Enrich your classroom curriculum with a self-guided field trip to the Nature Museum to experience hands-on, interactive exhibitions. Our unique mix of living and non-living collections engages students of all ages.

All Illinois schools are eligible for a free field trip so register online or fax or mail in this printable form today! Chicago Park District groups are also eligible for free field trips in the summer. Discounted rates are available for day care, home school groups, after school programs, preschools, church groups and more.

Field Trip Workshops

Enhance your field trip with our popular, hands-on field trip workshops facilitated by expert Museum educators. Outdoor workshops are available from May 1st - Oct. 31st.

Adopt-a-Butterfly

For only $10, your class can adopt a butterfly that has just emerged from its chrysalis and release it into our Butterfly Haven. Each class will also receive a certificate commemorating the release. Indicate if your class would like to adopt a butterfly on your field trip registration form. Limit one per class.

Visit our FAQs. You can also call (773) 755-5122, or email fieldtrip@naturemuseum.org

Field Trip Information

Confirmation Sheets

After you've submitted a registration form, we'll process your request. This can take up to two weeks, so please be patient. Once we've booked your trip, we'll send you an email confirming your trip. Your trip is not confirmed until you've received this email. Please check the attached Confirmation Sheet for the details of your visit. The Confirmation Sheet will include the date of your visit, the time of your arrival, the number of students registered, and, if applicable, information regarding your workshop, including cost. If any of this information is incorrect, or if you need to make changes, please contact the registration office immediately. Please print your Confirmation Sheet and bring it with you on the day of your visit.

Field Trip Guide

Use our Field Trip Guide to familiarize yourself with the exhibitions you'll visit on your field trip. The Educator Guide also includes suggested themes that tie many of the Museum's exhibitions together.

Itineraries

In order to ensure that our visitors have the opportunity to explore the Museum fully, we will provide one itinerary to the leader of each lettered group listed on your confirmation sheet on the day of your visit. These itineraries provide an outline for your trip and also include specific times for lunches and workshops. Itineraries will be distributed after your group leader has checked in at the front desk.

Lunches

If lunch space has been reserved for your group, this will be indicated on your Confirmation Sheet. If you need to add a lunch reservation, please contact us immediately. Lunch times are assigned based on programming and availability. When you arrive at the Museum, you will be assigned a lunch time. Please do not call ahead for lunch times.

We will collect lunches when groups arrive and bring them to the lunch room at your assigned lunch time. We ask that you bring lunches in small, reusable lunch bags, or in recyclable brown paper bags. If you wish to bring your own lunch bins or coolers, please make sure they are labeled by school and class, and that they are separated as indicated by the lettered groups on your Confirmation Sheet.

Chaperones

We allow a specific number of adults to chaperone schools groups at no cost. However, additional adults will be required to pay a discounted group rate of $7. If your group will have extra adults, please call (773) 755-5179 before your trip so that we can attempt to arrange additional lunch space.