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23 Virtual Zoo Field Trips, Tours, and Zoo Cams That Get You Up Close to the Animals

Bring the zoo to you.

We love field trips, but sometimes organizing an excursion just can’t happen. Fortunately, we live in a time when technology can bring the excitement to us. The pandemic encouraged many zoos and aquariums to put in the effort to bridge the gap for visitors at home. As such, we’re able to share this list of fantastic virtual zoo field trips, virtual zoo tours, and zoo cams you can enjoy from anywhere.

Best Virtual Zoo Field Trips, Virtual Zoo Tours, and Zoo Cams

San diego zoo.

The San Diego Zoo has a “Watch and Learn” section on its website. Here, students can check out the fantastic zoo cams including the burrowing-owl cam, giraffe cam, elephant cam, and many more.

Atlanta Zoo

While the Atlanta Zoo’s zoo cam is dedicated to pandas, they offer many videos and activities that feature bird watching, sloths, lemurs, monkeys, and more.

Reid Park Zoo

Located in Tucson, Arizona, this zoo features a variety of delightful zoo cams designed to give kids a virtual zoo tour of the elephants, giraffes, grizzly bears, lions, and more.

Tembe Elephant Park

Tembe Elephant Park is located in a remote area of South Africa. Renowned for having the largest elephants in the world, these zoo cams offer sights such as sand forests and wetlands, leopards, rhinos, and, of course, elephants.

GRACE Gorilla Forest Corridor

This extensive cam takes us inside the gorilla forest corridor in the Democratic Republic of Congo while connecting the habitat with the night quarters at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE).

Houston Zoo

Take a virtual zoo tour down to Texas and enjoy the live zoo cams set up by the Houston Zoo, allowing you to peer into the lives of giraffes, gorillas, elephants, and flamingos.

Explore the Arctic

Head to Churchill, Manitoba, Canada, to witness the annual polar bear migration. Discovery Education has teamed up with Polar Bears International to host a series that explores some of the biggest questions about the Arctic.

Bring your virtual classroom to life with animals from the Oregon Zoo. The Wildlife Live videos are aligned to different subject content areas, which are listed on the page. New videos are also posted regularly on the zoo’s social media channels. A few times every week, they go behind the scenes for a live interview with animal-care staff. Each live video is accompanied by a kid-approved activity related to the featured animal .

PBS Zoo Field Trip

Let’s all go to the zoo with PBS LearningMedia! At Zoo Miami, Penny and the KidVision VPK kids wash rhinos, feed giraffes, study a zebra’s stripes, and ride a camel. Lions and tigers and apes, oh my!

International Wolf Center

The cool wolf-pack cam live-broadcasts the adventures of four ambassador wolves: Denali, Boltz, Axel, and Grayson. The exhibit stretches across 1.25 acres and includes two dens, a filtered pond, and a forested area.

San Antonio Zoo

While San Antonio Zoo virtual field trips aren’t free, they’re very engaging. Enjoy virtual encounters with okapis, hippos, rhinos, and more.

From a virtual zoo tour and chats with staff to showing what the animals are up to and posting activity ideas from their education and conservation teams, the Dallas Zoo’s Bring the Zoo to You web series is perfect for a virtual field trip.

Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo was the home of the late Steve Irwin, best known as the Crocodile Hunter. His wife, Terri, and children, Bindi and Bob, have continued his legacy. This fantastic YouTube channel offers captivating videos of some of the world’s most fascinating animals.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo

This virtual zoo field trip takes us to the nation’s capital. Check out animal zoo cams that share a glimpse into the daily lives of black-footed ferrets, naked mole rats, giant pandas, and more.

Chester Zoo

This British zoo has been going live on Facebook and YouTube to offer a fun and engaging virtual zoo tour packed full of fantastic facts and adorable animal antics.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

The Monterey Bay Aquarium has created virtual zoo tour resources to support children’s learning for grades pre-K through 12. The site offers online courses, family-friendly science activities, crafts and printables, and fantastic video lessons (in English and en español) to help young learners who are excited about ocean animals.

Georgia Aquarium at Home

These wonderful guided virtual tours through Georgia Aquarium’s galleries allow you to explore the chilly unknown in Cold Water Quest , be immersed in a world of colors as a tropical diver , and more.

New England Aquarium Virtual Tour

Enjoy a virtual zoo tour of the New England Aquarium and check out the projects and activities available to both educators and families. New zoo cam videos premiere on Facebook , YouTube , and Instagram .

Folly Farm Sloth Cam

Witness the serene existence of Tuppee and Lightcap, two charming two-toed sloths residing in Sloth Forest, a habitat created as a comfortable “sloth retirement home.”

Aquarium of the Pacific Webcams

Peek into the lives of playful penguins, sleek sharks in the Shark Lagoon, the graceful sea nettles, the bustling Tropical Reef, the serene Honda Blue Cavern, and the intriguing coral predators. These webcams, complemented by resource kits, offer a vibrant, educational experience for all ages.

