Homeschooling offers a unique opportunity for students to learn beyond the confines of a traditional classroom. With the power of the internet, homeschoolers can embark on virtual field trips to explore museums, historical landmarks, natural wonders, and much more. These experiences make learning engaging and help students develop a deeper understanding of the world while sparking curiosity for science.
In this article, we’ll introduce you to some of the top virtual field trips that you can enjoy from the comfort of your home.
Google Arts & Culture
Google Arts & Culture provides access to an impressive collection of virtual tours of museums and cultural institutions worldwide. You can wander through the Louvre in Paris, the British Museum in London, and even experience the ancient city of Pompeii.
San Diego Zoo
Animal lovers can enjoy live webcams and educational resources from the San Diego Zoo. Your nature-loving homeschool students can learn about wildlife and conservation efforts.
National Park Service
Explore the breathtaking beauty and rich history of the United States’ national parks with virtual tours offered by the National Park Service. Take a virtual journey to iconic destinations like the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, Acadia and Yosemite.
Evergreens are commonly found throughout National Parks and are a great topic for teaching about nature. Checkout our pining for evergreens mini unit for a lesson plan about these amazing trees.
Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History offers an extensive online experience, allowing homeschool kids to virtually tour exhibits on dinosaurs, human origins, and more.
NASA’s Virtual Tours
For young space enthusiasts, NASA provides a wealth of virtual content. Visit NASA’s virtual tours and explore space centers, spacecraft, and the wonders of the cosmos.
While virtually traveling into outer space, learn about the mystery of the universe through Little Monsters Universe’s Earth, Moon, & Stars lesson plan. Great for homeschool students who are studying astronauts!
Monterey Bay Aquarium
Dive into the depths of the ocean with live webcams and educational resources from the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. Discover marine life and the importance of ocean conservation.
After watching the shark cam, your homeschool student can learn more about the fascinating fish with our sharks mini unit.
Colonial Williamsburg
Teaching a homeschool history class? Travel back in time with a virtual tour of Colonial Williamsburg. Learn about American history, particularly the colonial period.
National Geographic Education
National Geographic Education offers a wide range of virtual experiences, including interactive stories, 360-degree videos, and lessons on geography, wildlife, and culture.
Historical Sites and Battlefields
Many historical sites and battlefields, like Gettysburg and Mount Vernon, offer virtual tours and educational materials. Teaching homeschool history class has never been so fun!
Cultural Organizations
Discover the world’s cultural treasures through virtual tours and resources from institutions like the British Library, the Vatican Museums, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Explore from Home
Exploring the world from home has never been more accessible. These virtual homeschool field trips offer a window to a universe of knowledge, waiting for eager young minds to explore.
Pair a virtual field trip with Little Monsters Universes science-based homeschooling curriculum for an adventure that is not only educational but also incredibly engaging. Happy homeschooling!
References:
“Explore Museums and Art.” Google Arts & Culture, https://artsandculture.google.com.
“Virtual Tours.” National Park Service, https://www.nationalparks.org/connect/blog/take-virtual-visit-national-park.
“Online Tours.” Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, https://naturalhistory.si.edu/visit/virtual-tour.
“Virtual Tours.” NASA, https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-at-home-virtual-tours-and-apps/.
“Live Cams.” San Diego Zoo, https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cameras.
“Live Webcams.” Monterey Bay Aquarium, https://www.montereybayaquarium.org.
“Virtual Field Trips.” Colonial Williamsburg, https://www.colonialwilliamsburg.org.
“National Geographic Education.” National Geographic Society, https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/education-resources/.
“Gettysburg.” Gettysburg Foundation, https://www.gettysburgfoundation.org.
“Mount Vernon.” Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association, https://www.mountvernon.org.
“The British Library.” The British Library, https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/united-kingdom-museums/london-museums/british-library/.
“Vatican Museums.” Vatican Museums, https://m.museivaticani.va/content/museivaticani-mobile/en/collezioni/musei/tour-virtuali-elenco.html.
“NMAAHC.” Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, https://joyofmuseums.com/museums/united-states-of-america/washington-d-c/national-museum-of-african-american-history-and-culture.
