Hello from Janice Thompson, freelance writer and speaker. I’m happy to bring you this course on field trip ideas.
Now, on to the lesson at hand…
The following information comes from my creative writing text. My students and I actually went on several of these field trips, so I know they work!
I’d like you to choose a couple of these for this week. If you can’t actually “take” them (meaning, you’re not able to travel) then just imagine yourself in these places. Don’t be afraid to get creative! And feel free to hang onto this list for years to come. I see many wonderful field trips in your future!
101 Field Trip Ideas for Creative Writers
#1
Where to Go: The Airport
What to Do: Observe People, Try to determine where they’ve come from; who they’re meeting.
How are they feeling? Tense? Excited? Lonely? What is the particular situation of each? Can you write a poem about it?
Additional Exercise(s): Take a pretend flight to an imaginary location!
#2
Where to Go: The Park
What to Do: Observe people and nature. What sort of people go to the park? Why are they there?
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine the park is in a different location. Would the same people still be there?
#3
Where to Go: Your Back Yard
What to Do: Look at your yard more carefully than ever before, taking notes of what you see.
Additional Exercise(s): Make a plan for what your back yard will look like when you’re grown up.
#4
Where to Go: Under a Table
What to Do: Look at the world from a different POV. What do you see? Anything leftover from yesterday’s lunch? A broken table leg?
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re a bug under the table. What would you do?
#5
Where to Go: An Art Museum
What to Do: To explore the fascinating world of art, and to write art reviews.
Additional Exercise(s): Create some museum-worthy art of your own!
#6
Where to Go: Downtown
What to Do: Look at the city from a new angle. Visit the tallest building for a look down on the sites.
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re a street cleaner downtown. What is your life like?
#7
Where to Go: The Country
What to Do: Write about the differences between country life and city life.
Additional Exercise(s): Interview someone who lives in the country.
#8
Where to Go: A Flower Garden (Arboretum)
What to Do: Discover a new flower and write about it.
Additional Exercise(s): Create an imaginary flower for the same exercise.
#9
Where to Go: A Farm
What to Do: Pretend the animals are having a conversation. What are they talking about?
Additional Exercise(s): If you lived on a farm, what animals would you keep? Start a list, explaining why you would make those choices.
#10
Where to Go: A Library
What to Do: Visit every section, writing about the one that interests you the most
Additional Exercise(s): Write a book of your own! What kind of book will it be? Which section of the library will it be placed in if published?
#11
Where to Go: A Restaurant
What to Do: Write a detailed description of the food from a food critic’s POV
Additional Exercise(s): Pretend you’re starting a restaurant of your own. Create your menu.
#12
Where to Go: A Church (Sanctuary)
What to Do: Spend some time in quiet reflection, then write a prayer to the Lord.
Additional Exercise(s): Listen for the Lord’s response. If you hear Him speaking something to you, write it down.
#13
Where to Go: A Church (Stained Glass Windows)
What to Do: Find a story in the window
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you could design a stained-glass window of your own. What would it look like and why?
#14
Where to Go: A Theater
What to Do: Watch a movie or play, then write a review from a critic’s POV
Additional Exercise(s): Write a play or movie of your own!
#15
Where to Go: A Fire Station
What to Do: Interview a fireman
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re a firefighter. Write a diary entry.
#16
Where to Go: A Television Station
What to Do: Tour the facility, writing about your experience
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’ve been given the task of writing a television sit-com. What would it be? What sort of characters?
#17
Where to Go: A Hospital
What to Do: Take hand-written greeting cards to patients.
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a patient
#18
Where to Go: A Nursing Home
What to Do: Do a sensory essay writing about the sights, sounds, smells, emotions, and temperaments you encounter
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a nurse or doctor
#19
Where to Go: A Pre-School
What to Do: Observe children at play and write about their behavior
Additional Exercise(s): Write an essay about what you were like as a small child
#20
Where to Go: A Day Care Facility
What to Do: Research the daycare’s menu, then write one of your own
Additional Exercise(s): Write a lunch story from a daycare child’s POV
#21
Where to Go: The Zoo
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of one of the animals
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine the animals can converse with one another. Turn their dialogue into a sketch.
