Tuesday, April 15, 2025 | 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM | Hershey Gardens
There are field trips. And then there’s Hershey Gardens Homeschool Day, where the kids learn things, the parents learn things, and nobody ends up crying in a parking lot (unless it’s tears of joy over the Butterfly Atrium — no judgment).
This spring’s theme?
“Spring into Birding” — and trust me when I say it’s going to be egg-ceptional.
We’ve attended this event many times, and it’s truly one of our favorite annual homeschool outings. Why? Because it’s that rare unicorn of a program that’s developmentally appropriate, genuinely educational, and ridiculously fun — all while being beautifully leveled so your toddler can chase a butterfly while your tween charts insect behavior like a junior entomologist on a mission.
Yes, that actually happened one year. No, I didn’t bring enough snacks. But we all survived — and learned the difference between a thorax and an abdomen in the process. #worthit
🦅 Hands-On, Cross-Curricular Awesomeness
The theme this year is all about birds, bird habitats, and conservation — aka science with wings. Your kids will learn about the local birds of Hershey Gardens, what makes a good bird habitat, and how to be a backyard conservationist. (Bonus: You can totally count this as science and art if your kid sketches a hawk. You’re welcome.)
Special guests this year include:
- Hawk Mountain Sanctuary (Live birds of prey presentations at 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM. Real talons. Real awe.)
- Quittapahilla Audubon Society
- PA Game Commission
- Katie Hess from ZooAmerica, with a talk on bird banding conservation in our own community
Did I mention live birds of prey? Because nothing screams “core memory” like a hawk making eye contact with your kid while perched two feet away.
🌼 Something for Everyone
Whether your child is a tiny naturalist, a full-blown science geek, or just really into running in open spaces while yelling “I SEE A BIRD!”, there’s a place for them here.
Activities are thoughtfully leveled so that younger kids can focus on hands-on play (bug hunting! nature crafts!) while older kids can dig deeper with observation charts, data collection, and actual thinking. (Remember thinking? It’s like Roblox, but with fewer explosions.)
And because the venue is Hershey Gardens, it’s gorgeous no matter what. You could be learning about feathers in the middle of a drizzle and still feel like you’re in a PBS nature documentary narrated by Sir David Attenborough.
🦋 Bonus: The Butterfly Atrium Is Included!
You read that right. Your ticket gets you into both the Gardens AND the Butterfly Atrium, which means your kids can go from bird watching to butterfly chasing in one epic educational swoop.
Bring a picnic lunch, your favorite field journal, and a healthy level of flexibility — it’s going to be an unforgettable day.
🧒 Who It’s For:
- Homeschoolers (grades K–12)
- Cyber school families
- Siblings ages 3 and up (yes, it’s totally worth bringing your preschooler)
- Parents who just want their kids to learn something outside the house for once
- And YOU, if you’re reading this and thinking, “Wait, this sounds awesome.”
Cost:
$11 per student (ages 3+)
$13 per adult
Kids 2 and under are FREE and don’t need a ticket
Time:
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM (Get there early! You don’t want to miss the hawks!)
Location:
Hershey Gardens – 170 Hotel Road, Hershey, PA
Registration required by Sunday, April 13 at HersheyGardens.org → Education → Homeschool
👋 Come Say Hi to the KidCrew!
We’ll be there in person again this year — butterfly net in one hand, coffee in the other. Be sure to say hi to the Macaroni KidCrew if you see us! My kids will be the ones enthusiastically overexplaining bird migration patterns to strangers while I try to stop the toddler from eating mulch.
It’s fine. It’s all fine. It’s Homeschool Day at Hershey Gardens, and it’s going to be bird-brained bliss.
See you in the gardens, binoculars in hand. And bring snacks. Always bring snacks.
When visiting events and local businesses, be sure to tell them Macaroni KID sent you... and don't forget to tell all your friends!
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#BirdNerdsUnite
#MacaroniKID
#HomeschoolFieldTripGoals
#FeatheredFriendsAndLearningEnds
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