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Giraffe Cams

Tune into the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s giraffe cams for a live peek into the lives of giraffes in the African Rift Valley exhibit. These cameras capture the giraffes as they roam, mingle, and interact with visitors hand-feeding them lettuce. It’s a “Way Beyond Watching” experience that brings you up close with these majestic animals from anywhere in the world.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium Webcams

Dive virtually into the world of marine rescue at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Their live webcams offer glimpses into the new Ruth & J.O. Stone Dolphin Complex, home to rescued bottlenose dolphins in a sprawling 1.5 million gallons of Clearwater Bay’s filtered water. Additionally, explore more live cams like the Otter Cam, Pelican Cam, and Mavis’s Rescue Hideaway Cam for a closer look at other rescued marine animals.

Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo Webcams

Catch a glimpse into the daily lives of Beardsley Zoo’s beloved animals with their live webcams. Be sure to switch between the Indoor and Outdoor Red Panda Cams, the Spider Monkey Cams, and the River Otter Cam to see these creatures exploring their habitats.

Did we miss one of your favorite virtual zoo field trips, virtual zoo tours, or zoo cams? Share it with us in the We Are Teachers HELPLINE group on Facebook!

Also, check out the best field trip ideas for every age and interest (virtual options too).

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40 Amazing Educational Virtual Field Trips

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Stuck at home with kids and going kooky? This epic list of virtual zoo tours and aquariums from around the world will (hopefully) provide kids with a few hours of entertainment, and grownups with a smidge of regained sanity.

Things are completely berserk right now – not gonna lie. But, you have to admit that living through a global pandemic in the 21st century really ain’t all that bad. I mean, on the bright side, we have the Internet, liquor stores and an infinite online catalogue of hilarious memes to keep us entertained.

Fellow parents, this enlightening virtual zoo and aquariums post aims to create an ‘occupation’ for the kids so that us poor souls can quietly resume watching Tiger King or scrolling through funny quarantine videos on Tik Tok.

Psst.. You can find us on Tik Tok here for a daily dose of quarantine laughs.

Alright, folks. Whip out your VR goggles or get the TV ready for casting – we are about to embark on a whirlwind trip around the world to experience the best aquariums and virtual zoo tours on all four corners of the planet. Best of all.. You won’t even have to lift a finger. Okay, maybe just one finger for clicking.

Looking for more travel tips for families?

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But first, watch our video on 12 genius ideas to enjoy a pretend ‘holiday’ at home for days where you and the littles are experiencing a serious case of travel withdrawals.

18 Best Virtual Zoos & Aquariums in the World

Strap on your ‘seatbelts’ and virtual reality headset (if you own a pair), we’re about to take you on a wild ride through four continents to experience a string of virtual field trips to the zoo and aquariums like you’ve never experienced before.

North America: Virtual Zoo Tours & Aquariums

Home to world-class zoos and one of the most remarkable aquariums we’ve ever set foot inside *ahem* Georgia Aquarium, North America is one virtual trip you have to take to ogle at pandas, Beluga whales and even piranhas via 24-hour live cams.

San Diego Zoo

If there’s one virtual zoo trip to place on top of your online ‘travel’ bucket list – it’s San Diego Zoo.

Slide into their live cams to take a peek at the daily shenanigans of tigers, elephants, baboons and more adorable four-legged fur friends that will steal your hearts away.

But wait, guys. There’s more to your San Diego Zoo virtual tour and online experience. Way more. Ensure that you pop a visit to the dedicated kids’ section of the website for a myriad of animal-focused learning activities, art and crafts video tutorials, home experiment ideas and educational games.

Oh, and if you have a VR headset handy, now’s the time to pop them over your head and check into their YouTube channel to immerse yourselves in 360º videos, like this one of giant tortoises eating watermelon.

Atlanta Zoo

In need of a cute animal fix that’s not your own household pet? Atlanta Zoo has got you covered with their world-famous live PandaCam . Meet the ridiculously adorable panda twins, Ya Lun and Xi Lun, who are melting hearts across the globe with their playful antics and just all-round cuteness.

Don’t forget to swing by their Facebook page to experience what basically feels like virtual field trips to the zoo, featuring regular keeper talks and behind-the-scenes insight into animals and their diets and lifestyle.

The website also offers a host of fun activities and lessons that support ‘at home learning’, like animal arts and crafts, backyard bingo and a storybooks packed with hands-on activities.

TIP: Download the WILDEVERSE mobile game, which features real-life characters from Atlanta Zoo. Transform your home into a digital jungle and embark on research quests and missions to find endangered apes. 

Cincinnati Zoo

Hopping over a couple of states north to Ohio, we’re going to spring into Cincinnati Zoo to meet the world’s most famous hippopotamus, Fiona. Follow this immersive virtual zoo tour to get a feel of the space, exhibits and animals.

Swing by their Facebook page to tune into The Fiona Show where you can watch videos of her birth and follow her astonishing progress and growth. She’s the only hippo ever to survive an almost 2-month premature birth.

They also host daily virtual safari live streams, in which you can learn all about the zoo’s resident animals, including their diets, personalities and lifestyles.

Toronto Zoo

Slip into your down jackets because I’m about to beam you further up to the chillier regions of the northern hemisphere. Ready? Get set. Click away.

Explore Toronto Zoo’s YouTube channel to get up close and personal to mighty grizzly bears,  fluffy white Arctic foxes, lynxes, and even Masai giraffes.

