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Homeschool Field Trips Around Indianapolis

Homeschool Field Trips Around Indianapolis- One of the greatest things about Indianapolis are all the great museums and parks. This makes for a really fun place to do field trips as a homeschooling parent! I’ve been researching where we should go in coordination with our curriculum this year and found an overwhelmingly large amount of cool places. There’s literally a place for any subject you’re learning about. I broke it up by indoor and outdoor locations in case you’re doing a spur of the moment trip but this is only a small percentage of all that Indianapolis has to offer.

Summer School for your Preschooler Letter Activities

The beginning of our year will start out pretty slow because of my lack of sleep with a newborn. Having a baby late in July means we’ll be starting the year off slow which is why I’m researching like crazy awesome places to visit once we’re mobile and able to explore! I’ve been to all of these locations but have never visited through the eyes of a teacher. The numerous amount of hands-on information we will learn is exciting!

15 Homeschool Field Trips Around Indianapolis

Below I’ve given suggestions of locations but there are multiple locations within each category you could explore. The website will link to the educators page of each location.

Get Outdoors

Farms-Fair Oaks Farm- Lots to do and see on this dairy farm. You can learn about animals and their birth and what they do on the farm. Check the website for elementary, middle school and high school quizzes that go along with what you’ll be learning. You can pack a lunch but there is also a large variety of food options in the cafe. Try the grilled cheese and buy a chocolate milk to go, you won’t regret it!

Orchards- Tuttle Orchard- take a tour of the orchard (apox 2 hours) and learn about the history, economics and how weather affects apples! Home School Day is October 10, 2018. Sign up online starting August 1st.

Zoos- Indianapolis Zoo- Zoos are the perfect place for specific animal studies but our zoo is so vast, there are so many great opportunities! You could learn about conservation of the animals (specifically in the dolphin show) or have chats with various animals (sea lions, macaws, lions, cheetahs to name a few). Moderate temperatures are best for visits as the animals are more playful. My favorite time to visit is when it’s raining because there are no crowds, you can observe as long as you want and if you bring a big striped umbrella or wear a yellow rain coat the animals get more playful!

Taking your kids to an art museum is easy. 5 tips to make it fun!

Conner Prairie- Conner Prairie is our very favorite Indy spot to explore. Take on a role in Prairietown by using our Adventure Guide and Achievement Cards, link history with hands-on science in our Create.Connect gallery, and experience Indiana’s brush with the Civil War at 1863 Civil War Journey. Also be sure to explore the Conner House, and take a journey out to our newest exhibit, Treetop Outpost. August 28 and September 12, 2018
$5.50 per student, $8.50 per chaperone, free for primary educator.

Eagle Creek Park- explore, hike, picnic, and learn! Visit both nature centers and explore the park grounds for educational experiences on your own, or sign up your group of students for one of our environmental education program offerings. The Fall 2018 programs will be held Friday November 2nd and Friday April 5th.
Fort Harrison Park (and other State Parks)- Again, great location for nature lessons with lots of shade. Be sure to check out each park’s website for a list of fun classes/activities to go along with your visit and the link that shares coloring pages and rainy day activities.
Spring Mill State Park- take a trip back in time to the 1800s while exploring history and nature in this one location!

Indoor Locations

Indiana State Museum- The ISM has a great program lined up for 2018. Check out their K-12 School Guide on page 19 to learn more about each program offered. Be sure to check the age range before signing up. Be sure to pack a lunch for this location as their cafe is on the pricier side.

The Children’s Museum- I’m not sure what you wouldn’t be able to do a lesson on at TCM. My daughter attended their preschool program last year and she learned about such a wide range of topics. Check their site for their various programs as well as pricing for each class. They also offer day camps during break.

New Exhibit at Children's Museum- American Pop and Dance

Libraries- Indianapolis Public Library (6-12), Hamilton East Public Library- We’ve got libraries in every town so just choose one closest to you and check out their program offerings. Up on the north side, Noblesville and Fishers have locations very dedicated to their children’s programs. They’re constantly adding more classes/programs for all ages and are very interested in what we want to learn about. Oh it’s also a great place for books! at the HSE locations there are cubbies for learning as well as rooms with desks and outlets that you can grab on a first come first serve basis.

