free virtual field trips elementary

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6 Free Resources for Virtual Field Trips

Teachers can use panoramic photos and videos of locations all around the world to make lessons more engaging.

How can you take students around the world without moving very far? If you haven’t yet, it’s worth trying virtual field trips and excursions. Now more than ever, these resources allow students to experience spaces they might not otherwise get to see, and there are many ways to introduce them to students as they explore a topic.

Virtual field trips can help students explore a new space, build vocabulary and background knowledge, and expand their world view. Whether you want to explore the setting of a novel, introduce a place-based math problem, or make connections to current events, virtual field trips can expand upon traditional lessons in many ways. One of the reasons I love them so much is that they allow students to view a space that piques their curiosity and provides context for their learning.

The term virtual field trip can be used to describe not just 360 degree photos and videos but also the live interactions and video conferences you might set up with a subject matter expert like an author or museum docent. Flipgrid (one of my favorite tools) hosts a handful of these types of virtual field trips .

6 Ways to Set Up Virtual Field Trips

The list of free virtual field trip resources here is adapted from my ISTE Live presentation in December 2020. Students can access these resources without logging into a new website—teachers can post the link to a 360 degree panoramic image or interactive experience in a platform students already use, making it easy for them to access in both traditional classroom settings and at home.

1. AirPano : This site includes 360 degree videos and images from around the world. You aren’t required to create an account—you can just jump in and start searching. When you’re ready to share with students, there is a link you can copy and paste or an embed option if you’re adding a widget to a site of resources. If you’re looking for international locations, AirPano is a great choice for exploring outdoor spaces, including Machu Picchu in the daytime, or the northern lights at night.

2. Google Maps Treks : In combination with Google Maps and Earth, Treks organizes content in an easy-to-navigate way. There are Treks for places around the globe, including the U.S. and Canada, Egypt, Nepal, and India. Each one has information and videos for students to explore.

3. National Geographic : National Geographic’s YouTube channel transports students all over the world to learn about different cultures, foods, animals, and more. Have students press play on the video, and as the video begins, they can use their cursor or trackpad to spin the video in different directions. They can tap on one part of the screen to move the video back and forth as they learn about a new place.

4. Nearpod : Known as an interactive presentation tool, Nearpod has virtual reality content built into its platform in the form of 360 degree panoramic views, which can be used as a great pre-reading strategy to introduce a new book or spark discussion about a social studies or science topic. To use these interactive experiences with your students, insert them into any Nearpod lesson in the same way you would add a slide or poll. (Please note: Nearpod also offers a paid plan with additional amenities.)

5. 360Cities : This collection of stock 360 degree images has lots of user-uploaded resources. There is a special school version that allows you to introduce students to more dynamic learning experiences; it has features such as a guided tour creator.

6. Google Arts and Culture :  This tool has a variety of high-quality content, including interactive views that let students walk through notable spaces such as museums and explore examples of beautiful architecture like the Alhambra in Spain. You can let students know that this resource is mobile-responsive in addition to working on a web browser—they can access the content on a smartphone or tablet, or their Chromebook or laptop.

Engaging Students With Guided Questions

Set a purpose for students as they explore these resources by using prompts to guide their excursions. Potential prompts include:

• What do you think the weather is like in this place?
• How do you think someone captured this moment?
• What might be missing from this shot?

I’ve put together more prompts here .

If building student vocabulary is a primary goal of introducing virtual field trips to your students, you can point out different objects in the panoramic views or ask students to find certain features. For example, imagine students are learning about geological features and you take them on a virtual field trip to Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Together you can discuss vocabulary like crater , steam vent , and igneous rocks .

When sharing with students, include a prompt or question and post the link and task into a space they already have access to, such as Google Classroom, Seesaw, or Schoology. If you’re sharing a list of resources for students, colleagues, or families that includes some of these virtual excursions, you might curate a list of favorites using a tool like Google Sites, Spark Page, or Microsoft Sway.

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Stuck at home? Travel virtually all over the world instead (but seriously, check out the Son Doong Cave)

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When you can't get away, your kids still can by taking a virtual field trip to a museum, farm, zoo, or another fun location. We compiled our list of favorites to help you keep your kids engaged and entertained. Some of these are virtual tours (you can actively decide where to go on the tour) and others are video walkthroughs (just watch and learn), but all give you a great experience of the location.

Best Art-Centric Virtual Tour: The Met

A glimpse at some of the greatest works of art created.

Online exhibits on various topics.

There's only one view of the museum currently available.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to over 5,000 years of art from around the world. You can see some of it from the comfort of your home. Take a virtual stroll through part of the museum using Google Street View. There are also numerous online exhibits on topics like Coco Chanel, Vermeer, Catholic allegory in art, and more.

Best Tour of Space: NASA

The volume of space videos.

The approachable aspect of the videos.

So much more to see on the site.

It's not easily searchable unless you know what you're looking for.

This might be cheating a bit because it's really a collection of videos, but, oh boy, what a collection to tour! The Galleries open up an array of videos covering space topics from testing a parachute for Mars to moving water in space. Each video is a mini virtual tour that will awe kids and encourage interest in science and space.

Best Tour of the White House: Google Arts & Culture's The White House

Stunning 360-degree images.

See inside and outside the White House.

Offers views of 140 paintings.

Once inside a tour, it's hard to know what you're looking at.

No search functions.

Every President since John Adams has occupied the White House and now your children can visit it, too. Google Arts & Culture offers four museum views (three tours of The White House and one of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building) plus a look at more than 140 paintings that grace (or have graced) the walls of the country's most famous abode. The 360-degree images let kids explore to their heart's desire.

Best Cave Virtual Tour: Son Doong Cave

Son Doong is beautiful.

The virtual tour includes lots of information.

Zoom into areas for a more detailed look.

No supplemental online activities.

Son Doong is the world's largest natural cave. Located in Vietnam, it features a subterranean river and the largest cross-section of any cave worldwide. National Geographic's virtual tour lets you explore the cave with full 360-degree views and immersive sounds. You can even zoom in one area to check out the campers in their tents. Son Doong is beautiful and worth a virtual visit.

Best National Park Virtual Tour: Yellowstone

Offers multiple tours.

Lots of historical information.

Amazing images.

No video tours.

Lots of written information that can turn off some kids.

Yellowstone offers seven virtual tours appropriate for older elementary and middle school ages. There's a lot of written information along with the images, and the tours aren't in video. However, the information is fascinating, and the photos are stunning.

From learning about old Fort Yellowstone to discovering park anomalies like Mud Volcano, these tours are a great way for kids to discover unique facts about America.

Best Natural History Tour: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

So many exhibits to see!

Easy, clickable maps.

Quick and easy to navigate.

It's not always easy to read the signs in the exhibits.

This iconic museum is dedicated to understanding the natural world and humanity's place in it. There's so much to see it can't possibly be listed here. However, the museum offers an online tour of most of its exhibits. Split this tour up into multiple lessons, so kids don't get overwhelmed.

Skip the ground floor and go straight to the first or second floors.

Best Aquarium Virtual Tour: National Aquarium

Easy to find exhibits.

Fun to explore using the 360-degree options.

Some scenes spin quickly, which can frustrate young learners.

Baltimore's National Aquarium features more than 20,000 aquatic animals. Kids can click and drag images to navigate their way around and use arrows, the map, or a scene list to explore various exhibits. Explore eight areas, such as the Amazon River, a tropical rain forest, and jellyfish.

Best Tours of the World: AirPano

Bright, well-produced videos and images.

Offers tours of numerous countries.

Includes video and still frame-images.

What's not to like?

AirPano has a variety of tours in China, Portugal, Switzerland, and more countries. Children can visit the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in China, an underwater cave in Indonesia, ski resorts in France, and more destinations around the globe.

What makes this site so good is that it offers narrations of several tours, provides closeups through interactive actions, and includes short chunks of written information that's easy for kids of most ages to read. The tours are also fairly short, which makes these tours great for younger kids, but older kids will still enjoy the trip.

Best Virtual Tour for Car Lovers: Lane Motor Museum

Totally unique tour.

An inside look that allows for deep diving into collections.

There's no way to tell what a specific vehicle is unless you know cars.

Scroll to the bottom of the link to watch a fun virtual tour of one of the most unique car museums in the world. Lane Motor Museum is home to an oddball collection of vehicles dating from the 1920s up to modern times.

Your child will love seeing amphibious vehicles, microcars, prototypes, and more. The tour is easy to click through and offers six angles to entertain viewers.

Best Tours of Nature: Nature Works Everywhere

Tours are narrated and easy to follow.

Provides student handouts, vocabulary, and discussion questions.

We wish there was a larger library of tours!

Explore nature around the world with Nature Works Everywhere's virtual tours. Visit the coral reefs of Palau, the deserts and grasslands of Africa, a rainforest (from a canoe's viewpoint), a renewable energy plant, and more.

The tours are narrated and give great, quick facts to help kids learn in simple, straightforward ways. All tours are appropriate for grades 3 through 12 but are marked with notes about the grades most likely to enjoy the tour.

Best Historical Tour: Ellis Island

A clear explanation of Ellis Island, how it worked, and why it was needed.

Includes children asking questions of tour guides.

The images in much of the tour are small in order to focus on the tour guides.

Ellis Island is a key piece of American history. This virtual tour offers lots of anecdotes and features actual guides from Ellis Island telling stories. Plus, it includes lots of pictures and views of the island.

It's more appropriate for fourth grade and up, mainly due to the litany of facts and complexity of the information provided.

Best Slime-Based Virtual Tour: Slime in Space

Nickelodeon

It's playful and educational.

Good production values.

Fun experiments.

It's a video, not an interactive virtual tour.

What happens to Nickelodeon's iconic slime when it's in space? That's the concept behind the Slime in Space virtual field trip. Featuring real astronauts and Nickelodeon celebrities, the 15-minute video shows kids how slime and water react in a microgravity environment 250 miles above the Earth. Along the way, it answers burning questions like, "Is slime a solid or a liquid?" and "Can you slime a person in space?" (The answer is: yes, very slowly.)

Best Virtual Zoo Tour: San Diego Zoo

Live cams of the animals.

A variety of educational videos.

Fun games and activities.

Fixed camera angles mean you're not always guaranteed to see the animals.

The San Diego Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies. It's widely considered one of the best zoos in the world. But, if you can't make it to California, it has a robust virtual experience online.

You can peek in on the animals through live cams. There's also a variety of videos that teach kids about vultures or show them how to draw a tiger, for example. There are also zoo-related games and activities kids can do at home.

Best General Farm Tour: FarmFood 360

360-degree views of the farm.

Offers a free app for Android and iOS.

It can be hard to see things on a mobile device.

FarmFood 360 gives an inside look at the activities of a Canadian farm. Kids see 360-degree views of the farm as they learn about milk and cheese production, sheep farming, egg processing, and more.

There's an app available for Android and iOS devices, and it's compatible with some virtual reality headsets.

Best Virtual Planetarium: Stellarium

Realistic night sky simulation.

Mobile apps are available.

Includes a telescope control module for experienced astronomers.

Can be difficult to navigate.

The mobile apps aren't free, but the money supports the project.

Stellarium Web is an online planetarium created by two brothers. Offering an accurate and realistic view of the night sky, it lets you pan around and spot stars, satellites, and other celestial bodies.

It offers mobile apps for Android and iOS that aren't free. The money goes toward paying server and development costs for the two-person project.

Best Living-History Virtual Tour: Colonial Williamsburg

Next best thing to being there.

The virtual scavenger hunt.

The virtual tours are highly interactive.

Virtual tour models can load slowly.

Condensation or inclement weather can obstruct the webcam views.

Colonial Williamsburg is a living-history museum in Virginia that offers a glimpse at what life was like in the 18th century. Its virtual tour is highly interactive and includes videos, informational signs, and 3D models you can rotate.

With its various webcams, you can see the armory, courthouse, merchants square, and more. Colonial Williamsburg's website also offers a virtual scavenger hunt your kids can participate in as they tour the area.

Best European Museum Virtual Tour: The Louvre

It's the Louvre.

The website offers a list of online family-friendly activities.

The virtual tours include a map and an information button.

The website offers limited language options.

Sure, we'd love to jet off to France and tour its fabulous museums personally. But if that's not an option, the Louvre has several virtual tours available on its website. The offerings include exhibitions on the body in movement, founding myths, Egyptian antiquities, and more.

The Louvre also has a handy list of family-friendly online resources everyone can enjoy, including a Mona Lisa VR experience.

Best Factory Virtual Tour: M&M Factory Tour

Zoonar RF / Getty Images

Who doesn't love chocolate?

360-degree views of the factory.

It's short.

The Food Network teamed up with candy maker Mars to give M&M fans a virtual tour of one of its factories. During the short YouTube video, viewers can pan around as a tour guide explains how unrefined chocolate is turned into the little candies we know and love.

Best General Virtual Tour Resource: Discovery Education

An eclectic variety of virtual field trips.

Watch live or on demand.

Trips come with a companion guide packed with activities.

A schedule of when field trips go live would be nice.

Discovery Education offers a variety of virtual field trips for kids learning from home. The offerings change often but currently include an NFL experience, a doodling experience meant to encourage creativity, and a virtual field trip through the internet of things. You can watch the field trips live or catch the videos later on-demand.

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The Educators' Spin On It

Learning Games and Activities

30+ Virtual Field Trips for Kids

Want to explore our world? Here are 30+ great Virtual Field Trips for early learners to explore from your home. From zoos and landmarks to famous museums, you can explore the world with your child with over a month of virtual field trips!

Animal Virtual Tours for Kid

Us history virtual tours, us landmarks virtual tours, us national parks virtual tours, museum virtual tours, virtual tours around the world, fall virtual field trips for kids, winter virtual field trips for kids, spring virtual field trips for kids, summer virtual field trips for kids, virtual tours of space, live webcams around the world.

One thing that the recent global quarantine has made us all realize very clearly is that we’re all part of one earth. We all have many commonalities and many things that are unique to where we live.

As we are at home, working from home and spending more time with the kids, I’d love to suggest we spend a little more time exploring this amazing planet that we’ve been gifted to during our lifetime.

Google Earth is such an amazing tool to use with your child to encourage them to explore the world. You can be at home on your sofa or at our desk and be transported to anywhere on the earth(virtually).

Where would you want to go?

With your child start with where you live. Then go to their school and where you shop near you and then find where family and friends live. Next, explore some of their favorite spots you’ve vacationed and now it’s time to explore where you’ve never been. But where do you start?

Let’s start by exploring some amazing popular travel destinations that also happen to have webcams for you to step inside and explore.

