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Homeschool Discounts in Arizona

Big-ticket Arizona museums, science centers, zoos, aquariums, and gardens with homeschool days and co-op field-trip rates — typically 30–50% off for kids, sometimes free.

✓ Programs verified August 2026 · 13 confirmed programs · 2 call-to-confirm · 11 museums free

Arizona's homeschool deals cluster at the big museums, science centers, zoos, aquariums, and gardens across the Phoenix metro — Phoenix, Scottsdale, and Mesa — and around Tucson, with more in Flagstaff, Prescott, Lake Havasu City, and Yuma. Most run through each venue's homeschool day or school field-trip program. A co-op that gathers a 10-to-15-student minimum can book the Desert Botanical Garden, OdySea Aquarium, and Pima Air & Space at roughly $5–$15 a student, well under gates that run $24–$45.

Several stops are easy for a single family, too: Mesa's natural history museum gives Arizona homeschoolers a $6 self-guided rate with an affidavit, Tucson's Reid Park Zoo offers free weekday self-guided field trips, and the Phoenix Zoo, Butterfly Wonderland, and the Arizona Science Center run dedicated homeschool days and workshops. Dates and exact rates shift each term, so confirm on each venue's own site before you go.

Your Arizona homeschool toolkit

Local resources worth bookmarking
Start here

Arizona homeschool laws

Notice, recordkeeping & assessment rules — straight from the source.

Read Arizona's requirements →

Check your local library

Free museum passes, classes, makerspaces & interlibrary loan — the cheapest field trips there are. Ask what they offer homeschoolers.

Find Arizona libraries →

Always ask about homeschool rates

Many venues give 30–50% off (sometimes free) and never advertise it. Call ahead and ask for a homeschool, education, or co-op rate before you pay.

State parks & history

Free and cheap educational programming statewide — nature centers, historic sites, junior-ranger days.

State parks → · Arizona history →

Free Arizona homeschool printables

Print, pin & take along — no email needed

Free PDF worksheets to bring on any Arizona field trip. Print as many copies as you like.

My Arizona Study

A one-page state study your child fills in — capital, state symbols, flag, and a place to visit.

Download PDF →

Field trip scavenger hunt

A find-it checklist that works at any museum, park, or downtown outing. Reusable every trip.

Download PDF →

Nature journal

A draw-and-observe page for park, trail, and garden days — senses, sketches, and a leaf rubbing.

Download PDF →

Landmarks I want to see in Arizona

A checklist to fill in — the parks and famous places in Arizona you want to visit, with a box to tick off each one.

Download PDF →

See all our free printables →

Confirmed homeschool pricing

Published price on the venue's own homeschool page — most under $20 per child.

Offers
Homeschool Days
3 days/yr: Oct 28, Feb 24 & Apr 28 · 9am-Noon
$25
per kid · adult $25

Phoenix Zoo

Phoenix · All grades · Register online ahead of each Homeschool Day

One of the country's largest nonprofit zoos, with 3,000-plus animals across desert, tropics, and Africa trails in Papago Park. Three times a year it hosts dedicated Homeschool Days ($25 general, $12 members, admission included) with keeper talks and activities — the homeschool-friendly way in, since the discounted school field-trip rate is reserved for Arizona public, private, and charter schools.

Regular admission: ~$35 adult (peak gate) — $25 Homeschool Day (or $12 members) vs. ~$35 gate
Homeschool page at phoenixzoo.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Weekdays; chaperones free in ratio
$12
per kid · adult Free

Desert Botanical Garden

Phoenix · K-12 · Reserve 2 weeks ahead

Phoenix's world-class garden of Sonoran Desert plants spreads across 140 acres in Papago Park. Teacher-led school field trips run $12 a student with chaperones and teachers free in ratio — less than half the gate — and homeschool families can also visit free on the second-Tuesday Community Day or with a free library Culture Pass.

Regular admission: ~$30 adult (seasonal gate) — $12/student + free Community Days
Homeschool page at dbg.org →
Offers
Homeschool Workshops
Monthly · single-session & unit studies
$25–$35
per kid

Arizona Science Center

Phoenix · Grades K–8 (workshops); 1–12 (unit studies) · Register per workshop online

Arizona Science Center runs dedicated single-session Homeschool Workshops — hands-on STEM classes with a new theme each month for grade bands K-2, 3-5, and 6-8, priced at $25 for a 60-minute session or $35 for 120 minutes. Month-long Unit Studies (grades 1-12, Tuesdays and Thursdays) go deeper for families who want a full term. Register per session on the center's site.