If you’re keen to experience a virtual zoo trip to this beautiful destination, take a look at this complete walkthrough which lets viewers enjoy the zoo on a snowy winter day.

Georgia Aquarium

Yes. We’re parents and.. yes, we love to travel, so I can safely say that we’ve been to a crapload of aquariums around the world. If there isn’t an aquarium on our city itinerary, then something has gone horribly wrong in the planning process.

Of all the aquariums we have visited, none have, so far, compared to Georgia Aquarium. Not even close. If you’re an aquarium nut like we are – you need to put a  physical visit to this spectacular place on your travel bucket list.

For now, you can, of course, experience this epic aquarium virtually via their virtual aquarium tour and live cam feed where you can soothe your soul gazing at dancing jellyfish or stare in awe at the Beluga whale. 

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Attention, please. It’s time to choose your snack, sink into the couch and get cozy; your self-guided Monterey Bay Aquarium virtual tour is about to begin.

Step one. Cast this 360° aquarium walkthrough to your TV or don your virtual reality headset ’cause things are about to go down in underwater town.

Virtually meet and learn about Monterey Bay Aquarium’s resident marine animals on their interactive website, or stalk your favourite sea animal’s live cam . 

You can even enrol in free online courses comprising guided activities to support learning at home or engage the kiddos in free virtual zoo games that both educate and entertain.

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Asia: Virtual Zoos & Aquariums

Exotic rainforest virtual zoo tours and thrilling night safaris – discover Asia’s most enchanting zoos and aquariums without having to peel yourself off the couch. 

Singapore Zoo

Okay, so Asia is off-limits right now. I mean, pretty much every continent is out of reach at this moment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take a virtual field trip to this incredible zoo in South East Asia that everyone raves about.

Get a feel of Singapore Zoo and what animals you can expect to encounter in our very own walkthrough guide that we filmed on one of our visits or read up on the zoo’s resident animals.

Hold up a second though. Your journey doesn’t end at the Singapore Zoo. Drop into the Singapore River Safari for a virtual walkthrough tour and meet weird and wonderful creatures that inhabit rivers around the world.

Your adventure continues onwards to the Singapore Night Safari where you can view a hypnotising fire show , witness an impressive animal show , and hop on a tram car to discover nocturnal animals in their open exhibits.

Check out our Singapore virtual zoo guide to see the highlights of this open zoo concept.

Jurong Bird Park

While we’re in Singapore, let’s take a hot moment to visit one of the biggest bird parks in the world where you can make a feeble attempt at identifying up to 3,500 birds across 400 species from all over the world.

Discover the diverse zones inhabited by bird species from all corners of the Earth, meet the winged residents of Jurong Bird Park or take a virtual stroll through the lush, green space that will give you all the jungle vibes 

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Aquaria KLCC

Swing into Aquaria KLCC in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on one of your free virtual field trips to zoos and aquariums around the world and tune into marine animal feedings and educational talks on their 24-hour live streaming cam .

Don’t forget to check their Facebook for the schedule.

Meet the spine-chilling Sand Tiger Shark and his stingray buddies, or chill out with laid-back Green Sea Turtles that all dwell inside the Living Ocean tank.

Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo

Set off on a virtual aquarium tour at the magnificent Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo located in the glittering capital of the United Arab Emirates.

The tour isn’t just an ordinary virtual field trip of your average aquarium; this epic space also doubles as a zoo. Be prepared to encounter fruit bats, desert hedgehogs, cobras, chameleons.

Pop over to their Facebook page to learn fun animal facts and binge on videos of iguanas, hedgehogs and racoons freely roaming the empty aquarium.

Australia: Virtual Zoos & Aquariums

Kangaroos? Check. Koalas? No doubt. Tasmanian Devil? Yeah, baby. It’s time for a trip downunder to meet friendly Aussie animals and not-so-friendly creatures and crawlies that either bite or kill.

Taronga Zoo 

To experience one of the southern hemisphere’s best virtual zoos, you can’t go past Sydney’s newly launched Taronga TV . Tune into the live cams to view animal exhibits, shows, keeper chats, and even take a peek inside the Wildlife Hospital.

Hit up Taronga’s YouTube channel to witness funny animal antics and catch up on missed shows and performances. This video of a lemur baking in the sun is basically all of us right now when the sun touches our windows in quarantine.

Sea Life & Wild Life Sydney

Sea Life and Wild Life Sydney have recently launched their fun and super educational online virtual zoo and aquarium experiences. Prepare yourselves for hours worth of fun family activities and homeschooling content.

Dive into the virtual aquarium experience and meet dugongs and King penguins in live streams, or gape at aquarists throwing themselves into the shark tank to feed hungry sea predators.

If you’re running low on learning activities for the kiddos, you’ll also find a bunch of marine animal-themed craft activities and free downloadable homeschooling resources and activity sheets .

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Tina ft. 2 boys & 1 man child (@hangrybynature) on May 8, 2019 at 4:37am PDT

A virtual visit to Sea Life wouldn’t be complete without popping into Wild Life Sydney to learn all about Australian animals that are slightly more.. grounded.

