Pre-Visit and Post-Visit Activities for Museum Field Trips: A Teacher’s Complete Guide

Research shows that students who participate in structured pre-visit and post-visit activities retain up to 70% more information from their museum experience compared to those who arrive unprepared. Yet with lesson planning, grading, and countless other responsibilities, finding time to create these activities can feel impossible.

We get it. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide packed with ready-to-use activities, downloadable resources, and practical strategies that work across grade levels. Whether you’re planning your first field trip or your fiftieth, you’ll find everything you need to transform a simple museum visit into a meaningful learning experience that extends far beyond our doors.

What you’ll find in this guide: Research-backed strategies for maximizing field trip impact, grade-adaptable pre-visit activities to build excitement and background knowledge, engaging post-visit projects that reinforce learning, and free downloadable planning resources.

Why Pre-Visit Preparation Matters

Think about the last time you visited somewhere new without any context. You probably felt overwhelmed, unsure where to focus your attention, and struggled to make meaning from what you saw. Your students experience the same thing when they arrive at a museum unprepared.

The Research Behind Preparation

Educational research consistently demonstrates that prior knowledge activation is one of the most powerful predictors of learning success. When students have mental frameworks to connect new information to, they’re not just passively absorbing—they’re actively constructing understanding.

Studies from the Journal of Museum Education found that students who engaged in pre-visit activities demonstrated significantly higher engagement during museum visits, asked more questions, spent more time at exhibits, and showed better recall of key concepts weeks after the visit. Perhaps most importantly, prepared students reported enjoying their museum experience more than unprepared peers.

Time Investment vs. Outcomes

Here’s the good news: effective pre-visit preparation doesn’t require hours of additional planning. Even 15-20 minutes of focused preparation can dramatically improve outcomes. The activities we share below are designed to integrate seamlessly into your existing curriculum, maximizing impact while respecting your limited time.

Pre-Visit Activities That Actually Work

The following activities have been tested by teachers across grade levels and refined based on real classroom feedback. Each includes grade-level adaptations, time estimates, and curriculum connections to help you choose what works best for your students.

Activity 1: The Wonder Wall

Grade Levels:	K-8 (adaptable)
Time Required:	15-20 minutes
Materials:	Sticky notes, poster board or whiteboard space
Standards:	NGSS: Asking Questions (K-12), CCSS: Speaking & Listening

How It Works: 

1. Share photos or brief descriptions of museum exhibits students will encounter
2. Give each student 2-3 sticky notes
3. Ask them to write one “I wonder…” question per sticky note
4. Create a class Wonder Wall organized by topic or exhibit area
5. Return to the wall after the visit to see which questions were answered

Grade-Level Adaptations: For younger students (K-2), use picture prompts and allow verbal sharing while the teacher records questions. For middle schoolers, encourage more specific, research-oriented questions that they can investigate during the visit.

Activity 2: Vocabulary Preview Gallery Walk

Grade Levels:	2-12
Time Required:	20-25 minutes
Materials:	Vocabulary posters, markers, recording sheets
Standards:	CCSS: Vocabulary Acquisition, Content-Area Literacy

How It Works: Create stations around your classroom featuring 8-10 key vocabulary terms students will encounter at the museum. Include the word, a visual representation, and space for student annotations. Students rotate through stations in small groups, adding predictions, connections, or questions. This builds content-specific vocabulary while generating excitement about what they’ll discover.

Activity 3: Exhibit Investigation Assignment

Grade Levels:	3-12
Time Required:	20 minutes prep + during visit
Materials:	Investigation worksheets, clipboards
Standards:	NGSS: Planning and Carrying Out Investigations

How It Works: Assign small groups or pairs to become “experts” on specific museum areas. Before the visit, groups research their assigned exhibit and develop 3-5 investigation questions. During the visit, they gather information to answer their questions and document findings with sketches or notes. After returning, expert groups teach classmates about their exhibit area.

