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Homeschool Discounts in Pennsylvania

Big-ticket Pennsylvania museums, science centers, and Civil War sites with homeschool discount days — typically 30–50% off for kids, sometimes free.

✓ Programs verified July 2026 · 13 confirmed programs · 5 call-to-confirm · 14 museums free

Pennsylvania has one of the largest homeschool populations in the Northeast, and the state's marquee venues lean in with dedicated programming. Philadelphia leads with three strong entries — the Franklin Institute runs $55–$60 four-hour Homeschool Workshops the second Thursday of each month, the National Constitution Center hosts FREE Homeschool Days three times a year on Juneteenth, July 4, and September 17, and Penn Museum (the University of Pennsylvania's archaeology and anthropology museum) runs $12-per-person drop-in Homeschool Days. Pittsburgh's Heinz History Center, a Smithsonian affiliate, made admission FREE for kids 17 and under year-round through the Kamin "Free for Kids" Initiative.

Harrisburg's State Museum of Pennsylvania runs $10-per-person monthly Home School Programs that include the Planetarium (note: the entire museum closes August 2, 2026 for renovation through early 2029). Hershey Story Museum runs themed Homeschool Days at $17/person including admission and an educational scavenger hunt. Gettysburg National Military Park runs FREE Winter Homeschool Days each year with a hands-on history fair. Group-format options round out the lineup: Pittsburgh Zoo accepts homeschool co-ops at $15-$17/person (15+ group), and AACA Museum and the National Civil War Museum offer school-group rates that homeschool families can access by organizing a co-op.

Your Pennsylvania homeschool toolkit

Local resources worth bookmarking
Start here

Pennsylvania homeschool laws

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

Read Pennsylvania'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 Pennsylvania 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 → · Pennsylvania history →

Free Pennsylvania homeschool printables

Print, pin & take along — no email needed

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

My Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania

A checklist to fill in — the parks and famous places in Pennsylvania 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
Workshops
2nd Thursday monthly · 10:30am – 2:30pm program plus free museum time afterward
$60
per kid

Franklin Institute

Philadelphia · 7–14 · Call 215.448.1200 (Option 5) to reserve

America's premier hands-on science museum runs monthly Homeschool Workshops on the second Thursday of each month, 10:30am to 2:30pm. The four-hour program covers a specific science topic, gives kids hands-on lab time with museum educators, and includes admission to spend the rest of the day exploring The Franklin Institute's flagship exhibits — including the Giant Heart, Sir Isaac's Loft, and the Fels Planetarium.

Regular admission: ~$25 adult / ~$20 child general admission — A 4-hour structured program instead of just admission — Franklin Institute's premier homeschool offering
Homeschool page at fi.edu →
Offers
Homeschool Days
Annual: Juneteenth, July 4, and September 17 · Three FREE program days each year
Free
per kid · adult Free

National Constitution Center

Philadelphia · K–12 (split into K-5 and 6-12 groups) · Reserve in advance by calling 215-409-6700

The National Constitution Center on Independence Mall — the only museum in the country dedicated to the U.S. Constitution — runs free Homeschool Days three times each year: Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day weekend, and Constitution Day (September 17). Each program is a live museum-educator-led session tied to the holiday's themes, followed by time to explore the Center's interactive exhibits, the Signers' Hall sculptures, and the rotating special exhibitions.

Regular admission: ~$15 adult / ~$11 youth — 100% off for the program days; otherwise museum is regular admission
Homeschool page at constitutioncenter.org →
Offers
Field Trips
Self-organize homeschool co-op for group bookings
$12
per kid · adult $12

Penn Museum K-12 &

Philadelphia · K–12 · Contact the Learning Programs Department at education@pennmuseum.org or 215.746.6774 to plan a visit; homeschool families can self-organize a co-op for the group rate

The University of Pennsylvania's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology welcomes K-12 and homeschool groups for single-day field trips that mix-and-match tours and interactive workshops across the Museum's encyclopedic collection — Egyptian mummies, Sumerian artifacts, Mesoamerican pottery, Greek and Roman sculpture. Homeschool families can self-organize a co-op to meet the group rate; contact the Learning Programs Department to customize the day.