Peek into live streams to see what Rocky the croc is up to or join in on storytime events run by the zoo staff on the virtual zoo tours page. You’ll also find printable animal-themed colouring pages, plus fact and activity sheets.

Before you leave, don’t forget to drop by  Merlin’s Education Toolbox for even more activities and workbooks, especially helpful for parents seeking homeschooling resources or teachers looking for lesson content. 

READ MORE: 21 Romantic Date Ideas in Sydney

Europe: Virtual Zoos & Aquariums

The last continent we’ll be virtually teleporting you to on this worldwide virtual safari, zoo and aquarium tour is, of course, good ole Europe. Home to the world’s oldest zoo and the first zoo in the world to house and breed penguins – your roundtrip will end with a little history and class.

Germany’s capital can proudly claim to have the most popular zoo in all of Europe. Berlin Zoo houses a whopping collection of over 20,000 animals across 1,500 different species – more than any zoo on the planet.

Considering none of us can currently visit in person, we can thank the Internet once again for this high-resolution walkthrough , making it possible to meet some of the friendly furry residents of the zoo, virtually.

Oh, and I’m just gonna casually mention that they have PANDA CUBS, guys. *Hyperventilating*. Jump onto their Facebook to meet the twinning cuties, Pit and Paule. Right now. It’ll be the most adorable thing you’ll see all week.

You can stalk them trying to catch some snoozy time below…

Speaking of stalking animals (cos that’s socially acceptable, right?), Prague Zoo houses a baby elephant that online visitors can attempt to spot on their live Elephant Valley cam . Pop by their YouTube channel for more adorable moments and to follow its journey from birth.

Watch this 4k  walkthrough of the zoo and try to spot mighty Western Lowland gorillas, polar bears, hippos, Asian elephants, red pandas and many more cute and intimidating animals.

RELATED: 13 Ways to Stay Healthy While Travelling

Edinburgh Zoo

This was the first zoo in the world to house and breed penguins – in fact, Edinburgh Zoo is popularly known for its Penguin Parade, where waddling little penguins are let free their enclosure for a stroll around the space.

Observe the antics of King and Rockhopper penguins on live cams , as well as koalas, tigers and pandas.

They’ve made their learning portal readily accessible – the online hub is packed with free activities, games, quizzes and fact files for kids of all ages.

Hang tight – just gonna beam you over to our final leg of virtual zoo tours around the world in Vienna. The city is home to the world’s oldest zoo, Tiergarten Schönbrunn, which opened its doors in 1752.

Soak in this gorgeous space in this virtual zoo stroll and meet animals from all around the world and, of course, explore the picturesque landscape that surrounds the zoo. 

Keep an eye out for the zoo’s newest sensation, Finja – a polar bear cub. Watch her birth and everyday life on Vienna Zoo’s YouTube channel .

Have you got more ideas to add to the list?

Hit me up in the comments and let me know what virtual little gems you’ve found in isolation, so that together, we may survive being confined inside four walls with perpetually bored kids.

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FREE Virtual Field Trips To Zoos -No Permission Slips Needed

Now you can take free virtual field trips to zoos right from the comfort of your own home. Think you can’t go anywhere over Spring Break, well think again. Thanks to technology, it’s now possible for you and your family to visit.

all kinds of places from the comfort of your living room. When I was teaching Kindergarten, one of my student’s favorite things to do was to tune in to the live cams from everywhere from the Monterey Bay Aquarium to the  National Zoo in Washinton D.C., and beyond.  It was a great way to open the door to learning about life around us in a fun and unique way without ever leaving the classroom. With so many families turning to online learning activities, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite free virtual field trips to zoos and aquariums for you, so enjoy your “visit”! The best part, for these field trips, there are no permission slips needed Here are some of our favorite virtual field trips to zoos:

Disney’s Animal Kingdom

Disney’s Animal Kingdom opened its doors to guests thus introducing to the world a place where the magic of nature with rare animals and world-class entertainment came together but this year Disney’s Animal Kingdom marked its anniversary on Earth Day, April 22, with more wild adventures than ever before and reconfirmed their commitment to the Disney Conservation Fund and preserving wildlife and protecting the planet for future generations by inspiring action. From creatures wild and whimsical to Broadway-caliber shows, from unparalleled experiences toward-winning conservation efforts, from exotic lands to cuisine that celebrates a global park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park is a world of adventures from day to night, with exotic animals, prehistoric giants, and beloved Disney characters

Kilimanjaro Safari : full ride experience of Kilimanjaro Safari. It’s a guided tour with fun facts about many of the animals found at Animal Kingdom

San Diego Zoo

PANDA MEMORIES

In honoring the terms of their conservation loan agreement with the People’s Republic of China, 27-year-old Bai Yun and her son, 6-year-old Xiao Liwu, have been repatriated to their ancestral homeland.

But luckily you can still enjoy the archived footage of Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu at the San Diego Zoo recorded from January through April 2019.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo

While you are watching pandas chomp on bamboo, play in trees and tumble in the grass, specially trained volunteers with Friends of the National Zoo are hard at work using these cameras to collect behavioral data on the giant pandas. Be sure to toggle back and forth between Panda Cam 1 and Panda Cam 2 using the tabs at the top of the video player to get the full Panda Cam experience.

