Fall 2019

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FALL 2019 HOMESCHOOL IOWA 7
Apple also offers teacher workshops and resources.
Iowa Public Television offers guided tours and hands-on stem
projects. Students can go behind the scenes to learn about the lat-
est broadcast technology or do group activities in the studio class-
room. IPTV also provides educational resources for Iowa teachers.
The Science Center of Iowa can host large groups of students for
hands-on science activities and classroom engagement. Displays
include air & space, motion, nature, and more. It’s a perfect place
to visit, both for your family or your homeschool co-op or group.
The National Balloon Museum in Indianola is staffed by knowl-
edgeable volunteers who are experienced in ballooning and have
flown hot-air balloons. The museum offers the history of balloon-
ing and has over two dozen baskets on display. Younger students
will have fun watching a film about a clown who flies in a hot air
balloon.
The Picket Fence Creamery inWoodward is a family-owned dairy
farm suppling local grocery stores with high-quality products. Kids
will love to hold the kittens and pet the calf while learning about
the milking process, pasteurization, and preparing of products dur-
ing the hour-long tour.
All Iowa students should have an opportunity to visit an Iowa farm.
For ways to connect with local farmers visit the Field Trip Iowa blog
where Jen gives you several suggestions on how to reach out to farm-
ers in your area:
OUTDOORS:
The Blank Park Zoo is an excellent smaller zoo, and is perfect for
younger children, but diverse enough for older students as well.
There are several hands-on programs and times when you can feed
animals.
ISU Insect Zoo brings creepy crawlers and an exciting hands-
on educational experience to classrooms and community centers
anywhere in Iowa. Students can also visit the one-room museum
on the 4th floor of Science II building on the ISU campus in Ames.
Also in Ames is the beautiful Rieman Gardens with a butterfly space
and lovely gardens to explore. Rieman Gardens offers Homeschool
Days throughout the year.
Sitting below Saylorville Dam is Cottonwood Recreational Area,
home to the best frog pond in central Iowa. Pack a picnic, bring
along some nets and your nature journal to enjoy a sunny after-
noon observing wildlife.
Polk County Master Gardeners created the Enabling Garden for
people of all abilities to enjoy and learn about gardening. There are
smooth paths, easy access to the flowers, and a musical children’s
garden. Their website has a calendar of events with learning pro-
grams and children’s art workshops.
The Polk County Conservation officers host a series of education-
al hikes, programs, and field trips in parks and community centers
around the metro. Be sure to visit the new nature center at Jester
Park near Granger and the elk and bison viewing area.
Just east of the metro, the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge is
huge with over 11,000 acres. Giving an expansive sense of prairie, a
long twisting paved road leads you through a fewmiles of tall grass
prairie to the visitor center. It’s easy to imagine Laura Ingalls riding
in a covered wagon across such a land. The Prairie Learning and
Visitor Center is well-designed for large groups of students, but still
small enough for families to enjoy.
In Boone county, there are opportunities for picnicking, hiking,
camping, swimming, boating, fishing, and more at the Ledges
State Park. In 1924, the Ledges officially became one of Iowa’s first
state parks. The Civilian Conservation Corps constructed facilities
at the park using native timbers and field stone. Many of those are
still standing today, including an arch stone bridge, trail steps, and
shelters.
Activities
The Renaissance Faire at Sleepy Hollow runs for three weekends
each September and features a different theme each week. Knight
fights, a Viking Camp, Royal Court, the fine arts, and more! A cluster
of tents give a peek into daily life in the 1500s. Try on a knight’s hel-
met, watch blacksmiths work, or learn about ropemaking.
The Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad and Museum allows you to
both explore the history of the railroad in the area and take a ride on
a train to experience rail travel! Dinner trains offer a unique elegant
dining experience. Trolley rides from the depot to downtown Boone
are available fromMay through October on the weekends too.
In Urbandale, you can experience the Living History Farms. Start-
ing with the Ioway Indian farm, moving on to the 1850’s farm and
ending with the 1900’s farm, there are multiple hands-on activities
to help you experience history in a real way.
If roller coasters, waterslides, and fun rides are things you enjoy,
then you must visit Adventureland in Altoona! You will find fun for
every member of the family.
Conclusion:
Thanks to Jen Ciha, who manages the Field Trip Iowa blog, for
her permission to use her “Science Field Trips in Des Moines” and
“Historical Field Trips in Des Moines”blog posts to build this article.
Photos in this article are from her blog. You can check out more of
her field trip and family fun ideas for the Des Moines area and be-
yond at Also, thanks to our Regional Reps
for their contributions of things to do in the area!