Chicago is one of America’s great cities, brimming with world-class museums, history, culture, and natural beauty. Homeschool field trips in Chicago offer families opportunities that go far beyond sightseeing. These destinations bring learning to life, offering hands-on experiences that support classical education while creating lasting family memories.
This guide highlights the best of Chicagoland—a word locals use to describe the city and its surrounding suburbs. Each destination has been chosen with homeschooling in mind, so you can plan outings that are both educational and enriching.
🌱 Science & Nature
Best Chicago Homeschool Field Trips for Science and Nature Learning
One of Chicago’s most iconic institutions, the Field Museum houses everything from towering dinosaurs to ancient cultural artifacts. The detailed taxidermy dioramas—some of the first in the country—help children imagine habitats and ecosystems from around the world. Perfect for connecting natural history with God’s design in creation.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Wide-ranging exhibits that connect science and history are ideal for Foundations through Challenge levels.
Located on the Museum Campus along Lake Michigan, the Shedd Aquarium offers incredible opportunities to encounter marine life. Families can watch divers feed sharks and tropical fish in the Wild Reef, meet beluga whales and dolphins in the Oceanarium, and explore ecosystems from the Pacific Northwest to the Amazon.
Great for: Foundations and Essentials
Homeschool-friendly: Interactive feedings, dolphin shows, and touch-and-feel stations perfect for family-led lessons.
Recently renovated, the Adler Planetarium combines historic artifacts with cutting-edge projection technology. Students can step into the Atwood Sphere—a 1913 star projector—or sit under dazzling immersive domes that showcase the night sky and God’s cosmic handiwork.
Great for: All ages; especially for astronomy studies in Challenge B
Homeschool-friendly: Offers special programs with opportunities to integrate astronomy into classical studies.
Museum of Science and Industry
Housed in a historic 1893 World’s Fair building, the Museum of Science and Industry blends history and innovation. Families can explore hands-on exhibits, see chicks hatching, walk through a WWII German submarine, or watch an indoor tornado swirl overhead.
Great for: Foundations through Challenge IV
Homeschool-friendly: Daily science demonstrations included with admission; excellent for biology, anatomy, history, and physics connections.
Next door to Lincoln Park Zoo, this museum is a gem for younger students. Families can walk through a tropical butterfly haven, explore live animal exhibits, and learn from the Chicago Academy of Sciences’ historic collections.
Great for: Foundations and Essentials
Homeschool-friendly: Hands-on exhibits and enthusiastic docents make this ideal for group visits and nature journaling.
Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory Tour (Batavia, IL)
For older students, Fermi Lab offers free tours of one of the nation’s leading particle physics laboratories, demonstrating the intricate design of God’s creation at the atomic level.
Great for: Challenge III and Challenge IV
Homeschool-friendly: Free tours available with advanced registration.
🏛 History & Culture
Illinois Field Trip Destinations for Classical History and Cultural Studies
This family-friendly museum includes hands-on exhibits like “Sensing Chicago,” historic dioramas, and train displays. Upper-level students can dig deeper into American history with resources on the city’s role in shaping the nation.
Great for: Foundations, Essentials, and Challenge III
Homeschool-friendly: Located near Lincoln Park Zoo for an easy combined field trip.
Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures (University of Chicago)
Formerly known as the Oriental Institute, this museum highlights archaeology and artifacts from ancient civilizations, making it a perfect stop for students studying world history and biblical cultures.
Great for: Challenge-level students studying ancient cultures
Homeschool-friendly: Excellent supplement to classical education with connections to biblical archaeology.
McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
Families can tour the gears that raise and lower Chicago’s iconic bridges, enjoy views of the city skyline, and learn about engineering marvels.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Engaging look at Chicago’s engineering and architectural history.
Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center (Skokie, IL)
As the nation’s second-largest Holocaust museum, this site offers in-depth historical exhibits with powerful lessons about human dignity and the consequences of evil. *Content is best suited for high school students.
Great for: Challenge I and Challenge III
Homeschool-friendly: Carefully curated exhibits with profound lessons in history, ethics, and worldview.
Fort Sheridan (Lake County Forest Preserves)
This site combines natural beauty with history. Families can walk trails, see early 20th-century architecture, and visit bird habitats while reflecting on military heritage.
Great for: Families who love to combine hiking with history
Homeschool-friendly: Accessible trails with interpretive signs.
🎨 Arts & Creativity
Chicago Museum Homeschool Days and Fine Arts Exploration
This world-renowned art museum features everything from medieval armor to Impressionist masterpieces. Families can also enjoy the intricate Thorne Miniature Rooms, while older students connect directly with Western cultural heritage and artistic beauty.
Great for: All ages; Challenge II (Western Cultural History)
Homeschool-friendly: Free docent-led tours and online tools for planning self-guided visits.
Frank Lloyd Wright Home & Studio (Oak Park, IL)
Families can tour Wright’s famous home and studio, then walk through a neighborhood filled with his architectural designs, exploring the intersection of form, function, and beauty.
