Homeschool Programs at Conner Prairie

HOMESCHOOL DAYS

Plan Ahead — 2025 Homeschool Days!

Wednesday, April 23

Thursday, May 29

Tuesday, August 19

Wednesday, September 10

Purchase Tickets

Student: $8 | One Free Teacher: Free | Additional Adult Chaperones: $8

Give your students a unique and personal experience to connect with history and nature. At Conner Prairie we invite guests to “Step into the Story,” and we also strive to step into theirs. Through observation, deep listening, and thoughtful questioning, we create meaningful connections, offering guests an opportunity to go beyond “doing” and experience “being.”

Special Programming during Homeschool Days:

April 23

May 29

August 19

September 10

April 23

Planting the Seed: Learn about different types of food that originated in Africa and take home seeds to transplant in your own garden.

Time: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Location: Origins Cabin

Boxx the Artist Community Canvas: Join Boxx the Artist to add your own part to a community canvas!

Time: 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Location: Shelter next to Animal Encounters

Water Quality Testing: Join us as we partner with Hoosier Riverwatch to learn strategies for testing water quality in a community science project. Learn how to collect water samples and perform chemical tests to assess the quality of water. Explore macroinvertebrates, the small aquatic animals who live in the White River, and how they provide clues into the health of our water. The data we collect will be added to a statewide database tracking the health of Indiana waterways. Be a part of this important community science program and learn how to tend to our shared water resources.
Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: River access point behind Treetop Outpost

Lunch on the Lawn: Stop by and join us for a lovely picnic on the lawn of the William Conner House. Citizens from Prairietown will be gathering on the lawn and bringing foods that represent their heritage. Learn about the seasonality, recipes and styles of food.
Time: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.
Location: William Conner House Lawn

International Crane Foundation Migration Game and Table: Join the International Crane Foundation to learn about migration through an interactive game. In this game, attendees will learn how wetland loss affects Sandhill Crane populations, how they can protect wetlands in their neighborhood for cranes, and the challenges all cranes face on migration. Becoming cranes, participants will migrate in an interactive game learning the importance of stopover sites and challenges migratory birds face along the way. The program ends with a discussion on the importance of wetlands not only for cranes and other wildlife but in our own lives.
Time: 1–3 p.m.
Location: The Junction

May 29

Owl Pellet Dissection with Indiana Audubon: Explore and dissect owl pellets to gain a better understanding of an owl's diet, hunting patterns and how they're connected to the surrounding habitats. Limited capacity, sign up for this free program at the Clowes Greeter desk near the balloon.

Time: 1:30–2 p.m. and 2:30–3 p.m.
Location: Featherston Patio

August 19

Play American Cricket: Join in a game of American Cricket! Spend some time playing this sport and learn about its history.

Time: 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: The Junction

September 10

It’s About Time: Take the opportunity to explore and discover the foundational concepts of history and the passage of time. Through objects representing art, music, technology, and play, children will be able to compare and contrast utilizing multiple senses. This experience is designed to set the framework for conceptual understanding of history and the objects that help us to learn about people, places, and cultures.
Time: 10 a.m.–3 p.m.
Location: Featherson Barn

Curious by Nature

Purchase Tickets

2025 Dates:

March 24: Promised Land as Proving Ground Guided Walk
April 14: Investigate- Woods & River (Sold Out)
April 28: Forest Bathing (Sold Out)
May 19: Foraging
June 16: Animal Love & Care
July 14: Time, Space & Freedom
July 21: Flight
July 28: Water Quality Testing
August 4: Canoeing on the White River
September 15: Favorite Kid Spot
September 22: Weather
October 6: Simple Machines
November 3: Your Place in Nature
November 17: Thriving in the Winter & Living off the Land

Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Ages: Please note age recommendation for each program

Student Prices:
$8 per child, one adult free - Children must be accompanied by an adult during the program.