Google’s Art and Culture is a great resource to kick-start your global search too. Did you know that Google’s “World Wonders” project offers virtual tours of 132 famous sites? So many amazing virtual tours of museums for kids!!

30 Virtual Field Trips for Kids

I’ve put together a collection of locations for virtual field trips that I believe as a teacher and a mom that are appropriate for the kid to watch online. I’d encourage you though to talk about these locations as a family.

You can track your virtual tours with our Printable Virtual Field Trip Log !

Perhaps start working on a travel bucket list together and a virtual travel bucket list. That way your child can make their own itinerary too.

Where do you think your child wants to go to?

• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• Georgia Aquarium
• Houston Zoo
• Atlanta Zoo – Pandas
• San Diego Zoo
• Smithsonian National Zoo
• The Tundra with Discovery Education
• Virtual Farm Tours
• Penguin Virtual Field Trips
• Polar Bear Virtual Field Trips
• Rainforest Virtual Field Trips
• Everglades Virtual Field Trips

Here’s a list of all the zoos with webcams to explore.

For a little movement, try this zoo themed yoga

• Washington, D.C. Virtual Field Trip for Kids
• The White House
• A Virtual Tour by the Obamas
• Mount Vernon
• Colonial Williamsburg
• Mount Rushmore
• Liberty Bell

Grab our Washington DC Unit for Kids . Create your own Living History Museum at home after your virtual tour!

• Empire State Building
• Ellis Island
• Monument Valley

• Mighty 5 National Parks Virtual Field Trip
• Yellowstone National Park
• The Grand Canyon
• Hidden World of National Parks by Google Art and Culture
• National Parks Foundation: Electronic Field Trip
• NPS Webcams at the National Parks
• Virtual Hikes at Rocky Mountain National Park
• Virtual Hike from Rim to River at Grand Canyon
• Glacier National Park
• Yosemite Park
• Smoky Mountain National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Everglades National Park
• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Carlsbad Caverns

Take our Virtual Tour of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks

Find Your Virtual Park – Connect with national parks from a distance through digital opportunities and activities to do in your own home or neighborhood.

• Smithsonian Museum
• Van Gogh Museum
• 12 Famous Museums Offer Virtual Tours 
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Coloring Pages From Over 100 Museums

• Great Wall of China
• Buckingham Palace
• Red Square in Russia
• Largest Flower Garden, Keukenhof 
• Ukraine Virtual Field Trip Guide

Recreate a famous landmark with math, art and sidewalk chalk

Get ready to explore these Fall Virtual Field Trips for Kids with these kid friendly fall virtual tours.

• Pumpkin patches
• Fall leaves
• Apple orchards
• Turkey farms

Try these Leaf Activities for hands-on fun in fall.

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Explore 60+ Winter themed virtual field trips for kids .

• Winter Virtual Field Trips to National Parks
• Ice Castle Virtual Field Trips
• Natural Wonders of Winters : Snow, Frozen Lakes, Waterfalls & Glaciers
• Winter Sports: Ice Skating, Skiing, Sledding and Tubing
• Christmas Around the World Virtually: Lights, Tree Farms, Reindeers
• Christmas Virtual Field Trips for Kids

Once you take a few winter virtual tours, explore these Winter Activities for Kids .

Explore the best spring virtual field trips for kids . Explore moments in nature of spring flowers blooming and experience flower-covered trees, baby animals, and the animal life cycles of spring with this ultimate collection of spring virtual field trips for kids.

• Spring Flowers Virtual Field Trips
• Trees Blooming in Spring Virtual Field Trips
• Spring in National Parks Virtual Field Trips
• Baby Animals on Farms Virtual Field Trips
• Bird Nests and Eggs in Spring Virtual Field Trips
• Frog Themed Virtual Field Trips
• Butterfly Themed Virtual Field Trips

Ready for Spring? Try this hands-on Spring STEM Challenge !

Get ready to explore these Summer Virtual Field Trips for Kids ! Explore the ocean, amusement parks, outdoor adventures, watermelon farms, and more with these kid-friendly summer virtual tours.

• Coral Reefs
• Ocean Animals
• Boat Adventures
• Amusement Parks Rides
• Rock Slides
• Natural Springs
• Watermelon Farms
• International Space Station
• Space Shuttle Discovery
• Solar Eclipse
• Worldcam.eu: WebCams from Around the World
• Explore.org: Live webcams throughout the world

Virtual Field Trip Activities for Home

Looking for ways to expand the virtual tour?

Once you’ve viewed one of the Virtual tours, you can…

• Write up about what you learned
• Draw a picture of your favorite part
• Create a version with legos, building blocks or playdough
• Find a book online to learn more about the location
• Create a themed craft based on where you took a virtual tour
• Recreate it with sidewalk chalk
• Cook a dish from that region

DOWNLOAD OUR VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP LOG

There are so many amazing resources to explore virtually to learn about our amazing planet and the treasures and history within it.

One resource that I found to be the most amazing was Google Art and Culture resource. I high recommend exploring it as a family during this time.

Virtual Tours for Kids

Take this time to explore the world virtually and help us work together to protect and learn about these treasures around the world.

Want more ideas for home Parents! Check out our…

50+ STEM Activities for Kids

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JOIN our free Virtual Book Club for Kids

Do you have a favorite virtual tour that you love? Please share with me in the comments.

Like this idea? Pin for later or share now with a friend!

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About Kim Vij

Early childhood teacher, author, speaker and mom of 3. Kim shares ways to make learning fun and parenting an adventure by sharing developmentally appropriate activities.

March 27, 2020 at 1:55 pm

Thank you this is cool not as cool as google earth

March 28, 2020 at 10:00 am

THANK YOU THIS IS AN AMAZING RESOURCE

April 20, 2020 at 2:06 pm

Thanks for letting me know about this! It sounds cool!

April 30, 2020 at 6:01 pm

that was very cool

May 6, 2020 at 11:20 am

You could do a virtual tour on Paris

May 7, 2020 at 4:18 pm

You definitely could, I’ll try to put one together for you and share very soon on the site!

June 13, 2020 at 6:21 am

September 2, 2020 at 8:54 am

Is there a cost associated with these virtual field trips?

September 3, 2020 at 7:03 pm

Most of these Virtual Field Trips are simply links to either the specific museums or locations offering a video of their facility or using Google Earth to explore a specific region such as our national parks. They are free to view at your convenience.

September 4, 2020 at 8:02 am

This is still fun! definitely helping their learning 🙂 easier to visit destinations from the comfort of their couch!

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Let’s connect.

42 Virtual Field Trips for Kids to Get Them Learning About the World

Kids can go from Ellis Island to Mars without leaving the couch.

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With rates of COVID-19 on the rise again, parents are preparing for the possibility of another round of stay-at-home orders. Or, even if the official word to stay indoors isn't coming down from local governments, careful families might be planning for a winter at home, just to be safe.

These virtual field trips for kids will have them gazing at world-class art, learning about history, discovering science, and even checking out what it's like in outer space. No matter their interests, be it history, art or science, you'll be able to take a "trip" to match.

Of course, these are still screen experiences. If you want to make the most out of a virtual field trip, try to get your kids to continue to engage with the material even after they've turned off their devices with a fun learning activity . Depending on their age, they could either draw what they most remember or what their favorite part of the "trip" was, or write out a couple of facts that they've learned. If you plan on doing many of these, you can even create a binder to act as a log for your virtual explorer.

Tour collections and learn about the history of art and artifacts with these online museum experiences.

• American Museum of Natural History : Brian Selznick, author of Wonderstruck , leads a virtual tour of the museum, meeting field experts along the way.
• British Museum : This cool, interactive site lets kids browse the museum collection by time period, not by room, so kids can focus in on the era they're most interested in.
• Colonial Williamsburg : Eight different webcams let viewers peek in on what's happening at places like Merchants' Square or Raleigh Tavern.
• Frida Kahlo Museum : You might not be able to get to Mexico City, Mexico, but you can still explore the work of artist Frida Kahlo and imagine her life in the "Casa Azul" (Blue House).
• Historic Hudson Valley : This site offers many history-themed online experiences for kids, from " Traders and Raiders ," which looks at the history of pirates in the greater New York Area, to " People Not Property ," which teaches kids about slavery. There are also lots of ideas for at-home historical activities, like cooking with cornmeal or " tinsmithing " at home with aluminum foil.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art : The #MetKids site is geared for little ones, and lets them explore a cute, illustrated map to find treasures in the museum's collection.
• Musée du Louvre : The world-famous museum offers virtual tours by subject, from the body in art to Egyptian antiquities.
• Museum of Science : The #MOSatHome page offers virtual looks at the Boston museum's exhibits and hosts daily livestreams and webinars.
• National Baseball Hall of Fame : Browse through the collection of photographs, memorabilia and more to learn more about America's national pastime. The museum also offers virtual programming on its YouTube page .
• National Constitution Center : Explore exhibitions about constitutional conflicts through the years, including "Hamilton: The Constitutional Clashes That Shaped a Nation." For a fee groups can also participate in live, virtual guided tours for up to 300 people.
• National Gallery of Art : The National Gallery has 50 video tours specifically geared towards kids, focusing on a work and the people, places, and scenes surrounding its creation.
• National Museum of Computing : Located in Bletchley Park in the U.K., home of the famous WWII codebreakers like Alan Turing, this museum offers a virtual tour that takes visitors through the history of computers.
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History : You can bookmark this one to visit over and over, since it offers virtual version of every exhibition in the museum.
• The Vatican Museum : You can get 360 looks at nine rooms in the Vatican — including the magnificent Sistine Chapel.

See how food grows, is harvested, and gets to your table with these farm tours.

• American Egg Board : The Egg Board has virtual tours of different egg farms, and many of them let you choose different videos for elementary and middle school students.
• Bonnie Plants : Home Depot takes kids on a multi-part virtual field trip to this grower, hoping to inspire kids to get into gardening themselves.
• Bright Farms : A farm grower in Irvington, NY shows kids how food goes from the field (in this case, an indoor grower) to the grocery store. There's even a quiz at the end!
• Farm Food 360 : Kids can see 11 different sorts of farm and food plants, including dairy cow farms, egg processing facilities and an apple orchard.

You might not be able to go on your sightseeing vacation at the moment, but these virtual landmark tours are the next best thing.

• Buckingham Palace : Go room-by-room and see all of the amazing historical objects in the palace.
• Ellis Island : See the island the way the 12 million immigrants did between 1892 and 1954 through a virtual tour with lots of first-hand stories.
• Washington, DC : Pick and choose from more than 24 landmarks in our nation's capital, including the White House, the Capitol, the Supreme Court — even that National Zoo! The tours are given by Richard Kurin, Ph.D., Smithsonian Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, and feature videos, quizzes, reader polls and interactive maps.
• Mount Rushmore : The virtual tour of Mount Rushmore was created through 3D scans of the mountain.
• Mount Vernon : Take a look inside George Washington's home the same way you would click through Street View on a Google Map.
• Plimoth Plantation : Take a tour of the site of the first Thanksgiving, and learn the history behind the event.
• The White House : President Obama narrates a tour of "The People's House," and you can scroll around and click on points of interest.

Zoos and Aquariums

These zoos and aquariums have live cams where kid can check in with the animals.

• Atlanta Zoo
• Cincinnati Zoo
• Georgia Aquarium
• Houston Zoo
• Reid Park Zoo
• Shedd Aquarium
• San Diego Zoo
• Monterey Bay Aquarium
• National Aquarium

Even More Fun

From a candy factory to the surface of Mars, these tours take kids to places that aren't available to them even in normal times.

• Discovery Education : The site hosts virtual field trips for kids, from engineering plants that make the cars of the future to a lab that researches nuclear energy.
• Johnson Space Center : Boeing leads the tour through the Houston, Texas facility, covering the history — and future — of aerospace innovation.
• M&Ms Factory Tour : The Food Network hosts a virtual tour of the M&Ms factory and shows how the delicious candy gets made.
• Outer Space Tours: Kids can see the real surface of Mars , courtesy of the Curiosity rover. NASA also does virtual tours of the Moon , along with the International Space Station .
• Recycling Simplified : Take kids on a tour of a modern-day recycling center or landfill, and teach them about environmental sustainability.
• Sơn Đoòng : National Geographic offers a 360-degree tour of the world's largest cave, situated in Quảng Bình Province, Vietnam. You can even hear the water as it runs over the rocks.

Marisa (she/her) has covered all things parenting, from the postpartum period through the empty nest, for Good Housekeeping since 2018; she previously wrote about parents and families at Parents and Working Mother . She lives with her husband and daughter in Brooklyn, where she can be found dominating the audio round at her local bar trivia night or tweeting about movies.

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Virtual Field Trips offer the benefits of experiences anywhere and at time that include Virtual Performances, Virtual STEM Field Trips, Virtual Farm Videos Field Trips, Virtual Museums Tours, Virtual Botanical Garden Online Learning, Virtual Zoo Fun, Virtual Aquarium digital learning and much more. To learn about these virtual field trips and programs select the ACTIVITY filter below.

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Absolute Science

Absolute Science mixes STEAM, Entertainment and Character Education.  Over 60 interactive virtual and live shows, workshops and behavior tools – all at a PRICE YOU CHOOSE! In-Person Performances: Nationwide.

Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago is one of the world’s great art museums, with a collection that spans centuries and the globe. View some of  the museum’s collection virtually. 

AutismFriendlyShows.com presents – Turtle Dance Music

AutismFriendlyShows.com and Turtle Dance Music are children’s music companies dedicated to furthering early child development through arts-integration, music, inclusion and educational entertainment. We help kids come out of their shells!

AWE – The Early Literacy Station™

AWE Learning has more than 20 years of experience providing literacy-focused digital learning solutions for early learners. Offers free printables for early learning practice.

Awesome Laser Assemblies

Prismatic Magic provides educational and entertaining laser light virtual and in-person performances. Our programs are dazzling, and your kids will sing and cheer while they learn. In-Person Performances: Nationwide.

Bash The Trash

Bash the Trash builds, performs and educates with musical instruments made from found objects, with connections to science, music, climate change and plastic pollution. In-person performances: Nationwide.

Big Apple Playback Theatre

Based on students’ real-life stories and feelings, Big Apple Playback Theatre create spontaneous, interactive theatre. We provide a forum for compassionate listening and role-playing around issues important and relevant to them. In-Person: Nationwide.

Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum

Join Samuel Adams and the Sons and Daughters of Liberty in protest of King George’s unjust taxes at the Boston Tea Party Ships & Museum. Explore via virtual tours and the research library.

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High quality Boxtales’ virtual shows, along with new Social Emotional Learning (SEL) focused teacher guides, (plus extensions), and designed for maximum engagement on ZOOM platforms. 20-60 minute length.

