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A Guide to Planning Fun Maths Trip Activities for Students

Whether you're a teacher, a parent, or an educator aiming to enhance the classroom experience, planning fun maths activities for school trips can be challenging. While mathematics may not always seem the most creative subject, it's important to find ways to make it enriching and enjoyable for everyone.

Maths trips are a transformative way for students to engage with this essential subject. By venturing outside the classroom, we can bring real-world applications, collaborative learning and critical thinking to life.

In this guide, we'll equip you with everything you need to plan a successful maths trip, covering the benefits and a variety of exciting ideas to spark curiosity and engagement in your students. Plus, we’ll share some of our top tips to guarantee a smooth and memorable experience.

Let's dive in!

What are the benefits of maths school trips?

Unsurprisingly, there are ‘numerous’ benefits of maths school trips. These excursions provide students with invaluable skills and experiences beyond the classroom while improving their self-esteem, and motivation for mathematical concepts in a fun and meaningful way.

Real-World application

School trips provide students with tangible examples of how maths is used in everyday life. For example, budgeting for a project not only strengthens their arithmetic skills but also incorporates data collection and analysis, such as tracking and managing expenses. These hands-on experiences help to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical application.

Enhanced engagement

Leaving the traditional classroom setting can reignite students' interest in maths by presenting it in a fresh and dynamic way. For instance, touring a local amusement park to calculate the physics of roller coasters can make maths come alive in unexpected ways, encouraging active participation and curiosity.

Improving self-confidence

Solving maths problems in unfamiliar environments during school trips can help build confidence in students. Whether it’s measuring and calculating angles of a historical landmark, or deciphering clues on a maths-theme scavenger hunt, it pushes students out of their comfort zones, fostering a sense of accomplishment and boosting their self-esteem in both maths and other areas of life.

Team building

Collaborative activities on maths school trips encourage teamwork and peer-to-peer learning. Students learn to communicate effectively, share ideas with the group, and support one another, creating a positive and inclusive environment to thrive in.

Bringing architecture to life

Maths trips that focus on architectural design and engineering offer students an up-close view of how principles like geometry, symmetry, and proportion shape the world around them. Exploring these concepts in real-life structures helps to deepen their understanding and appreciation for maths.

Critical thinking

Lastly, one of the biggest benefits of maths school trips is how they encourage students to sharpen their critical thinking skills. It challenges students to experiment, test hypotheses, and draw conclusions based on their observations in new and innovative ways.

5 Fun maths activities

Now that you understand the benefits, here are some fun maths trip ideas and activities for groups of all abilities. At NST, we're dedicated to creating unforgettable experiences that help you and your class fully enjoy your trip while fostering genuine enthusiasm for a subject critical to everyday life.

1. Museum visits

Explore local science or maths museums that offer interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for your students to get involved with, engaging with mathematical concepts in a dynamic and immersive environment. Here are some of our top picks:

Power Up: For an exceptional STEM engagement experience, head to Power Up at the London Science Museum. Here, students can dive right into the action at the gaming zone, featuring video games and consoles from the past 50 years, including Pac-Man and Mario Kart.

This unique experience is not only a nostalgic journey through gaming history but also introduces students to the underlying maths and logic that drive game design and programming. The gallery is on Level 1 and is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM.

Cité des Sciences: Located in the Parc de la Villette, Paris, Science City boasts its very own Mathematics exhibition, covering 3,000 years of mathematical history and key principles such as the geometry of shapes, probability, and statistics.

Designed to make maths more approachable, this interactive experience is one of the best maths trip ideas to help students connect with abstract concepts. All exhibitions are open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Tuesday to Saturday. Be sure to check out the boutique bookshop, offering a range of educational resources and souvenirs to buy.

2. Architectural tours

Arrange a guided tour of architectural landmarks from around the globe, where students can analyse the geometric shapes of buildings, calculate areas and volumes, and even design their own structures. Top visits include:

La Sagrada Família: This iconic landmark on 401 Mallorca Street in Barcelona is a masterpiece of architectural geometry, showcasing the use of hyperbolic paraboloids, helicoids, and other geometric forms that Gaudí incorporated to create the basilica's unique design.

Open daily from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM, special guided visits are available for school groups. These offer various learning opportunities that encompass sensory explorations, technology, and integrated projects to help students understand the value and intricacies of the temple.

Empire State Building: Located in the heart of Manhattan and standing at 1,454 feet, the Empire State Building is a great example of American engineering and prowess. Students can learn about scaling, symmetry, and the mathematics involved in skyscraper design and construction.

For spectacular panoramic views of New York City, the 86th and 102nd-floor observatories are open daily from 8:00 AM to 2:00 AM. The nearest station is 34th Street-Herald Square and just a 5-minute walk away!