Regular admission: $22 adult / $15 child general admission — ~45% off the regular adult/child combo, with one adult per family free
Homeschool page at penn.museum →
Offers
Homeschool Days
Every operating day, no homeschool registration needed
Free
per kid

Heinz History Center

Pittsburgh · All ages — 17 and under always free · No reservation needed — show up any operating day

Pittsburgh's flagship history museum (and a Smithsonian affiliate) made admission FREE for all kids and youth ages 17 and under in 2025 — a permanent policy not tied to a specific homeschool day. The 275,000-square-foot museum covers 250 years of Western Pennsylvania history including Pittsburgh's industrial past, the Franco Harris Sports Museum, and the original Mister Rogers neighborhood set.

Regular admission: $20 adult / $11 senior / Free 17 and under — 100% off youth admission permanently; no homeschool paperwork needed
Homeschool page at heinzhistorycenter.org →
Offers
Homeschool Classes
Closing August 2, 2026 for renovation through early 2029
$10
per kid · adult $10

State Museum of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg · K–12 · Call 717-772-6997 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm to register

Pennsylvania's flagship state museum runs monthly Home School Programs that include a themed educator-led session plus admission to the Planetarium. Programs cover natural history, archaeology, industry, military history, and decorative arts. IMPORTANT: The State Museum is open through August 2, 2026, then closes for a $55 million renovation expected through early 2029 — visit before the closure if you can.

Regular admission: $6 adult / $4 ages 1-11 — A guided themed program with planetarium access on top of general admission
Homeschool page at statemuseumpa.org →
Offers
Homeschool Days
Check hersheystory.org for current dates
$17
per kid · adult $17

Hershey Story Museum

Hershey · Ages 3+ · Reserve by phone at 717-534-3439 or check hersheystory.org for online registration

The Milton Hershey biography museum runs themed Homeschool Days throughout the year tying chocolate-making history to broader topics — recent themes include "Food of the Gods" (cocoa as ancient Mesoamerican currency) and colonial-era chocolate production. Each session includes a 45–60 minute educator-led scavenger hunt through the exhibits plus full-day museum admission.

Regular admission: $16.50 adult / $12.50 ages 3-12 — Same as adult admission but adds a themed educational activity for kids
Homeschool page at hersheystory.org →
Offers
Homeschool Days
Hands-on history fair format
Free
per kid · adult Free

Gettysburg National Military Park Winter

Gettysburg · Recommended 8–14, K-12 families welcome · Reserve via the NPS Gettysburg education office — check nps.gov/gett for current dates

Gettysburg National Military Park's Winter Homeschool Days are an annual free educator-led history fair for homeschool families. The 6,000-acre battlefield is always free to drive and walk; this program adds ranger-led stations on Civil War soldiering, civilian life, medicine, leadership, and the Gettysburg Address. The NPS also offers free Traveling Trunks for at-home use through the Gettysburg Foundation.

Regular admission: Free battlefield (the indoor Film/Cyclorama/Museum combo is $20.75 separately) — 100% free educator-led programming plus the always-free battlefield
Homeschool page at nps.gov →
Offers
Field Trips
Any open day with 3-week advance reservation · requires 15+ paying participants
$15
per kid · adult $15

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium

Pittsburgh · Preschool-Gr. 12 · Submit reservation form 3 weeks ahead at pittsburghzoo.org/schoolgroups; pay 2 weeks ahead

Pittsburgh's flagship Zoo & Aquarium accepts homeschool groups at the school field-trip rate when families self-organize a co-op of 15+ paying participants. Self-guided visits work any open day; Learning Adventures classroom programs add a standards-aligned animal encounter for $1 more per person. School/camp staff IDs unlock free admission for teachers, teacher aides, and bus drivers.

Regular admission: ~$25 adult / ~$20 child gate rate — ~40% off regular gate rate when booked as a 15+ school/homeschool group
Homeschool page at pittsburghzoo.org →
Offers
Guided group tours
By reservation, Mon-Fri mornings; book ~2 weeks ahead
$7
per kid · adult $7

Everhart Museum

Scranton · All ages · Book at least 2 weeks ahead — email camille@everhart-museum.org or call (570) 346-7186 ext. 516

Scranton's Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art offers a 90-minute guided group tour at a flat $7 per person (chaperones included), with a 10-person minimum a homeschool co-op can easily meet. Tours span the natural history, science, and fine-art collections. Public-school groups may get the tour free through the EITC program.

Regular admission: $10 adult / $5 senior & student / free 12 & under — A 90-minute docent-led tour at $7/person flat vs the $10 walk-in adult rate — the value is the guided program
Homeschool page at everhart-museum.org →
Offers
Group field-trip rate
By reservation during museum season (daily Apr-Dec; Wed-Sun winter)
$5
per kid · adult $7

Electric City Trolley Museum

Scranton · All ages · Reserve group rates in advance by calling (570) 963-6950

Scranton's trolley museum publishes a standing group rate for parties of 20 or more — $5 child / $7 adult museum-only, or a $10 child / $12 adult combo that includes the working trolley excursion. A homeschool co-op can organize a 20-person field trip to access it.

