Virtual Field Trips
In light of recent events, families are finding themselves in the position of not only being at home with their children for an extended period of time, but educating them as well. Unlike a school vacation, places like zoos, aquariums and museums are closed in an effort to keep people from congregating. Travel is also on hold. Virtual field trips are a fun and educational way to visit places virtually and keep “travel” going.
I’ve rounded up 20 virtual field trips that you can take with your kids. There are also lesson ideas, activities and book suggestions to extend the learning for each type of destination.
This is a whole family activity, where K & 1st grade students may need assistance navigating through the numerous website.
Equipment needed: laptop, tablet, or cellphone that has internet connection.
Materials: printer (if you wish to print out the resource sheet) or a paper and pencil will do just fine.
ART MUSEUMS
Visit some of the best art galleries in the world virtually. From Paris to New York to Amsterdam, kids can see priceless works of art from the world’s most famous artists.
- Louvre Museum, Paris https://www.louvre.fr/en/visites-en-ligne
- National Gallery of Art, Washington DC https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/national-gallery-of-art-washington-dc?hl=en
- Metropolitan Museum of Art https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/the-metropolitan-museum-of-art
- Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/van-gogh-museum?hl=en
- Uffizi Gallery, Florence Italy https://artsandculture.google.com/partner/uffizi-gallery?hl=en
ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
- Choose a favorite painting or sculpture and create a copycat piece of art.
- Research an artist.
- Choose a piece of art to focus on. Describe it, tell why you chose it and how it makes you feel.
- Choose 2 works of art to compare.
ZOOS
Zoo webcams have allowed visitors to drop in on the habitats of some of the zoo’s favorite animal exhibits.
- San Diego Zoo https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/videos
- Zoo Atlanta Panda Cam https://youtu.be/_6wbfVWVk8Q
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo https://nationalzoo.si.edu/webcams
- Reid Park Zoo Lion Cam in Tuscon, AZ http://reidparkzoo.org/cameras/lion-cam/
- Ouwehand Park Polar Bear Cubs Rhenen, Netherland https://explore.org/livecams/polar-bears/polar-bear-ouwehand-twin-cubs-cam-2
ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
- Take a Virtual Field Trip Lesson Plan
- Zoo Field Trip Worksheet Freebie
- Do more research on your favorite animal and make a guide.
- Research the habitat of your favorite animal. Use at home materials to create a miniature habitat.
AQUARIUMS
Just like with zoos, aquariums have used webcams to let you visit their exhibits virtually. In addition, some aquariums have set up virtual tours led by their staff to give visitors a more in depth look at their facility.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals-and-exhibits/live-web-cams
- Georgia Aquarium https://www.georgiaaquarium.org/webcam/ocean-voyager/
- National Aquarium Virtual Tour http://samuraivirtualtours.com/example/nadc/index.html
- Virtual Tour of the Seattle Aquarium
ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
- Take a Virtual Field Trip Lesson Plan
- Aquarium Field Trip Worksheet Freebie
- Research your favorite sea animal and make a presentation.
- Watch Finding Nemo or Finding Dory. Identify the types of sea creatures in the movie.
- Watch Disneynature’s Oceans
TRAVEL THE WORLD
In this day and age, it is easier than ever to travel the world without leaving home.
- Google Maps street view will allow you to visit almost any destination around the world. Check out this view from Pompei.
- Visit the Great Wall of China https://www.thechinaguide.com/destination/great-wall-of-china
- Virtually discover Yellowstone National Park https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/virtualtours.htm
- Tour England through this 360 video.
- Take a live look at Colonial Williamsburg.
- Go on a virtual field trip to Ellis Island.
ACTIVITIES AND RESOURCES
- Plan a trip to a new destination. What would you do, see, eat?
- Make a travel brochure for the destination you visited.
- Write a postcard from that destination. Include details about the place and what you can see there.