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Bright Star Touring Theatre performs shows for families and young audiences. Our mission is simple: to challenge, engage, and delight audiences all over the world. IN-PERSON PERFORMANCES: Nationwide.

BUBBLEDAD BUBBLE SHOWS

Bubbledad has brought smiles to tens of thousands of kids from Manhattan to Mumbai with his bubble wizardry-could your students next?! Bubbledad offers science shows for schools, scout councils, camps and libraries and birthday parties. In-Person Metro NY.

Captain Bob’s Rockets and Robots

Aerospace education specialist, Bob Redman, brings the high-tech world of space exploration down to earth for K-8 students. These STEM/STEAM excite and inspire children to study science and math.

THE MAJOR BENEFITS OF VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS

Virtual field trips are not limited by distance and are typically more cost-effective than traditional in-person field trips for school, scout, camp and homeschool groups. No cost for transportation or for refreshments and meals. They eliminate safety concerns (no permission slips required.)

The technology allows students to travel the world, both in time and space. Allowing students to explore places that they might not have been able to visit otherwise. Especially for elementary school students since their field trips are often limited by distance and time constraints. Students of all ages can experience traveling to far-off locations—from Antarctica to outer space—through a virtual trip.

Virtual Field trips are easy to manage for teachers, camp directors, homeschool parents and scout leaders. No need for loss of instructional time. Limited prep time for trips. No name tags, no permission slip, no collecting money, no parent chaperones. But most important, you can schedule virtual field trips based on you schedule and needs!

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68 Virtual Field Trips For Elementary Classrooms: Zoo, Aquarium, White House, And More

December 26, 2023 //  by  Lauren Du Plessis

For most kids, field trips are the best days of the school year! However, due to geographical restrictions and cost many parents and teachers find it difficult to make these memorable trips happen. This is where virtual field trips come in handy. Our diverse collection of virtual tours will give your students the chance to explore areas of the world for the very first time and all you need is an internet connection. 

Peruse through our 68 dazzling options that you can find below to transport your children to zoos, museums, farms, national parks, and even outer space all from the comfort of their classroom!

1. Visit the Zoo

Have an animal expert visit your classroom to introduce a variety of animals to your students. Depending on the program you choose, they’ll be able to see animals in their natural habitats, ask questions of zoo experts, or learn how animals are taken care of at the zoo. The San Antonio Zoo is one of many zoos that provide virtual programs for classes.

Learn More: San Antonio Zoo

2. Check out the Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has several options for field trips and live cams to captivate your kids of all ages. If you want to narrate your own field trip, use the live feeds to have an engaging class discussion on an animal that you’re currently studying. There’s also an option to schedule a presentation from an aquarium educator with knowledge on a variety of topics. Check out their educator page for online courses and other activities.

Learn More: Monterey Bay Aquarium

3. Take a trip to the White House

Even if you live nowhere near Washington D.C., you and your pupils can tour the White House via Google Arts and Culture! This virtual reality tour will allow them to explore different parts of the White House and the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. They can even take a closer look at various items such as paintings, furniture, and other artifacts by using the zoom-in feature.

Learn More: Google Arts and Culture

4. Blast off into Space

The Goddard Center offers free virtual field trips for your children of all ages. Each program comes packed with prior learning activities, live presentations in which your class will be able to ask questions, and activities to complete afterward to reinforce any new and exciting knowledge that they may learn.

Learn More: NASA

5. See one of the new 7 Wonders of the World

With this amazing website, you’ll transport your students to the Great Wall of China without ever leaving your classroom! For a small fee, you’ll be granted access to a self-guided virtual tour around this wonder of architecture, and if you’re willing to add in a bit extra you can even schedule a live guide to answer any questions your class may have and explain important features of the Great Wall.

Learn More: The China Guide

6. Go green in the Amazon

Immerse your kids in the sounds and sights of the Amazon with this groundbreaking tour. You’ll teach them all about conservation and the importance of rainforests with this beautiful 360-degree video from Conservation International. Encourage your young minds to observe the Amazon River, hear the sounds of the rainforest, and witness a variety of creatures in their natural habitats.

Learn More: Conservation International

7. Say hello to the Queen at Buckingham Palace

This virtual tour of the King of England’s residence allows your pupils to visit multiple rooms in the palace, including the throne room and several drawing rooms. But that’s not all this website has to offer, as you can also encourage your learners to learn more by clicking on different artifacts within the castle.

Learn More: Royal

8. See a piece of American History

Perfect for a unit on social studies or American history, this virtual tour will introduce your class to an iconic piece of the past. They’ll observe as history comes alive while zooming in on the details of the Liberty Bell located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Learn More: History View

9. View the museum exhibits at Boston Children’s Museum

Teach your children about subjects from bubbles to dinosaurs by treating them to a virtual tour of all three floors of the Boston Children’s Museum. You can even opt to sign up to receive weekly activity emails that’ll allow your curious kids to get even more out of this captivating experience.

Learn More: Boston Children’s Museum

10. Take off at the Museum of Flight

The Museum of Flight in Washington State provides virtual tours and activities to your students from K-12. Invite them to explore all the resources that this website has to offer by having them tour the museum, engage in a virtual planetarium, or work together to complete a successful space mission!

Learn More: The Museum of Flight

11. Spend time writing with Roald Dahl

Take your kiddos on a virtual tour to the whimsical world of Roald Dahl and all his quirky characters, from Willy Wonka to The BFG ! This stunning website is teeming with fun activities that your children can do at home or at school to connect them with Dahl’s life and all his amazing tales.

Learn More: Roald Dahl Museum

12. Fly over the Grand Canyon

Google Earth will provide your learners with another stunning virtual field trip with its tour of the Grand Canyon. They’ll witness the gorgeous panoramas of this Arizonian national park and explore the ins and outs of its beautiful landscape.

Learn More: Google Earth

13. Learn about farm life

Is your class curious about what life on a farm looks like? The American Dairy Association boasts a variety of online farm field trips to suit their varying needs. Through this informative platform, they’ll be able to learn what a farmer does in his daily life and how a farm produces so many of the resources that we need.

Learn More: American Dairy Association

14. Experience the change of seasons

Invite your students to tour the sprawling countryside of New England to witness the breathtaking fall leaves in all their glory. This gorgeous video will give them a first-hand view of the gorgeous surroundings and is sure to prove especially interesting if your kids live in locations where the change of seasons isn’t so drastic.

Learn More: YouTube

15. View famous artwork

Bring famous art museums directly to your classroom by taking your class on a virtual tour of the Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands. Google Arts and Culture provides a breathtaking tour filled with online exhibits that are dedicated to sharing the details of Van Gogh’s life as well as examples of his most famous works.

16. Travel the tundra

Boasting a plethora of absorbing videos and interactive lessons, Discovery Education is the website to visit if you’re looking to teach your kiddos more about polar bears! Not only is there a whole channel dedicated to these magnificent creatures, but it also provides virtual field trips to Canada where your learners can visit the bears in their natural habitat.

Learn More: Discovery Education

17. Go underground at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Indulge your children in a unique experience with this Google field trip that’ll take them into the Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico and let them experience life as a bat! They’ll also be able to observe intricate mineral formations and textures as they explore the insides of the caves.

18. Explore Hawaiian volcanoes up close

Here’s another intriguing tour provided by Google where your students can tour some of the most treacherous volcanoes in Hawaii! Scroll through the vast gallery of images or invite your class to discover these dangerous formations by having them engage with 360 panoramic views.

19. Drive through a redwood forest

If you can’t get to California, Google Earth has got you covered with its tour of the Redwood National Park. This wonder of nature is home to some of the world’s tallest trees and your learners will even be able to navigate through one of these majestic giants!

20. Take your students out to the ballgame

Yankee Stadium provides a virtual venue visit where your kiddos will be able to see different parts of the park up close. Simply use the user-friendly navigator to explore all the sections of the stadium and the expansive collection of 360 views.

Learn More: New York Yankees

21. Escape the Smithsonian

Gather your class around to tour the Smithsonian while working together to escape this expansive museum before the bus leaves. Engage them in taking in all the exhibits while being prompted to search for clues and answer questions to get out in time!

Learn More: Kids Out and About

22. Explore an Egyptian tomb

The Giza Project is the website to visit if your kids want to find out everything there is to know about the Egyptian pyramids. Engage them in immersive views of the Giza Plateau with detailed 3D reconstructions or explore the variety of teaching resources that are specially catered to your young minds who want to discover more about this ancient civilization.

Learn More: Digital Giza

23. See Mars up close

Thanks to NASA’s Curiosity Rover, your pupils can now explore the surface of Mars from the comfort of your classroom. Invite them to discover more about the red planet and about the rover itself by having them click points of interest and use the mouse to move around the interactive maps.

Learn More: Access Mars

24. Explore the ancient city of Petra

This Google Street View Trek would make a fascinating addition to a unit on ancient civilization or world history. Your students will journey to the city of stone and explore more than a dozen historical sights, all while learning about the history and culture of Petra.

Learn More: Google Maps

25. Go back in time to Colonial Williamsburg

From virtual tours to conversations with “People of the Past, Colonial Williamsburg provides tons of educational moments! Whether you’re looking to explore the art museums of Colonial Williamsburg or take your class on a tour of the Randolph site, you’ll find everything you need on this user-friendly website.

Learn More: Colonial Williamsburg

26. Make history come alive

With this educational site, your children will learn about the importance of the American Constitution, its amendments, and the process that the document has gone through to become what it is today. Choose from a variety of tours that’ll take them through exhibits from past and present, expanding their knowledge of American history as they go.

Learn More: National Constitution Center

27. See where computers come from

Are your young minds interested in finding out where the technology that built their computers of today came from? If so, Bletchley Park offers fascinating virtual tours that’ll transport them to the past and introduce them to a collection of historic working computers and those brilliant individuals who helped create them.

Learn More: GW News

28. Take a yummy trip to the M&Ms factory

Courtesy of The Food Network, this treat of a video will take your learners on a journey to learn how this yummy treat gets made. They’ll get a front-row seat as the plant director leads them on a 360-degree tour of the M&Ms factory in New Jersey – which also allows them to zoom in on different machines and parts of the factory.

29. Go under the sea

Pique the interest of your future climate heroes with these amazing virtual field trips from The Nature Conservancy. Boasting captivating videos, handy teacher guides, and a concluding Kahoot review – you’ll find everything you need to satisfy the curiosity of those nature lovers in your class.

Learn More: The Nature Conservancy

30. Explore the Met

The Met, as this famous art museum is known, has a bustling interactive map that your kids will love getting lost in. Apart from hosting the annual Met Gala, the space is most known for being the country’s largest art museum! Encourage your learners to explore the map’s many resources that even provide extension activities for them to try on their own.

Learn More: Met Museum

31. Journey into the Deep Ocean

National Geographic has put together this awesome educational video that’ll allow your class to explore the oceans of the world. They’ll venture into the depths of oceans from the Pacific to the Atlantic, spotting unique marine creatures and mind-blowing geological features – but beyond these stunning visuals, it’ll bring them closer to the Earth’s fascinating underwater world and highlight the urgency of conservation efforts.

32. Go Spelunking in Son Doong Cave

Using National Geographic’s fantastic 360-degree images, videos, and articles, your children will be invited to explore the world’s largest cave! Located in Vietnam, this breathtaking cave is rich in biodiversity and your students will leap at the chance to delve into its depths to further enhance their understanding of ecosystems and the critical role that they play in our planet’s health.

Learn More: National Geographic

33. Tour Famous Heritage Sites

This handy website has carefully collated a bunch of iconic heritage sites from all over the world. Encourage your kiddos to learn more about each site by clicking on various links that’ll lead them to an expansive tour. They’ll be able to explore these iconic locations and learn more about the efforts taken to protect these landmarks from any threats they may face.

Learn More: Teach Magazine

34. Delve into History at Ellis Island

This absorbing video tour of Ellis Island will provide your learners with first-hand accounts, photographs, and audio that describe the migrant experience in America. This educational resource is the perfect way to introduce them to the history of the island while bringing focus to the hopes and dreams, struggles and triumphs of those who dared to seek a better life.

35. Explore Interactive Science at Exploratorium

The Exploratorium is well-known as a museum that’s focused on science, art, and human perception, but it also boasts an amazing website packed full of interactive online exhibits and videos on topics such as astronomy, biology, physics, and more! From the smallest particles known to man to the vastness of the universe, your students will be invited to grapple with the mysteries of science in the most interactive and engaging manner.

Learn More: Exploratorium

36. Traverse the Louvre

Taking a trip to Paris might not be part of your school curriculum, but you can always count on online resources to make anything possible for your children! With this versatile website, you’ll introduce them to the wonders of the Louvre by treating them to virtual tours and interactive maps that’ll allow them to explore one of the world’s most famous art museums.

Learn More: Teach Notes

37. Discover Life in Antarctica

Have your pupils hop on this thrilling Antarctic expedition that’ll introduce them to the continent’s icy climate, its wildlife, and the research stations that occupy this inhospitable tundra. From understanding animals’ resilience in surviving in some of the harshest conditions to unearthing secrets locked in ice, this captivating virtual tour will offer them the opportunity to adventure into the icy heart of Antarctica!

38. Walk Through the International Space Station

In this mesmerizing tour from the European Space Agency, your class will be invited to click around to explore different modules of the International Space Station. It’s perfect for your kids who love learning about what lies beyond our world as they’ll get to experience a taste of astronauts’ daily lives, learn more about life in space, and help them foster a deeper understanding of the challenges and rewards that come with space exploration.

Learn More: Space

39. Step Inside a Human Cell with BioDigital

BioDigital offers a unique experience on their informative website where your young minds will be able to take a 3D tour of the human body. It’s an incredible tool to use in biology class where you can invite your learners to investigate the intricate world of cells and tissues – unveiling the miracles of life at a microscopic level.

Learn More: BioDigital

40. Study Ancient Artifacts at the British Museum

This museum’s interactive take on learning allows your class to study ancient artifacts from around the world. Encourage them to navigate their way through the museum’s various exhibits where they’ll come across artifacts that serve as a portal to the past and will offer them an intimate look into our ancestors’ lives and the enduring legacies that they left behind.

Learn More: Plano Library Learns

41. Visit the Roman Colosseum

Gather your students around to explore the magnificent era of history that is ancient Rome. This thrilling virtual visit will take them on a tour of the Colosseum where they’ll be able to read descriptions of the monument’s history and architecture. You’ll transport them back in time, revealing the grandeur of the Roman Empire and the gripping spectacle that took place within the Colosseum itself.