#22
Where to Go: A Play
What to Do: Write a critique
Additional Exercise(s): Write an essay of what you would have done differently.
#23
Where to Go: A Coffee Shop
What to Do: Try to match people to the coffees they order.
Additional Exercise(s): Make up a new flavor of coffee
#24
Where to Go: The Highest Place in Your Town
What to Do: Look down over the city, writing your observations from this perspective
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re a bird flying over the city. What do you see? Where do you want to land?
#25
Where to Go: The Lowest Place in Your Town
What to Do: Look up on the city and write what you see
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine what it would be like to live underneath the city.
#26
Where to Go: A Synagogue
What to Do: Write your thoughts and feelings about what you see and hear
Additional Exercise(s): Write a prayer and have it translated into Hebrew
#27
Where to Go: A Night Under the Stars
What to Do: Write a story inspired by the stars
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of the stars
#28
Where to Go: Trading Places with a Friend for a Day
What to Do: Keep a Journal of your day
Additional Exercise(s): Ask your friend to keep a journal of his/her day, then get together in the evening to exchange notes.
#29
Where to Go: A Furniture Store
What to Do: Make of list of furniture items you will need to decorate your house someday.
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story inspired by the furniture
#30
Where to Go: A Carousel
What to Do: Ride the carousel, then imagine you’re one of the horses. Write from his/her POV
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story about a carousel that never stops
#31
Where to Go: A City Bus
What to Do: Observe people – where they get on and off, what their lives must be like, where they work, etc.
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of the bus driver.
#32
Where to Go: A Print Shop
What to Do: Ask for a tour, then have some of your stories copies and bound
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re a print shop owner. What types of things would you print/copy?
#33
Where to Go: Under the Stairs
What to Do: Imagine if you lived there
Additional Exercise(s): Pretend you’re a homebuilder. How many sets of stairs would you have placed in the house? Would there be any hidden staircases? Write about them.
#34
Where to Go: A Local Food Pantry
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a basket of food
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re running the food pantry. What is your life like? What struggles do you face? What makes you happy?
#35
Where to Go: Local Newspaper
What to Do: Imagine you’re a journalist for that paper. Write an article about a current events situation (either real or imagined).
Additional Exercise(s): Write about the process of getting a paper to print.
#36
Where to Go: Local Periodical (Magazine) Publisher
What to Do: Imagine you’re a writer for the magazine. What sort of articles do you write? What do you like best about your job?
Additional Exercise(s): Write an interview with a “famous” person (fictitious)
#37
Where to Go: Writer’s Conference
What to Do: Watch and learn from all of your fellow writers
Additional Exercise(s): Write a curriculum, as if you were teaching a class at the conference.
#38
Where to Go: Bottling Plant
What to Do: Watch the bottling process and write a story about it
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you own the bottling plant. What is your life like? What sorts of problems do you encounter? What do you enjoy?
#39
Where to Go: To a River or Creek
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a fish in the river
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story about river-rafting
#40
Where to Go: To the Beach
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a shark
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a toddler at the beach
#41
Where to Go: On a Picnic in the Forest
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of an ant
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a dog
#42
Where to Go: To a Local Crisis Pregnancy Center
What to Do: Write about the services the center provides
Additional Exercise(s): Turn your writings into an article for your local paper.
#43
Where to Go: Local Ballet School
What to Do: Watch the ballerinas and write a story about them.
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re a ballerina. Write your story.
#44
Where to Go: Local Drama Company
What to Do: Watch the artists at work, taking careful notes about their warm-ups, rehearsals and performance
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a lead actor/actress in a major production
#45
Where to Go: Local Children’s Museum
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a child
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of the janitor
#46
Where to Go: Local Jail
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a criminal
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a police officer
#47
Where to Go: The Oldest House in Town
What to Do: Take a tour, writing about what you see. What’s different from today’s houses? What’s the same?
