Looking for fresh and engaging ways to take learning beyond the books? Rapid City offers a wide range of exciting field trip opportunities perfect for homeschool families. You can dive into science, explore local history or encourage active play. There’s no shortage of educational and fun homeschool field trip destinations that can bring lessons to life.
From interactive museums to adventure parks, these experiences offer hands-on learning that kids will love and remember. We’ve rounded up 10 of the best ideas for homeschool field trips in Rapid City to help spark curiosity and make learning a true adventure.
Keep reading to discover your next great educational outing!
1. Jump N Slide Adventure Park
Who says PE has to be boring? At Jump N Slide Adventure Park, homeschoolers bounce, climb, slide and dodge their way through an action-packed field trip that’s as educational as it is fun. This 11,000-square-foot indoor inflatable park is packed with obstacle courses, slides and challenging interactive games. It’s the perfect way to get groups of kids moving, thinking and working together.
The adventure park has toddler zones for the littlest learners and ninja walls and dodgeball arenas for the bigger kids. The best part? Homeschool families get 20% off admission on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. That’s the case even if the homeschool family has an infant child. Just mention you’re part of the homeschool community at check-in.
Foster families also receive a 15% discount anytime. Want to make this a regular thing? Save even more with a membership. The discounts apply there.
2. Reptile Gardens
Get your homeschool students up close with some of the world’s most fascinating reptiles at Reptile Gardens, which has one of the world’s largest collections of reptile species and subspecies. From giant tortoises to venomous snakes, this unique facility offers educational presentations and interactive exhibits that make learning about herpetology engaging and fun.
3. Dinosaur Park
Step back in time at Dinosaur Park, where life-sized dinosaur sculptures overlook Rapid City. This free attraction offers panoramic views and also provides a glimpse into the prehistoric creatures that once roamed the area. It’s a perfect spot for a science lesson and some outdoor fun.
4. The Journey Museum & Learning Center
Dive into 2.5 billion years of history at The Journey Museum & Learning Center. This immersive experience takes you from the geological formation of the Black Hills through prehistoric times, Native American heritage and pioneer days. Interactive exhibits and artifacts make history tangible, offering homeschoolers a comprehensive understanding of the region’s rich past.
5. South Dakota Air & Space Museum
Explore aviation history at the South Dakota Air & Space Museum. With over 30 vintage military aircraft and exhibits on aerospace technology, this museum run by the National Park Service offers insights into the evolution of flight and space exploration with a focus on nearby Ellsworth Air Force Base. This homeschool field trip will be inspiring for budding scientists and historians
6. The Outdoor Campus
Provided by the state Department of Game, Fish & Parks, The Outdoor Campus offers hands-on experiences in fishing, hunting and other outdoor skills. This free resource has educational classes year-round. It offers kids the chance to explore interactive exhibits featuring the diverse habitats and wildlife of western South Dakota, plus a stunning 4,600-gallon freshwater aquarium. Outside, over 1.5 miles of scenic nature trails invite exploration/
7. Bear Country USA
For an unforgettable wildlife adventure, take your homeschool group to Bear Country USA, a drive-through wildlife park just eight miles south of Rapid City. Spanning over 200 acres of lush forests and meadows, this park offers a unique opportunity to observe North American animals up close, all from the comfort and safety of your vehicle. As you embark on the three-mile drive, you may encounter animals such as black bears, elk, reindeer, mountain lions, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and bison roaming freely in their natural habitats.
8. Live It Up Studio’s Homeschool Revolution
Unleash creativity at Live It Up Studio’s Homeschool Revolution. Offering programs in art, music, dance, boxing, tumbling, foreign languages and circus arts, this studio provides a diverse curriculum that encourages self-expression and skill development in a fun, supportive environment.
9. Rapid City Homeschool Choir and Band
Created to serve the Black Hills Home School Community, the Rapid City Homeschool Choir and Band offers musical concerts that provide an excellent field trip opportunity for the more musically inclined students. It also offers excellent group instruction in choir, band and orchestra. For those who choose to participate, these ensembles foster teamwork, discipline, and a deep appreciation for music.
10. City of Presidents Walking Tour
Embark on a captivating journey through American history with the City of Presidents Walking Tour in downtown Rapid City. This self-guided tour features life-size bronze statues of former U.S. presidents placed on street corners. It’s an engaging way for students to learn about the nation’s leaders while exploring the city’s charming downtown area. From bouncing through obstacle courses to discovering facts about U.S. presidents, Rapid City is full of educational adventures waiting to be explored. Whether your homeschoolers are animal lovers, history buffs, budding scientists or just need to burn off some energy, these homeschool field trip destinations offer hands-on learning experiences that make lessons come alive.