Regular admission: $9 adult / $7 child museum-only; $15 adult combo — Group rate saves $2/adult on the museum and $3/person on the combo vs individual pricing
Homeschool page at ectma.org →
Offers
Self-scheduled field trips
Booked year-round by reservation request; single-day visit
$15.50
per kid · adult $15.50

Da Vinci Science Center

Allentown · All grades; program add-ons tailored K-12 · Minimum 15 paid visitors — submit a Reservation Request Form at davincisciencecenter.org/school-field-trips

The new downtown Da Vinci Science Center offers a self-scheduled group field-trip rate of $15.50 per person for groups of 15 or more, which a homeschool co-op can organize and book directly. Optional add-on experiences run $3-$5.50 more per student. There's no separate 'homeschool day,' but the group field-trip rate is a documented, co-op-accessible option.

Regular admission: $20 online / $22 in-person adult general admission — About 22-30% off the standard adult gate, as a single flat per-person group rate
Homeschool page at davincisciencecenter.org →
Offers
School group tours
By reservation; 15-person minimum for group rates
$7.50
per kid · adult $11.50

AACA Museum

Hershey · K-12 and all ages · Reserve a date by calling 717-566-7100 or emailing info@aacamuseum.org; the group rate needs 15+ paid together

The Antique Automobile Club of America Museum — three floors of automobile history from the 1890s to modern classics, the world's largest Tucker collection, rotating Chrysler Imperial exhibitions, plus buses and motorcycles. School groups and homeschool co-ops of 15 or more get a published $7.50-per-student tour rate, with the bus driver and one tour leader free; self-guided or guided options are available.

Regular admission: $16 adults / $10 ages 4-12 / free under 3 — $7.50/student school-tour rate — more than half off the $16 adult / $10 child gate
Homeschool page at atexpa.org →
Offers
School group field trips
By reservation; groups of 10+ students, book 2 weeks ahead
$14
per kid · adult $15

National Civil War Museum

Harrisburg · Students (groups of 10+); children under 6 free · Book at least 2 weeks ahead through the group tour sales office — call (717) 260-1861 or email info@nationalcivilwarmuseum.org

The National Civil War Museum in Reservoir Park — a Smithsonian affiliate with 24,000+ Civil War artifacts presenting both Northern and Southern viewpoints, plus military and civilian perspectives across 25,000 sq ft of exhibition space. School group field trips include the same self-guided museum access at a reduced rate; homeschool families can self-organize a co-op to book.

Regular admission: $18 adults / $16 students 6+ / free under 6 — $14/student plus FREE chaperones at 1-per-5 — well below the $16 individual student gate
Homeschool page at nationalcivilwarmuseum.org →

When everything’s free

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

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

Free museum days across Pennsylvania

Philadelphia · Pittsburgh & Southwest · Harrisburg & Central · Erie · Pittsburgh · Allentown & 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 Pennsylvania’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 Pennsylvania free museum days →

Worth calling about

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

Offers
School group rate, by reservation
Season Apr 1-Nov 30; Tue/Wed reserved for groups
Call
no public price

Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour

Scranton · Recommended for school-age children and up (underground mine-car ride) · Call 570-963-6463 or 1-800-238-7245, or email coalmine@lackawannacounty.org; Tue/Wed are held for group reservations

The underground anthracite mine tour offers discounted group rates for schools and civic groups of 20 or more, with Tuesdays and Wednesdays reserved for group bookings — a natural fit for a homeschool co-op field trip. The exact per-student price isn't posted online, so call to confirm.

Regular admission: $10 adult / $9.50 senior / $7.50 child 3-12 / free under 3 — Group discount off the $7.50-$10 walk-in rates (groups of 20+); amount not published
How to reach them: Discounted group rates for schools and civic groups of 20+ exist, but the per-student figure isn't published — call 570-963-6463 or 1-800-238-7245, or email coalmine@lackawannacounty.org. Bring jackets; it's 53°F underground.
Homeschool page at coalminetournepa.com →
Offers
Group tours by reservation
Wed-Sun 10am-4pm, March-December (closed Jan-Feb)
Call
no public price

Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum

Scranton · All ages · Download the Group Tours form and call (570) 963-4804 or email bmorin@pa.gov to arrange

This state museum on coal-region mining and immigrant life takes advance group-tour reservations and offers group rates, but doesn't publish a school/homeschool per-student figure online. A co-op can arrange a guided visit by phone. Closed January-February.

