Scenery from the Habitats online Adventure, available through free PLAY.
Your group does not need a school building to take a science field trip. Homeschool groups, scouts, camps and youth organizations can start with 36 free online Excavating Adventures Science Field Trips. Individual families can PLAY too, without buying a kit or joining a campaign.
For an organized group that wants a physical experience, qualifying organizations can ask about a campaign to earn student Dig Kits or an available Science Field Trip. Organization participation is reviewed; an individual household is not automatically a qualifying organization.
PLAY A FREE SCIENCE FIELD TRIP WITH YOUR GROUP
Choose a shared question before a destination
A homeschool co-op may bring several ages together. A scout meeting may have a short activity block. A camp may need a theme children can return to during the week. Start by choosing a question that gives the group something to investigate together.
Try Habitats for a living-world theme, Rocks & Minerals for a discovery theme, or Space for a wider expedition. Preview the reading, controls and science content for the children in your group.
The 36-subject directory includes Earth, Life and Physical Science. Choose by the question you want children to explore, rather than trying to fit every interest into one session.
A mixed-age co-op plan
Use this as an adaptable planning example, not a fixed EA program schedule.
Gather around one question. Introduce the subject and let each child offer an idea. Younger children may point or draw; older children can explain a prediction.
Explore a selected part together. An adult can guide a shared screen while children discuss the next choice. With paired devices, assign a turn for navigation and a turn for explaining the evidence, then switch.
Offer different ways to respond. A younger child might identify a visible feature. Another might compare two examples or explain a relationship. Keep everyone connected to the same science question without requiring identical written work.
Close with a discovery and a next question. Ask each child what they noticed, then choose what the group wants to explore next time. The goal is a useful conversation about science, not a race to finish the most screens.
Our virtual field trip guide offers a longer example session and device-preview checklist. Group leaders can also use the teacher planning guide.
Connect PLAY to a group outing
An online Adventure can prepare children for a nature-center visit, museum trip or other independently arranged outing. A group studying plants might explore Plants first, then decide what features to look for at its destination. Ask the destination directly about its group arrangements and current availability.
Do not assume a program meets a scout badge requirement, homeschool requirement or curriculum standard merely because it covers a related topic. The leader should review the relevant requirements and the actual experience.
For several formats to compare, see our elementary science field trip ideas. Keep the online learning, optional physical dig and any outside destination's arrangements distinct in your group plan.
Earn hands-on discovery for a qualifying group
A co-op, scout group, camp, youth club, religious youth group or other qualifying organization serving children can introduce itself through EA's free campaign signup. A parent may make the first introduction even if someone else leads the group.
For student Dig Kits, every $10 in qualifying campaign purchases earns one free student Dig Kit. EA builds the campaign page, supplies sharing materials, tracks progress, processes orders and ships purchases directly to purchasers. Your group shares the campaign and coordinates the student experience with EA.
Use the classroom and group kit guide to understand the earning mechanism. Earned student kits and standard retail Adventure Kits are different; confirm contents and fulfillment for the selected experience. Do not promise an automatic personal kit for each family that signs up.
Ask about physical experiences without assuming availability
In-school visits are currently planned around Cary, North Carolina. Other organizations can describe their location and desired experience so EA can check the options. Mobile experiences, Outposts and Base Camp are part of the growing vision, with availability confirmed individually.
An available physical field trip uses an agreed community goal. The $10 student-kit formula does not automatically apply to it. The Choose It, Share It, Unlock It explanation is useful to share with your group committee.
Questions from group leaders
Can one homeschool family PLAY?
Yes. Free online access is open to families. You do not need organization approval or a campaign to begin. Verification applies to organization campaign participation.
Do we need a device for every child?
A shared-screen expedition is one planning option. Preview the selected Adventure, check visibility and build in discussion so children participate even when an adult controls navigation.
Can we start online while deciding about kits?
Yes. PLAY is independent of purchases and campaign progress. Choose your group's first free Science Field Trip now, then introduce your organization if a hands-on goal fits.