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of the homeowner at the time the house was built
#48
Where to Go: A Model Home
What to Do: Look at the home’s design and selling features then write an advertisement for it.
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re living in the house. Which room will be yours? Why? What will you do with all of the other rooms?
#49
Where to Go: A costume shop
What to Do: Imagine you’re a character from a particular time period and write about your life
Additional Exercise(s): If you were a costume designer, what would you design and why?
#50
Where to Go: An Elevator
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a person trapped in the elevator
Additional Exercise(s): Write a detailed description of the elevator and what it feels like to be inside of one.
#51
Where to Go: The Mall
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a child on a shopping excursion with Mom
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a frustrated store clerk
#52
Where to Go: Local Courthouse
What to Do: Write about a real trial from the POV of a reporter
Additional Exercise(s): Write about a fictitious trial from the POV of the judge
#53
Where to Go: Research Center
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a researcher
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a patient who’s waiting for a breakthrough treatment
#54
Where to Go: Blood Bank
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a blood donor
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a patient who’s awaiting blood
#55
Where to Go: Local Historical Society
What to Do: Write a story from the olden-days
Additional Exercise(s): Interview someone at the Historical Society
#56
Where to Go: Indian Reservation
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of an Indian child
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of an Indian chief
#57
Where to Go: Sunrise/Sunset Outing
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a space traveler
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of the sun
#58
Where to Go: Jewelry Store
What to Do: Write a story about an engagement ring
Additional Exercise(s): Research which jewels people buy most and write a newspaper article
#59
Where to Go: Local College
What to Do: Write a story from a professor’s POV
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from a handicapped student’s POV
#60
Where to Go: Writing Retreat
What to Do: Go on an overnight retreat. Be sure to take plenty of paper and pens/pencils so that you can write as ideas come to you. Get creative! Write outdoors or in some other inspiring place
Additional Exercise(s): Plan to write a certain number of words per day on your outing. See if you can meet your goal!
#61
Where to Go: To the Symphony
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a director
Additional Exercise(s): Write an article/critique from the POV of an audience member
#62
Where to Go: A Day in the Life of My Parent (their job, etc)
What to Do: Go to work with a parent and document their day
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a boss in a busy office
#63
Where to Go: An Attic or Basement
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a rat in the attic or basement
Additional Exercise(s): Spend the night in the attic or basement, then write about what happened. What scared you? What did you learn about your house?
#64
Where to Go: Visit the Oldest Person in your town
What to Do: Write a newspaper article about that person
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of someone over the age of 100
#65
Where to Go: Ice Cream Shop
What to Do: Create a list of additional ice cream flavors
Additional Exercise(s): Write a food review of the ice cream
#66
Where to Go: Automobile Dealership
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a car salesman
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a used car
#67
Where to Go: Beauty Parlor
What to Do: Write an article for your local paper or magazine on current trends in hairstyles
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a beautician who’s just ruined someone’s hair
#68
Where to Go: A Used Bookstore
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a used book
Additional Exercise(s): Research a particular topic using old/used books
#69
Where to Go: An Antique Shop
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of an antique dealer who’s just located an amazing “find” in an antique shop.
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story about a particular item you find in the shop. Try to imagine where it came from and who owned it originally
#70
Where to Go: Church (Front Doors)
What to Do: Imagine you’re a greeter at your local church. What will you say to people as they come in? What if someone “odd” shows up? What will you do/say?
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a pastor who longs to see his church grow
#71
Where to Go: Shoe Store
What to Do: Do a research paper on shoes. Find out which shoes sell best, what the average shoe size is, etc.
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a shoe
#72
Where to Go: Bakery
What to Do: Write a food review for your local paper
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a loaf of bread
#73
Where to Go: Fishing Boat
What to Do: Document your journey and talk about your “catch”
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of the boat’s captain
#74
Where to Go: Planetarium
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a star
Additional Exercise(s): Write a promotional ad for your local paper
#75
Where to Go: In a Closet
What to Do: Imagine you’re in a 19th century closet. How would the clothing be different?