Regular admission: $7 adult / $6 senior / $5 youth (3-11) — Group rate off the $5-$7 individual admission; amount not published
How to reach them: The museum takes group-tour reservations and discusses group rates, but publishes no school/student figure — call (570) 963-4804 or email bmorin@pa.gov. It pairs perfectly with the Coal Mine Tour next door in McDade Park.
Homeschool page at anthracitemuseum.org →
Offers
Free ranger-led education programs
Curriculum-based programs arranged in advance
Call
no public price

Steamtown National Historic Site

Scranton · All ages · Call the Steamtown visitor center at 570-340-5200 to arrange a ranger-led education program

Steamtown is a free National Park Service railroad site, and like most NPS units it offers ranger-led, curriculum-based education programs a homeschool group can book in advance. Admission and the programs are free; call the visitor center to arrange a guided group visit rather than just walking in.

Regular admission: Free (NPS fee-free site) — N/A — admission is already free
How to reach them: The site itself is FREE; NPS ranger-led, curriculum-based education programs are arranged by reservation — call the visitor center at 570-340-5200 to set up a homeschool group visit. Scheduling isn't posted as a fixed calendar.
Homeschool page at nps.gov →
Offers
Group programs & guided tours
Year-round by reservation; contact the education office
Call
no public price

Lehigh Valley Zoo

Allentown · Grades K-12 and all ages · Reserve via edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171

The Lehigh Valley Zoo, set inside the Trexler Nature Preserve, explicitly welcomes homeschool groups in its year-round, standards-aligned Group Programs, plus behind-the-scenes options like Keeper for a Day (ages 10+) and high-school Job Shadow days. Its professionally-guided 90-minute Zoo Tour runs $425 per program for up to 30 participants with zoo admission included, covering PDE Science Standards for grades K-12.

Regular admission: $18 adult / $14 child (2-11) & senior general admission — The $425/up-to-30 guided Zoo Tour includes admission (~$14 each at capacity) vs the $18/$14 gate; group-program rates on request
How to reach them: Homeschool groups are explicitly welcome in the zoo's year-round, standards-aligned Group Programs (per-student field-trip pricing on request). The published guided Zoo Tour is $425 per program for up to 30 participants (adults and students), zoo admission included — about $14 each at capacity — a 90-minute educator-led tour for grades K-12 covering PDE Science Standards. Contact edureservations@lvzoo.org or call 610-799-4171 for per-student rates and dates.
Homeschool page at lvzoo.org →
Offers
Free Kids Thursdays + school field trips
Kids 12 & under free every Thursday; group field trips by request
Call
no public price

America On Wheels

Allentown · Youth 5-17; kids 4 & under always free with family · Group/field-trip visits arranged by phone at 610-432-4200; Free Kids Thursday needs no reservation

This Allentown transportation museum hosts school field trips and has a standing 'Free Kids Thursdays' deal (children 12 and under free), which a homeschool family can use on any Thursday. A discounted organized group rate exists but isn't posted online, so a co-op wanting a guided group visit should call to confirm.

Regular admission: $20 adult / $12 youth (5-17) general admission — Kids 12 & under free every Thursday ('Free Kids Thursdays'); organized group field-trip rate unpublished
How to reach them: A discounted school/group field-trip rate exists but isn't published online — call 610-432-4200. Kids 12 & under are free every Thursday, so a homeschool family can simply use that day.
Homeschool page at americaonwheels.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 Pennsylvania

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

Pittsburgh

4 free or cheap
  • Frick Art MuseumFree
  • Duquesne Incline$2.50 each way / $5.00 round trip (ages 12+) / $1.25 each way ages 6–11 / free under 6
  • Cathedral of Learning & Nationality RoomsFree to enter / $10 adults / $6 youth (audio tour)
  • Bicycle Heaven Museum$15 per person / Free under 5
See all Pittsburgh attractions →

Erie

9 free or cheap
  • Presque Isle State ParkFree
  • Tom Ridge Environmental CenterFree
  • Erie Maritime Museum & US Brig Niagara$10 general / $7 seniors (65+) / $5 ages 3–11 / free under 3
  • Erie Art Museum$10 adults / $8 seniors & students / Free 16 and under
  • Erie Land Lighthouse$7 tower climb / Free grounds
  • Hagen History Center$14 adults / $8 students / $12 veterans / Free under 7
  • Asbury Woods Nature CenterFree
  • Erie Zoo$13 adults / $11 seniors 62+ / $9 children 2-12 / Free under 2
  • ExpERIEnce Children's Museum$12 adults & kids / $10 seniors/military/AAA / $5 SNAP EBT (Museums for All)
See all Erie attractions →

