Are you looking for an exciting adventure that you can enjoy from your home? These absolutely free virtual field trips are big on fun, with no long lines or crowds! Take a look at these cool animals, STEAM adventures and amazing cultural places you can “visit” right from your computer or phone.
I was talking to my good friend Bonny Dieterich, who is an experienced second-grade teacher about virtual online field trips, and boy did she have some great ideas!
This is her list full of great resources to take your kids on an epic journey, and are websites she would use in her class with lesson plans. No need for a permission slip.
Whether you want to check some animals out up close on live web cams, explore space, or even visit a piece of history, these virtual field trip ideas are super fun and full of educational resources.
Animal Virtual Field Trips
1. Georgia Aquarium Ocean Voyager
This beautiful 6.3 million gallon gallery is home to 4 whale sharks, 4 manta rays, and thousands of beautiful fish. Check out live webcams for the Beluga Whale, Jellyfish, Sea Lions and more.
2. Monterey Bay Aquarium
Learn about aquatic animals with fact tiles, games, and activities, or enjoy a mindful moment with a relax-ocean video.
Need more great ideas for the kids at home? Check out this list of 115+ Ideas For Kids Stuck At Home.
3. San Diego Zoo
Connect with several interesting animals by watching live stream webcams of polar bears, penguins, koalas and more. Plus enjoy pre-recorded videos of animals that will brighten your day!
4. The Nature Conservancy
Prepare for a great adventure as you learn about ecosystems such as corals and rainforests with engaging videos.
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics (STEAM) Field Trips
1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Access tours of past and current exhibits, such as the butterfly pavilion and the science of mummies. There is so much to explore at this national treasure.
2. Stellarium Web
This website shows a spectacular interactive map of the night sky using your current location and local time. It also has an app too so you can take it out under the stars with you.
3. Johnson Space Center
Investigate the history of space exploration and learn about future plans for space flight straight from scientists and engineers. This behind the scenes tour of the Johnson Space Center takes you inside space ships, rockets, and the International Space Station.
4. The Met 360º Project
Use your mouse to enjoy The Met’s extraordinary art and architecture without crowds in a series of videos set to beautiful music. You can also use this cool interactive walk through like you’re right inside this museum of art with a smartphone, google cardboard, or a VR headset to explore in 360 degrees.
5. Access Mars
No rover of your own is necessary to visit the surface of Mars, the red planet, thanks for NASA’s Curiosity rover.
Culture and Geography Adventure Fieldtrips
1. Wampanoag Homesite With Scholastic
Step back in time to visit a replica of a Native American homesite at Plimoth Plantation through Scholastic.
2. Yellowstone National Park
View Old Faithful geyser live and predict the time for its next eruption. Plus you can plan a future trip using interactive maps of the park.
3. Mayflower: Virtual Field Trip With Scholastic
Take a tour of the historic Mayflower, anchored at Plimoth Plantation, featuring actors from that period in time.
4. Easter Island On Google Arts And Culture
Take your learning adventure to this remote volcanic island and tour monumental statues, called moai just like you’re standing right next to them.
5. National Women’s History Museum
Explore the hard work of women who were trailblazers in science, equal rights, and sports and take a virtual tour!
6. George Washington’s Home- Mount Vernon
Visit George Washington’s home to enjoy spectacular views of the mansion and grounds.
What are your favorite online virtual field trips? Please share your ideas for virtual and online places you’ve visited in the comments so we can all find some great places to visit.
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