Regular admission: ~$25–$30 general admission
Homeschool page at azscience.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Groups of 10+, PreK-12
$15.25
per kid · adult Free

OdySea Aquarium

Scottsdale · PreK-12 · Book online in advance

The Southwest's largest aquarium, in Scottsdale, where a self-guided 'drop of water' journey passes sharks, otters, and a rotating SeaTREK tunnel. Homeschool groups of 10+ (preschool through 12th grade) book at $15.25 a student with chaperones free in ratio — a deep cut off a gate that tops $40.

Regular admission: ~$45 adult (gate) — $15.25/student vs. ~$45 gate
Homeschool page at odyseaaquarium.com →
Offers
Homeschool Days
Select Mon–Tue dates (e.g., Feb 9-10, 2026)
$12
per kid · adult $16

Butterfly Wonderland

Scottsdale · All grades · Reserve 2 weeks ahead (set dates)

America's largest butterfly conservatory, a tropical rainforest atrium in Scottsdale with thousands of free-flying butterflies plus a stingray touch pool and a 3D theater. Dedicated Homeschool Days (select Monday–Tuesday dates) bring groups of 10+ in at $12 a student — about a third off the $33 gate.

Regular admission: ~$33 adult (gate) — $12/student vs. $33 gate
Homeschool page at butterflywonderland.com →
Offers
Group Visits
Grades 3-6 areas of study
$7
per kid · adult Free

Western Spirit: Scottsdale's Museum of the West

Scottsdale · Grades 3-6 (programs) · Book with the education director

Scottsdale's Smithsonian-affiliate museum of Western art and history, with eight galleries on cowboys, Native cultures, and the Five C's of Arizona. School and homeschool tours run just $7 a student (Title I free) — well under the $28 gate — with six curriculum-aligned areas of study for grades 3-6.

Regular admission: $28 adult gate — $7/student vs. $28 gate
Homeschool page at westernspirit.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Tue–Fri, ages 6-16
$6
per kid · adult $6

Arizona Museum of Natural History

Mesa · 6-16 · Bring affidavit; reserve for groups of 10+

Mesa's natural history museum, famous for animatronic Dinosaur Mountain and its three-story flash-flood waterfall. Arizona homeschoolers (with an affidavit of intent) get a self-guided Home School Discount of $6 a person for ages 6-16 plus chaperone-educators, Tuesday–Friday year-round, against a $16 gate.

Regular admission: $16 adult gate — $6/person vs. $16 gate
Homeschool page at azmnh.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Groups of 10+, ages 5-18
$5
per kid · adult $5

Pima Air & Space Museum

Tucson · 5-18 · Book online 7+ days ahead

One of the world's largest aerospace museums, with 400-plus aircraft across six hangars and 80 acres near Tucson. Homeschool coalitions of 10+ (ages 5-18) within Pima County visit free; groups from elsewhere pay just $5 a student — remarkable value against a gate around $24. Book a week ahead.

Regular admission: ~$24 adult gate — Free (Pima Co.) / $5 elsewhere
Homeschool page at pimaair.org →
Offers
Field Trips
K-12, weekdays Aug–May
Free
per kid · adult Free

Reid Park Zoo

Tucson · K-12 · Reserve 30 days ahead

Tucson's compact, walkable 24-acre zoo with elephants, giraffes, lions, and a strong conservation program. K-12 self-guided field trips are completely free on weekdays (book 30 days ahead, one free adult per five kids), and the educator-led Zoo Adventure Program adds a live-animal session for $8 a person.

Regular admission: ~$12 adult gate — Free self-guided field trips
Homeschool page at reidparkzoo.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Self-guided, PreK-12
$8
per kid · adult $8

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum

Tucson · PreK-12 · Reserve with the education team

Part zoo, part botanical garden, part natural history museum, this iconic 98-acre attraction west of Tucson is the definitive Sonoran Desert experience. Self-guided PreK-12 field trips run just $8 a person — students and chaperones alike — against a roughly $30 gate, with optional live-animal theater and stingray-touch add-ons for $3 more.

Regular admission: ~$30 adult / ~$25 youth gate — $8/person vs. ~$30 gate
Homeschool page at desertmuseum.org →
Offers
School Field Trips
Two-hour guided tour · by reservation
$14
per kid · adult $14

Lowell Observatory

Flagstaff · All grades (tour catered to age group) · Register online or email fieldtrips@lowell.edu

Lowell Observatory books two-hour school field trips catered to your students' age group — a guided tour of the historic Pluto or Clark telescope plus an interactive educator talk on light and spectroscopy. Daytime visits (9am-5pm) run $14 per person for general-admission schools, $12 for schools from Native Nations, or $17 nights and weekends; adults, students, and teachers all pay the same rate. Homeschool groups welcome.