Museum of Miniature Houses- this darling museum’s permanent collection comes from the more modern miniature world and includes children’s doll houses that are not to scale (and have been well-loved), as well as small scale reproductions of items (many are quite exquisite) that become the contents of dollhouses, room boxes, vignettes, or any setting that the ingenious miniaturist chooses to create, often with painstaking attention to detail. They also offer workshops on how to build your own small scale items (check the age limit).

Arts Council of Indianapolis- The Arts Council is a great place to look for lessons on all arts. Music, art classes, culture and more are all around the city all throughout the year.

Eitlejorg- The Eitlejorg is primarily a Native American museum but there are also several rotating exhibits featuring other topics. Jingle Rails is a fun exhibit in the winter showcasing a large model train scene that is very intricate. The website does not mention discounts for home schooling but the discount is $5 per person—students and accompanying adults. Children 4 and under are free. Again, bring your lunch to this field trip because there aren’t many places close by for food and their cafe is pricey.

Indy 500 Hall of Fame Museum (The track offers “School Days” two weeks before the Indy 500. Students and chaperones get into the track FREE; receive a FREE parking pass; and FREE access to the Hall of Fame Museum. Lunches can be purchased or you can bring your own lunch into the track. Up close and personal views of the drivers, pit lane, and more. Watch your favorite drivers practice for the upcoming race. Awesome experience and great field trip fun!)

Taking your kids to an art museum is easy. 5 tips to make it fun!

Newfields (Indianapolis Museum of Art)- their are hands on art classes, guided tours and self tours available at Newfields. Tours must be scheduled three weeks prior to your visit. This is a great way to introduce your children to a ‘grown up’ space where we have to learn to be more quiet. Bring a sack lunch!

If you’re in the Indy area or coming to Indy for a trip to one of these fantastic places, I’d love to show you around and do a lesson with you this year. Just contact me at shelly@diymamablog.com.

Prairie Town at Conner Prairie

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Summer Homeschool for your Preschooler

Summer Homeschool for your Preschooler- This year we’ve decided to homeschool Sophia for her last year before Kindergarten. This was a surprise to me because we started her in Montessori at 20 months and always thought it important for her to be in a school based program during the school years leading up to public school.

Summer School for your Preschooler Letter Activities

For our family, with having the baby in under a month, we decided the best option for the cost as well as our happiness would be for me to teach Sophia. I never saw myself in an educator’s roll. My husband had wanted me to homeschool her through elementary and I remember laughing at him. I wanted to be her Mom, not her teacher. Also, I was never very patient with learning tough subjects and envisioned myself getting impatient with her frustration. Thankfully I’m confident I can handle the Pre-K level with patience and fun!

Last year we worked on her letters. She was 3 then and knew her letters but was not familiar with the phonics of each or how to write them all. We worked on one letter per day. Our first activity of the day was always discussing the day of the week and what the weather looked like. From there we spent around an hour on a worksheet, coloring a letter banner and making a letter craft. She loved it. She asked to do the letters on the weekends. We worked on pointing out foods, places and objects that started with our letter throughout the day. She would get excited when she would figure one out on her own (I was equally excited).

Summer School for your Preschooler Letter Activities

Summer School for your Preschooler Letter Activities

Summer Homeschool for Your Preschooler

After attending the Children’s Museum for a year of Pre-K she now knows all of her letters and is beginning her interest in (very beginning) reading and numbers. I did not want to overload her with schooling over the summer but wanted to keep her interested in learning. I started by purchasing the Moffatt Girls Summer No Prep Packet to have a base for the in between days. We just work on one worksheet a day on days that I don’t have something planned. Thankfully, Sophia has been requesting subjects to learn and I’ve easily been able to find resources and activities on Pinterest related to those subjects. For example, the first week we worked on the life cycle of a plant because our garden had started to grow and she’s been very interested in helping me water the flowers. She also helps me fill the bird feeder and had said she wanted to learn more about birds so I found these worksheets, we found lots of bird books at the library and made a craft. Fridays are always our craft day and the other days we have school at home.

There isn’t a ton of time left before the baby is born so I’ve only been focusing on a ton of reading and a worksheet unless she asks to learn about a specific subject. Giving her as much of my time before the baby comes is most important right now. We’ve also been doing some tracing and some pretend play with Let’s Play School’s materials. She has a great pretend play bundle you can buy and incorporate in as much education as you’d like.

