Teachers always acted like field trips were the highlight of the school year, an “educational adventure” outside the classroom that we should all be grateful for. They hyped them up as if we were about to discover the wonders of the world, armed with lunch for days and a permission slip.
But for most of us, field trips were less about fun and more about enduring long bus rides, awkward tours, and forced enthusiasm for things we didn’t care about. Sure, teachers saw them as hands-on learning experiences, but students secretly knew the truth: they were usually boring, uncomfortable, and most times straight-up miserable.
We looked forward to field trip day because they were supposed to be exciting breaks from routine, but once we were there they were so boring you could fall asleep on the stop.
1
Nature preserve
A "fun" trip that ended with a tick in my ear because the school nurse couldn’t be bothered to check my dark hair properly. Thanks for the trauma and pamphlet, I guess.
2
First American Title Company
Nothing thrills a group of 9-year-olds like learning about insurance. Riveting stuff.
3
Horseback riding ranch
Sounds cool until the horse quits on you and you’re stuck hauling its saddle, basically medieval torture for a 10-year-old.
4
Water treatment plant
Standing over giant pools of sewage while someone lectures you about filtration systems. Pure nightmare fuel for the nose.
5
Civil war battlefield
Nothing like trudging through fields of mud and monuments while pretending to care about cannon placements. A day of boredom disguised as patriotism.
6
Long bus ride
Field trips weren't that bad but the eternal bus rides were. We spent more time stuck on the bus than actually doing the field trip.
7
The ferry ride
Nothing says “fun” like standing on a wobbly raft in the middle of a river, convinced this was how we were going to die.
8
Plymouth Rock
Nothing says disappointment like a sad little rock hyped up as the birthplace of America.
9
5th frade camp
Walked in rain and mud all day, got drenched, and only later found out it was a camp for special needs kids, which made the whole thing feel like the school just booked the wrong venue.
10
Sculpture park
Art on pedestals, plus the joy of getting lost and bushwhacking through nettles and thorns just to make it back on time.
11
Chernobyl
Sure, history is cool, but maybe don’t take a bunch of kids to an irradiated disaster zone? Just a thought.
12
The National Gallery in London
Imagine being 11 and forced to stare quietly at paintings you don’t understand. Great if you’re prepping for art exams, but soul-crushing for kids who just wanted to run around.
13
North Carolina state fair
Turns out livestock smells like, well, livestock. No funnel cake can cover that stench.
14
Whale watching
Five hours of seasickness, zero whales. The ocean won that round.
15
Recycling plant
Ever had 200 seagulls bomb you with their droppings at once? We have. Thanks for that, Mother Nature.
16
Printing press tour
The smell of ink, the roar of machines, and the excitement of paper getting printed. Riveting.