Regular admission: ~$20 adult day / ~$35 evening (general public) — $14/person school field trip vs. ~$20–$35 gate
Homeschool page at lowell.edu →
Offers
Group Visits
Docent-led, groups of 7+
$7
per kid · adult $15

Sharlot Hall Museum

Prescott · 5-17 · Contact the education coordinator (min 7)

Prescott's four-acre history campus — the 1864 Territorial Governor's Mansion plus pioneer buildings and living-history demonstrations. Docent-led school and group tours, tied to Arizona history standards, run $7 a youth and $15 an adult with a 7-person minimum — a guided, hands-on way for a homeschool co-op to walk through early Arizona.

Regular admission: $17 adult / $9 youth (self-guided) — $7/youth guided school tour
Homeschool page at sharlothallmuseum.org →
Offers
Docent-led school tours
By appointment, year-round
$2
per kid · adult $2

Lake Havasu Museum of History

Lake Havasu City · Grades 2+ · Book via the museum's online form or email education@havasumuseum.com

The Lake Havasu Museum of History opens the local story — the London Bridge saga, steamboats on the Colorado, mining, and Chemehuevi heritage — to school and homeschool groups with a docent-led education tour. A co-op can bring up to 60 students for $2 each; teachers come free, and a hands-on activity add-on runs $5. Best for grades 2 and up.

Regular admission: By donation
Homeschool page at havasumuseum.com →

When everything’s free

Big-ticket museums with a recurring free-admission day — open to everyone, no homeschool sign-up needed.

Year-round
11 museums
FREE
Admission days
Free-for-all guide

Free museum days across Arizona

Phoenix & Scottsdale · Tucson · Phoenix · Tempe · Mesa · Flagstaff & more

No group minimums and no booking forms — just show up on the right day. From free weeknights and weekend days to resident-free museums, these are the recurring free-admission days at Arizona’s major museums, each verified on the museum’s own site.

Why it’s here: the cheapest field trip there is — no per-kid ticket and no reservation.
See all Arizona free museum days →

Worth calling about

These venues run homeschool programs but don't publish pricing online. Call before you go.

Offers
School & Co-op Field Trips
By reservation, K-8
Call
no public price

Colorado River State Historic Park

Yuma · Grades K-8 · Call the park at 928-329-0471 to schedule

The historic Yuma Quartermaster Depot on the Colorado River runs standards-aligned field trips at the park and at the restored Yuma East Wetlands, exploring the region's river, rail, and military history plus desert ecology. Homeschool co-ops of 10 or more can book; the per-student rate isn't posted, so call to confirm.

Regular admission: $10 adults / $7 youth 7-13 / under 7 free
How to reach them: Arizona State Parks runs standards-aligned K-8 field-trip programs at the Quartermaster Depot and the neighboring Yuma East Wetlands, covering the area's cultural and natural history. Programs need a minimum of 10 students and advance scheduling; per-student pricing isn't posted online — call the park at 928-329-0471 to confirm your co-op's rate. General admission is $10 adults, $7 youth 7-13.
Homeschool page at azstateparks.com →
Offers
Field Trips
Booked on Tuesdays
Call
no public price

Children's Museum of Yuma County

Yuma · Early grades · Field-trip request form on the museum's events page

Downtown Yuma's hands-on children's museum has 15 play-and-learn exhibits geared to younger kids. Field trips are booked on Tuesdays so a group has the museum to itself; homeschool co-ops are welcome, but the per-student rate isn't posted online — submit the request form to confirm pricing for your group.

Regular admission: $8 general / under 1 free
How to reach them: The museum books school and homeschool field trips on Tuesdays, when your group gets its 15 hands-on exhibits to itself. Per-student field-trip pricing isn't posted online — submit the request form on the events page or email anna@yumachildrensmuseum.org. Regular admission is $8 (under 1 free; $4 with SNAP/EBT).
Homeschool page at yumachildrensmuseum.org →

Gear up for your field trip

A few inexpensive things that turn a museum or nature day into a richer lesson — favorites from homeschooling families.

Kids' field journal
Sketch and note what they see at each stop
Shop on Amazon →
Compact binoculars for kids
Zoos, nature centers, living-history farms
Shop on Amazon →
Bug viewer & magnifier
Turn any nature trail into a science lesson
Shop on Amazon →
Kids' sketchbook
Art-museum and outdoor sketching days
Shop on Amazon →
Scavenger hunt cards
Keep little ones engaged on long visits
Shop on Amazon →
Junior ranger activity book
Pairs with park and museum trips
Shop on Amazon →

Homeschool resources we love

Homeschool curriculum Science experiment kits Kids' art supplies Educational workbooks

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Plus more free and cheap educational outings in Arizona

Already on DiscoverCheapUS — free and low-cost Arizona attractions homeschool families plan whole field-trip days around.