Let me know what you do over the summers to keep your kids interested in learning. I’d love to know what tips you have for a smooth back to school as well!

I am not affiliated with any of the links above. I genuinely love them and encourage you to check them out. 

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12 Best Day Trips Around Indiana

Day Trips Around Indiana- Summer time in Indiana for our family means lots of road trips. Being in the middle of the country means we can get to lots of really cool places in just a few hours drive! No need for a hotel stay when you can visit somewhere close. These 12 spots are perfect for a day trip with your family this summer. We’ve only visited the Indiana State Museum but my sister and her family explored New Harmony last summer and fell in love! It’s at the top of our list for next summer with the new baby!

BONUS: The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites has 12 locations statewide, offering a variety of day trip options for every interest, from nature and art to history and architecture. For families in need of inspiration to explore the state this summer, check out these 12 options that will get you out of the city and into a new experience – plus, one that’s right here in Indianapolis.

new-harmony-indiana-state-museum-historic-site-diy-mama-blogPhoto Credit: Indiana State Museum

Angel Mounds State Historic Site, Evansville  – 165 miles (3 hours) from downtown Indy

Note: Angel Mounds is in the Central time zone. 

At this location, visitors become immersed in 1,000-year-old Native American culture at this incredible site featuring earthen mounds built by a Mississippian society. Updated experiences inside the Visitor Center provide an interactive walkthrough of the history of the site and other cultures that lived in the area over time with casts of real Native American artifacts that visitors can touch. Never-before-seen artifacts found at the location are also on display for the first time.

Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, Corydon – 132 (2 hours) from downtown Indy

At Corydon, visitors learn all about Indiana’s first state capital – and can still tour the state’s first capitol building, built from limestone and logs from 1814 to 1816. Exploring the governor’s mansion gives visitors a taste of what life was like in the 1820s, both for a family as well as for political leaders of the time. Plus, fun events like a Murder Mystery Dinner in August or the Capitol Ball in September provide an opportunity to enjoy an evening out.

Culbertson Mansion State Historic Site, New Albany – 116 miles (less than 2 hours) from downtown Indy

Featuring fantastic architecture and gorgeous walls and ceilings, this picture-perfect mansion is ideal for those who love art, architecture or incredible stories about real people who have impacted their communities. William Culbertson was extremely wealthy – with the house to prove it – but also gave back to the local community in New Albany, funding the construction of a widows’ home, founding an orphans’ home, and serving in civic affairs. In fact, his endowment still funds local programs today, continuing his culture of benevolence long after his death.

Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site, Rome City – 156 miles (2 hours 30 minutes) from downtown Indy

This location offers a stunning natural setting with views of Sylvan Lake, the vibrant Wildflower Woods and special gardens started by Hoosier author Gene Stratton-Porter herself. Visitors can tour her cabin and learn about how she used nature as her laboratory while studying and writing about birds, plants and more. A woman ahead of her time, this site tells the story of Gene’s career, independence and innovation at a time when women were expected to fulfill only certain roles.

Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis – Less than one mile (just a 5 minute drive) from Monument Circle in Indy

This summer, families can spend a day exploring right in their own backyards in Indianapolis. The Indiana State Museum is located in beautiful White River State Park, and it offers two floors of permanent experiences and one floor of changing experiences, where visitors can immerse themselves in Indiana art, culture, history, science and more. Kids will enjoy the hands-on science in the newly renovated R. B. Annis Naturalist’s Lab before winding their way through a chilled ice tunnel and marveling at real mastodon bones in one of the newest experiences, “Frozen Reign: A State of Change.” Visitors can get up-close with original Hoosier art in the temporary experience “Lois Main Templeton: A Reinvented Life,” open through Aug. 5, or enjoy a beautiful walk along the outside of the building to see unique art representing all 92 Indiana counties.

Lanier Mansion State Historic Site, Madison – 102 miles (less than 2 hours) from downtown Indy

Lanier Mansion is one of the best examples of Greek Revival architecture in the Midwest, and it’s known as the “crown jewel” of Madison. The mansion is settled along the Ohio River. It features ornate gardens outside the home, as well as a spectacular spiral staircase inside the front entrance, which winds its way up to windows that let in natural light all the way from the top floor. Visitors – children especially – will also enjoy the top floor, which has extremely low ceilings, as it was intended only for children’s bedrooms and servant corridors. In fact, the handprint of one of the Lanier children can still be seen in the paint in one of the bedrooms.

