Now more than ever, virtual field trips for homeschoolers can allow your kids to explore some of the most interesting places in the world without ever leaving home! Not only are virtual field trips educational, but it’s a great way to let your kids deep dive into areas of study that really interest them. Engaging, educational, free, and just downright fun – here are 10 great virtual field trip ideas for homeschoolers.
Let’s take a look at the benefits of virtual field trips for homeschoolers, as well as some great resources for finding and planning these exciting adventures. Whether you’re looking to supplement your current curriculum or just want to add some excitement to your homeschooling routine, virtual field trips are an excellent option to consider.
Benefits of virtual field trips for homeschoolers
There are so many reasons why virtual field trips are a win-win for homeschoolers!
First, they are cost-effective tools for learning. So many families are homeschooling on one income, so we’re always looking for free or inexpensive learning opportunities. Virtual field trips allow your children to “visit” places they’d never be able to see in real life.
Second, virtual field trips are flexible and convenient! They’re a great option on those days when mom is not feeling well or if you need to tend to the littles or get some housework done. You can set your kids up with a virtual field trip or two and not feel like the whole day has been wasted.
Finally, virtual field trips can be interactive and engaging! You can keep your kids motivated through interactive exhibits and multimedia content on virtual field trips. Plus, who wouldn’t love to explore the Great Wall of China on some rainy day in March?
10 virtual field trips for homeschoolers
So if you’re looking for the place to get started with virtual field trips, we’ve gathered 10 great options here.
Discovery Education: Discovery Education offers a variety of virtual field trips that cover topics such as science, history, and geography. Their virtual field trips are designed to be engaging and interactive.
Google Arts & Culture: Google Arts & Culture allows you to take virtual tours of museums and cultural sites from around the world. You can explore famous art collections, historic landmarks, and more.
National Park Service: The National Park Service offers virtual tours of some of the most popular national parks in the United States. You can explore the parks’ natural beauty and learn about their history and conservation efforts.
The Louvre: The Louvre in Paris, France, offers virtual tours of their art collection. You can explore the museum’s famous exhibits, such as the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
San Diego Zoo: The San Diego Zoo offers a variety of virtual tours and animal cams that allow you to observe animals in their habitats. You can learn about different animal species and their behaviors.
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers virtual tours of their exhibits, including the Hall of Fossils and the Butterfly Pavilion.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City offers virtual tours of their art collections and exhibits, including the Costume Institute and the American Wing.
The Great Wall of China: You can take a virtual tour of the Great Wall of China, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, through this website.
NASA: NASA offers virtual tours of their facilities, including the Johnson Space Center and the Glenn Research Center. You can also take a virtual tour of the International Space Station.
The British Museum: The British Museum in London, UK, offers virtual tours of their exhibits, including the Rosetta Stone and the Egyptian mummies.
Final thoughts on virtual field trips for homeschoolers
Virtual field trips are a fun way to start or end a unit study. Or, they can be a great resource for helping your kids deep dive into a topic that they absolutely love.
For example, growing up, my sister was enthralled by Ancient Egypt and mummies. This was in the 80’s, so obviously we couldn’t take virtual field trips! But she would have loved to visit The British Museum virtually and “see” those mummies up close. Do you have a kid like that? Look for a virtual field trip (or ten) to fit their passions.
