The Best Virtual Field Trips to Take Right Now

NATIONAL PARKS AT HOME

The National Parks At Home site has lots of activities your family can do at home to discover the national park system.

This website provides webcams, ideas for activities to do in nature from your backyard, and educational resources. The Junior Park Ranger program can be found online and teaches kids about conserving natural resources. They can also listen to music that is inspired by the park.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

Arches National Park is home to over 2000 natural arches, the highest concentration of any location in the world. These geologic formations are ever-changing and formed by water.

The tour will show tweens that the terrain may look tough, but it is actually very delicate. This is why there are rules about climbing.

The sandstone creations are beautiful and the colors are vibrant when the sun shines on them. It’s definitely a field trip not to miss.

BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Bryce Canyon National Park is known for its unusual landforms. Bryce Canyon is a canyon that wasn’t created from erosion by a central stream, which is surprising. Instead, the powerful force of rainwater and an erosional force called frost-wedging combined to form limestone.

The rocks in this area have been shaped over time by wind and water into forms such as windows, fins, slot canyons, and spires called hoodoos.

As you move around this park, you’ll be amazed at the range of colors in the rock formations.

The visitors will see a lot of Joshua trees and cacti as they walk around the park.

CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK

The national park contains 119 caves, 3 of which are open for public tours. The most visited cave is Carlsbad Cavern. Kids will learn that this cave was not formed by water erosion, but by sulfuric acid.

The Guadalupe mountains were home to the Ancestral Pueblo people many years ago and this park is rich in their history.

Make sure to take the time during the field trip to learn about both the area’s history and the caves’ formations.

DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Instead of taking a trip to Death Valley National Park in person, tweens will be happy to visit the park virtually. Death Valley has the driest climate in North America and is known as the hottest place on earth.

One interesting aspect of this park is the contrast between the hot desert and the snow-covered mountain peaks.

This national park can be enjoyed without carrying extra water or a jacket.

DENALI NATIONAL PARK

The Denali National Park is named after Mount Denali and is a mixture of different landscapes including forests and glaciers. It is located in Alaska.

While on this virtual field trip, students can not only see the natural beauty, but also learn about the science and research being conducted in the park, specifically concerning mosses and lichens and their importance to the ecosystem.

You can listen to the sound scapes and watch Denali National Park live in actual time through the webcams.

EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

Everglades National Park is a world-renowned wildlife refuge in Southern Florida. The Everglades are often thought of as a swamp, when in reality, they are a slowly moving river. There is no other ecosystem like it on earth.

This complex system of ecosystems is home to several endangered species, including the American Crocodile. In addition to being the site of many unique plants and animals, these areas are also home to some species that are not found anywhere else on the planet.

While exploring the many resources available on your virtual field trip, keep in mind that you can always take a different trip using Google Earth when you’re ready.

GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK

Gates of the Arctic National Park is a national park that is unique because there are no roads or trails through it. Instead, visitors experience wild, untouched land.

You won’t need any special survival skills or a guide for this virtual field trip. This text is talking about how tweens will enjoy seeing a part of the United States that is not often seen.

The students will also be interested in the archaeological work being done at the site. Scientists are uncovering a Paleo-Eskimo camp. It’s amazing!

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Glacier National Park is located in Montana in the United States. It is along the border of the United States and Canada. Many people refer to the Crown of the Continent Ecosystem as pristine because it is unspoiled by humans.

There are many things that you can do on this website, such as taking a virtual drive on Going-To-The-Sun Road, looking for wildlife, going for a virtual hike, and more. You won’t want to miss this beautiful site.

GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona and is one of the deepest gorges on Earth. The views from the park are breathtaking. Grand Canyon National Park is visited by millions of people each year and is one of the most popular national parks in the United States. Now you can see it for yourself without traveling.

Do your tweens know about the mystery surrounding Blacktail Canyon? You can learn more about it during this virtual field trip.

There are over 500 species of animals at the sanctuary, including the endangered California Condor. If your kids are older and more adventurous, you can use the links on the site to explore the Grand Canyon further by taking a virtual hike or a raft trip.

HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK ON THE BIG ISLAND

Visit the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park to see the active volcanoes. One of the volcanoes in Hawaii, Kilauea, is the world’s most active volcano. It erupted back in 2018. Mauna Loa is the world’s most massive shield volcano.

Visit The Hidden Worlds of National Parks

The Hidden World of National Parks explores some of America’s most beloved and beautiful national parks, from Yosemite to Mesa Verde.

Students can use the technology that powers Google Street View to explore national parks at their leisure.

As you explore the park, you will have the opportunity to take a guided tour with one of the park’s rangers. The ranger will share their knowledge and expertise about the park with you. Step-by-step instructions will appear on your screen, telling you what to do next. So just relax, have fun, and enjoy yourself!

Watch the Monterey Bay Aquarium Sea Otters

Come play with the sea otters as they frolic around in Monterey Bay Aquarium! Catch the otters being fed and playing throughout the day, learning fun facts along the way.

If you are interested in watching other channels that are related to aquariums, Monterey Bay Aquarium also offers live streams of Open Sea or Kelp Forest.

Swim through Palau coral reefs

You can explore the Palau coral reefs without leaving your home by taking a virtual adventure. Nature Lab and the Nature Conservancy are hosting a tour to teach students about the importance of preserving fragile ecosystems.

The Nature Lab’s Teacher’s Guide includes discussion questions and related resources to take learning to the next level and keep learners engaged.

 Visit the surface of Mars

It took the Perseverance rover seven months to travel to Mars. This virtual tour allows you and your students to visit the location in just one afternoon.

This virtual tour created by Google and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory brings the history of Mars exploration to students through email. The students will investigate Mars’ surface, find out more about the advantages and disadvantages of rovers, and comprehend how Mars investigation relates to the past of space voyage.

Power up with renewable energy

The Powering the Planet lesson from the Nature Conservancy 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.

The Nature Conservancy has made available a Teacher Guide with each of its programs. The guide contains lesson plans and activities that are associated with the virtual tour.

 Walk the Great Wall of China

You’ll want to wear comfortable shoes for exploring the Great Wall of China, which stretches for more than 13,000 miles.

This tour allows students to explore the Great Wall of China virtually, as well as see the history and view up close.

Float around the International Space Station

Since 2000, there have always been astronauts living on the International Space Station. 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.

The website has plenty of images, videos, graphics, and media resources that can help you connect topics to your curriculum.

Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef

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

The Great Barrier Reef, as seen through David Attenborough’s eyes, is a magnificent natural wonder that is both beautiful and fragile. Through this tour, Attenborough seeks to educate the public about the importance of preservation and conservation of this delicate ecosystem.

The Great Barrier Reef can be seen on Google Street View through Google Maps. It is one of the first underwater locations to be mapped.

Learn about water and Colombia’s páramo ecosystem

Just outside of Bogotá, there is an ecosystem that is very diverse. This virtual lesson will teach students about the water cycle’s importance to biodiversity, and give them a close look at the animals that live in the area.

The teacher guide provides ideas for how to discuss the topic with students and keep them engaged with the lesson. There are more virtual experiences on the Nature Lab’s YouTube channel.