Levi and Catharine Coffin State Historic Site, Fountain City – 76 miles (1 hour 15 minutes) from downtown Indy

For those looking for a visit that will make an impact, this location is perfect. Here, visitors tour the home known as the “Grand Central Station” of the Underground Railroad, and they can even explore the hidden chambers where freedom seekers may have hidden during raids. During their time in the home, the Coffins helped hundreds of freedom seekers make it to freedom. The story of the Coffins is one of standing up for what’s right even in a time when it was not popular, and visitors will leave with a heightened awareness of this significant time in the nation’s history.

Limberlost State Historic Site, Geneva – 104 miles (less than 2 hours) from downtown Indy

This location is another one where the outdoors is at the forefront. This location served as Gene Stratton-Porter’s home before she moved to Rome City – the site of Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site. At Limberlost, visitors can explore the Loblolly Marsh, as well as step inside the actual cabin where Gene lived. Nature programs throughout the summer also offer visitors a chance to enjoy guided tours of the land surrounding the site with an on-staff naturalist.

New Harmony State Historic Site, New Harmony – 181 miles (3 hours) from downtown Indy

Note: New Harmony is in the Central time zone. 

This unique town will take visitors back in time because around every corner there seems to be another historic building. At this site, visitors will learn about two early-American utopian societies that became a haven for scientists like Thomas Say – the man who discovered Say’s Firefly, which became Indiana’s official state insect earlier this year. Guided tours of the historic buildings will give sightseers a glimpse of what it was like to live in these societies, which in many ways were ahead of their time.

T.C. Steele State Historic Site, Nashville – 70 miles (1 hour 15 minutes) from downtown Indy

Beautiful artwork and gardens are the focal points for this location. Here, visitors can explore artist T.C. Steele’s Brown County home and stroll through the gardens that gave him so much inspiration for his work. Relax by lily ponds teeming with fish and frogs, or take a walk through the new historic garden, featuring plants that the Steeles would have grown while living there. Plus, you can see original T.C. Steele paintings up close in his large studio and throughout his home, known as “The House of the Singing Winds.” Later this September, visitors will have access to a new Visitor Center that will enhance the visitor experience and allow for additional programming, indoor facility rentals and catering, and new restrooms.

Vincennes State Historic Sites, Vincennes – 127 miles (2 hours 10 minutes) from downtown Indy

Vincennes State Historic Sites explores Indiana’s history as a territory. It’s the home of Fort Knox II, the 1809 French House, Jefferson Academy and other historic buildings. Visitors can walk the same ground where Tecumseh and Benjamin Harrison once trod and learn what it was like to live on Indiana’s frontier. Tours are offered of Elihu Stout Print Shop – the location where Indiana’s first newspaper, the “Indiana Gazette,” was printed – and visitors can explore Sugar Loaf Mound, a natural feature that Late Woodland Indians used as a burial mound around 900 A.D.

Whitewater Canal State Historic Site, Metamora – 68 miles (1 hour 20 minutes) from downtown Indy

Everyone knows the downtown Indy canal, but in the 1840s, canals were the preferred mode of transportation. Draft animals pulled long, narrow boats by a rope next to the hand-dug canal. Today, visitors can experience what it was like by riding on the Ben Franklin III – a real working canal boat that offers rides throughout the summer season. At the site, visitors can also find the Metamora Grist Mill, which visitors can explore, for free. Small shops around the site make Metamora a perfect destination for the whole family to spend the day.

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Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

Summer schedule for your preschooler- This summer I wanted to try something different with my 4 year old Sophia. Because there will be a lot of change in our schedule with not going to school and the new baby being born in July, I wanted to have a weekly calendar we could loosely follow so she understands what to expect. During the school year she did well with knowing which days we were going to the YMCA (my work) vs. which days she had school so I had a simple calendar up on the fridge that she could check each morning. I do believe summers are for more freedom and play but I know that our daughter does very well with routine. She feels more confident when she knows what to expect throughout the week without having to ask us.

Summer Schedule for Your Preschooler

summer schedule for your preschooler easily made in Google sheets

For this weekly calendar I wanted to use it to work on her learning the order of the days of the week as well as be able to follow a chart with data. It printed on two pages so I cut it and taped it together to make one larger sheet. It was simple to make on Google Sheets and I am not posting this for download because these images are not mine to sell. I wanted to be able to give an example of how you can make your own to fit your family’s needs.