Phoenix

6 free or cheap
  • Musical Instrument Museum (MIM)$20 adults / $15 teens 13-19 / $10 children 4-12 / Free 3 and under
  • Phoenix Art MuseumPay-what-you-wish Wed 3-8pm & free First Fridays 5-8pm / $25 adults otherwise
  • Japanese Friendship Garden (Rohoen)$14 adults / $11 youth 7-17 / Free under 7
  • S'edav Va'aki Museum$13 adults / $6 youth 6-17 / Free under 6 / Discounted Thu eve
  • Children's Museum of Phoenix$19 / Free under 1 / Free First Friday nights
  • Arizona Capitol MuseumFree
See all Phoenix attractions →

Scottsdale

3 free or cheap
  • Scottsdale Museum of Contemporary Art (SMoCA)Pay-what-you-wish Thursdays & 2nd Saturdays / $16 general / Free 18 & under
  • McCormick-Stillman Railroad ParkFree entry / train & carousel rides $3 each
  • CosantiFree to visit (guided tours $10-30)
See all Scottsdale attractions →

Mesa

5 free or cheap
  • Arizona Museum of Natural History$16 adults / $9 children 3-12 / Free under 3 / EBT $4
  • i.d.e.a. Museum$10 (ages 1+) / Free under 1 / EBT $4
  • Arizona Commemorative Air Force Museum$20 adults / $10 kids 5-17 / Free under 5 / cockpit tours $15
  • Mesa Arts CenterFree (Mesa Contemporary Arts galleries)
  • Riparian Preserve at Water RanchFree
See all Mesa attractions →

Tempe

3 free or cheap
  • ASU Art MuseumFree
  • Tempe History MuseumFree
  • Tempe Center for the ArtsFree (gallery & grounds)
See all Tempe attractions →

Prescott

5 free or cheap
  • Sharlot Hall Museum$17 adults / $9 youth 10-17 / Free under 10
  • Phippen Museum$12 adults / $6 students / Free 12 & under
  • Museum of Indigenous People$10 adults / $8 seniors / $6 students / Free 12 & under
  • Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary$16 adults / $12 children 3-12 / Free under 3
  • Highlands Center for Natural HistoryFree
See all Prescott attractions →

Sedona

4 free or cheap
  • Chapel of the Holy CrossFree (donations welcome)
  • Sedona Heritage Museum$10 adults / Free under 13
  • Amitabha Stupa & Peace ParkFree (donations welcome)
  • Palatki Heritage Site$5 Red Rock Pass / Reservation required
See all Sedona attractions →

Flagstaff

8 free or cheap
  • Museum of Northern Arizona$18 adults / $13 youth 10-17 / free under 10
  • Walnut Canyon National Monument$15/person on foot or bike / $25/vehicle (up to 8 people)
  • Riordan Mansion State Historic Park$5 grounds entry / $18 adults guided tour / $12 youth (7–13) / Free under 7
  • Pioneer Museum (Arizona Historical Society)$10 adults / $9 senior/military / $5 youth (7–13) / Free under 7
  • Coconino Center for the ArtsFree gallery admission / Performances ticketed by event
  • Hotel Monte VistaFree to visit lobby and bar
  • The Arboretum at Flagstaff$14 adults / $8 youth 5-17 / Free under 5
  • Wupatki National Monument$25 per vehicle (includes Sunset Crater)
See all Flagstaff attractions →

Tucson

8 free or cheap
  • Tohono Chul$20 general / $15 seniors 62+ / $10 youth 4–17 / free under 4
  • Mission San Xavier del BacFree (donations welcome)
  • Tucson Presidio Museum & El Presidio Historic District$9 adults / $6 children 6-13 / Free under 6
  • DeGrazia Gallery in the Sun$10 adults / $5 ages 13-18 / Free under 12
  • Tucson Museum of Art & Historic Block$15 adults / Free under 17
  • Reid Park Zoo$12 adults / $8.50 children 2-14 / Free under 2
  • Tucson Botanical Gardens$19 adults / $15 seniors & students / $10 children 4-12 / Free under 4
  • Children's Museum Tucson$12 / Free under 12 months / Free Thursdays 5-7pm
See all Tucson attractions →

Lake Havasu City

4 free or cheap
  • Lake Havasu LighthousesFree
  • Lake Havasu Museum of HistoryBy donation
  • Havasu Art CenterFree
  • Havasu National Wildlife RefugeFree
See all Lake Havasu City attractions →

Yuma

7 free or cheap
  • Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park$10 adults / $7 youth 7-13 / under 7 free
  • Colorado River State Historic Park (Quartermaster Depot)$10 adults / $7 youth 7-13 / under 7 free
  • Yuma East WetlandsFree
  • Pivot Point Interpretive PlazaFree
  • Yuma Art Center & Historic Yuma TheatreFree (galleries)
  • Children's Museum of Yuma County$8 / under 1 free / EBT $4
  • Imperial National Wildlife RefugeFree
See all Yuma attractions →

See all 100 Arizona attractions on the directory →