Child exploring nature with a magnifying glass

Join us for our Homeschool nature program designed to enhance your current home studies by offering your children the time, space, and freedom to let their innate curiosity for the natural world around them thrive! Research has proven (and we are listening!) that spending time outdoors in nature has a multitude of benefits, especially for children as they are continuing to grow. We are excited to invite you and your homeschool community to join us as we spend our time together in nature’s classroom exploring over 1,000 acres of beautiful, natural spaces here at Conner Prairie, often in spaces not open to the general public. Each date will be unique and special, and you won't want to miss a single one!

Please Note:

Please read each class description carefully and note the recommended ages as a few classes are designed specifically with our older learners in mind.
Due to the nature of these programs, the experience will not be easily accessible for strollers or wagons. We highly suggest if younger siblings need to attend with you, that baby backpacks/carriers are used instead.
Please always dress for the weather and outdoor play and exploration.
If your child has accessibility needs, please call our Guest Services department, and we will do our best to accommodate and provide the best experience for your child.

Learn more about the 2025 dates:

March 24 Promise Land as Proving Ground Guided Walk

Ages: 4th grade and older

Join us for a reflective walk through the new Promised Land as Proving Ground exhibit. This walk will include discussion time as well as time to pause, reflect, notice and wonder as you experience Conner Prairie's newest exhibit.

Nature Guide: Education Staff

*We kindly ask that younger siblings not attend due to the intentionally designed structure of this program for older students

April 14 Investigate: Woods & River

April 28 Forest Bathing

May 19 Foraging

June 16 Animal Love & Care

July 14 Time, Space & Freedom

July 21 Flight

Ages: 7 years and older

Learn about the balloon, the science behind the forces of flight and even try your hand at an engineering design challenge! This hands-on homeschool experience allows children to combine science experiments, outdoors and the balloon to learn more about flight.

Nature Guides: Balloon Staff

*We kindly ask that younger siblings not attend due to the intentionally designed structure of this program for older students and for their safety as we will be in and near equipment. Thank you for your understanding.

July 28 Water Quality Testing

Ages: 7 years and older

Join us as we partner with Hoosier Riverwatch to learn strategies for testing water quality in a community science project. Learn how to collect water samples and perform chemical tests to assess the quality of water. Explore macroinvertebrates, the small aquatic animals who live in the White River, and how they provide clues into the health of our water. The data we collect will be added to a statewide database tracking the health of Indiana waterways. Be a part of this important community science program and learn how to tend to our shared water resources.

Nature Guides: Michelle, Nature Specialist and Dylan with Hoosier River Watch

August 4 Canoeing on the White River

Ticket Price: $14 per student/Adult free (only one adult per family group due to limited space)

Time: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

Ages: 8 to 16 years old

Join us as we journey down the White River canoeing approximately two and half miles as we take in the sights, sounds and wildlife along the river banks. Gain an understanding and a firm foundation in the basics of canoeing, enjoy time for river exploration and splashing and swimming as we take our leisurely float down the river.

NOTE:

8–11 years must have a parent/guardian present; 12–16 years parent/guardian optional
All participants will be required to sign a participation waiver.
Canoe trip is dependent on good weather and river conditions.
A lifeguard and camp staff will be leading this trip.

Nature Guides: Marianne, Director of Camps & Recreation and Lauren, Camps & Recreation Manager

*We kindly ask that younger siblings not attend due to the intentionally designed structure of this program for older students and for their safety. Thank you for your understanding.

September 15 Favorite Kid Spot

Ages: 5 years and older

Gather your homeschool friends and let's take a wandering nature walk to one of Conner Prairie’s favorite kid spots, Treetop Outpost and the four-story treehouse! Enjoy exclusive access while we are closed to the public and allow your children the time, space and freedom to play and breathe in the beauty of the changing of the seasons! Treetop Outpost is Classroom Certified by Nature Explore.

Nature Guide: Susan, Early Learning Program Coordinator

September 22 Weather

Ages: 7 years and older

What does weather have to do with the balloon and flight? Everything! In this homeschool experience, children will do science experiments that will allow them to learn about weather and the water cycle, then use their creativity to make a weather journal to take home.