Houston Zoo

LIVE ON CAMERA AT THE HOUSTON ZOO

Giraffe Cam

Gorilla Habitat Cam

Elephant Yard Cam

Rhino Yard Cam

Chimp Window Cam

Chimpanzee Cam

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Gayle is an educator, storyteller and lifelong learner with a passion for spontaneous travel. Here you’ll find practical tips and creative hacks with the hope of helping you to create your own extraordinary life experiences - without breaking the bank.

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Bored at Home? Here's a Massive List of Museums, Zoos, and Theme Parks Offering Virtual Tours

You can see Frida Kahlo at MoMA or visit the Shedd Aquarium without leaving the couch.

"Walk" through some of the world's most prestigious cultural institutions, like The Met and The American Museum of Natural History, then go for a "ride" on Disney's new Frozen rollercoaster with the kids. And regardless of your age, we think everyone will enjoy some live footage of pandas playing at the zoo!

• The Louvre: You don't have to book a ticket to Paris to check out some of the famous pieces in the world's largest art museum. The Louvre has free online tours of three famous exhibits, including Egyptian Antiquities.
• Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum: The works of Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian , Jeff Koons, and Franz Marc are just some of the 625 artists whose work are a part of the Guggenheim's Collection Online .
• Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History: Move at your own pace through the 360-degree room-by-room tour of every exhibit in the museum .
• Van Gogh Museum: You can get up close and personal with the impressionist painter's most famous work thanks to Google Arts & Culture .
• Getty Museum: Los Angeles's premiere gallery has two virtual tours , including "Eat, Drink, and Be Merry," which is a closer look at food in the Middle Ages and Renaissance.
• The Vatican Museum: The Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, and Raphael's Room, are just some of the sites you can see on the Vatican's virtual tour .
• T hyssen-Bornemisza Museum: Madrid's must-see art museum has the works of some of the continent's most celebrated artists like Rembrandt and Dali available online .
• Georgia O’Keeffe Museum: Six virtual exhibits are available online from this museum named for the "Mother of American modernism."
• National Museum of Anthropology, Mexico City: Dive into the pre-Hispanic history of Mexico with 23 exhibit rooms full of Mayan artifacts.
• British Museum, London: The Rosetta Stone and Egyptian mummies are just a couple of things that you're able to see on a virtual tour of the museum.
• N ASA: Both Virginia's Langley Research Center and Ohio's Glenn Research Center offer online tours for free. Also, you can try some "augmented reality experiences" via The Space Center Houston's app .
• National Women's History Museum: Have a late International Women's Day celebration with online exhibits and oral histories from the Virginia museum.
• Metropolitan Museum of Art: Though the Met Gala was cancelled this year, you can still have a peak at the The Costume Institute Conversation Lab, which is one of the institution's 26 online exhibits .
• High Museum of Art, Atlanta: This museum's popular online exhibits include "Civil Rights Photography " — photos that capture moments of social protest like the Freedom Rides and Rosa Park's arrest.
• Detroit Institute of Arts: Mexican art icon Frida Kahlo is the focal point of two of the four available online exhibits .
• Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam: The Golden Age of Dutch art is highlighted in this museum which includes the work of Vermeer and Rembrandt .
• National Museum of the United States Air Force: You can't take a ride in Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidential airplane, but you can check it out, in addition to other military weapons and aircraft, online in the Air Force's official museum .
• MoMA ( The Museum of Modern Art): New York's extensive collection is available for view online .
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston: The 16 virtual exhibits include a special section on 21st Century Designer Fashion.

Zoos and Aquariums

• The Cincinnati Zoo: Check in around 3 p.m., because that's the time the Zoo holds a daily Home Safari on its Facebook Live Feed .
• Atlanta Zoo: The Georgia zoo keeps a " Panda Cam " livestream on its website.
• Georgia Aquarium: S ea-dwellers like African penguins and Beluga Whales are the stars of this aquarium's live cam .
• Houston Zoo: There are plenty of different animals you can check in on with this zoo's live cam , but we highly recommend watching the playful elephants.
• The Shedd Aquarium: This Chicago aquarium shares some pretty adorable behind-the-scenes footage of their residents on Facebook .
• San Diego Zoo: With what may be the most live cam options , this zoo lets you switch between koalas, polar bears, and tigers in one sitting.
• Monterey Bay Aquarium: It can be Shark Week every week thanks to live online footage of Monterey Bay's Habitat exhibit .
• National Aquarium: Walk through tropical waters to the icy tundra in this floor-by-floor tour of the famous, Baltimore-based aquarium.

Theme Parks

• Walt Disney World: Set aside some time, because there's plenty to see here. Virtual tours you can take include Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Epcot, just to name a few. There are also unofficial YouTube videos that feel just like you're on famous rides like the Frozen Ever After ride , It's a Small World , Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! , and Pirates of the Caribbean .
• LEGOLAND Florida Resort: The Great Lego Race and Miniland USA are just two of the attractions you can check out in a virtual tour of the park .

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Virtual Field Trips: Zoos, Aquariums, Farms and Safaris

Take a virtual field trip to see all sorts of animals without leaving home. You can visit zoos, aquariums, farms, and even go on a virtual safari all in the same day!