Great for: Essentials – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Pair your tour with a walk through Oak Park for a full architectural experience.
Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art (Oak Brook, IL)
This hidden gem is a favorite among homeschoolers, featuring stunning gems, minerals, and sculptures that showcase God’s artistry in creation.
Great for: Foundations & Essentials
Homeschool-friendly: Group tours and downloadable scavenger hunts available; excellent for geology connections.
Halim Time & Glass Museum (Evanston, IL)
Though lesser known, this museum showcases breathtaking stained glass and timepieces in a private, reservation-only setting that celebrates craftsmanship and beauty.
Great for: Essentials – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Call in advance; small groups often have the museum to themselves.
🌳 Off the Beaten Path & Outdoor Adventures
Free field trips in Chicago and Unique Outdoor Learning Experiences
This Chicago landmark offers lake views, the Centennial Ferris Wheel, tall ship cruises, mini golf, and the Chicago Children’s Museum—perfect for combining fun with learning.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: A full-day destination with diverse activities and stunning views of God’s creation along Lake Michigan.
Chicago Botanic Garden (Glencoe, IL)
Families can stroll through Japanese gardens, greenhouses, and model train displays while observing the intricate design of plant life. Seasonal events and concerts add to the experience.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Admission charged per vehicle, making it affordable for large families; excellent for nature study and sketching.
Kohl Children’s Museum (Glenview, IL)
Perfect for young learners, this museum includes hands-on exhibits like a kid-sized grocery store, vet clinic, and construction site that encourage imaginative play and practical learning.
Great for: Foundations and younger Essentials students
Homeschool-friendly: Surrounded by outdoor play areas and Habitat Park for extended learning.
Billy Graham Center Museum & Archaeology Museum (Wheaton, IL)
Located at Wheaton College, these museums highlight both biblical archaeology and the history of evangelism, perfect for Christian homeschool families.
Great for: Foundations through Challenge IV
Homeschool-friendly: A distinctly Christian stop with academic depth and biblical connections.
Cantigny Park (Wheaton, IL)
This sprawling estate offers gardens, walking paths, Revolutionary War reenactments, and the First Division Military Museum—combining natural beauty with historical significance.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Free field trips Chicago families can enjoy; plenty to explore outdoors with historical connections.
This free zoo in the heart of Chicago features farm exhibits, polar bears, and giraffes, as well as interactive programming that showcases the diversity of God’s creatures.
Great for: Foundations through Challenge II
Homeschool-friendly: Daily programs and Zoo Explorer sessions available for homeschool groups.
Brookfield Zoo (Brookfield, IL)
With dolphin shows and a renowned primate house, Brookfield Zoo offers a classic family outing with opportunities to observe animal behavior and conservation efforts.
Great for: Foundations through Challenge II
Homeschool-friendly: Downloadable activities available for K–8 students; group rates available.
One of Chicago’s most historic research libraries, the Newberry hosts rotating exhibits on topics like bird illustrations and rare maps that connect art, science, and history.
Great for: Challenge-level students
Homeschool-friendly: Exhibits are free and open to the public.
🎒 Fun for the Whole Family
Family-Friendly Chicago Homeschool Field Trips and Entertainment
Chicago Children’s Museum (at Navy Pier)
An imaginative world of hands-on learning with exhibits covering science, art, and culture. Perfect for encouraging exploration and discovery through interactive play.
Great for: Foundations
Homeschool-friendly: Designed specifically for children’s learning styles with engaging, educational exhibits.
Smart Museum of Art (University of Chicago)
Located on the university campus, this museum offers free family art-making programs where all materials are provided. These Family Days encourage creativity, conversation, and hands-on learning in a thoughtful, welcoming space.
Great for: Foundations – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Free admission and materials provided for art activities; perfect for small groups.
Professional Sports in Chicago
Cheer on the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Bears, Blackhawks, or Chicago Fire. These games offer community, excitement, and a chance to celebrate hometown pride as a family while enjoying wholesome entertainment together.
Great for: All ages
Homeschool-friendly: Many teams offer group rates and educational programs about teamwork and sportsmanship.
Six Flags Great America (Gurnee, IL)
About 45 minutes north of downtown Chicago, this theme park is packed with roller coasters, water rides (Hurricane Harbor), and themed areas. A perfect full-day outing for active learners and adventurous families.
Great for: Foundations – Challenge
Homeschool-friendly: Physics in action with roller coasters; group rates available for community outings.
Plan Your Chicago Homeschool Adventures
From towering dinosaurs to world-class art, historic neighborhoods to sprawling gardens, Chicagoland offers something for every homeschooling family. Many sites host Chicago museum homeschool days or special events designed for educators, and several provide free field trips Chicago families can enjoy.
Whether you’re looking for science, history, art, or outdoor adventure, these Chicago homeschool field trips make learning come alive while strengthening your family’s journey of classical education.
Written by:
