Top 5 Hands-On Learning Adventures for Sioux Falls Homeschoolers (and Nearby Families!)

Sioux Falls has no shortage of places to learn, explore, and create — but for homeschoolers, hands-on activities make lessons come to life. Whether your family follows a world schooling, homeschool co-op, or unschooling approach, these activities go beyond traditional classroom learning. Dive into science, art, or physical education, these interactive options go beyond textbooks to offer immersive, memorable learning experiences for kids of all ages.

Here’s a guide to five local favorites that blend fun with education — one for every season (and then some!)..

1. Go Wild with Nature and Outdoor Skills — The Outdoor Campus

Run by South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, The Outdoor Campus is one of Sioux Falls’ best free educational gems. Kids can learn archery, fishing, kayaking, wildlife tracking, and nature crafts — all in a beautiful, hands-on environment.

Why it’s great for homeschoolers:

• Seasonal programs for different ages, including homeschool-specific events

• Free or low-cost registration with easy online sign-up

• Combines physical activity with natural science and environmental education

  
  

📍 4500 S Oxbow Ave, Sioux Falls🌐 gfp.sd.gov/outdoor-campus/

2. Take Flight — South Dakota Aerial & Arts

At South Dakota Aerial & Arts, kids don’t just learn to climb and spin — they gain strength, focus, and confidence in a one-of-a-kind setting. Classes include aerial silks, hoop (lyra), trapeze, and bungee fitness for kids ages 4 and up. This is a great physical activity, but they also offer specific curriculum to teach kids about physics, and so much more!

They’ll get a peek behind the curtain of the circus world — learning about rigging and pulley systems, as well as how performers create full routines to music. Classes are taught by experienced coaches who help students safely explore aerial movement, coordination, and confidence.

Why it’s perfect for homeschoolers:

• Physical education meets creativity and performance

• Builds balance, strength, and confidence through structured progression

• Private group sessions or homeschool workshops available

• Groups can spend an afternoon getting an aerial arts badge for learning rigging and performing a routine - this is also a great opportunity for Girl Scouts groups!

  
  

📍 1608 S Western Ave, Sioux Falls🌐 sdaerialarts.com

💡 At-Home Idea: Discuss gravity and physics after class. Try an experiment on tension using fabric or ropes to visualize force and balance.

3. Discover Agriculture and Food Systems — Stockyards Ag Experience

Located near Falls Park, this interactive museum connects South Dakota’s farming past to its present. Kids can climb into a tractor cab, shop in a simulated grocery store, and explore how food moves from farm to table.

Hands-on homeschool extensions:

• Chart a local crop’s journey from seed to plate

• Start a small windowsill garden or hydroponic experiment

• Visit a local farmer’s market and meet producers firsthand

📍 301 E Falls Park Dr, Sioux Falls🌐 stockyardsagexperience.org

4. Experiment, Build, and Create — Washington Pavilion’s Kirby Science Discovery Center

The Kirby Science Discovery Center brings STEM learning to life with 100+ interactive exhibits on motion, light, energy, and engineering. It’s ideal for tactile learners who like to tinker and test.

Homeschool Highlights:

• Monthly Homeschool Days with reduced admission and themed lessons

• STEAM workshops that blend art, math, and science

• Exhibits rotate often, encouraging repeat visits throughout the year

  
  

📍 301 S Main Ave, Sioux Falls🌐 washingtonpavilion.org

💡 At-Home Idea: Recreate a simple experiment — build a balloon rocket, make a pulley system, or measure motion speed with toys and ramps.

5. Step into the Past — Good Earth State Park & Old Courthouse Museum

Learning about history is much more engaging when kids can see, touch, and walk through it. Sioux Falls offers two standout hands-on options that fit perfectly into your homeschool calendar — one for warm weather and one for cold.

☀️ Good Earth State Park at Blood Run (Spring–Fall)

This ancient Native American site along the Big Sioux River was once a bustling trading center. The visitor center includes exhibits, replica artifacts, and guided hikes that teach about Indigenous life, ecology, and trade.

Homeschool extensions:

• Create a map or diorama showing early settlements and trade routes

• Discuss the importance of rivers in early civilization development

• Research local tribes and their contributions to regional culture

  
  

📍 26924 480th Ave, Sioux Falls🌐 gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/good-earth-state-park/

❄️ Old Courthouse Museum (Fall–Winter)

For indoor learning during colder months, the Old Courthouse Museum offers exhibits on Sioux Falls’ settlement, architecture, and daily life in the 1800s. Kids can explore exhibits on early photography, railroads, and regional culture.

Homeschool extensions:

• Sketch the building’s architecture or design your own “museum exhibit” at home

• Write a short historical fiction story set in Sioux Falls during the pioneer era

• Use it to introduce units on community development, law, or civics

  
  

📍 200 W 6th St, Sioux Falls🌐 siouxlandmuseums.com

🗓️ Sample 5-Month Homeschool Calendar: “Hands-On Learning in Motion”

Wrapping Up

These five experiences give Sioux Falls homeschool families the perfect mix of movement, creativity, science, and local culture. From flying through the air to walking in the footsteps of history, each stop offers a chance to connect learning with real-life discovery - no textbooks required - sparking curiosity, creativity, and connection for learners of every age.

Month	Location / Activity	Focus Area	In-Person Experience	At-Home Extension Activity
Month 1	Kirby Science Discovery Center (Washington Pavilion)	Physics, Engineering, Earth Science	Explore hands-on STEM exhibits like the water table, simple machines, and motion simulators.	Build a DIY marble run or balloon-powered car to test force and motion.
Month 2	South Dakota Aerial & Arts	Physics, Creative Arts, Movement	Learn about pulleys, rigging, and momentum while creating a short aerial routine. Great for Girl Scout or homeschool groups.	Explore physics at home—test balance, tension, and leverage using ropes or simple pulleys made from household items.
Month 3	Butterfly House & Aquarium	Biology, Ecosystems, Life Science	Observe butterflies and ocean life up close; participate in an educator-led program.	Grow your own butterfly garden or set up a small aquarium observation journal.
Month 4	The Outdoor Campus	Environmental Science, Nature Studies	Try archery, fishing, and guided nature programs on the trails.	Start a nature journal—identify local plants, insects, or birds in your backyard or local park.
Month 5	Good Earth State Park (Spring–Fall) / Old Courthouse Museum (Winter)	History, Culture, Geography	Hike trails and explore Native American trade history, or visit the museum for pioneer and local history exhibits.	Create a family timeline or build a simple map showing early Sioux Falls landmarks and trails.