We’ve rounded up an amazing list of zoos, aquariums, farms and nature preserves that have webcams, live streams, and youtube videos you can watch to learn more about animals. We’ve also included links to online lesson plans and activities for those families wanting to create a richer learning experience from their virtual field trips.

What is a Virtual Field Trip?

Field trips are awesome learning experiences because they get you out of the classroom and take you into an immersive environment. On a virtual field trip , you open a window to explore outside your home or classroom. You can simply observe, or you can add to the experience with some educational information or activities to go along with it.

The list we’ve compiled below is pretty extensive, so be sure to bookmark this page so you can come back to it.

Zoo Virtual Field Trips

Modern zoos are an amazing blend of entertainment and education, coupled with research and conservation. When you visit a zoo, you not only get to see and learn about animals you are unlikely to encounter, but you are also supporting efforts to protect wildlife and the planet.

Wildlife Curriculum

Try one of these resources to add to your virtual field trip experience.

• Virtual Field Trip Guide
• Free Zoo Field Trip Questions
• World Wildlife Federation’s “ Wild Classroom ” – They have 5 “days” of activites set up. There are also 9 educational toolkits currently available.
• National Wildlife Federation Lesson Plans and Webinars – broken up by topic and specifies appropriate grade level.
• Free Digital Versions of Ranger Rick Magazines – Through June 2020.
• Animal Books you can read or have read to you online
• Teacher Guides and Saving a Species Video Series + teacher toolkit from SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment.

San Diego Zoo (USA)

One of the most famous zoos in the world offers live webcams of baboons, penguins, apes, tigers, koalas, burrowing owls, elephants, polar bears, giraffes, and condors.

There is also archived webcam footage of pandas.

Houston Zoo (USA)

The Houston Zoo has webcams that let you look in on the giraffe feeding platform, the gorilla habitat, the elephant yard, the rhino yard, the chimp window, and even leafcutter ants!

The folks at the Houston Zoo have also been bringing the Zoo to You on their facebook page every weekday at 11am Central Time.

Kansas City Zoo (USA)

The Kansas City Zoo has live webcams showing two types of penguins, giraffes, and polar bears. The penguin cams are listed as separate cameras, but both show the same view. At the time of this post, the polar bear cam was not working.

Zoo Atlanta (USA)

We were fortunate to get to visit Zoo Atlanta a few years ago and we loved seeing the pandas! It’s so nice to know we can drop in and see Ya Lun and Xi Lun from home.

In addition to the webcam, Zoo Atlanta has three at-home learning guides for pre-k to 4th grade, as well as some animal games and crafts .

Philadelphia Zoo (USA)

Visiting the Philadelphia Zoo is unique because the animals are literally all around you as they have paths they can use to go over the walkways. When you can’t visit in person, you can view the penguin point webcam.

In addition, the Philadelphia Zoo has started doing Facebook Live sessions called “Philly Zoo at 2” at 2pm EDT daily.

Milwaukee County Zoo (USA)

On Zoo View TV, you can drop in on the Milwaukee County Zoo’s residents such as Polar Bear, Jaguar, Lions, Hyenas, Tigers, and Penguins… and even fish.

Elmwood Park Zoo (USA)

The Elmwood Park Zoo in Pennsylvania has a giraffe live camera from 10am-5pm EDT. They have also been going live on their facebook page with Zoo School from 11am-11:30am on weekdays.

Reid Park Zoo (USA)

The Reid Park Zoo in Arizona lists zoo cams for grizzly bears, lemurs, lions, elephants, and giraffes. Their zoo site also has a few zoo activity packets that were designed to be completed after a visit to the zoo, but could be done from home, as well.

Detroit Zoo (USA)

The Detroit Zoo in Michigan has live cams and videos they call “Virtual Vitamin Z” to help you get your daily supplement of zoo fun at home. Their live cams show you penguins, snow monkeys, falcons, and otters.

They also have past videos available on their site here.

National Zoo (USA)

The National Zoo has live webcams for you to virtually visit their giant pandas, lions, elephants, and naked mole-rats! And you can get updates on what’s going on at the zoo on the National Zoo Facebook page .

The site also has resources such as educational activities you can do at home and downloadable zoo activities .

Chattanooga Zoo (USA)

The Chattanooga Zoo in Tennessee has four live webcams on their zoo’s site. You can drop by and check out meerkats, snow leopards, tamarin, and the spotted genet.

Greenville Zoo (USA)

The Greenville Zoo has two cams set up to watch their giraffes. One gives you a look inside the barn. The other is a view of the paddock.

Alaska Zoo (USA)

As you might expect, the Alaska Zoo has a polar bear, and you can virtually visit it through its webcam. In addition, the zoo has started doing free live sessions via the Zoom app. Spots are limited and the schedule and links are being posted on the Alaska Zoo Facebook page .

Edinburgh Zoo (Scotland)

Did you know that the Edinburgh Zoo was the first zoo in the world to house and breed penguins? In addition to penguin cams, they also have live streams of pandas, tigers, and koalas.

In addition, the Wildlife Conservation Charity has some interactive learning from home courses for all ages.