Learn More: Colosseum

42. Walk Through Canadian History

Canada’s Museum of History offers an enthralling virtual tour of their gallery which explores over 15,000 years of Canadian history. As the virtual pages unfold, your kids will be able to trace the country’s transformation from an area steeped in indigenous cultures to a diverse, multicultural nation.

Learn More: Canadian Museum of History

43. Explore the Wonders of Yellowstone National Park

In this visual tour, your children will visit geysers, hot springs, and other geological wonders located in Yellowstone National Park. These natural spectacles unravel the thrilling science behind our living planet and are sure to foster a sense of awe in your students and a respect for the natural world.

44. Dive into the Great Barrier Reef

Using Google’s Underwater Street View, your kiddos can explore the largest coral reef system in the world. Invite them to plunge into the Great Barrier Reef’s vibrant underwater realm that’s teeming with life and color while they learn about the dangers and ecological threats that this breathtaking coral reef faces.

Learn More: AFAR

45. Uncover the Mysteries of Stonehenge

English Heritage provides a 360-degree view of Stonehenge along with detailed historical information and interactive features that your curious kids are sure to enjoy. This virtual exploration beckons with the allure of the unknown and will challenge them to unravel the enigma of this ancient monument.

Learn More: English Heritage

46. Visit the Acropolis Museum

This Athens-based museum offers a virtual reality app that’ll allow your pupils to explore the Parthenon and the ancient statues and artifacts that it houses. They’ll marvel at the precision of ancient sculptors as they’re immersed in the tales carved in marvel, offering them a living history lesson.

Learn More: Greece Is

47. Climb Mount Everest

National Geographic has put together this mind-blowing video where your children can journey along with explorers to the very top of Mount Everest! By embarking on this tour, they’ll experience the highest point on earth while sharing in the thrill, challenges, and humbling beauty that the mountaineers encounter on their journey to the roof of the world.

48. Visit the NASA Glenn Research Center

With virtual tours, videos, and interactive media, your learners can now explore the research facilities of the Glenn Research Center. This exciting venture will bring them face-to-face with the technologies that are redefining our understanding of space and nudging scientists closer to the final frontier.

49. Explore Machu Picchu

Take a trip back in time to discover how the ancient Incas lived with a visit to Machu Picchu in Peru. This virtual experience will captivate your children with its wonders of the ancient world – from fountains to temples, to agricultural terraces and botanical gardens.

Learn More: Machu Picchu 360

50. Visit Anne Frank House, Amsterdam

The Anne Frank House in Amsterdam has created an incredible online experience for your pupils of all ages. Have them take a tour of the secret annex where Anne and her family lived for more than 2 years during the conflict of World War II while encouraging them to engage in her diary extracts and downloadable workbooks.

Learn More: Anne Frank House

51. Discover Kew Royal Botanical Gardens

South West London is home to the lush paradise known as Kew Botanical Gardens. Through virtual tours and 360 views, your students will discover thousands of different plant species in this UNESCO World Heritage Site that also boasts the world’s largest Victorian greenhouse.

Learn More: Royal Botanical Gardens Kew

52. Take in The Vatican Museums

Your kiddos of all ages can explore the splendor and magnificence of The Vatican Museums with this fantastic website. Invite them to take a look at Michelangelo’s masterpiece at the Sistine Chapel as well as the galleries that house art, archeology, and ethno-anthropology collections gathered by Popes over centuries.

Learn More: Musei Vaticani

53. Find the Dinos at The Natural History Museum, London

Explore these expansive exhibits with your kiddos for a lesson that will fit perfectly into a prehistoric teaching unit. Located in London, The Natural History Museum offers a variety of ways to discover all the treasures that can be found inside. The website also offers amazing collections of educational resources such as podcasts, videos, and more!

Learn More: Natural History Museum

54. Be Inspired at the Frida Kahlo Museum

Your art lovers are guaranteed to be delighted by this stunning tour of Frida Kahlo’s home. The Blue House is adorned in rich colors, luscious plants, and breathtaking displays of Frida’s famous works of art. Her creative flair was also captured by the clothing and jewelry that she wore which your children will also be able to observe.

Learn More: Museo Frida Kahlo

55. Find out about Recycling 

This informative website covers all the bases, as it provides fantastic resources to your students from 3rd all the way to 12th grade. They’ll tour the innovative world of recycling centers and landfills to see exactly what happens to their rubbish, all while gaining a deeper understanding of the hidden heroes that protect our world from the threats of pollution.

Learn More: Republic Services

56. Wonder at the Virtual Underwater Museum, Malta

Your class is in for a unique experience where they’ll get to explore the depths of Malta. This underwater environment is normally only accessible to experienced scuba divers, but with this innovative website, your learners will be able to discover what lurks in the depths. The tour currently shows sites ranging from a 2,700-year-old Phoenician shipwreck to World War I submarines and more!

Learn More: The Virtual Museum | Underwater Malta

57. Explore the Forests of Finland

UPM Forest Life will give your children newfound insight into the importance of the world’s woodlands and the life that they support. Choose from a variety of paths to follow while encouraging your learners to listen to the sounds of the forest all around them as they’re introduced to the animal and plant species that inhabit Finland.

Learn More: UPM Forest Life

58. Weather Station Field Trip

Have your kiddos ever wondered how meteorologists predict the weather? Have them journey to the National Weather Service and Hurricane Centre to find out! With lessons aimed at students of all ages, there’s more than enough information to delight your learners with this specially honed profession.

Learn More: PBS

59. Visit the Eiffel Tower, Paris

This thrilling tour of the Eiffel Tour will introduce your class to its panoramic views through a whole host of stunning videos. They’ll also be able to discover the rich history of this French landmark, like how the 330-meter tower was meant to be dismantled after 20 years!

Learn More: Tour Eiffel

60. Explore the Great Lakes, US

Take your children on a captivating adventure to the coastal wetlands of the Great Lakes of America. With the website’s vault of exciting lesson plans and online resources, they’ll learn all about the creatures that make their home in the coastal waters.

Learn More: Great Lakes Now

61. Immerse Yourself in the Virtual Old Sturbridge Village

Teleport your kiddos back in time with a visit to Old Sturbridge’s virtual village. They’ll find out what life looked like in New England between the years of 1790 and 1830 while engaging with the many resources that this website has to offer. It boasts a wealth of activities where your learners can explore their museum collection and enjoy a taste of history

Learn More: Old Sturbridge Village

62. Learn About the Statue of Liberty

Here’s another 360-degree virtual tour that’ll keep your children busy for hours! Invite them to explore the Statue of Liberty through this incredible resource where they’ll interact with historical photographs and the fascinating information that comes along with them.

Learn More: National Park Service

63. Discover World War II Electronic Field Trips

Get your class excited to embark on a cross-country field trip through history. You’ll find tours of historical sites, classroom guides, and further learning resources that provide a wonderful way to encourage your young minds to learn more about World War II and its impact on young people.

Learn More: The National World War II Museum

64. Watch the Most Dangerous Ways to School

This fascinating docu-series follows 15 kids from around the world showing people from all corners of the globe how they get to school every day. Your students will be amazed to see all the treacherous conditions that they have to face and how they don’t let anything stand in the way of their education.

65. Find out about Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Patuxet.

Everyone enjoys a hearty Thanksgiving feast, but are your kids aware of all the traditions behind this festive holiday? With this educational website, you’ll find videos and lessons that are perfect for teaching them about the significance of Thanksgiving. Whether you want to introduce them to the relationship between the Wampanoag Indians and the Pilgrims or unravel the story of The Mayflower, this website will provide you with the resources to do it all!

Learn More: Plimoth Patuxet Museums

66. Discover Oceans: A Sensory Haiku

Treat your kiddos to a unique take on learning with a virtual field trip that doubles as a captivating sensory experience. The Kennedy Center has put together this amazing website that’ll allow them to explore the oceans of the world with sounds and videos that’ll make them feel as though they’re right on the shoreline.

Learn More: The Kennedy Center

67. Explore the Okefenokee Swamp

Immerse your pupils in the bustling world of the Okefenokee Swamp, one of the last remaining places that truly captures the feeling of true Georgia wilderness. Engage them in a live tour of this vast area where they’ll be able to interact with experts in the field to learn more about the animals and plant life that call this swamp their home.

Learn More: GPB

68. Learn about the Net Zero School

Find out how Richardsville Elementary School became a pioneer in energy conservation with this stunning website. Encourage your children to listen carefully to the wealth of knowledge contained in the various videos where they’ll be introduced to the genius of the first public school to reach net-zero status.

Learn More: PBS Learning Media

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No permission slips required! These virtual events let educators take students to amazing places and give them remarkable experiences, without ever leaving the classroom.

Featured and upcoming virtual field trips.

Join us for our Virtual Field Trips or watch them on-demand after their premieres. Each no-cost Virtual Field Trip comes with a companion guide packed with standards-aligned, hands-on learning activities! Select one of the options below to register.

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68 Best Virtual Field Trips for Kids

In the Classroom

Here you will find a list of the best virtual field trips for kids, ranging from preschool and kindergarten to elementary aged children.

These virtual field trips for kids will leave your kiddos learning about animals, history, community helpers, space, national parks, sports arenas, and farms all over the world! The interactive tour with live webcams are a great way to give the kids a closer look at outer space, an animals natural habitat, and our natural world.

Whether for homeschool, preK, kindergarten, first grade, or second grade, you can quickly find great virtual field trips below with the easy-to-find categories. If you’re looking for a middle school and high school appropriate virtual reality field trip, there will be a few to choose from. Otherwise, these are geared towards the younger children. Can’t find what you are looking for? Leave a comment at the end of the post, and I will gladly search for a fun virtual field trip for kids.

Free Virtual Field Trips Zoo and Animals

• San Diego Zoo : Live animal cameras and instructional activities
• Butterfly Garden : Learn all about butterlies with this 9 minute video of the most beautiful butterfly habitats in the world.
• Animal Shelter : This 8 minute video shows the Kidvision kids learning about the animal shelter and how to adopt a pet
• Emerald Hills Animal Hospital
• Dinosaur Exhibit
• Conservation Biology Institute and the Smithsonian’s National Zoo

The Best Virtual Field Trips to a Farm

During the Fall, most elementary grades take a field trip to a farm. The most popular guided tour school groups are animal farms, apple orchards, and pumpkin patches. Below are virtual field trip experiences your kids will love!

• Dairy Farm : Complete with a downloadable companion activity to get your kids prepared for the virtual field trip of a dairy farm.
• Animal Farm
• Condee Horse Farm:  Meet Shorty in this 8 minute virtual tour of a horse farm.
• Dutch Hollow Farm : 50 minute tour of a dairy farm
• Tailview Farm : A 47 minute tour of the Tailview Farm recorded in 2020
• Bonnie Plants : Home Depot takes kids on a multi-part virtual field trips to see gardens and plants
• Egg Farm Field Trip

Virtual Field Trips Aquarium

• Seattle Aquarium
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Live Cam
• Mystic Aquarium
• National Aquarium

Community Helpers Virtual Field Trips for Kids

Most elementary social studies curriculum integrates community helpers! These virtual tours will support your lessons by offering an interactive experience.

• Ft. Lauderdale Children’s Theater
• Airport : Sit in a cockpit, learn how to fuel a helicopter, and visit an airplane museum
• Construction Site
• Bank : Visit the SunTrust Bank with the KidVision kids
• Television Station : An 8 minute video touring a TV studio with Penny. Learn about green screens, sound and audio boards, and much more.
• Recycling Center : Here’s an 8 minute video touring a recycling center
• Library : Learn about putting books in alphabetical order, how to check out your favorite books, and all the other fun parts of a library.
• Post Office : Learn how to mail a letter
• Fire Station
• Whole Foods Grocery Store
• Police Station
• Boston Children’s Museum

Virtual Field Trips to Food and Candy Shops

• Ice Cream Parlor : Visit Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor and learn how to order from a menu, choose your favorite toppings, and more sweet fun!
• Chocolate Factory : Take this fun tour with the KidVision kids and Ms. Penny to see how chocolate is made – from the bean to the candy
• How M&Ms are made
• Bakery:  A 7 minute video that will take you to a bakeshop and show how cupcakes are made

Virtual Field Trip to Space

The live videos of space exploration are excellent educational activities.

• Visit the Moon : This 23 minute video will take you on a NASA virtual field trip to the moon.
• Kennedy Space Center
• Virtual Tour of Mars (Access Mars)
• Slime in Space
• Google Earth interactive map to get the google street view of any location in the world, such as the Great Lakes, the Liberty Bell, Mexico City, New York City, or the beautiful Yosemite National Park.
• International Space Station

Virtual Field Trips for Learning History

• Pilgrim Life:  Learn about games and chores of pilgrim children in the 1620s
• George Washington’s Mount Vernon
• White House : Take a virtual tour of the white house
• Statue of Liberty
• Railroad Museum : Learn about railroad safety in this 5 minute video by Kid Vision
• Smithsonian National Museum of History :  Click to see different areas of the museum as you and the kids walk through this virtual tour.
• Great Wall of China : Although the history behind this extraordinary exhibit is beyond early childhood curriculum, the kids will love the 360-degree view. This virtual tour of the great wall of china would be great when teaching different cultures.
• Mount Rushmore
• Plimoth Plantation: Perfect for your Thanksgiving activities and lessons for kids
• Empire State Building Live Cam
• Ellis Island

Amazing National Parks Virtual Tours

• Yellowstone National Park
• Grand Canyon
• Amazon Rainforest
• African Safari in Etosha

Sports Virtual Field Trips

• Baseball Stadium : This 6 minute video will take you on a virtual field trip to a Baseball Stadium. Meet the team mascot, throw a pitch, and much more.
• Bowling Alley:  Join the kids as they go to a bowling alley, learn how to pick out the right ball, and have fun with some strikes!
• Play 60 Football Stadium Virtual Field Trip for Kids

Virtual Field Trips to Oceans

• Hawaii : Learn about Hawaiian art, music, and dance.
• Artic : Explore the arctic for kids and learn about arctic animals and climates
• Coral Reef : See sea turtles, octopus, eels, and more as you explore the coral reef.

Virtual Field Trips to Kids Museum

• Children’s Museum of Atlanta : This was rated amongst the top world-famous museum choices for kids
• Explore STEM and STEAM projects at the National Children’s Museum

I hope you’ve enjoyed this collection of these best places for virtual field trips for kids. Be sure to bookmark this page, so you can easily access it throughout the year. If you’d like to join the Little Learning Corner email crew, sign up HERE to get something new, fun, and helpful every week!

