Academic Field Trips
+ Resources
Here is a lengthy list of field trip and cultural enrichment resources organized by subject. Each title takes you directly to the relevant section.
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Arts + Drama​
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English​​
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Others​​
History + Social Studies Field Trips
Online Field Trips
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The National World War One Museum and Memorial: Kansas City Offers rotating exhibits about World War I as well as the Liberty Memorial. This is one of the best historical resources in the country about WWI, and the staff is incredibly welcoming of students and educators.
Kansas City Area Field Trips
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Arabia Steamboat Museum: Kansas City Offers an educational tour and exhibits about the sinking of the Steamboat Arabia, a cargo ship that carried goods to the west.
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Negro Leagues Baseball Museum: Kansas City Offers an educational tour about the Negro Leagues baseball teams, Negro Leagues legendary players, and the challenges they faced. This museum is also next to the American Jazz Museum, so it’s common for people to visit both.
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Truman Library and Museum: Independence Offers a newly renovated experience that looks at the life and legacy of President Harry S. Truman. There are inquiry-based tours that are designed for various age groups, including children and adults. There are a lot of interesting online resources as well, including primary resources from Truman’s order to drop atomic bombs to his orders to desegregate the military.
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Union Station: Kansas City Offers a restored historic train station that includes a special exhibit space, the Arvin Gottlieb Planetarium, Science City, live theater, and movie theater.
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Kansas City Museum: Kansas City Offers various historical exhibits about Kansas City history in a beautifully restored space.
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Strawberry Hill Museum and Cultural Center: Kansas City Offers tours and information about the Eastern European immigrants in Kansas City as well as tea room that is only open on the first weekend of the month.
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Wornell House: Kansas City Offers a self-guided tour of one of the few homes in Kansas City that dates back to the Civil War.
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Majors House: Kansas City Offers a self-guided tour of the Majors House, which had been owned by Alexander Majors who co-founded the Pony Express.
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Vaile Mansion: Independence Offers tours through the Vaile Mansion, with a special Victorian holiday exhibit in December.
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American Royal Museum and Visitors Center: Kansas City Offers tours and information about the agricultural history of Kansas City, including an online tour and educator resources.
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Shoal Creek Living History Museum: Kansas City Offers historic log cabins and homes dating from 1807-1885 that are arranged in a village setting. They also have special events with re-enactors who demonstrate how people lived.
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TWA Museum: Kansas City Offers tours and information about the impact TWA had on both aviation and Kansas City.
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Airline History Museum: Kansas City Offers tours of various airplanes.
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Mahaffie Stagecoach Shop and Farm Historic Site As the only working stagecoach stop left on the Santa Fe Trail, Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm offers unique experiences and opportunities that engage visitors of all ages in discovering 1860s farming, life on the Kansas frontier, and stagecoach travel. The site offers field trips, homeschool days, and family events throught the year.
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The Kansas City Museum is a history museum. Not only is this a beautiful piece of KC architecture, but it also has a cafe, shop, garment museum, school tours, virtual programming, and permanent collections. Mission: "The Kansas City Museum preserves, interprets, and celebrates Kansas City through collections, exhibitions, and bold programs that reflect the City’s evolution and spirit, and engage visitors in unfolding stories about Kansas City’s vibrant history, cultural heritage, and pride." Facebook virtual tour.
STEM Field Trips
Online Field Trips
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Exploring Geometry: Online Offers a virtual exploration of geometry in real world examples.
Kansas City Area Field Trips
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Science City: Kansas City Offers many exhibits and play areas that are designed to teach children basic science concepts. Located in Union Station.
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Museum at Prairiefire: Overland Park Offers rotating and permanent exhibits related to science as well as weekly inquiry-based programs for children.
Art + Drama Field Trips
Online Field Trips
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Coming Soon!
Kansas City Area Field Trips
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Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art: Kansas City Offers excellent tours for both children and adults around certain themes.
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Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art: Kansas City Offers educational tours for children and adults.
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Belger Arts Center: Kansas City Offers rotating art exhibits as well as studio and exhibit space for artists in residence.
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Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art: Overland Park (on the JCCC campus) Offers rotating art exhibits as well as youth art classes
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Thomas Hart Benton Home: Kansas City Offers an educational tour of the artist’s home and studio as well as some of his paintings.
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Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art: St. Joseph Offers rotating and permanent collections of art as well as summer camp.
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Puppetry Arts Institute: Independence Offers workshops, classes, and shows to children and adults
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Mesner Puppet Theater: Offers shows, puppet-making kits, and puppets for professional events.
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American Jazz Museum: Kansas City Offers exhibits about Kansas City Jazz, including a performance area. This museum is also next to the Negro Leagues National Museum, so it’s common for people to visit both. This museum is also in the historic neighborhood at 18th and Vine, which was a popular middle class neighborhood for Black families during segregation.
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The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures: Kansas City Offers exhibits around the history of toys and miniatures. Suggested age for visiting is 5+.
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Leila’s Hair Museum: Independence Offers an exhibit of antique hair art.
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C.W. Parker Carousel Museum: Leavenworth Offers a fully restored and operational carousel from 1913.
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The Historic Garment District Museum: Kansas City Offers rotating exhibits of garments and accessories that are important to Kansas City.
English Field Trips
Online Field Trips
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American Writers Museum: Chicago and virtual Offers in-person and virtual field trips around themes and writers. They also include various online resources to help educators.
Kansas City Area Field Trips
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Linda Hall Library: Kansas City Offers special collections of rare and unique books, particularly ones with a scientific interest. Although the books have STEM-related content, this field trip idea would be excellent for people who love old and rare books.
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Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home and Museum: Mansfield, Missouri Although this site is not directly in the Kansas City area, it is within a relatively easy driving distance for people who are already visiting parts of southern Missouri. It offers visitors a look into the life and home of Laura Ingalls Wilder.
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Little House on the Prairie Museum: Independence, KS Although this site isn’t directly in the Kansas City area, it is within a relatively short driving distance and offers a view of where Laura Ingalls Wilder’s family lived on the Kansas prairie.
Other Field Trips
Online Field Trips
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Coming Soon!
Kansas City Area Field Trips
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College Basketball Experience: Kansas City Offers a wide variety of active learning experiences that focus on college basketball, including a Hall of Fame, various games, and other entertaining options.