Dublin Zoo (Ireland)

The zoo is also home to a scimitar-horned oryx, which is a species of antelope you can no longer find in the wild.

Ireland’s Dublin Zoo offers webcams of penguins and elephants, as well as their African Savanna where you might see giraffes, ostriches, zebras, or rhinos.

Marwell Zoo (UK)

The Marwell Zoo has a live video stream of their flamingos. They also have a photo streams (photos update every 30 seconds or so) of penguins, giraffes and lemurs.

Paignton Zoo (UK)

The Paignton Zoo has webcams set up looking at meerkats and sulawesi crested macaque. Their Flamingo webcam is currently unavailable. They also have a series of YouTube Videos about animals and working with them .

Starting Monday, March 23rd, the Paignton Zoo will be adding downloadable resources to their “ Wild at Home ” program for parents and teachers.

Zoos Victoria (Australia)

Zoos Victoria is an association of three zoos in Australia: Healesville Sanctuary, Melbourne Zoo, and Werribee Open Range Zoo. Their site features webcams where you can see snow leopards (indoor and outdoor), penguins, giraffes, lions, and zebras.

More Zoos for Virtual Field Trips

• Live Tiger Cam
• Virtual Adventures on Facebook @brecsbrzoo
• Live Webcams : Aquatic Bird Cam, Sea lion Pups (not working)
• Videos on Social Media @BronxZoo
• Remote Learning Resources
• Virtual tour (Series of Short Videos)
• Online Learning Resources
• Live Giraffe Cam (9:30am – 4:45pm MT)
• “Abnormally Normal” Video Series (Facebook)
• Home Safaris daily at 3pm ET on Facebook
• Daily Virtual Classrooms on Facebook at 11am ET @ClevelandMetroparksZoo.
• Live Webcams – Discovery Reef, Bonobos
• YouTube Videos
• Live Webcams – Meerkats, Penguins
• Animal Update Videos (Facebook)
• “Zoo to You” Facebook Lives weekdays at 3pm ET @DenverZoo
• More Videos on Denver Zoo Youtube channel
• Live Webcams : Giraffes, Sea Lions, Meerkats, Siamangs, and Orangutans
• Animal Videos on Facebook @ElPasoZoo
• “Keeper Chats” on Facebook Live @FortWorthZoo
• “ School of Croc ” lives at 10am ET on Facebook
• Live Webcams : Macaque, Macaw, Penguin, Tiger, Walrus
• Videos on the Indianapolis Zoo Facebook page
• Live Webcams : Penguin, Lion, Giraffe, Flamingo, Goat
• Behind the Scenes on Your Screen – learn about Zoo Jobs
• “Zoo to You” Facebook Lives Weekdays 11am ET
• Updates on Facebook @MNZoo
• Learning Corner – Activities and downloadable curriculum for grades 1-12.
• Live Cams with Chat
• Bear Lesson Plans
• “ Do the Zoo at Home “
• Facebook updates and videos @OmahaZoo
• Live Penguin Cam (9am – 5pm daily)
• #BringtheStlZootoYou Videos on Facebook
• Live Webcams : Snow Leopards, Elephants, Amur Leopards (must have Flash Player enabled)
• #ZooOpenOnline with Facebook Lives and YouTube Videos .
• “Zoo School” Facebook Lives (Mondays 11am ET) + random story times and craft videos.
• Archived Live Videos + themed activities for kids that go with each video.
• “ Virtual Voyage ” daily at 2pm on Facebook
• Videos bringing the Zoo to you on YouTube
• Downloadable Activities
• Augmented Reality Zoo Tour (via Zappar App)
• Live Webcams: Bears, Bats, and Tigers
• Updates on the Woodland Park Facebook page
• Live Grizzly Bear Cam
• Updates on Facebook @ZooMontana
• Learning Resources : Activities and Printables
• Facebook Live Q&As – Weekdays 11am ET @ZooAmerica

If you know a zoo with great virtual field trip content like live cams, videos, or activities that isn’t on this list, let us know to add it!

Aquarium Virtual Field Trips

Aquariums focus mainly on ocean life, though many have animals that live out of the water, but live in or near the water.

One Big Ocean Online Curriculum

“One Big Ocean” is an online curriculum from Ocean.org. They have three different programs customized for the level of school. These can be used by themselves, or paired with a real or virtual visit to any aquarium.

• One Big Ocean Elementary
• One Big Ocean Middle
• One Big Ocean Secondary

Online Ocean School

You can also learn about the various creatures and habitats of the Gulf of St. Lawrence at “ Ocean School “, with three weeks of lessons online and more being added.

National Aquarium (USA)

The National Aquarium in Baltimore, Maryland has cameras placed in three exhibits: Blacktip Reef featuring blacktip sharks, rays, and colorful fish; “Jellies Invasion” which you can guess features jellyfish; and “Pacific Coral Reef”. You can also take a virtual tour of the National A quarium with 360 degree images.

Georgia Aquarium (USA)

The Georgia Aquarium is ranked as the best aquarium for families in the United States. We’ve been there, and it is AMAZING! And they have some great, high quality live feeds from their exhibits, too!

