The National Air and Space Museum welcomes learners of all ages to make face to face connections with aviation and spaceflight history. 

Tips for a Memorable Field Trip

1. Every learner deserves to have an exciting, educational museum experience. Consider splitting large groups into smaller ones of 10-12 people.

2. To best explore, bring only essential gear that you can carry (lockers are not available at our National Mall location). Wear comfortable walking shoes.

3. Be safe. Learners of all ages must remain with a chaperone at all times.

4. Be respectful. Use indoor voices and set cell phones to silent mode. 

5. Be curious. Check out our Visit resources for activities and ideas for learners of all ages.

6. End the experience positively. Designate a meeting location for reassembling before departing together. 

Guidelines for Groups

Be safe. Learners of all ages must remain with chaperones at all times. Student-chaperone rations are: 

  • Pre-K through 3rd Grade: 1 adult for every 5 students
  • 4th through 6th Grade: 1 adult for every 10 students
  • 7th through 12th Grade: 1 adult for every 15 students

Please note that chaperones are to be included in total group count. 

Adults should not have their own infant our young child with them in addition to serving as a group chaperone. 

Ensure everyone has a positive experience by remaining with your group at all times and helping them remember to:

  • Be safe. Running, rough-housing, and climbing on exhibit structures are not permitted.
  • Be polite. Use indoor voices and set all cell phones to silent mode.
  • Be considerate. Food, drink, and gum are not allowed in the galleries.
  • Be respectful of Museum artifacts and the building.

Adult chaperones make field trips better, but there is no substitute for teachers. 

We encourage class leads to check in with all groups during their visit to support chaperones in managing students. 

Outside food and drink, other than bottled water, are not permitted inside the galleries.

The Museum in Washington, DC does not have space available for groups to eat outside food within the Museum.

The Udvar-Hazy Center has seating for groups behind the lockers on the second level. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Groups may also use the picnic tables located near the bus parking lot, outside the Museum. 

All bags/backpacks will be checked by Security. Please limit the number of bags brought into the museum to help expedite your entry.

If you are reserving programming for your field trip group, please note: 

Group Size: Groups must be 10 or more.

Advance Notice: Reservations must be made at least three weeks in advanced.

Cancellation:

All reserved museum tours and programs are free and supported by staff and volunteers. 

We ask that groups who need to cancel a reservation, or expect to arrive later than planned, email us. 

If reserved groups do not alert Museum staff to a cancellation at least 24 hours in advance, your group may not be allowed to reserve future programs.