Here’s a comprehensive list of some great virtual tours, zoo cams, and activities
The Hive
Inside THE HIVE, you’ll find activities for kids like coloring pages of hive designs, arts and crafts, honey themed recipes for family baking sessions, virtual hive tours and beekeeping lessons, leadership development/team building opportunities presented by the BDT Leadership Institute and so much more!
National Park Service – Webcams
Did you know that you can see what’s happening live at parks without leaving home?
Webcams allow you to get up close to wildlife without disturbing them.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute – Webcams
See giant pandas, elephants, lions, naked mole-rats and cheetahs on animal cams streaming live, 24/7 from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.
Download the Animal Cam Educational Activities (link will open in new window). This packet is designed to engage students (grades K-5) in looking closely and thinking deeply about animal behavior and habitats. Welcome to the wild side of learning!
The Museum of Science & Industry
These activities are fun to do, and you’ll learn a little about science, too
Yosemite National Park
Virtual Yosemite is a groundbreaking interactive tour of one of America’s most popular and spectacular natural environments – Yosemite National Park in California. The project is unique in both the depth of its coverage and the quality of its imagery. Explore the park – complete with sound!
Discover Walks…
There are lots of free walking tours in Paris – tip only tours where you pay what you would like at the end of the tour. We have selected the best Paris free tours for this list.
The Hidden Worlds of the National Parks
The exhibit allows you to take 360-degree tours of some of the most remote and beautiful U.S. National Parks. Instead of featuring much-documented vistas like Yosemite or the Grand Canyon, for example, the exhibit instead focuses on a selection of parks you may not have traveled to yet, including the Kenai Fjords in Alaska, Hawaiian volcanoes, New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns, Utah’s Bryce Canyon, and Florida’s Dry Tortugas.
Access Mars
International trips are one thing, but, if you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, you can take a virtual trip to Mars. NASA partnered with Google to offer a tour of a 3D replica of the Martian surface recorded by the Curiosity rover.
Earth LIVE Lessons
Tune into 20 minutes of daily earth lessons LIVE from around the world brought to you by some the most inspiring scientists, conservationists, wildlife filmmakers and more. Starts on 18th March 2020. Broadcast LIVE every single day in March and April.
NASA at Home – For Kids and Families
NASA STEM at Home has science & exploration materials and activities for students in different grade levels
Science Museum of Minnesota
A community resource where Science, Equity, and Education come together.
Omnifest at Home
The Science Museum of Minnesota and its Omnitheater are temporarily closed, but many Omni and IMAX films have been made available for streaming while we all shelter in place! So turn down the lights, sit back, and enjoy a big screen experience in your own home.
Cirque du Soleil
At Cirque du Soleil, they offer an escape from everyday life through the delight and whimsy of our shows.
60 minute special and more!
Minneapolis Digital Puzzles
For anyone currently stuck with extra time on their hands – Meet Minneapolis has 14 digital puzzles showcasing popular landmarks across the city.
Hop on a virtual hot air balloon ride!
Life sure has been a whirlwind lately, and we have an adventure among the clouds for you. Take to the skies virtually!
Hop on a Virtual Hot Air Balloon Ride anytime, where Captain Tommy whisks you away over the Sonoran Desert with views for miles. Bonus: if you use the YouTube app to play the Virtual Hot Air Balloon Ride on your phone, you can change your view within the video by moving your phone side to side and up and down!
Want to spice up your morning meetings? Download FREE Hot Air Balloon Zoom Backgrounds for a glimpse of the balloon dotted Arizona skyline. The next best thing to floating among the clouds!
Ellis Island Foundation
Research your Family Passenger Records
FREE – $30The Statue of Liberty – Ellis Island Foundation has more than 65 million pieces of data you can search through to find ancestors who may have come through the famous immigration hub. And if that seems too overwhelming, you can request the help of its staff, which is now offering to personally help you find more information for a small fee.Ellis Island Family Research – Do it YourselfEllis Island Family Research – Assisted
Disney Storytime
Enjoy charming narrated stories from your favorite Disney movies!Listen on your favorite music source!
What did Hubble see on your birthday?
The Hubble Space Telescope explores the universe 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. That means it has observed some fascinating cosmic wonder every day of the year, including on your birthday!What did Hubble look at on your birthday? Enter the month and date below to find out!
YAYMAKER
These events are presented live through a streaming platform—some for kids and others geared for adults. YayMaker is even hosting private parties and corporate events (perfect for keeping in touch with your team). So, pour a drink, grab a snack, and get creative!
Barnes & Nobel Storytime
Bring Storytime to life wherever you are and click here YOUTUBE.COM/BARNESANDNOBLE for a Storytime read along.
Barnes & Nobel Fun, Free Activities for All Ages
Drive And Listen
Drive and Listen is a captivating website that fuses a 4K street-view video feed with local radio stations from cities around the world. From your browser, you can take a virtual tour of London, Moscow, Paris, or Tokyo with only a few clicks.
Thanks to the power of high-definition cameras and high-quality microphones, you can take a virtual tour of the biggest cities in the world without ever having to book a flight.
Lone Star Flight Museum
Click Here to Explore Location in 3D!
Cyark
Explore iconic locations in 3D and discover the tools of digital preservation.
The Georgia Aquarium
Spend some time under the Sea! Sea Otters, penguins and puffins, oh my!
Up & Away
Enjoy a curated, family friendly, educational experience through subscription suitcases which include games and activities while incorporating the culture, cuisine, and people from countries around the world. Something that sets Up & Away apart is their focus on the five senses. Each suitcase comes packed full of sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and things to touch, guaranteed to stimulate your senses.
Asia Society at Home
Asia Society Texas Center has some amazing virtual resources available to build cross-cultural understanding and empathy by guiding you through immersive online learning experiences. Among these digital resources, Virtual Fieldtrips with four different programs for Elementary, Middle, and High School students, all TEKS-aligned. Interested in digital lessons on Asian culture? Check out the At-Home Adventures through Asia series.
Wings Over Houston
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to soar through the sky in a fighter jet? Do you think you could handle it? Check out this video of one man’s adventure to see if he has what it takes.
AIRBNB Online Experiences
Find unique activities led by one-of-a-kind hosts — all without leaving home.
Window Swap
Window Swap is here to fill that deep void in our wanderlust hearts by allowing us to look through someone else’s window, somewhere in the world, for a while.
Disney-Inspired Workouts
Get Moving With Disney Family features creative Disney workouts and is the perfect way to break a sweat without leaving the comfort of your own home!
20 Winter Birds You May See This Year
By Angela Minor
Winter ushers in dramatic changes for birds and opportunities for us to catch a glimpse of new species. This list of winter birds you may see this year is only a sampling, so get those binoculars ready!
It is important to feed birds all winter long, providing an oasis for all species, whether migratory or not. Use this backyard birding winter checklist to prepare and maintain your yard throughout the season. The birds will thank you!
Wilderness Inquiry
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Wilderness Inquiry developed online programming for youth to advance our mission of connecting everyone to the outdoors, regardless of age, ability, or background. Virtual Explorers offers the chance for youth in grades 5–12 to experience virtual field trips focusing on Minnesota’s history, culture, and ecology through inquiry-based learning and exploration. Thanks to financial support from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund, Nature Valley, and USDA Forest Service, Minnesota youth have the opportunity to participate in courses for free.