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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

Learn More: Google Arts and Culture

16. Travel the tundra

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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.

Learn More: Google Arts and Culture

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.

Learn More: Google Arts and Culture

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!

Learn More: Google Earth

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

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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.

Learn More: YouTube

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

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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.

Learn More: YouTube

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.

Learn More: YouTube

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!

Learn More: YouTube

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.

Learn More: YouTube

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.

Learn More: YouTube

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.

Learn More: NASA

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.

Learn More: YouTube

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

Category: K-5, TechnologyTag: Virtual Field Trips

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