Lancaster

5 free or cheap
  • President James Buchanan's Wheatland$18 online / $20 at door / $10 students / Free 10 & under
  • Demuth MuseumFree (suggested $10 donation)
  • Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum$12 adults / $10 seniors / $8 youth 3–11 / Free 2 and under
  • Mennonite Life Visitors CenterFree (Biblical Tabernacle tour extra)
  • 1719 Museum (Hans Herr House)$15 adults / $7 youth 7–16 / Free 6 and under
See all Lancaster attractions →

Philadelphia

4 free or cheap
  • Liberty Bell CenterFree
  • Independence HallFree ($1 timed-ticket fee 10am–4pm)
  • Elfreth's AlleyFree street access / $5 museum (seasonal)
  • Philadelphia's Magic Gardens$15 adults / $12 students/seniors / $8 children 6–12 / Free 5 and under
See all Philadelphia attractions →

Harrisburg

7 free or cheap
  • Pennsylvania State CapitolFree guided tours
  • Wildwood ParkFree
  • State Museum of Pennsylvania$6 adults / $5 seniors 65+ / $4 ages 1-11 (closing Aug 2, 2026)
  • Fort Hunter Mansion & ParkFree grounds / Mansion tour $7 adults / $4 children
  • Susquehanna Art Museum$10 adults / $7 military, seniors & students / Free under 16 / Free 3rd Friday 5-8pm
  • Pennsylvania National Fire Museum$7 adults / $5 children / Free under 2
  • National Civil War Museum at Reservoir Park$18 adults / $17 seniors 60+ / $16 students 6+ / $68 family pass
See all Harrisburg attractions →

Hershey

3 free or cheap
  • Founders Hall at Milton Hershey SchoolFree
  • Hershey Story Museum$16.50 adults / $15.50 seniors 62+ / $12.50 ages 3-12 / Free active military
  • AACA Museum at Hershey$18 adults / $15 seniors 61+ / $10 ages 4-12 / Free under 3
See all Hershey attractions →

Gettysburg

6 free or cheap
  • Gettysburg National Military ParkFree battlefield / $20.75 Film+Cyclorama+Museum combo
  • Soldiers' National Cemetery (Gettysburg National Cemetery)Free
  • Gettysburg Museum of HistoryFree
  • Eisenhower National Historic SiteFree
  • Lincoln CemeteryFree
  • Shriver House Museum$15 adults / $14 seniors and veterans / $10 ages 6-12 / Free under 6 and active military
See all Gettysburg attractions →

Scranton

7 free or cheap
  • Steamtown National Historic SiteFree
  • Lackawanna Coal Mine Tour$10 adults / $7.50 children (3-12) / free under 3
  • Electric City Trolley Museum$9 adult museum / $7 child / $15 adult museum+trolley combo
  • Everhart Museum of Natural History, Science & Art$10 adults / $5 seniors & students / Free ages 12 & under
  • Pennsylvania Anthracite Heritage Museum$7 adults / $6 seniors / $5 youth (3-11)
  • Scranton Iron FurnacesFree
  • Lackawanna Historical Society at the Catlin HouseSmall admission for house tour (about $5); call to confirm
See all Scranton attractions →

Allentown

11 free or cheap
  • Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion$20 online / $22 in-person adult; kids 2 & under free
  • Allentown Art MuseumFree
  • Lehigh Valley Zoo$18 adults / $14 children (2-11) & seniors (65+) / under 2 free
  • America On Wheels$20 adults / $16 seniors / $12 youth (5-17); kids 4 & under free
  • Museum of Indian Culture$5 adults / children 8 & under free
  • Mack Trucks Historical MuseumFree (suggested $5 donation for ages 12+)
  • Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum$10 adults / $3 children (2-11) / under 2 & members free
  • Historic 1770 Trout HallLow-cost guided tour; buy tickets at the adjacent Lehigh Valley Heritage Museum
  • Trexler Nature PreserveFree
  • Li'l-Le-Hi Trout NurseryFree (small change for fish-feed dispensers)
  • Lock Ridge Furnace Museum & ParkFree
See all Allentown attractions →

See all 95 Pennsylvania attractions on the directory →