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a misplaced shoe in the closet
#76
Where to Go: Church (Behind the Pulpit)
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a pastor
Additional Exercise(s): Write a sermon and deliver it to a pretend audience
#77
Where to Go: Church (Baptistery)
What to Do: Write a story about someone coming to Christ
Additional Exercise(s): Write a personal experience story about your conversion and baptism
#78
Where to Go: Local Drug or Alcohol Rehabilitation Center
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a drug addict
Additional Exercise(s): Write an article about the rehab and submit it to your local paper
#79
Where to Go: Vegetable Garden
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of the gardener
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a particular vegetable in the garden
#80
Where to Go: Toy Store
What to Do: Pretend you’re locked in the toy store after closing. What will you do?
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a child in the toy store
#81
Where to Go: Local Gym
What to Do: Write an article about fitness
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of an overweight exerciser
#82
Where to Go: Local Children’s Hospital Nursery
What to Do: Observe babies through the window and write your observations
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story about a couple having a baby
#83
Where to Go: Horse Stables
What to Do: Write about a particular horse
Additional Exercise(s): Write from a horse’s POV
#84
Where to Go: Dog Show
What to Do: Write an article for your local paper, focusing on the top dogs in the show
Additional Exercise(s): Write an article from the POV of an “underdog”
#85
Where to Go: Quilting Bee/Show
What to Do: Interview the quilters and write a story about their differences
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story about a quilt – where it came from, where it will go, etc.
#86
Where to Go: A Ladies Tea Room
What to Do: Write about a tea party
Additional Exercise(s): Create a new type of tea and try to advertise it
#87
Where to Go: Music Studio
What to Do: Interview the workers at the studio, then write an article
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a singer
#88
Where to Go: Local Radio Station
What to Do: Interview a local DJ. Ask specific questions (prepared ahead of time)
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a DJ
#89
Where to Go: Laundromat
What to Do: Pretend you’ve put your white shirt in the washer with your red socks. Write a story about the result
Additional Exercise(s): Write an article on Laundromats vs. doing laundry at home
#90
Where to Go: Museum of Natural Science
What to Do: Find an item of interest and research it, writing down your findings
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re an archaeologist. Record your findings
#91
Where to Go: The Oldest Family-Owned Business in Your Town
What to Do: Interview the family members and write an article for your local paper
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine your family is starting a business. What sort of business will it be? Who will run it? Who will participate?
#92
Where to Go: A Wedding
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of a bride/groom
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of the father of the bride
#93
Where to Go: Post Office
What to Do: Interview a postal worker, writing a full job description
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a piece of mail
#94
Where to Go: Amusement Park
What to Do: Imagine you work at the park. What job do you have? What do you enjoy most?
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a lost child at an amusement park
#95
Where to Go: Local Convent
What to Do: Conduct interviews and write and article
Additional Exercise(s): Have a silent retreat then write about your experience
#96
Where to Go: Bed & Breakfast
What to Do: Spend the night, writing about your experience
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you owned your own bed and breakfast. What would it look like? What types of people would come to visit?
#97
Where to Go: Ball Game
What to Do: Interview a young ball player and write an article about him/her
Additional Exercise(s): Tell the story of a game from the POV of a coach
#98
Where to Go: Ice Skating Rink
What to Do: Write a story from the POV of an Olympic-track skater
Additional Exercise(s): Interview a skating coach and document their story in an article
#99
Where to Go: Maid For A Day
What to Do: Imagine you’re a maid for a day. What is your day like?
Additional Exercise(s): Write a story from the POV of a homeowner who needs to hire a maid
#100
Where to Go: Advertising Company
What to Do: Create an advertisement for a new product
Additional Exercise(s): Imagine you’re in advertising. What problems do you encounter? What do you love most?
#101
Where to Go: To Sleep
What to Do: Keep a notepad and pen next to your bed to write down ideas that come to you as you’re about to doze off.
Additional Exercise(s): Write down your dreams first thing in the morning.