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75 Fun Yes and No Questions for Kids

Why Kids Need Math Talks

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The 22 Ultimate Virtual Field Trips & Tours for Students

Written by Maria Kampen

Inspire your students to love learning with Prodigy Math.

• Teacher Resources

What is a virtual tour and how does it work?

Technology powering virtual field trips for students, 22 best virtual field trips for students, how to incorporate virtual tours into learning activities.

Imagine taking your entire class to see one of the seven wonders of the world up close and personal — and then being back at school before the final bell rings. 

The rise of online learning activities during the pandemic accelerated the availability of virtual field trips , tours and experiences for students of all ages. Now there are many interactive virtual tours available to places that would be impossible to reach on a class trip — the pyramids in Egypt, the Louvre museum in Paris or even an African safari.

We put together a list of 22 unforgettable virtual field trips and experiences that will help your students see amazing sights, connect their learning to real-world experiences and expand their horizons.

Virtual tours allow students to explore noteworthy places around the world, from the comfort of their home or the classroom. 

Virtual tours give students the opportunity to stop, explore and guide learning at their own pace. While they’re exploring, they can get up close to nature or artifacts that might not otherwise be easily accessible. 

Virtual tours can be many different things, including:

• A live webcam of a zoo or animal habitat
• A 360 degree view of a location you can manipulate
• Pictures enriched with helpful information and diagrams

Even ten or fifteen years ago, video tours would have been rare or impossible. Advancements in technology and education have combined to help people learn and explore from anywhere!

• National Geographic creates TV series about nature, history and archaeology
• Food shows like Netflix’s Salt Fat Acid Heat take viewers on food journeys across the world
• Planet Earth , a television series, brings far-flung locations to your living room or classroom
• Discovery Education gives educators access to multimedia resources that supplement classroom learning
• Video conferencing technology like Zoom lets you connect with people and learning experiences around the world

We love being able to sit at home or in the classroom and learn about different foods, cultures and geography. Why not introduce that to your students?

1. Take a trip to the zoo

Whether it’s live webcams of adorable pandas or behind-the-scenes tours with zookeepers, zoos all over the world offer ways for animal antics to delight and entertain your students. 

Some of our favorites include:

• Edinburgh Zoo’s Panda Cam
• Georgia Aquarium’s Beluga Whale Livestream
• The Smithsonian National Zoo’s Naked Mole-rat Cam
• A live feed of African river wildlife in Laikipia County, Kenya
• The San Diego Zoo Live Ape Cam , or any of their other live animal feeds
• Home Safari videos from the Cincinnati Zoo, where zookeepers introduce you to the hundreds of animals that make the zoo their home.

2. Visit The Hidden Worlds of National Parks

From Yosemite to Mesa Verde, explore some of the USA’s most beloved and beautiful national parks with The Hidden World of National Parks .  

Supported by Google Arts & Culture , students can use the same technology that powers Street View to explore the national parks at their own pace. 

The program also includes guided tours from park rangers, where they share their expertise as you explore. Follow the on-screen prompts and let them guide your adventure!

3. Watch the Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otters

Play with the sea otters as they swim around Monterey Bay Aquarium in California! Tune in throughout the day to see them being fed, learn fun facts about otters and watch them play in the water. 

If you’d like to check out some other aquarium-related channels, Monterey Bay Aquarium also offers Open Sea or Kelp Forest live streams.

4. Swim through Palau coral reefs

Travel to the Pacific Ocean through a virtual adventure and see the Palau coral reefs . Hosted by Nature Lab and the Nature Conservancy, this tour teaches students about the importance of preserving some of the most fragile ecosystems in the world — no wetsuit required. 

Take learning to the next level with the Nature Lab’s Teacher’s Guide , which includes discussion questions and related resources to keep learners engaged. 

5. Visit the surface of Mars

It took the Perseverance rover about seven months to get to Mars. But thanks to this virtual tour , you and your students can go for a visit in just one afternoon. 

Created by Google and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, this virtual tour takes you through the history of Mars explorations and turns what might be a far-flung topic into something right at students’ fingertips. They’ll explore the surface of Mars, learn more about the rovers that have studied its surface and understand how Mars exploration fits into the history of space travel.

6. Power up with renewable energy

Powering the Planet from the Nature Conservancy is an interactive lesson that focuses on renewable energy sources. It explains to students how energy around them is necessary for life, and covers how energy can be sourced in a way that’s not harmful to the environment.

All the Nature Conservancy’s programs come with a Teacher Guide , which offers lesson plans and activities relating to the virtual tour. 

7. Walk the Great Wall of China

The Great Wall of China is over 13,000 miles long, so be sure to pack your walking shoes for this trip!

This virtual tour lets students explore key points in the Great Wall of China, plus see the history and amazing view up close.

8. Float around the International Space Station

Did you know that astronauts have continuously inhabited the International Space Station for 20 years? Now your class can join them!

With tours of the different parts of the space station, facts about the layout and assembly, and information about the different astronauts who’ve visited from around the world, students can get an out-of-this-world experience from the comfort of their home or classroom. 

Plus, there are plenty of images, videos, graphics and media resources to help you tie topics into your curriculum.

9. Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is a delicate ecosystem especially vulnerable to the effects of pollution and climate change. 

David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef is a tour created in partnership with the Natural History Museum in London that teaches everyone about the beauty and fragility of one of the world’s greatest natural wonders. 

The Great Barrier Reef is also available on Google Street View through Google Maps as one of the first underwater locations to be mapped. 

10. Learn about water and Colombia’s páramo ecosystem

Just outside of Bogotá, Columbia, is one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. In this virtual lesson, students will learn about how the water cycle plays a vital role in biodiversity, and get an up-close look at the animals that call the area home. 

Use the accompanying Teacher Guide to help students discuss the topic and stay engaged with the lesson. And check out the rest of the Nature Lab's YouTube channel for even more virtual experiences.

11. Tour the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History

The Smithsonian Institute is the world’s largest museum — so there are plenty of things for students to explore. 

With a variety of virtual tours to choose from, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History is full of ways to get students excited about learning. Students can watch narrated tours of different exhibits ranging from history and geography to the research stations in the museum. 

Whether students want to walk through the museum on their own or let someone else do the talking, there’s something for every lesson.

12. Get caught up in the American Revolution

History meets the present at the Museum of the American Revolution ! 

This virtual tour lets students see artifacts, meet museum staff and hear stories of real people who fought for American independence.

It also comes with a Classroom Ki t for 2nd to 8th grade that supplements learning and makes it even more meaningful. 

13. Trek up Mt. Everest

This 360 degree video from National Geographic lets students explore Mt. Everest along with a group of researchers. Together, they’ll discover what kind of effects climate change has on the mountain, and how we can work to preserve natural landscapes. 

Not up for climbing mountains? Take a virtual ride on Expedition Everest , the tallest rollercoaster in any Disney park! But beware — there’s a monster lurking in the dark.

14. Get the right angle with Explore Geometry

Powered by Nearpod, Explore Geometry ’s lesson plans connect classroom lessons with architecture in the natural world.

Students can explore the gardens of Versailles to learn about the geometry of a French garden before moving on to the next lesson and putting their skills to practical use.

15. Wander through the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City

One of the most well-known museums in the world, students can now explore The Met’s vast collections with the Met 360º Project .

Virtual tours help students get a sense of the space, art and collections inside of the museum. Whether they’re interested in the Met Cloisters or the Arms and Armor gallery, students can go at their own pace, accompanied by a soothing soundtrack. 

You can also book virtual tours with a museum guide to line up with your lesson plan. Tours are free for NYC public schools and all Title I schools, and $200 USD per class for other schools.

16. Explore history in the British Museum

Another world-class museum, students can explore the British Museum in London using Google Street View, read facts about the artifacts and connect what they see to their history lessons. 

Whether it’s the Rosetta Stone, the Elgin Marbles, Egyptian sculpture or any other historical treasure, there’s something every student will find interesting!

If you want to let someone else do the exploring, there’s also a 46-minute virtual walking tour , where you can skip to the sections that are most relevant to you and your class. 

17. Visit the White House

In Washington, D.C. the White House is the symbolic heart of America, and now students can walk the halls for themselves. 

Whether they want to take a lap around the Oval Office or wander the building, students can explore this virtual tour from the White House Historical Association . Plus, it comes with class tie-ins like vocabulary lessons and other activities to make the experience even more memorable! 

18. Arrive at Ellis Island

Ever wonder what it was like for new immigrants to see the Statue of Liberty and step foot on American soil for the first time?

Now students can experience it for themselves with this virtual tour , a collaboration between Scholastic and the National Park Service. They’ll learn the importance of immigration in the history of the United States and hear real-life stories about the people who came looking for a better life. 

After students watch the video, they can click through this interactive map with facts and stories about the people who came through Ellis Island. 

19. Explore China's forests

In this online tour, students can explore the natural habitats of pandas in the forests of China . They’ll discover how the panda’s home plays a role in understanding our world, learn about local conservation efforts and see the big-picture view of how these vast forests fit into our understanding of nature and climate change. 

Plus, this program also comes with a handy Teacher Guide for you to use in lesson planning!

20. Bundle up in the Arctic tundra

Take a virtual field trip all the way up north to the tundra! Discovery Education’s tundra programs for elementary, middle and high school students cover the natural habitat of polar bears, plus their activities and migration patterns.

This virtual tour comes with instructional activities and classroom tie-ins, so you can be sure students are getting a productive learning experience.

21. Go spelunking in the world's largest cave

Travel through Vietnam’s Son Doong, the world’s largest cave . First explored by researchers in 2009, this cave is up to 200 meters tall in some areas and even has its own jungle inside. 

It’s estimated that the total length of the cave system is over 200 kilometers, and with this National Geographic tour students can explore to their heart’s content. High definition pictures and helpful facts mean that not only is this an awe-inspiring trip for students, but it’s also educational! 

Because the cave is ecologically sensitive, only a certain number of tourists are allowed to visit each year. This virtual tour is a great way for kids and adults to experience the wonder up close!

22. Browse the Louvre

Take your students on a quick trip to Paris where you can explore the architecture and art of the Louvre without the crowds. 

Plus, the Louvre also offers Louvre Kids , as well as a Mona Lisa Beyond the Glass virtual app experience where users can learn how Leonardo da Vinci created his most well-known masterpiece.

From kindergarten to high school, virtual field trips are a great way to get students excited about learning. And if you’re homeschooling , they’re the perfect way to get real-world experience without leaving the house!

To get the most out of the experience, keep these tips in mind:

• Ask students what they’re interested in exploring 
• Look for virtual experiences that fit into your lesson plan for maximum impact
• Search for supplementary resources like teacher guides and discussion questions
• Try out the virtual tour first to make sure it’s worth it and to avoid any unpleasant technical glitches
• Use virtual field trips at the beginning of a unit to introduce students to new concepts, or at the end as a reward and wrap-up activity

Be sure to follow up with students and see what they liked the most. Then, harness that excitement for your next lesson or activity! 

Prodigy Math Game is an adaptive math platform where students can explore a world filled with adventure, excitement and rewards — all for practicing math! While they’re having a blast answering questions and completing epic quests, Prodigy’s free teacher tools help you align their learning to your classroom lessons. 

Sign up for your free teacher account today!

44 Captivating Virtual Field Trips to Explore from The Classroom

Virtual field trips are a great alternative to traditional field trips when obstacles such as budget or scheduling prevent in-person experiences. They also provide access to educational opportunities across the globe and throughout history, without the need for fundraising or permission slips.

You can also consider using a virtual field trip as a reward for good behavior for your students. Whatever the case, there are numerous tours and trips that are simply outstanding and captivating.

How do virtual field trips work?

Virtual field trips are a type of digital experience that enables students to explore different places, events, or experiences without having to physically leave their classrooms. These trips use technology to create an interactive and immersive learning environment.

Typically, in order to take part in a virtual field trip, you will need certain tech on hand:

• A computer and ideally as smart whiteboard in class. It’s best if students have their own tablets or computers. But this can be done with one large projector.
• Stable internet connection.
• Speakers for good audio in class. We love and suggest the Anker Soundcore speaker .
• Optional VR headset. Some tours are compatible with VR and provide an immersive experience.

You can use virtual field trips to boost learning outcomes by connecting them with particular lessons, units, or topics in the curriculum. To reinforce the ideas explored throughout the virtual experience, create follow-up activities or assignments.

The best virtual field trips for students

With that out of the way, here are Teach and GO’s top choices for virtual field trips:

The Vatican Museums Virtual Tour

Explore the extensive collection of art at the Vatican Museums and discover iconic sites like the Sistine Chapel. Discover masterpieces from the Renaissance period and take in the beauty of Raphael’s Rooms. You can also visit St. Peter’s Basilica.

Ellis Island Virtual Tour

Explore Ellis Island and discover the immigration procedure and the experiences of those who went through this important entrance to America. Ellis Island is one of the most important sites in American history. It was the main port of entry for millions of immigrants from 1892 to 1954.

Machu Picchu Virtual Tour

Explore Machu Picchu, the ancient Inca city nestled in the Andes Mountains of Peru, through a virtual hike. Begin with a scenic hike to the Sun Gate, where you will get an unforgettable view of Machu Picchu from the top.

The National Gallery of Art Virtual Tour

You should visit the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. There you can discover a wide range of art pieces, including paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. The museum features both permanent and temporary exhibitions, offering visitors the chance to learn about a variety of artists, cultures, and time periods.

Anne Frank House Virtual Tour

Explore the secret annex where Anne Frank and her family concealed themselves during World War II and gain understanding of their experiences. Take a tour of the museum, then view original artifacts from Anne’s time in hiding. Learn about her journaling and other writings.

The Great Barrier Reef Virtual Tour

Explore the vibrant marine life and ecological importance of the Great Barrier Reef, which is the world’s largest coral reef system. Dive in to find out more of the spectacular array of coral and marine life in this diverse and vibrant ecosystem.

Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) Virtual Tour

Visit the Museum of Modern Art to see their extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, which includes pieces by well-known artists. From there, take a stroll through Central Park to appreciate its lush greenery and peaceful atmosphere.

Acropolis Museum Virtual Tour

You can explore ancient artifacts and sculptures from the Acropolis site by visiting the Acropolis Museum in Athens, Greece. The museum features a variety of exhibits ranging from ancient Greek culture to the modern era.

Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Virtual Tour

Take a virtual tour of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum and discover the fascinating world of aviation and space exploration. Explore the incredible history of aviation and space exploration through interactive exhibits, hands-on activities, educational resources, and 3D models.

The Museum of Natural History Virtual Tour

Visit the American Museum of Natural History to see displays featuring dinosaurs, fossils, human evolution, and other subjects. Browse the galleries to learn about cultures and civilizations around the world, from ancient Egypt to modern India.