Activity 4: Museum Expectations & Goals Setting

Grade Levels:	K-12 (all grades)
Time Required:	10-15 minutes
Materials:	Goals worksheet or journal
Standards:	Social-Emotional Learning: Self-Management, Goal Setting

How It Works: Guide students in setting personal learning goals for the visit. Have them complete prompts such as: “One thing I want to learn is…”, “One question I hope to answer is…”, and “One thing I’m most excited to see is…” This simple activity creates personal investment in the experience and provides a framework for post-visit reflection.

Post-Visit Activities That Extend Learning

The learning doesn’t stop when the bus returns to school. In fact, research suggests that the 24-48 hours following a museum visit represent a critical window for memory consolidation. The following activities help students process, synthesize, and extend what they experienced.

Activity 1: The 3-2-1 Reflection Protocol

Grade Levels:	K-12 (adaptable)
Time Required:	15-20 minutes
Materials:	Reflection worksheet or journal
Standards:	CCSS: Writing Standards, Reflection & Self-Assessment

How It Works: Within 24 hours of returning from the museum, have students complete a structured reflection where they identify 3 things they learned, 2 things that surprised them, and 1 question they still have. Share responses in small groups or as a whole class. This quick activity surfaces key takeaways while identifying areas for continued exploration.

Activity 2: Museum Memory Map

Grade Levels:	1-8
Time Required:	30-45 minutes
Materials:	Large paper, colored pencils, markers
Standards:	CCSS: Writing, Visual Literacy; Social Studies: Map Skills

How It Works: Students create visual maps of their museum experience from memory, including exhibit areas they visited, favorite discoveries, and key facts learned at each location. Encourage them to add illustrations, quotes, or questions. This spatial recall activity strengthens memory formation while creating a meaningful keepsake of their visit.

Activity 3: Expert Presentations

Grade Levels:	3-12
Time Required:	2-3 class periods
Materials:	Presentation materials (varies by format)
Standards:	CCSS: Speaking & Listening, Research Standards

How It Works: Building on the pre-visit Exhibit Investigation activity, groups now teach their classmates about their assigned area. Presentations can take many forms: traditional slides, video documentaries, museum-style exhibit displays, or interactive demonstrations. The teaching-to-learn approach deepens understanding while building communication skills.

Activity 4: Design Your Own Exhibit Challenge

Grade Levels:	2-12
Time Required:	2-4 class periods (project-based)
Materials:	Design materials, research resources
Standards:	NGSS: Engineering Design; CCSS: Research, Writing

How It Works: Challenge students to design a new museum exhibit based on topics that interested them during the visit. Projects should include a written proposal explaining the educational goals, a visual design (sketch, model, or digital mockup), and interactive elements visitors could engage with. This synthesis activity requires students to think like exhibit designers while reinforcing content knowledge.

Your Complete Field Trip Toolkit

We’ve created a comprehensive set of resources to support your museum field trip from planning through follow-up. All resources are free to download and designed to be printed or used digitally.

Available Resources

• Field Trip Planning Timeline Checklist: A week-by-week guide from booking through post-visit reflection, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks
• Student Preparation Worksheet (K-2 and 3-8 versions): Build excitement and set learning goals before the visit
• Post-Visit Reflection Templates: Grade-appropriate worksheets for processing and documenting learning
• Parent Communication Letter Template: Customizable letter explaining the educational value of the visit and how families can extend learning at home

Ready to Transform Your Next Field Trip?

The difference between a forgettable field trip and a transformative learning experience often comes down to preparation. By investing even a small amount of time in pre-visit and post-visit activities, you’re giving your students the gift of deeper engagement, lasting memories, and meaningful learning connections.

At Discovery Children’s Museum, we’re committed to being your partner in education—not just a destination. Our education team is here to help you plan visits that align with your curriculum goals and make the most of your time with us.

Take the Next Step

• Book Your Field Trip: Explore our school programs and schedule your visit at discoverykidslv.org/educators/field-trips
• Access More Resources: Find curriculum guides and educator materials at discoverykidslv.org/educators
• Join Our Educator Network: Sign up for our educator newsletter to receive exclusive resources, professional development opportunities, and early access to new programs

Questions? We’re Here to Help! Our education team loves talking with teachers about making the most of museum visits. Reach out anytime—we’re happy to customize recommendations for your grade level and curriculum needs. Contact Our Education Team