Finding ways to keep kids occupied during the summer can be difficult, especially if you want to encourage them to continue learning throughout their break. One great way to keep kids engaged is through virtual field trips! Virtual field trips allow you and your kids to explore exciting places without ever leaving home. They provide access to organizations around the world without the time and expense of travel all at the click of a button.
Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium is a world-renowned aquarium located in Monterey, California. Its website is full of information about the animals that live at the aquarium, making it an excellent destination for a virtual field trip. The aquarium also offers live camera feeds so you can watch the animals in real time. If your child is interested in sea otters, for example, the website features a live sea otter camera, detailed information about sea otters, and a printable activity that lets kids create a paper bag sea otter. Their website is a great resource for learning all about aquatic animals.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, located in Washington, D.C., is dedicated to understanding the natural world and humanity’s place within it. The museum features a wide range of historical artifacts, but one section that typically interests kids is its fossil collection. You can explore the fossil collection, as well as the rest of the museum, through its virtual tours. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History website also offers a wealth of information about its exhibits and artifacts.
Although we have provided only two options for virtual field trips, there are many other places you can turn into learning experiences. Every day provides new opportunities to learn and grow, and we hope these resources help make learning something new both fun and engaging.