Minnesota Children's Museum
10 W. 7th Street, St. Paul, MN 55102
mcm.org/tickets
The museum spans three floors of interactive, play-based exhibits designed to spark curiosity, creativity and learning in children. Our daughter loved the laser maze exhibit. Open Tues-Sun.

Discounts for Homeschool families.
mcm.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/FieldTripGuidePDF125.pdf

National Eagle Center
50 Pembroke Ave, Wabasha, MN 55981
www.nationaleaglecenter.org/visit/
Adults $14, Youth $10, 4 and under free. Hours 10-4 daily.
Getting up close to a bald eagle was very cool! There are interactive exhibits about eagle biology, ecology, culture, and history.

If you want to add some extra fun, head on over to Lark Toys after, 10 min drive.
www.larktoys.com/hours/

Caponi Art Park
1220 Diffley Road
Eagan, MN 55123
651-454-9412
www.caponiartpark.org/visit/

Free, Tues-Sun, May-Oct
An outdoor sculpture park, art, outdoor walking and observation.
Idea: Bring a drawing pad and try to create a sculpture or ask your children to pick two sculptures they like and explain why.

Bell Museum
2088 Larpenteur Avenue West
St Paul, MN 55113
www.bellmuseum.umn.edu/homeschool

They have “Homeschool Field Trips” & special Homeschool Days including museum + planetarium + hands-on activities.
Wed-Sun 10-4, $12-21/person, discount pricing on homeschool days.
The Bell Museum in St. Paul, Minnesota is a natural history and science museum featuring stunning wildlife dioramas, hands-on exhibits, and an immersive planetarium. It offers visitors a chance to explore Minnesota’s ecosystems, astronomy, and the wonders of nature through interactive learning experiences.

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum
3675 Arboretum Drive
Chaska, MN 55318
612-624-2200
arb.umn.edu/learn/hs-mst

They host “Homeschool Day” programs (for PreK through grade 6) where homeschool students come along with an adult educator and participate in a hands‑on themed experience.
ex: Maple Syrup Trail (Grades 1‑6) — special themed field trip for homeschoolers. Average cost $15/person
1,200-acre garden and nature center filled with walking trails, themed gardens, and hands-on educational programs. It’s a peaceful place to explore plants, trees, and wildlife while learning about ecology, conservation, and the natural world through interactive exhibits and seasonal events.

Base Camp
6202 Bloomington Road
Fort Snelling, MN 55111
basecamp@northernstar.org
www.explorebasecamp.org/
scoutingevent.com/250-2025HomeSchoolDays

PreK (parent stays) 9-12, $10/person, K-12th (drop off) 9-2, $20/person, climbing, archery, team building, ropes course.

Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Bloomington
www.fws.gov/refuge/minnesota-valley/visit-us

Free
Wetlands, forest trails, bird‑watching, accessible docks, nature play area.

Bring binoculars and a simple nature scavenger sheet.

SEA LIFE at Mall of America
(East side, Level 1)
120 East Broadway, Bloomington
www.visitsealife.com/minnesota/whats-inside/experiences/
On select weekdays (Monday–Friday) during special “Homeschool Month” or designated weeks, homeschool families can purchase discounted tickets — for example, $12 per child.

Discover the Trolls
Detroit Lakes
visitdetroitlakes.com/explore/discover-trolls-in-detroit-lakes/

There are six trolls in the Discover the Trolls installation in Detroit Lakes. Each one is uniquely designed, and they can be found at different locations around the city, making it a fun scavenger hunt for visitors. Go the week after Labor Day for less crowds but nice weather.
We had so much fun exploring the area and finding the trolls! We have even taken it and step further and found the Forest Giants in Kentucky on a road trip.

Bison at Minneopa State Park
www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/minneopa/bison.html
$7 vehicle permit.
Minneopa State Park in Minnesota is home to a conservation herd of American Plains Bison, living in a large prairie enclosure. Visitors can view them safely from their cars on the Bison Drive or from trails around the perimeter. The herd helps restore prairie ecosystems and represents a return of bison to the region. The herd is managed for size and genetic diversity, and sightings are best in the early morning or late afternoon.

We went to Minneopa Creek after, our daughter decided to get wet so bring a towel just in case! It's a small creek in Minneopa State Park, and it forms the park’s two-tiered Minneopa Falls.

Children's Theater Co
2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404
childrenstheatre.org/
childrenstheatre.org/education-and-engagement/for-educators/field-trips/homeschool-family-program/
CTC’s Homeschool Family Program provides student matinee tickets to students who are receiving their education through homeschooling or virtual education. Homeschool Program tickets are $10 each with no minimum ticket requirement. These tickets can only be purchased online and can only be purchased by families who are enrolled in the Homeschool Family Program.