Imagine taking your students to the Great Wall of China or Yellowstone National Park—all without leaving your classroom. Sounds impossible? Not anymore!
One of the positive things that came out of the pandemic is the ability to take our students places we couldn’t get together as a class before! Virtual field trips for elementary students have become a game-changer for teachers, offering immersive, interactive experiences that captivate students while eliminating logistical challenges like travel costs and permission slips.
These trips aren’t just fun—they’re powerful tools for boosting engagement, inspiring creativity, and making cross-curricular connections. Ready to explore the possibilities? Let’s dive into seven virtual field trips that will transport your students around the world and beyond.
Why Virtual Field Trips Work Wonders
- Engagement Boost: Virtual field trips provide a sense of adventure, sparking curiosity and excitement.
- Cross-Curricular Learning: These trips naturally integrate into subjects like ELA, social studies, and science.
- Accessibility: With just a device and internet access, every student can explore world-class museums, landmarks, and beyond.
Tip for Teachers: Pair virtual field trips with writing assignments or discussions to deepen the learning experience and tie it to curriculum standards.
7 Virtual Field Trips to Explore with Your Students
Here are the seven virtual elementary field trip ideas we will look at:
- The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
- San Diego Zoo
- NASA’s Virtual Tours
- Ellis Island Immigration Museum
- The Louvre Museum
- Yellowstone National Park Virtual Tours
- The Great Wall of China Virtual Tour
Let’s look at each one below. 👇
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Explore the wonders of natural history with this engaging virtual tour. From dinosaur fossils to stunning gemstones, there’s something for every curious mind.
Classroom Tie-In:
- ELA: Have students write a research-based essay on their favorite exhibit.
- Vocabulary: Use exhibits to introduce domain-specific words like “paleontology” or “geology.”
San Diego Zoo
Take a walk on the wild side with live animal cams and virtual exhibits from one of the world’s most famous zoos.
Classroom Tie-In:
- Creative Writing: Ask students to write an animal’s diary entry about its day at the zoo.
- Persuasive Writing: Have students craft letters advocating for wildlife conservation.
One of my very favorite projects we make in the Spring are these darling explorers that house an animal report. You can make these cuties after your visit! Students can simply choose an animal they saw on the trip and research it with books from your school or local library.
NASA’s Virtual Tours
From the International Space Station to the Mars Rover, NASA’s virtual tours bring space exploration to life.
Classroom Tie-In:
- Story Writing: Challenge students to write a fictional adventure about traveling to Mars.
- Opinion Essays: Would you want to travel into space? Share why or why not!
This is the perfect virtual field trip for your elementary students to take right before you jump into teaching about the NGSS to your students!
Ellis Island Immigration Museum
Step into the shoes of immigrants arriving in America through this interactive virtual tour.
Classroom Tie-In:
- American Symbols: Since this may be over the heads of the youngest students, an easy tie-in would be to chat about the American Symbols and mention the importance of Ellis Island.
The Louvre Museum
From the Mona Lisa to ancient artifacts, The Louvre offers a treasure trove of art and history and will be a memorable virtual field trip for your students.
Classroom Tie-In:
- Descriptive Writing: Have students describe a piece of art in vivid detail. Focus on adjectives!
- Fun Art!: Check out my favorite Eric Carle art project
Yellowstone National Park Virtual Tours
Experience the beauty of geysers, wildlife, and breathtaking landscapes through Yellowstone’s virtual tours – without having to brave the chilly elements!
Classroom Tie-In:.
- Creative Storytelling: Let students create a fictional narrative about an adventure in Yellowstone.
The Great Wall of China Virtual Tour
Take your students on a journey through this world wonder, exploring its history and architecture.
Classroom Tie-In:
- Teach About Asia: Share the other amazing marvels in Asia with this slideshow!
- Continent Fun: This is a great place to kick off your Continent Explorations!
Elementary School Virtual Field Trips Recap
Virtual field trips are a fantastic way to inspire wonder, boost engagement, and make learning unforgettable. Whether you’re exploring the depths of the ocean or walking the Great Wall of China, these trips bring the world into your classroom without the hassle of rounding up drivers and counting noses in the museum!
Do you take a virtual trip that you love? Leave a comment and let me know where!
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