Palace of Versailles Virtual Tour

Experience a virtual tour of the Palace of Versailles in France, which includes its magnificent gardens and luxurious interiors. Explore the Hall of Mirrors, the Pyramids Room, and other historically significant rooms. Learn about the works of art that are housed in this breathtaking palace.

The National Aquarium Virtual Tour

Experience a virtual tour of the National Aquarium and explore diverse marine life in their natural habitats. Get an up-close look at the many species of fish, sharks, reptiles and amphibians that live under the sea.

National Museum of African American History and Culture Virtual Tour

Visit the Smithsonian museum to discover the exhibits and learn about the history and contributions of African Americans. Explore the National Museum of African American History and Culture, where you can learn about the African American experience through interactive exhibits and displays.

The Colosseum Virtual Tour

Discover the captivating history and impressive architecture of the ancient amphitheater by exploring the Colosseum, an iconic destination in Rome, Italy. Begin your visit with a guided tour inside the Colosseum, where you’ll find information about its construction and bloody past.

Galapagos Islands Virtual Tour

Experience and learn about the distinctive plant and animal life of the Galapagos Islands through interactive virtual activities. From listening to the songs of the endemic Galapagos mockingbird or exploring the archipelago’s unique lava landscapes, you can discover what this beautiful area of the world has to offer.

Galapagos National Park Virtual Tour

Experience the diverse wildlife of the Galápagos Islands by taking a virtual tour through its unique ecosystems. From the mangrove forests of Isabela Island to the dry landscapes of Santiago Island, you can explore each island’s natural habitat.

The National Museum of China Virtual Tour

You should go to the National Museum of China in Beijing to learn about the rich cultural and historical heritage of the country. Explore the various galleries and exhibitions that showcase artifacts from ancient dynasties, and get a glimpse into China’s past.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Virtual Tour

Explore the historical events that led to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, as well as its impact on peace and world history. Learn about the complex decisions behind the bombing and its long-term consequences. Discover how this event shaped international relations, nuclear policy, and affected human lives.

Grand Canyon Virtual Tour

Experience a virtual tour of the stunning landscapes of Grand Canyon National Park. Take a journey through the breathtaking views of the canyons, rock formations, and colorful sandstone walls and Explore the fascinating history of this National Park.

The Pyramids of Giza Virtual Tour

Discover the secrets of the pharaohs as you visit the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt, one of the world’s oldest wonders. Explore the tombs of kings and queens, admire the unique architecture, and learn about their fascinating history.

California Academy of Sciences Virtual Tour

Explore interactive exhibits about science, nature, and the environment at the California Academy of Sciences. From the four-story rainforest dome to live animal encounters, you can find something to explore for visitors of all ages.

Getty Museum Virtual Tour

You should visit the Getty Museum in Los Angeles, California to see their famous collection of art and antiquities. The Getty Museum was founded in 1954 and is one of the largest museums of art in the United States.

The Hermitage Museum Virtual Tour

Visit impressive Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, and appreciate its vast collection of artwork. Admire the works of Italian, Dutch, Spanish and French masters, including Rembrandt, Rubens, Van Dyck, Monet and others.

African Safari Virtual Tour

Experience a virtual safari and observe diverse wildlife. From the comfort of your classroom, you can take a trip to Africa and explore its stunning landscapes.

The Louvre Museum Virtual Tour

Visit the famous Louvre Museum in Paris, France to see its vast collection of art and historical artifacts. Explore the world-famous galleries and see some of the most famous works in history, including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Michelangelo.

The Great Wall of China Virtual Tour

Experience the breathtaking views and rich history of the iconic Great Wall of China by taking a virtual walk. With so much to take in, your virtual journey will be full of surprises and unforgettable moments.

National Park Virtual Tours

Students can explore the natural wonders and unique ecosystems of national parks such as Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park through virtual tours.

NASA’s Langley Research Center Virtual Tour

Learn about the pioneering aeronautical and aerospace research conducted at NASA’s Langley Research Center. Explore the history of Langley’s groundbreaking achievements in aviation and space exploration, from its earliest days as the first civilian aeronautics research center.

The British Museum Virtual Tour

Explore the extensive assortment of art and artifacts from various civilizations and historical epochs by visiting the British Museum in London, UK.

San Diego Zoo Virtual Field Trips

The San Diego Zoo offers virtual field trips that allow students to watch live animal cams, discover various species, and participate in interactive activities.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art Virtual Tour

Explore the extensive collection of artworks spanning various cultures and centuries at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, USA through its virtual tour.

The International Space Station Virtual Tour

Explore the International Space Station (ISS) through a virtual tour and discover more about the experiments and daily life of astronauts in space. Learn about the unique opportunities and challenges of living in a microgravity environment through videos, interactive media, and more.

Google Arts & Culture – Perfect for students

Google Arts & Culture allows you to explore virtual tours and exhibits of a variety of museums, historical landmarks, and cultural sites from all around the world. With interactive experiences, videos, and photos, you can explore different cultures and learn more about their history.

In addition to virtual tours and exhibitions, Google Arts & Culture also provides educational materials such as articles, informative videos, and activities for kids to help them engage with the material.

Best virtual tours for students – Conclusion

Virtual tours can provide a great way for students to get an authentic view of what their day-to-day lives may look like in different places around the world. Whether it be a casual look at campus life or something more structured and technical such as science labs, virtual tours have the power to bring the sights and sounds of faraway locations right into your living room.

From national parks to foreign universities to cultural attractions, there’s truly something for everyone. With these amazing websites, you’ll always have access to exciting new adventures from around the globe.

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3 Incredible Science Field Trips That Don’t Require Permission Slips

Perfect for grades 3–8; watch them in your classroom, any time!

Want to take your students on a virtual field trip? You’re in luck! Check out these incredible, free trips from Nature Works Everywhere .

Can you imagine what it would be like to see a giant panda cub climbing a tree in China? Or watching a giraffe gallop through the grasslands in Kenya? My students would be enthralled. There’s something magical about letting them experience a place far, far away, where they can learn not only about the animals and their homes but also about science and geography.

Below are three virtual field trips we can’t get enough of. Watch these 45-minute videos with your class—any time! They’re perfect for grades 3–8, and each includes a teacher’s guide packed with discussion questions and more. Check them out below.

1. The Deserts and Grasslands of Africa

Head to Africa with scientist Charles Oluchina, where you’ll discover the importance of grasslands and learn how ecotourism in Kenya has benefited both people and wildlife. Students will see giraffes, lions, and elephants; the footage will make you feel like you’re on safari! You’ll also visit Burkina Faso and learn how one farmer invented an ingenious method to help restore forestlands that had been lost to desertification. Get a sneak peek below and then watch the full virtual field trip here .

2. China’s Great Forests: What the Giant Panda and Earth’s Climate Share

Do you know what a takin is? It’s a goat-antelope found in the eastern Himalayas. You’ll get to see some, along with golden snub-nosed monkeys and giant pandas, when you go on a virtual field trip to China’s forests. Expert scientist Yue Wang will explain the role forests and mountains play in the carbon cycle and climate change, and students will get a better understanding of just how important habitats are for both people and animals. Watch the full field trip here .

3. The Coral Reefs of Palau: Nature’s Amazing Underwater Cities

Underwater cities—sounds intriguing, right? The coral reefs of Palau, a network of islands in the Pacific Ocean, are just that. Dive into the water and explore the colorful reefs. Students will learn about the interconnected ecosystem built on symbiosis, where diverse organisms have evolved to protect, clean, nourish, and even mimic one another. It’s spectacular! Watch the full field trip here .

Check out our Best Field Trip Ideas for Every Age and Interest (Virtual Options Too!)

You might also like.

260+ Field Trip Ideas for Grades Pre-K Through 12 (In-Person and Virtual)

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Kids will Love These Space Exploration Virtual Field Trips:

Take advantage of opportunities that are not available for normal field trips and expand the horizons of your learners with these space adventures!

• Go onboard the Orion Spacecraft with a 50-minute virtual tour to inspire future astronauts from Amazon’s Future Engineers  
• Find all of the letters of the alphabet on the landscapes of Earth from space with NASA’s satellite imagery 
• Look inside a supersonic wind tunnel at the NASA Glenn Research Center’s facilities in Cleveland, Ohio
• Go on a quest with Mark Rober as he attempts an Egg Drop From Space

• Explore over 60,000 stars, planets, and constellations through the Stellarium Web Online Star Map
• See what happens when astronauts launch slime in space !
• Discover more about your favorite night light with this 4k Tour of the Moon
• Get curious about the red planet with this all-access to Mars featuring NASA’s Curiosity rover

How About These History Museums?

We have loved visiting the Presidential Libraries or the Holocaust Museum in Dallas because it expands our horizons of human existence. They are such rich storehouses of history that bring you into the world of people who have gone before you. These free virtual field trips can do the same from home while whetting your appetite for seeing more in real life!

• Explore the vast exhibits of the Natural Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
• Have fun with some interactive exhibits from American Centuries at Memorial Hall in Deerfield, MA
• Walk with some trailblazing women through the National Women’s History Museum in Alexandria, VA.
• Discover the mysteries of video game history in the online exhibit of The Strong National Museum of Play
• Take a tour of the Battleship New Jersey
• Follow in the immigrants' footsteps by taking the Ellis Island Interactive Tour
• Go beyond the battlefield with this virtual field trip to the Museum of the American Revolution hosted by I Survived author Lauren Tarshis

Virtual Field Trips to Art Museums:

There really is nothing like the real thing, and if you haven't been to an art museum with your kids, it should go on your bucket list. However, there are some magical things you can do with these free virtual field trips that make exploring from afar worth it!

• Look into Mona Lisa’s eyes at The Louvre in Paris, France
• Gaze up at Michelangelo’s ceiling in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican Museums, Rome
• Find some mind-bending surrealist art by Salvador Dali at The Dali in St. Petersburg, Florida.
• Zoom in to Van Gough’s Starry Night at the MoMA in New York City, NY.
• Check out Vermeer’s The Milkmaid hanging in the galleries of the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam, Netherlands. 
• Explore the works of Impressionist painters like Monet and Cézanne displayed in the gallery of the Musée d’Orsay

Take a Free Trip to Far Off Places

I want my kids to see other places and learn about different cultures and biomes. Andy had the opportunity to go to Israel with his school this year, and it changed his life. We've used free virtual field trips to inspire future travel.

• Get a 360° view of the Holy Lands
• Tour the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France
• Walk through the Winter Palace of Peter the Great at the Hermitage in St. Petersburg, Russia 
• Take a virtual field trip through the Amazon jungle
• Discover the wildlife of Washington, D.C.
• Or even wilder, take a virtual tour of the White House !
• Get lost in Buckingham Palace
• And walk along the Great Wall of China
• Explore the world’s largest cave: Son Doong Cave in Vietnam
• Follow the journey of water from Colombia’s Paramo to the kitchen sink
• Or check out 360° views of thousands of cities like this Acacia tree and the Milky Way in Tanzania
• Hike Mount Everest
• Get up close and personal with the Rosetta Stone at the British Museum in London.

Get Insider Information with These Virtual Field Trips

My favorite field trips when I was young involved getting a glimpse behind the curtain to see how things really work.

• Get a behind-the-scenes look at an Amazon Fulfilment center with a 45 min virtual tour highlighting robotics and engineering innovations that make the magic happen for Amazon

• See how Taylor guitars are made with this behind-the-scenes access to the Taylor Guitar Factory
• Or go inside a fire station with the Memphis Fire Department virtual field trip 
• Get a close-up view of the pickle manufacturing process at the Mount Olive Pickles Tour

• Tour a recycling center or modern landfill , and learn more with the curriculum to go with it
• Join The National WWII Museum for a cross-country virtual expedition to discover the science, sites, and stories of the creation of the atomic bomb . 
• Compare the inner workings of several different egg farms and how they’re working to operate more sustainably.

Virtual Experiences for animal lovers:

The zoo is one of my favorite educational destinations unless the weather is not too extreme. In those cases, I prefer the webcam! Here are some fun ways to get up close and personal with some of your favorite creatures...or even some you may not know of yet!

• Check out the live webcams from the San Diego Zoo or watch one of their many wildlife explorer educational videos to enjoy your favorite animals in action
• Hang out with the gorillas in the Gorilla Forrest Corridor with their live webcam highlights streaming from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
• Swim with the manatees at Homosassa Springs Underwater Manatees in Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, Fl
• What Can You Learn from a Polar Bear? Virtual Field Trip to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada

• Take a virtual Field trip to the Marineland Dolphin Adventure in Florida
• Meet all of the animals on the Purina Farms tour in Gary Summit, Missouri
• Check out the symphony of the rainforest in this Virtual Field Trip to Borneo

Free Field Trip Log and Experience Journal

Keep track of your field trip adventures and journal about your experiences with this free printable!

So which are you most looking forward to trying, or what was your favorite? Have you found any other great free virtual field trips? I always love a good recommendation!

Betsy Strauss is an unexpected homeschooler, mother of three, who is in a relationship with a sweet man for life. She loves reading books, drinking coffee, and learning anything with her kids.

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9 Free Space Virtual Field Trips You Need to Take

This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please read my disclosure policy .

Have you ever wanted to take your kids on a field trip through the far reaches of the universe? Show them what it’s like to stand on the moon?

Then you need to take a space virtual field trip with your kids!

Space Virtual Field Trips

There’s nothing like space virtual field trips for showing the universe to your children. You’ll explore Mars, check out the moon, tour the International Space Station, and more!

You and your kids will love taking these space virtual field trips through space in the comfort of your own home.

1. Interactive Mars Tour

See the images the Curiosity Rover sent back from Mars! The field trip begins by introducing NASA’s Curiosity Rover mission. Then you have the option of moving along Mar’s terrain, learning more about the mission, or traveling to different mission sites.

Head off on an interactive Mars field trip.

2. The Known Universe

Tour the known universe with an amazing video from the American Museum of Natural History. You and your children will start by hovering over the Himalayas before rising above the Earth and into space. This virtual field trip will take you to the farthest reaches of known space before returning you safely home again.

Don’t miss this stunning Tour the known universe .

3.The Nine Planets Solar System Tour

Head off on a virtual interactive tour of the solar system with The Nine Planets Solar System Tour. You’ll be able to view the solar system along with the constellations behind it. And you’ll also study each of the planets: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune, and Uranus. In addition, you’ll explore the composition of the dwarf planets or the sun, and take a closer look at various moons.

The Nine Planets Solar System Tour is a beautiful space virtual field trip.

