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Plan Your Field Trip

Looking for a learning experience that is hands-on, inspires curiosity and is irresistibly fun? Time for a field trip to the Building for Kids! We have specially designed exhibits, classes and events that empower children and energize communities. Discover how a trip to the BFK can enhance your curriculum.

Field trip admission – $5 per child (minimum of 15 students)

Includes access to all exhibits and activities. Field trips are for groups of 15 or more, and for children who attend public and private schools, childcare agencies, licensed daycares, or are affiliated with established civic or home-school organizations. Memberships and discounts are not applicable to field trip admission.

Discovery Class – $3 per student (minimum of 15 students per class)

Add a Discovery Class to your visit. Classes are 30-minutes or 45- minutes, and encourage learning through the use of demonstrations, group interaction and hands-on activities. Check out our list of classes to find one that fits with your curriculum! They align with the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction curriculum standards and the Next Generation of Science Standards.

Classes are scheduled Tuesday through Friday at 9:30 am, 10:30 am or 1:00 pm. Please arrive at least 20 minutes before your class time. Groups of more than 24 students will be divided to provide a better learning experience (with the exception of Magnificent Matter).

Check out our Discovery Class line-up!

Lunch break reservation (25 minutes at 11:30 am or 12:00 pm)

Free with field trip reservation. Space is limited and requests will be considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. Maximum of 150 people per time slot.

Groups that schedule to arrive after 12:30 pm will receive $1 off admission per child.

Ready to book? You can get started online with our reservation form.

Already visited? Let us know about your experience!

Thank you to our field trip grant sponsor!

Schneider_Four Color Process Register

Have questions? Check out our FAQ or send us an email!

How long are the field trips?

Though the BFK is full of fun and exciting adventures, we limit field trips to 3-hour visits to keep the students engaged. If you have added a Discovery Class to your trip, the field trip can be up to 4 hours. 

How many kids are needed to book a field trip?

Field trips are for groups of 15 or more, and for children who attend public or private schools, childcare agencies, licensed daycares, or are affiliated with established civic or home-school organizations. Homeschoolers – check out our new Homeschool Exploration Days!

How far in advance should I book a field trip?

Try to schedule your trip are least six weeks in advance. The spring is our busiest time for field trips so schedule as far in advance as possible. 

How many chaperones should we bring?

One adult chaperone, 18 or older, is required for every four children. Chaperones within this ratio receive complimentary admission (teachers count as chaperones). Chaperones above the 1:4 ratio receive the discounted admission of $4 per person.  

To ensure the safety of all our visitors, there is an $8 charge for each chaperone less than the required ratio.  

How do I make a reservation?

You can fill out our reservation form right on the website and we will contact you to confirm your reservation. You can also call 920-734-3226 x 10. 

Do teachers count as chaperones?

Yes, teachers will be added to the chaperone count. 

Are there grant funds available?

We often have generous supporters of our field trip and Discovery Classes. Most often the grants are decided by a school’s free and reduced lunch percentage. You can ask during the reservation process for what might be available for your school! 

When is payment due?

Full payment is due 2 weeks before your field trip. Payment is non-refundable. You will receive a reminder email with an invoice about 30 days before your field trip. Any attendance changes should be made at that time. 

Can Memberships be applied to field trips?

No. Because we give field trips a reduced group rate, we do not apply memberships to field trips.

Where can we park? Where can the bus drop off?

Car drivers
Park your vehicle in the Midtown Red Parking Ramp, across from Houdini Plaza. The lot is a short 1/2 block walk from the BFK. The fees are hourly or $5 for the day.

Bus drivers
Drop off students on W. Washington Street across from the Valley Transit bus station. Look for the red bagged meters. Call 920.734.3226 ext. 15 when you are 10 minutes away for museum staff to greet your bus.

Buses can park in City Park – Franklin Street or Union Street

What if we need to reschedule or cancel?

Full payment is due 2 weeks before your field trip. Every effort will be made if a reservation needs to be moved or adjusted. Cancellations will not get payment refunded. Weather issues will be taken into consideration. Student and chaperone absences will not be refunded.

The Building for Kids Children’s Museum reserves the right to cancel field trips that have not fully completed their reservation in advance.

I have a pretty large group (100 or more) is there anything I should know?

We can set up field trip visits on Monday, when the BFK is closed, for groups of 100 or more. This option is available on select Mondays. 

What about sick kids?

We are constantly monitoring to make sure the BFK is a safe and clean environment for all kids. As part of our effort to create this environment, we ask adults to keep sick kids home and make sure their kids are playing in a friendly way. We also ask school and field trip groups to ensure their students to not come to the BFK sick, and that the group explores in the friendly and respectful manner.  

What if my attendance number is wrong?

At the time of your payment, two weeks out, please have final attendance numbers for students and chaperones. At check-in, actual numbers will be adjusted as needed. Additional attendance will be charged as needed. 

Student and chaperone absences will not be refunded.

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