Fort Christmas should be on your “must go” list of field trips.
Fort Christmas is located about an hour east of where we are in Southwest Orlando.
1300 Fort Christmas Rd
Fort Christmas, FL 32709
It sounds like a long drive but it is definitely an easy straight shot.
Growing up in Saint Augustine, Florida I have visited a fort numerous times. Now living in Orlando, we’re a little dry on the historical Florida field trips. So make the trip to Christmas!
Fort Christmas
The site offers: a replica of the fort built in 1837 during the Second Seminole Indian War; a traditional Florida “Cracker” house and eight pioneer homes; a schoolhouse and lunchroom; a sugar cane mill and other historical farming equipment.
The Field Trip
We were charged $5/person with children 4& under free. After checking in at the main cabin we walked down to the fort and “village” area. Tip: wear comfortable clothes and shoes! I really appreciate the fact that they’ve left these oak trees because it is such an enjoyable day when you take this field trip in the fall.
Our students, ages: preschool-middle, learned how to make candles, wash clothes, shred corn & feed chickens. The tour guide was very knowledgeable about early Floridian pioneers and how they lived, what they grew, the animals they raised, what they ordered in the mail, and everyday life in pioneer Central Florida.
The students bombarded our guide with many questions, and he answered every single one of them with a smile! Especially the outhouse questions.
After the guided tour and activities the children walked through the fort on their own. It is small and easy to navigate. They were interested in all the “old Indian stuff”.
Fort Christmas offers a great picnic/playground area. Again since we took this field trip in early November it was really enjoyable and no one wanted to leave. There are trees to climb, space to run, and plenty of fresh air for a large group – no one felt cramped. We had over 25 students in our group that day.
I learned Fort Christmas offers many activities and special events for the general public during the year. The Cracker Christmas event in early December is incredibly popular.
Talk with the staff if you’re looking for a specific field trip. I just asked for a basic tour.
Our students went home with the candles they made. So you definitely want to have a few parents on hand to help with that process. Little ones need lots of guidance around the hot wax.
Again, Fort Christmas is a great field trip with hands-on learning activities.
I would not recommend Fort Christmas during the late spring or early summer since it is hot and muggy. If you’re looking for a fall or spring field trip – call earlier than later as they do get busy with group requests.
Be sure to pack a lunch and stay for awhile. Print our free playground scavenger hunt and enjoy a few more minutes outside. Fort Christmas is probably one of my favorite field trips around Orlando.