garden
2610 S Fig Tree Ln, Plantation, FL 33317Phone: (954) 797-2722
Website: plantation.org arboretum page
The Plantation Arboretum & Botanical Garden includes collections of trees and palms, with areas dedicated to flowering trees, fruit trees, giant trees, and native species. For homeschoolers, this is a nice choice for comparing plant types side by side and turning a simple walk into a lesson on classification, observation, and Florida plant life.
Homeschool field trip questions
Ages 5–8
- Which tree was the tallest or most interesting to you?
- What is different about a palm tree compared with other trees?
- Did you see fruit, flowers, or leaves that helped you tell plants apart?
Ages 9–12
- How did the different garden areas help you compare types of trees?
- Why might native species be important in a botanical collection?
- What clues can you use to sort plants into categories?
Ages 13–17
- How does an arboretum support plant study differently than a general park?
- What did this visit show you about biodiversity within tree and palm collections?
- How could a student use this site for a classification, botany, or environmental science assignment?
More Broward County Homeschool Field Trip Questions
Use these age-appropriate discussion and reflection questions during your visit to the Broward County zoos, wildlife centers, farms, and botanical gardens.
Ages 4–7 (Early Learners)
- What colors and patterns do you see on the animals or plants?
- How many animals can you count that have wings, fins, or fur?
- What sounds do you hear around you?
- Which animal or plant is your favorite? Why?
- Can you move or act like one of the animals you see?
- What does this place smell like or sound like?
- Do you see baby animals or small plants growing?
- What do you think the animals eat here?
- Can you find something soft, rough, or smooth?
- Which flower or animal would you like to draw when you get home?
Ages 8–11 (Elementary)
- What kind of habitat does this animal or plant live in?
- How does it get food, water, and shelter here?
- Why do you think zoos, wildlife centers, or gardens are important?
- What do you think the workers here do to care for the animals or plants?
- Can you describe one animal or plant adaptation you notice?
- How do people affect the environment in this area—for better or worse?
- What do rescued animals need before they can return to the wild?
- What kind of jobs might people have at this place (veterinarian, gardener, guide, etc.)?
- What similarities and differences do you notice between this park and another you’ve visited?
- How might this trip inspire you to protect wildlife or plants at home?
Ages 12–15 (Middle School)
- How does this place help preserve native Florida wildlife or ecosystems?
- What are the biggest threats to animals or plants found here?
- How might human development, tourism, or pollution affect this environment?
- What conservation or education programs are mentioned during your visit?
- How do you think the staff balances public access with protecting habitats?
- What adaptations help these species survive in South Florida’s climate?
- Compare this location to a natural, wild area nearby—what’s different or similar?
- What evidence of sustainability practices (recycling, native landscaping, etc.) do you see?
- If you could design an exhibit or garden, what would it teach visitors?
- How can individuals and families help local wildlife and native plants thrive?