3. Theme parks

No list of fun maths activities would be complete without a thrilling day out at a theme park! It's the perfect opportunity to integrate mathematics into an exciting experience, and here are just a few fantastic destinations to take your students.

THORPE PARK: Accessible via the M25 motorway, the park offers over 30 thrilling rides, including The Swarm, the UK's only winged roller coaster, and Nemesis Inferno. A visit here offers students the chance to see the principles of physics in motion such as the speed and acceleration of roller coasters.

Teachers also have the option to book an educational workshop from the award-winning STEM & Business programme, as well as engaging 45-minute talks for key stages 2 - 5. Typically, the park opens from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM during peak seasons, with extended hours on select dates.

Disneyland Paris: Located just (20 miles) east of the centre of Paris, your students will be amazed by all the wonderful and magical attractions, from Space Mountain to Pirates of the Caribbean, and their connection to important mathematical principles like geometry and calculus.

Both Disneyland® Park and Walt Disney Studios® Park generally open at 9:30 AM, and the resort is accessible via the A4 motorway, with dedicated exits for the park. Public transport options include the RER A train line, which connects directly to the Marne-la-Vallée/Chessy station at the park entrance.

4. Sport stadiums

Elevate your students' learning with a school trip filled with fun maths activities at legendary sports stadiums! Take a look at these exciting destinations that will not only spark students’ curiosity but also make learning maths an unforgettable adventure!

Wembley Stadium: A visit to Wembley Stadium offers students a practical understanding of the mathematical principles involved in large-scale construction and engineering projects. STEM workshops are also available from January to May and September to December for KS2-5 students.

Typically, the stadium is open for tours from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM on non-event days and is easily accessible via public transport, with Wembley Park Station (served by the Metropolitan and Jubilee lines) just a short walk away.

Spotify Camp Nou Experience: Explore the intersection of sports, architecture, and mathematics at this iconic stadium. Here, groups can learn more about the dimensions of a playing field, estimate crowd sizes, and analyse player statistics to deepen their understanding of averages and percentages.

Stadium and tours are open Monday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (until 3:00 PM on Sundays) with parking facilities available in the vicinity. If you’re travelling by public transport, the Les Corts Metro Station (Line 3) is a short walk away.

5. School bank trips

Embark on an educational journey with your students by exploring iconic financial institutions, where they can delve into the fascinating world of numbers, data, and economics.

Federal Reserve Bank: Gain insights into monetary policy, financial systems and the impact of banking on the economy through educational multi-media at the FedWorks exhibition. Trips may also include a visit to the Gold vault which contains billions of dollars worth of gold.

The museum and learning centre is open Tuesday – Friday from 10:00 am and 1:00 pm, except for Bank Holidays. Please note that all tours and workshops must be booked directly with the Federal Reserve Bank by appointment only.

Barcelona Stock Exchange: With over 700,000 visitors each year, students have plenty of opportunities to learn about stock markets, trading, and financial instruments, enhancing their understanding of applied mathematics in economics.

Premium tours for secondary school students are available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays typically from 10.00 am to 1.15 pm (see website for more details). To get there, take Metro Line 3 (Green Line) to Passeig de Gràcia Station or use nearby bus routes such as H10, V15, 7, 22, or 24, which all stop within a short walking distance.

Tips for a successful maths trip

Below are some quick-fire tips and key things to consider when planning your next maths trip. Whether you're staying in the UK or heading abroad, it’s important to make sure yours is both educational and enjoyable!

Outline learning objectives: Clearly define the goals for your trip, focusing on key maths concepts you want students to explore, such as geometry, measurement, or data analysis.
Create worksheets or resources: Prepare relevant worksheets or resources that students can use during the trip. These can include questions or observation tasks that will help them engage with the exhibits.
Prioritise health and safety: Guarantee the safety of all by conducting risk assessments, having first-aid measures in place, and providing clear guidelines for behaviour and emergency procedures.
Travel logistics and costs: Plan for transportation, accommodation, and entry fees, making sure to budget and organise everything in advance to avoid any last-minute issues.
Have a post-trip discussion: After the trip, gather the students for a discussion to reflect on what they learned and how they can apply their experiences and the knowledge they’ve gained back in the classroom.

Book a spectacular maths school trip with NST!

Are you planning your own maths school trip? We offer many different school trips and tours for primary and secondary students including:

We’ve also created a comprehensive guide for first-time trip takers packed with tips, resources, and planning templates to help you organise a memorable and educational experience. From budgeting and logistics to safety considerations and activity ideas, our guide has you covered every step of the way.

Download your FREE copy and start planning your mathematical adventure today! Alternatively, request a quote or get in touch to learn more.