4. International Space Station Tour

Expedition 33 Commander Suni Williams will take you on a tour of the International Space Station. You’ll learn about the different modules such as Harmony, Destiny, and Columbus. You and your kids will see the observation deck as well as the command post.

The International Space Station Tour is a fascinating glimpse of life in outer space.

5. Explore 3D Virtual Sites in Space

This site allows you to download and view 13 different sites in space, sites such as the Moon, Saturn, Pluto, Ceres, and the Milky Way Galaxy. Your kids will be fascinated by these glimpses into other worlds.

Head over and explore these virtual sites in space .

6. U.S. Space and Rocket Center

Tour the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville Alabama. See how large the rockets were. Take a look at a mockup of the lunar lander. And glance inside the mobile quarantine facility.

The US Space and Rocket Center Tour is an incredible glimpse into the history of US Space exploration.

7. Boeing Virtual Field Trip

Head over the Boeing for a trip to the historic Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. You and your kids will see inside the Starliner/CST-100, check out the Starliner simulator, meet some Boeing employees, and much more!

Take the Boeing Virtual Field Trip!

8. Tour of the Moon in 4K

Head to the moon for a tour in 4K! You’ll check out the Orientale Basin, the Shackleton Crater, the Apollo 17 Mission landing site, and more. Plus there are videos about how the moon evolved and seeing the Earthrise on the moon.

Tour of the Moon in 4K is an unforgettable space virtual field trip!

9. Virtual Planetarium: Sun, Moon, Stars

In the virtual planetarium show, “Sun, Moon, and Stars”, you’ll check out the sun’s daily path, classify start, note common constellations, and more.

Watch the Virtual Planetarium: Sun, Moon, Stars today.

Your and your children will love these space virtual field trips that explore the universe.

You’ll see the sun, the moon, and the stars. Meet people designing our future in space. And learn what life is like on the International Space Station.

>> Check out more virtual field trips you can take from home!

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20 + Free Virtual Field Trips

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Virtual field trips are a great option for times we are stuck inside or live too far away to actually visit. Field trips can help connect students with a variety of subjects and a virtual trip can be almost as good as visiting in person.

There is always something to explore and learn.

They are also fun! I have never met a child who does not enjoy going on a field trip, real-life or virtual.

I like to take my kids out for field trips frequently, but sometimes it just isn’t possible. Unfortunately, things like location, budget, and illnesses keep us away. When we can’t actually go on the field trip, we try to visit online.

Virtual field trips can tie in with a variety of subjects. Look through the list and see what virtual field trip experience you can add to your social studies, history, science, or even language arts lesson plans.

These 20+ virtual field trips are all completely free, so we can explore as often as we want as long as we have an internet connection.

20+ Free Virtual Field Trips

Table of Contents

Historical sites, outdoor interests.

Colonial Williamsburg – Check out a few of the historic Colonial Williamsburg exhibits online. The site is also currently offering teacher resources, printable coloring pages, recipes, and colonial craft directions.

Mount Vernon – Visit the home of our first president without leaving your home. Take a virtual tour of the mansion, outbuildings, gardens, distillery, and library. You can even check out many of the museum objects. The website currently offers quite a few educational resources – virtual field trips, lesson plans, coloring pages, and online quizzes.

White House – Visiting the White House in person can be difficult to arrange, but touring online is easy! This tour offers a 360-degree view of all the public rooms on the ground and state floors. You can even click on artwork to get an up-close look.

A digital notebook full of vocabulary words and discussion questions is available to help you get the most out of your White House tour.

Ford’s Theatre – Tour the site of President Lincoln’s assassination. You can also virtually see the Peterson House (where Lincoln was examined, and ultimately passed away) and the museum artifacts.

Google Street View – My kids really enjoy checking out historic locations via Google Street View (Google Earth). This free website has allowed us to virtually visit the pyramids of Ancient Egypt, the Colosseum in Rome, and Washington, DC. Just go to Google Maps and type in the location you want to visit. Then click the little gold person and drag the figure onto the map.

Buckingham Palace – Tour the gorgeous Buckingham Palace while at home relaxing in your comfiest clothes. You can see the Grand Staircase, White Drawing Room, Throne Room, and Blue Drawing Room.

Smithsonian – The Smithsonian museums offer photos and information about their exhibits online.

• Museum of African American History and Culture
• Museum of African Art
• Museum of Air and Space
• American Art Museum
• Museum of American History
• Museum of the American Indian
• Museum of American Indian George Gustav Heye Center
• Anacostia Community Museum
• Archives of American Art
• Arts and Industries Building
• Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
• Freer Gallery of Art
• Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden
• Museum of Natural History
• National Portrait Gallery
• National Postal Museum
• Renwick Gallery of the Smithsonian American Art Museum
• Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
• Smithsonian Gardens

British Museum – The British Museum offers virtual tours of more than 60 galleries. Some of the exhibits offer related family activities. The activities are not all practical for doing at home, but there are definitely some good ideas! It is a great resource. The galleries include:

• Enlightenment
• Collecting the World
• The Waddesdon Bequest
• Egyptian Sculpture (this is an excellent addition to an Ancient Egypt unit study )
• Assyrian Sculpture
• North America
• China and South Asia
• Medieval Europe
• The Islamic World
• Roman Britain
• Europe and the Middle East
• Mesopotamia
• Roman Empire

The Louvre Museum – This famous French museum offers a special section of its website just for kids.

Kids can check out a few gallery exhibits, listen to seasonal tales (these are in French, but there are subtitles provided), and listen to stories about some of the art (these are in English).

National Gallery of Art – When we lived in Northern Virginia I assumed that the National Gallery of Art was part of the Smithsonian museum system, but it isn’t. This art gallery offers unique art exhibits.

The Learn tab offers quite a few educational activities. Here you will find lesson plans and background information on artists. There is even an interactive area where kids can make their own art!

Metropolitan Museum of Art – The Met, located in New York, offers a few interesting learning opportunities through its Art at Home program.

Google Arts and Culture – Tour a TON of amazing sites with this free virtual field trip resource. One of my favorite tours is the Great Wall of China. This online field trip gives you a panoramic tour of this historic landmark.

J. Paul Getty Museum – This online exhibit includes a variety of types of art:

• Antiquities
• Manuscripts
• Photographs

This art museum also offers teacher guides full of lesson plans, online games, and videos for students.

Zoo live cams are a fun way to observe animals from a few zoos in the same day, even if they are not even in the same state.

Woodland Park Zoo

• Grizzly Bear

San Diego Zoo

• Polar Bears
• Burrowing Owl

Omaha Zoo – The Omaha Zoo is offering videos and activities that you can do at home with your family.

• Chinchillas
• Rockhopper and Gentoo chicks

Smithsonian National Zoo

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

Detroit Zoo

Zoo Atlanta

Oakland Zoo

Milwaukee County Zoo

Kansas City Zoo

Houston Zoo

• Giraffe Feeding Platform
• Giant River Otters
• Gorilla Habitat
• Elephant Yard
• Leafcutter Ant
• Chimp Window

Monterey Bay Aquarium

• Coral Reefs
• Kelp Forest
• Monterey Bay

Aquarium of the Pacific

• Sea Jellies
• Tropical Reef
• Honda Blue Cavern
• Anthias and Wrasse

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

National Aquarium

The National Aquarium offers free live cameras of a few exhibits during their business hours. Previously recorded videos when they are closed.

• Blacktip Reef
• Jellies Invasion
• Pacific Coral Reef

Related: 17 Free Virtual Aquarium Tour Ideas

National Parks Service – National Parks always make great field trips, but sometimes it isn’t possible to go visit. Thankfully, the National Parks Service offers quite a few resources to take advantage of from the comfort of our homes.

The resources include:

• Park webcams – there are so many available, including Ellis Island, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon
• Virtual events
• Video tours of various parks
• Kids portal with activities to do at home
• Educators portal with lesson plans
• Distance learning field trips and lesson plans (suggested grade levels are noted but there are programs for elementary through high school)
• The Nature Conservancy – The Nature Lab at the Nature Conservancy offers several virtual field trips, complete with a teacher guide. Check out these options:
• Citizen Science, Frogs, and Cicadas
• Changing Climate, Changing Cities
• The Secret Life of Corals
• Borneo: The Symphony of the Rainforest
• View From a Canoe
• Wild Biomes: America’s Rainforests and Deserts
• The Coral Reefs of Palau
• China’s Great Forests
• Powering the Planet: Renewable Energy
• Journey of Water: Colombia’s Paramo
• Peru: A Coastal Ecosystem
• Ridge to Reef: A Virtual Field Trip to Hong Kong

In a perfect world, we could all go on all of the field trips we wanted. In the real world, we can all benefit from the technology we have available. Online field trips are a great alternative.

Solar System – Isn’t the internet amazing? We can take interactive virtual tours of other planets without leaving planet Earth! Take tours of the planets, the sun, the moon, asteroids, comets, and even constellations.

International Space Station – Most of us will never get to see the International Space Station in person, but we can take a video tour.

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Welcome! My name is Jennifer. I am a teacher at heart. Before my children were born I was a public school teacher. Now, I am a homeschooling mom of two.

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June 26, 2024

• Take Summer Learning Out of the Classroom with Virtual Field Trips

Summer is here, and for many students, this can mean a big potential for learning loss. This is the perfect opportunity for teachers to introduce new ways to keep students engaged and learning all year long, and what better way than taking students on virtual field trips? Explore new sights and experiences from anywhere and make learning something your students never miss out on.   

What is a Virtual Field Trip?   

Field trips are something every teacher is familiar with. It can be both fun and educational to bring together your whole class and explore museums, exhibits, or unique locations around your area. However, for some students and staff, it can be inconvenient or impossible to get together in person.   

With virtual field trips, teachers can bring their class together anytime and almost anywhere to gain experience and explore without the constraints of a physical meeting location. Field trips have long been a way to get students out of the classroom while still gaining valuable learning opportunities and this online option can be the solution to prevent learning loss or students forgetting material they may have learned over the school year.   

Virtual Field Trip Destinations  

Going virtual doesn’t mean you have to limit yourself when it comes to the experiences you can enjoy with your students. From museums to attractions around the world, there are almost no limits to the things your students can experience with virtual field trips.   

Many popular museums such as the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offer virtual tours, allowing your group to navigate various rooms and exhibits on your own time. Get a close-up view of unique artifacts and learn more about them with in-depth descriptions minus the crowds and distractions you may expect on an in-person field trip.   

Museums aren’t the only virtual experiences you can bring your students to either. Explore other unique virtual destinations, like a digital trip to national parks or video tours in cities around the world.  

Keeping Kids Active in the Digital World  

Over the summer, you probably expect your students to spend more time playing and less time learning, but with virtual field trips, you can perfectly meet them in the middle. Adding these experiences to your summer learning plan can both combat learning loss and reinforce the things your students are learning in every lesson. Bring your students on a virtual trip to the Louvre and combine it with a thoughtful lesson in classical art. The options for keeping students engaged and entertained all summer long are almost limitless.  

Summer learning and fun can go hand-in-hand. FACTS values making it easy for you to challenge your students all summer while still staying prepared, organized, and supported, letting you enjoy the fun too.  Learn more about FACTS education services to discover how you can leverage these tools to make learning fun and engaging for your students all year round.  

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Welcome to Virtual Labs by MERLOT, SkillsCommons, and Partners!

Science faculty throughout the world are adopting virtual labs to engage students in learning through active participation rather than passive observation. Technological advances, combined with bandwidth maturity and mobile access make virtual labs an increasingly viable part of the teaching and learning.

We invite you through this site to learn about current and innovative virtual labs technologies, lab experiments, and simulations used in teaching the science, technology, engineering, and math disciplines in higher education.

OLC Ideate Labs for Online STEM: Innovating STEM Education

The Online Learning Consortium and MERLOT conducted  I deate Labs for Online STEM: Innovating STEM Education 2020 on August 19-21, 2020 .  This  free  virtual expo showcased a wide range of virtual and distance labs designed to support online STEM education, offered by both commercial and open educational resource (OER) providers. This event brought educators and providers together, not only offering expert guidance on how best to deploy the different types of virtual labs to achieve successful learning outcomes, but also in centering educator use-case virtual lab stories. 

What You'll Find Here

• The use of leading edge Virtual labs in the teaching and learning process.
• A "one-stop-shop" for a growing collection of free and fee-based virtual labs.
• Advice with links to a wide range of additional Science, Engineering, and Math resources and materials on Virtual Labs.
• Exciting teaching experience using virtual labs
• Innovative lab protocols and simulations
• Exemplary Practices in CSU virtual labs
• MERLOT Services

Explore Biology Labs

Explore Earth/Environmental Science Labs

Explore Chemistry Labs

Explore Engineering Labs

Explore Physics Labs

Explore Math Labs

Featured Project

Virtual labs for ge biology.

General education biology laboratory courses are facility and labor intensive and often have low student success. This project addresses these concerns through the implementation of online labs to engage students in the scientific method, reduce the demand for laboratory facilities, and decrease costs, addressing both facility and pedagogical bottleneck.

Project Report (pdf) | ePortfolio

Sharing Strategies

Explore how faculty adopted Virtual Labs in their classes. Faculty authored their teaching ePortfolios for virtual labs projects and recorded their reflections on the redesign of their lab courses.

Explore Teaching ePortfolios

Case Study Articles

Featured articles.

Designing and Implementing Virtual Courseware to Promote Inquiry-based Learning Robert A. Desharnais`, California State University, Los Angeles CA Melvin Lipman, American Physiological Society, Bethesda, MD

The Biology Labs On-Line Project: Producing Educational Simulations That Promote Active Learning Jeffrey Bell, California State University

Article on Strategies for Success Teaching with Virtual Labs: Learning by Doing with Biology Labs Online Robert A. Desharnais`, California State University, Los Angeles CA

For some students, virtual labs replace hands-on science experiments... LA Times

MERLOT Virtual Labs is a service of the MERLOT  program. Concept and design by: MERLOT and CSULB Center for Usability In Design and Accessibility © 2020 California State University, Long Beach - MERLOT Accessibility Questions? Email  [email protected]

The DNR now offers fourth-grade classes free field trips to many parks

Michigan has joined a handful of states and the National Park Service in an effort to get kids outside.

Kids in Michigan have a new opportunity to get outdoors.

Nature Awaits is a free field trip program for fourth grade classes in Michigan. Launched in April by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, it provides a bus reimbursements of up to $1000 for public schools.

Portage Central Elementary teacher Laura Richardson took her class to Warren Dunes.

“If anybody ever says anything about a free field trip that's hands-on and, like, an experience the kids wouldn't normally have, like, why would you say no?” she asked.

