For a field trip that makes everyone want to strengthen their minds, visit the Strong National Museum of Play. With hands-on exhibits, interactive play zones, and the fascinating National Toy Hall of Fame, students can explore subjects like math, language arts, and science in a fun, memorable way. It will be a day out of the classroom that everyone will remember!
The Strong National Museum of Play offers various fun, educational programs for younger students (Pre-K to grade 5) that tie into subjects like math, science, and language arts. Kids can engage in activities like learning about money through the Berenstain Bears, exploring the life cycle of butterflies, or using their imaginations to act out fairy tales.
Museum educators lead these 45-minute lessons and are perfect for keeping kids engaged while they learn. With group sizes of 15 to 30 students, there’s plenty of opportunity for hands-on fun, and larger groups can be split into multiple sessions. It’s the kind of field trip that brings learning to life and lets students explore the museum in a way that fits with what they’re learning in the classroom.
The older students won’t miss out on any fun either! For students in grades 7 through 12, the museum offers custom programs that can be tailored to fit the needs of any class. For example, seventh graders have sketched plants in the Butterfly Garden as part of their botany studies. In contrast, eighth graders have explored the history of electronic games in their eGameRevolution exhibit. Eleventh graders have also examined historical artifacts in the America at Play exhibit to understand continuity and change. The museum also offers a “Learning Through Play” experience, where educators guide students through how play influences child development, followed by time to explore the museum’s interactive exhibits. For those looking for an even deeper experience, behind-the-scenes tours allow students to explore the museum’s vast collections and learn about exhibit creation and curation.
The Strong offers some amazing extra activities to make your field trip even more fun and memorable. First, you can explore the Dancing Wings Butterfly Garden, the only indoor butterfly garden in upstate New York, open year-round. It’s like walking into a tropical paradise with hundreds of colorful butterflies flying freely around you. You might even have one land on you! You can also check out the garden’s cool residents, like a chameleon that changes colors, and a toucan named Socrates. The Ralph Wilson Skyline Climb is perfect if you’re looking for adventure. This high ropes course, suspended above the museum, allows everyone to test their skills on balance beams, ropes, and even a zipline. And for video game fans, the World Video Game Hall of Fame is a must-see. It showcases some of the most iconic and influential games ever made, perfect for those gamers in the classroom. These activities add an exciting and interactive twist to your museum visit.