When I introduced this schedule to Sophia I let her know that nothing, other than the YMCA times, are set in stone. I let her know that the breakfast, snacks and activities are suggestions that we can change based on what she’s hungry for or what she wants to do. Of course she got excited to see the smoothie as a breakfast option and said she wanted to have that every morning for breakfast.

No TV During the Week

We are continuing with our ‘no TV’ rule during the week even though it’s summer because she is so creative and imaginative without the crutch of the TV. We have Friday Family Movie Night each week and we often will let her watch cartoons in the morning on Saturday and one more show or movie on Sunday while we work on a project. I did add computer time on this schedule because we bought the ABC Mouse learning game and want her to become familiar with using a mouse and figuring out computer games on her own. Once the school year begins we will add a few more advanced games to help with coding. You’ll notice that I made sure her chores were on the same day as the computer time and she is not allowed to get on the computer until she finishes them.

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Chores for Your Preschooler

We only have three chores listed on her summer schedule because the other ‘chores’ are expected. Folding and putting away her clean laundry, emptying all the trash bins and cleaning up all toys/books/crafts are the three chores she’s responsible for. She will not get allowance for these chores but will get to do fun activities if she completes them. TIP: schedule your children’s chores around your chores. We do all laundry on Sunday/Monday which is why I have it set for her to put all of her clothes away on Tuesday. I have her picking up all toys/books/crafts on Friday because that is the day I vacuum and need all floors picked up.

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Preschool Montessori Bedroom

This preschool Montessori bedroom was partially compensated by PhotoWall, a Swedish company excelling in wall coverings. All opinions are my own.

We were so worried about moving to a new home because of the toll transitions take on kids. Our daughter was two and could hardly care less that we were in a new home. We still made it our priority to have her room fully painted and decorated before working on any room in our home. Fast forward two years and by turning four she’s now acting like a fourteen year old. I was planning on updating her room when we became pregnant with our second child making it a process we could go through together to welcome her new sibling into her room. When PhotoWall contacted me I thought it would be a simple addition of one accent wall. A week later she had a completely new room by re-painting, flipping her bed over into a bunk bed and switching out the art.

The total spent on her renovation was $0 because we used everything we had on hand aside from the wall mural and supplies sent by Photo Wall. We used white paint that we’d used in another room in our home and spray paint to paint a dark wood frame and black mirror to match the design better. We’d previously had all furniture, bedding and art that was used in the renovation of her preschool bedroom.

Our little girl has lots of opinions. I know to not buy clothes without her approval because she won’t wear them. I knew she needed to be a part of her bedroom design so she would feel comfortable and happy in her space. Photo Wall has hundreds of wall coverings to choose from. I selected five of my favorites and had her choose from those five. She was also in charge of choosing which new art came in and which old art stayed. Pinterest makes art so easy! She specifically wanted a unicorn added to her gallery wall so I got on Pinterest and had it framed within three minutes of her request. She also helped with the wall mural. We cut each panel out and lined them up according to their number. This made it so easy to find which panel came next.

There are two things I especially love about PhotoWall. The premium wall paper is super thick and has the most luxurious feel. The second reason I agreed to work with PhotoWall is for their green initiative. They work with an organization called Vi Agroforestry and every year they plant 5,000 trees in the area around Lake Victoria, eastern Africa. The trees help to fight poverty, improve the environment and combat climate change. All production is to order, which means they only produce the quantity of products required, none are held in stock or discarded unnecessarily. The printing ink they use for their wallpapers contains no solvents or hazardous chemicals, and is biodegradable.

Here is a quick before of our daughter’s room. It started out simple with clean lines and uncluttered but as time went by she continued to add her special touches to the room. I wanted to keep this in mind as we upgraded her bedroom. I wanted her to feel like it was her room but scale back to a more peaceful uncluttered space.

Her room feels much more intentional and curated to fit her specific tastes and needs. She now has a spot for everything as well as a playful kid feel. She adores her wall mural and exclaimed ‘Someone drew and colored these flowers!’ I love that she is excited about her new space and has been spending more time playing in there after school. My hope is that this room will continue to grow and evolve with every stage of her childhood.

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