Nature Guides: Balloon Staff

October 6 Simple Machines

Ages: 6 years and older

Time: 10 a.m. – Noon

Discover how simple machines work in action by taking a ride on our zipline and exploring our low ropes course. Children and adults riding on the zipline will need to fill out the provided waiver before participating.

Nature Guides: Marianne, Director of Camps & Recreation and Lauren, Camps & Recreation Manager

November 3 Your Place in Nature

November 17 Thriving in the Winter & Living off the Land

Ages: 5 years and older

Join us at the Conner House and our Lenape area to learn more about surviving and thriving in the wintertime. We’ll learn about a few of the things you had to think about when you couldn’t just run to the grocery store for supplies. How would you preserve food for the winter? What foods might you be able to hunt or forage in the winter? Why was winter an important part of the year for the trading post? Join us to find out more!

STAY & PLAY

Purchase Tickets

2025 Dates: October 14 and November 18

Time: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. (Come & Go Style)

Ages: Preschool through 5th grade (Caregiver must be present/No charge)

Student Prices:
Nonmembers: $16
Members: $14

Location: Prairie House, for directions please speak with guest services at the front gate.

We invite you to join us for STAY & PLAY!, a special time to reap the benefits of play and take in the beauty of the season from a beautiful, cozy indoor spot on the Prairie!

Students in Preschool through 5th grade will experience intentional and thoughtful play invitations set up in a relaxing environment that will inspire curiosity, ignite creativity, and promote inquiry and discovery. Come when you can, stay as long as you'd like, and leave when you need to.

Each child must be pre-registered and must be accompanied by an adult at no charge.

Homeschool Series

Looking to complement your home studies with the addition of programming focused on nature and the arts? Come join us for a multi-age, multi-week series of classes held one day per week. Please read the details carefully for each program. Important information such as day of the week, length of series, and ticket pricing is different for each.

Please Note: Due to the intentional design and atmosphere of this series, we kindly ask other plans be made for younger siblings outside of the posted age range.

View our latest ones in the series:

Homeschool Series: Nature+Art (4 weeks in April)

Purchase Tickets

2025 Dates:
Friday's, April 4, 11, 18 and 25

Time: 1 – 2:30 p.m.

Ages: 5 to 12 year olds

Student Prices:
Members: $50
Nonmembers: $60
One Adult Free/Additional adults $15 for the series

Homeschool Series: Nature+Art

Tap into the creativity that is inside all of us and let your imagination run free! Join us each week as we allow children (and grown-ups, too!) the time, space and freedom to create in their own style and stage of development, design what their minds can dream up and think outside the box as we engage with and celebrate the creative process over the final product. We’ll spend time exploring a variety of art mediums while taking in the beauty of nature around us! All art materials will be provided.

Homeschool Series: Nature Journaling (3 weeks in August and September)

Purchase Tickets

2025 Dates:
Thursday's, August 28, September 4 and September 11

Time: 10 – 11:30 a.m.

Ages: 7 to 12 year olds

Student Prices:
Members: $40
Nonmembers: $50
One Adult Free/Additional adults $10 for the series

Homeschool Series: Nature Journaling

Make connections to the natural world through nature journaling. Take time to observe by looking, listening, feeling, and noticing the gifts of nature present all around. Each week we’ll focus on a variety of nature journaling prompts and strategies to try together in our shared nature space, and then continue at home or other natural areas special to you and your family. Bring an open mind and open heart to this shared time in nature. Nature journaling materials will be provided.

Classes

Enhance your homeschool journey with historic classes at Conner Prairie, where hands-on experiences in trades, crafts, and daily life spark curiosity and connection. Bring history to life for your students through immersive learning in an inspiring, one-of-a-kind setting.

Questions? Call Guest Services at 317-776-6000 or email info@connerprairie.org

Homeschool Programs

HOMESCHOOL DAYS

Special Programming during Homeschool Days: