School Field Trips
Our school field trips give students the opportunity to step outside the classroom and explore Cape Cod's natural world through hands-on activities, live animals, interactive exhibits, and guided outdoor exploration. Designed to complement classroom learning, our programs and exhibits encourage students to ask questions, make observations, and discover the science happening all around them.
Plan Your School Field Trip
Create a field trip experience that fits your students, curriculum, schedule, and group size. Our team can help you determine which experiences are the best fit for your visit.
Reserve Your Field Trip
Contact the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History to schedule your visit and/or if you have any questions. You can contact us by email at schoolgroups@ccmnh.org or by calling us at 508-896-3867, ext.128.
Please mention any special program requests when making your reservation, as some experiences have capacity limits, additional fees, or presenter and scheduling requirements.
Field Trip Offerings
Whether your students are exploring a salt marsh, observing marine animals, or stepping inside a whale, there is something here to spark curiosity at every age.
Guided Field Walk on the John Wing Trail
Explore the natural habitats of Cape Cod with one of our knowledgeable naturalists. Students will discover local plants and animals while learning about habitats, ecosystems, and the ecological features of the John Wing Trail. This walk will take students to the tidal flats to explore and learn more about tidal flat flora and fauna.
A great way to connect science lessons to the outdoors, develop observation skills, and experience nature firsthand.
Please Note: Tide-dependent. Our team will help determine best days and times for your group to do the guided walk.
The Marshview Room
The Marshview Room celebrates the natural world right in our backyard, offering teachers and students beautiful views across the salt marsh toward Wing Island and Cape Cod Bay beyond. It’s an inviting space to observe, explore, and connect classroom learning with the environment.
Birdwatchers of all ages will enjoy spotting Baltimore Orioles, Goldfinches, Cardinals, and other feathered visitors at the feeders just outside the room. Our Osprey Cam, set up on a nest in the marsh, provides a real-time view of these majestic birds, giving visitors an up-close look at their annual return and the hatching of their offspring.
The Marshview Room provides a wonderful setting for teachers to inspire curiosity, encourage observation, and bring lessons about local wildlife, coastal habitats, and ecosystems to life.
Aquarium Exploration
Get an up-close look at the fascinating animals that live in Cape Cod's oceans, ponds, marshes, and coastal habitats.
The Museum's aquarium is home to 100+ species, including seahorses, horseshoe crabs, and Pinky, our albino snapping turtle. Students can also visit the Tide Pool for an up-close look at organisms found in tidal flats.
Students will observe live animals, compare species and habitats, and discover the amazing diversity of life in and around Cape Cod.
Science Rocks! Room
Let students explore, build, tinker, and discover!
The Science Rocks! room features dozens of hands-on activities that encourage students to experiment and see how science and engineering shapes the world around them.
Please note: This room accommodates a maximum of 25 people at a time and must be requested when making your reservation. Availability is subject to scheduling and overall group size.
Additional Exhibits
Our upstairs exhibits include Archaeology, Wampanoags, Biodiversity & Biomimicry, and an Observation Beehive.
Our downstairs exhibits include the Earth & Space Lab and Bird Alley.
Self-Guided I Spy Walk
Turn a short nature walk into an observation adventure!
Beginning in the garden and continuing along the salt marsh, the I Spy Walk encourages students to slow down, look closely, and use their observation skills to discover the natural world around them.
The walk takes 5–8 minutes, making it ideal for younger students—or as a flexible activity when you have a little extra time in your schedule.
Make Your Field Trip Even More Memorable
Additional experiences may be available depending on presenter availability and group size. Advance scheduling is required and must be arranged when your reservation is confirmed.
Butterfly House
Step into a world of color and discover live butterflies up close!
Please Note: The Butterfly House is open June 1 through Labor Day Sunday. Visits are limited to 7 students and 1 adult per 10-minute time slot, with an additional fee per slot.
Inflatable Gray Whale
Go inside a giant gray whale!
With the help of CCMNH volunteers, students will explore this fascinating animal from the inside out. They'll discover how a gray whale's body is adapted to its environment, learn about its behavior and daily life, and uncover what makes this species unique.
Inflatable Humpback Whale
Take a 20-minute journey inside one of the world's largest animals!
Students will step inside an inflatable humpback whale while learning about the species' remarkable size, adaptations, behavior, and way of life.
Why Bring Your Students to CCMNH?
Learning happens everywhere.
A field trip to the Cape Cod Museum of Natural History helps students:
- Connect classroom concepts with real-world examples
- Observe live animals and local ecosystems
- Develop scientific observation and inquiry skills
- Explore habitats found throughout Cape Cod
- Learn through hands-on experiences
- Ask questions and engage with knowledgeable naturalists and educators
- Build curiosity and appreciation for the natural world