Richardson's son Tobin is a fourth grader at the same school. 

“Climbing up the dunes was fun and also looking for Petoskey stones and other types of rocks in the lake was fun, he said.

Kaitlin Lindahl runs the tours in Southwest Michigan. This spring, locations included Wolf Lake, Warren Dunes, Van Buren State Park and Yankee Springs.

“If you come to Wolf Lake you can always get a free field trip, but the busing to get here has usually been the limiting factor," Lindahl said.   She added that the program is open to all fourth-graders... but it targets urban children, who may not have much access to nature. 

“Schools that have never once been able to come out to Wolf Lake even though their school is only 10 miles away, 15 miles away, so very close by — they were able to come out with the Nature Awaits program for the first time ever.”

The DNR is taking reservations for fall field trips.

The 26 best things to do in D.C. this weekend and next week

Explore Indigenous culture at the Folklife Festival, celebrate the last weekend of Pride Month or get an early glimpse of fireworks.

The Smithsonian Folklife Festival is underway, and while it might be shorter than usual, expect a mix of music and dance, demonstrations of cooking and traditional handicrafts, and some unexpected fun, like workshops focused on lacrosse and skateboarding. This weekend marks the end of Pride Month, bringing festivals on both sides of the Potomac. Also, you have the chance to tour dozens of Montgomery County historic sites, catch fireworks before the Fourth, learn about black holes and space, or just relax with a Taylor Swift tribute band.

Thursday, June 27

Smithsonian Folklife Festival

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the National Museum of the American Indian , and the Smithsonian’s beloved Folklife Festival is celebrating with a program honoring “Indigenous Voices of the Americas.” Through Monday, the National Mall comes alive with cultures spanning two continents. Visit tents and outdoor structures to listen to master storytellers and musicians; watch chefs share professional tips and traditional foodways; and learn how craftspeople are keeping their knowledge of weaving, ceramics and other art forms alive for future generations. Families can try a variety of hands-on crafts and attend performances for young people. You might not expect to find a group of Bolivian women hosting skateboarding workshops on ramps on Jefferson Drive, or a field with lacrosse and archery games, but that’s the kind of thing that makes coming to Folklife an annual tradition for so many Washingtonians, despite the sweltering heat. No matter what catches your eye, stick around for the evening concerts, which include Indigenous hip-hop ranging from Florida to Chile (Friday) and a contemporary take on traditional Inuit dance and music (Saturday). Thursday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Monday from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Free .

Presidential debate viewing parties

The first presidential debate takes place at 9 p.m., and there are viewing parties across D.C., whether you want drinking games (Union Pub), themed cocktails like the Dark and Stormy Daniels (the Dirty Goose), discounted beers and shots (Red Derby), or an all-you-can-drink deal (Dirty Water). Read our roundup for all the details .

Spacing Out at DC Brau

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work for NASA, being involved with missions like the James Webb Space Telescope? Join Mike Menzel, the mission systems engineer for the James Webb Space Telescope at the Goddard Space Flight Center, and Shawn Domagal-Goldman, an astrobiologist who serves as the deputy director of the Sciences and Exploration Directorate at Goddard, in DC Brau’s taproom to talk about their careers, recent discoveries and current topics in space exploration. 5:30 p.m. Free .

Chamber Dance Project at Harman Hall

Performing in the summer, Washington’s contemporary ballet company can often be relied on for a bold conceptual gamble. The troupe’s 2024 season, titled “Ramblin’,” boasts live performances by the Red Clay Ramblers, the Tony Award-winning string band. The band’s tunes will accompany “Book of Stones,” a world premiere choreographed by Christian Denice, and the Washington premiere of “Ramblin’ Suite” by Diane Coburn Bruning, Chamber Dance’s founding artistic director. Additional repertoire rounds out the program, so ramble on by. Through Saturday. $65-$80.

Friday, June 28

Taylor Swift Tribute Band in Chevy Chase

Maybe you couldn’t get time off to travel to Europe to see the Eras Tour in person. Maybe you’re just looking for something to do on a Friday night. In either case, the Collection at Chevy Chase — the collection of shops and restaurants just across the D.C. line from Friendship Heights — is hosting a Taylor Swift Tribute Band, for everyone who wants to end their week by shaking it off. Getting there early? The nearby Clyde’s Chevy Chase has happy hour until 6 p.m., with $6 beers, $8 wine and cocktails, and discounted oysters. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Free .

Bats at the Byrd at Songbyrd Music House

The NoMa venue is replacing last year’s influx of Taylor-themed bashes with something a little more Gothic. This dance party is spinning dark-wave, industrial and post-punk, courtesy of aptly named DJs Vampyre Noire, Vlad and Sara Vox. 11 p.m. Free.

Raging Red at Shakers

Unleash some inner rage about that situationship or ghost at Shakers’s dance party dedicated to breakup songs. Expect new pop hits like Tate McRae’s “Exes” and Ariana Grande’s “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)” spun by award-winning DJ Alex Love, plus pop-up drag performances throughout the night. 10 p.m. Free.

Saturday, June 29

Montgomery County Heritage Days Festival

More than 30 historic museums and parks across Montgomery County open to the public free this weekend as part of the 25-year-old Heritage Days Festival. The two-day celebration includes guided tours of the National Capital Trolley Museum, the Woodend Nature Sanctuary and a C&O Canal lock house; a bluegrass jam at the Sandy Spring Museum; a documentary screening and free carousel rides at Glen Echo Park; and farm animals and hands-on family activities at the Agricultural History Farm Park. A map and schedule are available on the Heritage Montgomery website and app. Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 p.m. Free; some locations may charge extra for activities .

Arlington Pride at Long Bridge Park

The third Arlington Pride festival moves to Long Bridge Park for a day of music, drag performances, country and salsa dance lessons, vendors, food and drinks — even “Puppy Pride.” Noon to 7 p.m. Free .

SummerFest at Bohrer Park

Get an early start on your Independence Day celebrations with SummerFest at Gaithersburg’s Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm. Miniature golf starts at 11 a.m., and the skate park opens at noon. The real action takes place later: The District — a party-pleasing band that covers Lizzo, Bruno Mars, the Killers and the Beatles — takes the stage at 6 p.m., while local craft breweries and cideries, including Waredaca and Lone Oak, and food trucks sell refreshments. (Picnics are also welcome.) Fireworks begin at about 9:20 p.m. and are followed by a SummerGlo party with more live music and entertainment from LED-lit Hula-Hoopers and stilt walkers. 6 to 11 p.m. Free .

New Balance Appreciation Day at Metrobar

Some people might consider New Balance to be dad shoes, but if you’re from the D.C. area, you know that the brand, known for its 990s and 995s, has been a staple of D.C. streetwear since the 1980s. Celebrate New Balance’s importance to locals at New Balance Appreciation Day at Metrobar. Killa Cal of Rare Essence is the host, and the centerpiece is a panel discussion with Anwan “Big G” Glover of Backyard Band, Mustafa Tariq of the throwback Instagram account DC Decades, and Brandon Bull of Beats, Bars and Bourbon discussing their memories of New Balance and its role in D.C.’s signature look. DJ Biggs provides the beats, Adrenaline Lifestyles brings hot cars and bikes, and food trucks including Who Want Smoke and KC Kitchen Plug serve up the grub. Note that an RSVP doesn’t guarantee admission, which is first come, first served. 2 to 7 p.m. Free .

Chinatown Park Festival

The Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs organized this lunchtime festival in Chinatown Park, promising live music and dance performances, martial arts demonstrations, face painting, hands-on arts and crafts, a clothing swap, and other activities to celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month. (This festival, originally scheduled for June 22, was postponed due to heat.) 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free .

Broadway in the Park at Wolf Trap

Signature Theatre and Wolf Trap join forces once again for Broadway in the Park, a night under the stars dedicated to tunes from beloved musicals both new and old. This year, Broadway stars Laura Benanti and Jordan Fisher grace the stage at the Filene Center along with performers familiar to Signature’s audiences. Expect to hear standards from “My Fair Lady,” “Cabaret,” “Pippin” and “Les Misérables” as well as newer smash hits like “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Hamilton.” 8 p.m. $33-$153 .

Sunday, June 30

Pride in the Plaza at Veterans Plaza

Montgomery Pride wraps up a month of celebrations with Pride in the Plaza in Silver Spring’s Veterans Plaza. The main event is the finals of Drag Duels, an ongoing competition that features drag performers going head-to-head and stacked-heel-to-stacked-heel. There’s also live music, DJs and a Pride Ball that allows talented dancers to strut their stuff. New this year: the Community Stage, which organizers say features diverse, family-friendly entertainment. Noon to 8 p.m. Free .

Books & Booze Fair at Red Derby

When the book fair came to your elementary school, it brought scented pencils, glow-in-the-dark erasers and the new Percy Jackson novel. When the book fair comes to Red Derby this weekend, it’ll bring spicy-smooth drinks from Chacho Distillery, conversation with book sellers, and rows of bestsellers and underrated must-reads from Lost City Books and Loyalty Bookstores. A ticket will get you a Chacho drink, but the full bar at Red Derby (which was recently voted by Post readers as one of the city’s best dives ) is also available. 6 to 9 p.m. $10.

Republic Cantina anniversary party

Tex-Mex joint Republic Cantina marks five years in Truxton Circle this weekend with a day-long party. Get an early start with breakfast tacos at 9 a.m. before the block party in the alley, which features Joe Neuman of Sloppy Mama’s BBQ and Rob Cain of the Red Hen serving as guest pitmasters. Human Country Jukebox and the swaggering Heaven Forbid provide classic country covers throughout the day. Look out for a piñata, birthday cake, a kolache happy hour — Republic Cantina’s owners got their start as Republic Kolache — and DJs spinning country vinyl. 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Free .

Land Conservation Day at Hellbender Brewing Company

Casey Trees, a nonprofit that seeks to restore and protect Washington’s tree canopy, is teaming up for the second year with Hellbender Brewing Company for an afternoon dedicated to urban forests in the nation’s capital. Casey Trees holds a conservation easement on a patch of forest located near the brewery, and you’ll be able to tour this green space nicknamed “Hellbender Hill” during the event. Join a tour of Hellbender Hill at 2:30 or 4:30 p.m. to see the work — like invasive-vine pulling or cleanups — that’s being done as part of the land conservation program. Besides tree tours, the day will include food trucks, live music, raffles and a chance to hear from like-minded organizations. Hellbender’s taproom and the outside patio are open during the event, and a seasonal beer will be promoted in honor of Casey Trees. 2 to 7 p.m. Free; registration requested online .

‘Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity’ at Rock Creek Park Planetarium

Rock Creek Park Nature Center has so much to offer in the summer, including its own planetarium, where you can escape the heat with some virtual stargazing. The last Sunday in June is the last chance to take a simulated space flight to a supermassive black hole, courtesy of the film “Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity.” Narrated by actor Liam Neeson, the 30-minute presentation, aimed at audiences age 14 and up, is all about the science behind black holes. The planetarium’s domed screen will feature immersive animations of phenomena like star birth and death and the collision of giant galaxies. 4 p.m. Free .

‘Salute to Divas’ Drag Brunch at Surreal

Arlington Pride wraps up Sunday with the Salute to Divas Drag Brunch at Surreal in National Landing, hosted by Shi-Queeta Lee and featuring the 2024 Miss Arlington Pride Queenie Iman Glamazon. 11 a.m. $25 .

Country Night at Pitchers

The D.C. Rawhides support country dancing in the LGBTQ+ community by hosting parties with line dancing, partner dancing and dance lessons most Saturdays in Eastern Market’s North Hall. They’re spreading out this weekend and heading to Pitchers, too, where you can learn the Canadian Stomp line dance before open dancing. 4:30 to 7 p.m. Free .

Pride Art Market at Atlas Brew Works

The brewery’s Ivy City location is celebrating the last day of Pride Month with a makers market featuring works from LGBTQ+ artists. Masks are encouraged and will be provided. 1 to 7 p.m. Free.

Crate Convention at Anacostia Arts Center

The Crate Convention is a celebration of culture, combining vendors selling records, magazines, comics and clothing; music from DJs and producers; and works by local artists and makers in one room at the Anacostia Arts Center. Food and drinks are available. Noon to 5 p.m. Free .

Orville Peck at the Anthem

For the last few years, the yeehaw agenda has been in full effect. From Lil Nas X’s “Old Town Road” and Kacey Musgraves’s pop crossover to Beyoncé’s latest album and Post Malone’s latest transformation , musicians outside the mainstream of country music have taken cowboy culture for a ride and found comfort in the saddle. The rise of Orville Peck has come alongside this cultural shift, and the 36-year-old singer-songwriter — who performs under a pseudonym and wears a mask — is making country music that recalls outlaw traditions and has found fans in collaborators Willie Nelson, Elton John and Kylie Minogue. The artist, who is gay, also serves as a reminder that neither America nor Americana is as homogenized and heteronormative as it may seem. 7 p.m. $59.50.

Monday, July 1

Hiatus Kaiyote at the Fillmore Silver Spring

If you think you haven’t heard of this band, you’re probably wrong, especially if you listen to rap. The band has been countlessly sampled by various artists — most notably by rap superstars Kendrick and Drake. Hiatus Kaiyote’s maximalist sound lends itself well to being reused in a genre like hip-hop that’s always innovating how sampling works. Singer Nai Palm attributes the sampling to their attention to detail, referring to her and her bandmates as “nerds” when it comes to production. “Instead of just, ‘Oh, we’ll just put that down, it doesn’t matter,’ everything is perfectly curated textually,” Palm says. 8 p.m. $53-$72.50.

Tuesday, July 2

Vienna’s Independence Day Celebration

The town of Vienna’s annual party fills George C. Yeonas Park with a mix of live music — Latin American from Cantaré, pop and funk from Thunderball — as well as family activities, food trucks and picnicking on baseball fields. Fireworks begin around 9:30. Free parking is available off-site. 6 to 10 p.m. Free .

Wednesday, July 3

‘National Treasure’ at the National Archives

Nicholas Cage’s 2004 action-adventure film “National Treasure” has a preposterous plot: stealing the Declaration of Independence from the National Archives to find a map on the back, leading to a secret treasure hidden by Freemasons? No wonder it’s become a cult classic. (At the time, Post reviewer Stephen Hunter called “National Treasure” “ the movie equivalent of comfort food .”) On the eve of Independence Day, what could be more appropriate than watching a film about the theft of the declaration at the place it was allegedly stolen from? The National Archives Foundation is the sponsor of this free screening in the William G. McGowan Theater. Just don’t get any big ideas on your way out. 2 p.m. Free; registration required .