Looking for meaningful, memorable St. Louis homeschool field trips? You’re in the right place. From world-class museums and nature preserves to local history and fine arts, this Midwestern city offers a wealth of educational trips St. Louis families will love—many of them free!
Whether you’re a local or visiting for the week, this homeschool St. Louis guide is full of enriching destinations that support your child’s classical education. Families in programs like Classical Conversations often plan these trips together, sharing not only the experience but also the joy of discovering truth, beauty, and goodness in community.
Let’s explore the best classical education field trips and Missouri homeschool activities St. Louis has to offer.
🌱 Science & Nature
Educational Science Trips in St. Louis for Homeschool Families
St. Louis Science Center
One of the few free science centers in the nation! Explore space, physics, agriculture, and more. Add-ons include Omnimax and the McDonnell Planetarium.
Great for: Foundations – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Free admission; hands-on exhibits; excellent for small groups.
St. Louis Zoo
Regularly ranked among the best in the U.S., the zoo offers immersive habitats and interactive learning. Extras like stingrays, train rides, and sea lion shows are worth it!
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Free entry; the Missouri Association for Creation offers a Biblical worldview tour each April.
World Bird Sanctuary
Get up close with owls, hawks, eagles, and falcons to learn about God’s design for flight and function. Experience how they care for injured birds and protect endangered species.
Great for: Foundations – Essentials
Homeschool-friendly: $12 per car; educational tours available.
Grant’s Farm
Ride a tram, visit the Clydesdales, and explore exotic animal enclosures. Bonus: Visit Ulysses S. Grant’s cabin and learn about his German-American cultural ties.
Great for: Foundations – Essentials
Homeschool-friendly: Family-friendly pricing per vehicle.
St. Louis Aquarium
A hands-on aquatic experience featuring touch tanks, STEM exhibits, and regional river ecosystems.
Great for: Foundations
Homeschool-friendly: Offers dedicated Homeschool Days.
Missouri Botanical Garden & Butterfly House
Explore a wide variety of plants and ecosystems; then marvel at live butterflies in a tropical conservatory.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Combo tickets available; adjacent playground and carousel in Faust Park are a bonus.
Audubon Center, Busch Wildlife & Lone Elk Park
Ideal for practicing the skill of Attending with quiet nature walks, birdwatching, and biology studies.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Free or low-cost; great for self-guided study.
🏛️ History & Culture
Classical Education Field Trips in St. Louis and Surrounding Areas
Gateway Arch & Old Courthouse
Tour the Arch, then step into history at the Old Courthouse site of the Dred Scott trials.
Great for: Essentials – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Free admission; perfect for Constitution and Civil War study.
Missouri History Museum
Learn about westward expansion, early settlers, and Missouri’s changing culture with rotating exhibits from Lewis & Clark to St. Louis sports.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Group classes available upon request.
Historic Daniel Boone Home
Step into pioneer life and learn about 18th-century homesteading and frontier expansion.
Great for: Foundations – Essentials
Homeschool-friendly: Offers homeschool-focused events and guided tours.
Lewis and Clark Boathouse Museum
Explore replica keelboats and learn about the Corps of Discovery. History, geography, and character-building all in one. Great for Cycle 3 history.
Great for: Essentials – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Located near historic downtown St. Charles.
Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis
Marvel at one of the world’s largest mosaic collections and reflect on sacred art, architecture, and church history.
Great for: Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Free to visit; group tours available.
Jefferson Barracks
Includes the Missouri Civil War Museum, National Cemetery, and historic trails. This is a rich site for studying military history and honoring veterans.
Great for: Essentials – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Open year-round with educational exhibits.
🎨 Arts and Creativity
Fine Arts Destinations in St. Louis for Homeschool Families
St. Louis Art Museum
A world-class art museum that offers ancient to contemporary works in classical, medieval, modern, and non-Western styles. Perfect for Foundations fine arts and Challenge history, and theology studies.
Great for: Foundations – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Free entry; educator guides available.
Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis
Modern art meets critical thinking. Pair with logic or rhetoric discussions.
Great for: Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Free entry, rotating exhibits, and walking distance to other Grand Center museums.
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Let students experience orchestral music in a formal concert setting. The Symphony offers Missouri homeschool activities including educational concerts and youth programs.
Great for: Essentials – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Family concerts and group discounts available.
Laumeier Sculpture Park
Sculpture meets nature. Let students walk, think, and sketch while engaging with public art.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Free admission; no reservation needed; great for a picnic.
The Muny & The Fabulous Fox Theater
Enjoy live theater from two of St. Louis’s most iconic venues. The Muny offers free seating in the summer, and the Fox hosts touring Broadway productions year-round.
Great for: Foundations – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Educational tours available at the Fox; early arrival recommended for Muny seating.
🌳 Off the Beaten Path & Outdoor Adventures
Unique St. Louis Homeschool Field Trips with Outdoor Learning
Big Joel’s Safari
Hands-on animal encounters in a petting zoo-meets-education park.
Great for: Foundations
Homeschool-friendly: Small group visits encouraged.
Katy Trail & County Parks
Biking, hiking, and nature observation along Missouri’s iconic trail system and many St. Louis and St. Charles County parks.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Free and flexible for nature study days.
Kinetic Park
The ultimate outdoor PE field trip. Kids can skate, bike, climb, and burn energy in a safe and exciting setting.
Great for: Essentials – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Great for a community PE day.
Lakeside 370
Rent kayaks, canoes, or surreys and explore God’s creation through movement and play.
Great for: Foundations – Essentials
Homeschool-friendly: Nature exploration and physical fitness in one.
Hidden Valley (Winter Only)
Skiing and tubing offer winter fun and a break from the books.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Group rates and weekday availability.
🎒 Fun for the Whole Family
Well-Loved St. Louis Attractions for Classical Homeschoolers
Magic House
A top children’s museum with STEM, history, and imaginative play.
Great for: Foundations–Challenge A
Homeschool-friendly: Group bookings and special homeschool programs.
Myseum
An engaging and often overlooked play-based museum that mixes science with fun.
Great for: Preschool – Foundations
Homeschool-friendly: Great for rainy days. Budget-friendly and easy to supervise.
City Museum
A wild, creative, indoor playground of tunnels, slides, and art installations.
Great for: Essentials – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Best with adult supervision and a buddy system.
Transportation Museum
Trains, planes, and automobiles—plus a Creation Station play area.
Great for: Foundations
Homeschool-friendly: Special room for ages 5 and under.
Chocolate, Chocolate, Chocolate Factory Tour
Learn about food production, packaging, and flavor chemistry, then enjoy lunch on The Hill, St. Louis’s famous Italian neighborhood.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Tasty and educational. Ideal for sensory learners.
Six Flags & St. Louis Sports Teams
Enjoy a fun break with rides or cheer on the Cardinals, Blues, or St. Louis City SC. Consider extending the trip with a stay at nearby Jellystone Park.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Group ticket options available.
St. Louis Homeschool Field Trips: Growing Together Through Discovery
As your family explores museum halls, walks historic grounds, and marvels at God’s creatures, something beautiful unfolds—you’re cultivating wonder together and training your hearts to recognize the fingerprints of the Almighty in every corner of His world.
These St. Louis adventures become sacred moments where parent and child stand side by side, both students in the grand classroom of creation. In cathedral architecture, butterfly wings, or historical courage, your family discovers fresh reasons to worship the God who orchestrates all things for His glory and our good.