You can watch the Ocean Voyager cam where you can see sharks, rays, fish, sea turtles and even huge whale sharks! There’s also the Indo-Pacific Barrier Reef, Southern Sea Otters, Jelly Cam, California Sea Lions, African Penguins, Piranhas, and Beluga Whales.

And while they haven’t been going live, they have been posting videos to the Georgia Aquarium Facebook page .

Shedd Aquarium (USA)

You might have seen the video going around of the Shedd Aquarium’s penguins taking their very own personal tour of the aquarium’s exhibits. If you haven’t, you should check it out.

In addition to the one live stream we found on their site so far, the Shedd Aquarium also has a great series of videos just for kids called “Sea Curious”. They also have some really cool 360 degree videos of sharks!

The Aquarium of the Pacific (USA)

The Aquarium of the Pacific is located in Long Beach, California. They have several webcams that allow you to visit virtually. You can see penguins both above and below the water, a shark lagoon, sea jellies, a tropical reef, blue cavern, and colorful anthias and wrasse exhibit.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium (USA)

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium located on the Gulf Coast in Clearwater, Florida is home to Winter and Hope, the rescued dolphins whose stories were the basis for the movies “Dolphin Tale” and “Dolphin Tale 2”.

You can virtually visit Winter and Hope, along with Nicholas and PJ. The aquarium also has views of its otters, pelicans, and sea turtles.

The Clearwater Aquarium even has downloadable lessons in language, math, and science to go along with a real or even virtual visit to the aquarium. There is also an online Kid Zone with games, activities, and experiments.

California Academy of Sciences (USA)

As the name suggests, the California Academy of Sciences is not just an aquarium. The San Francisco facility is also a natural history museum with a rainforest exhibit and planetarium.

There are a few webcams that allow you to visit right from home. You can look in on penguins, stingrays, a coral reef, and even take control of a camera at the top of a lighthouse on the nearby Farallon Islands.

The site also has lesson plans and materials for kids from preschool through high school.

Tennessee Aquarium (USA)

Live webcams of the secret reef, penguin, and sea otter exhibits. And on their facebook page, they are live streaming Aquarium at Home sessions.

Vancouver Aquarium (Canada)

Canada’s Vancouver Aquarium is home to more than 50,000 animals and features 30 exhibits to explore. When you can’t visit in person, you can still drop in on the sea otters, jellyfish, and penguins via the webcams on their homepage.

Atlantic White Shark Conservancy

Facebook Lives weekdays at 10am @AtlanticWhiteShark . Resources on the website.

Farm Virtual Field Trips

While farms are different than zoos, they can be just as educational and rewarding in connecting us to nature, whether we visit in person or virtually.

Hen Cam (USA)

The Hen Cam comes from a backyard outside Boston, Massachussetts. The feed switches automatically between 3 cameras showing the hens outside and inside. You might also see goats and a bunny named Phoebe.

Peter’s Farm (Holland)

You can see a live stream of the cows, and maybe even some baby calves, at Peter’s Farm in Holland. The stream is only during operating hours, but there is also some YouTube footage for when it isn’t live.

Folly Farm (UK)

Folly Farm has a cute webcam that gives you a peek at its farm animals like sheep, goats and donkeys. The website also lists penguin, giraffe, and lion webcams from the zoo, but they were not working when we visited.

Farm Sanctuary (USA)

This sheep barn camera is at the Farm Sanctuary in Watkins Glen , New York. They also have a recorded virtual tour of the farm showing you some of their other animals.

Goats Live (??)

Not sure where it is coming from, but this camera is pointed at some goats and streams 24 hours a day.

Farm Food 360 (Canada)

Farm Food 360 has virtual tours of all different kinds of farms. There are milk & cheese, dairy cow, sheep, pig, mink, grain, egg, and oat farms, feed mills, and an apple orchard.

Chatsworth Farm (Canada)

Chatsworth Farm is an over 2,000 acre family-run farm in Canada where they grow grain and legume crops, alfalfa, and raise beef cattle, sheep, turkeys, ducks, and chickens for eggs and meat. They have a few video tours on their webpage and they’ve also been live streaming recently on the Chatsworth Farm Facebook page .

Horse Shoe Farm (USA)

This camera pans back and forth showing the outdoor pens of the Horse Shoe farm in Hendersonville, North Carolina. The horses are not always outside, though.

Virtual Farm Field Trips on YouTube

We found a whole bunch of Farm tours and Q&As on YouTube. Here are links to those. Some are individual, but others are whole playlists with multiple videos.

• American Dairy Association Indiana (4 videos)
• Ohio Pig Farms (50+ videos, several very recent)
• Grow Next Gen (discusses various topics)
• Ohio Beef Council (18 videos)
• New York Beef Council (4 videos)
• American Dairy Association Northeast (12 videos)
• Pennsylvania Beef (no playlist, but at least 3 tours among their many videos)
• Milk Means More (4 tours to a Michigan Dairy farm)

Safari Virtual Field Trips

SafariLive (Africa)

Live Streamed safaris from the African wilderness. You never know what you are going to see, and your tours are guided by knowledgeable guides who sometimes answer questions from viewers.

SUNRISE SAFARI (Monday to Sunday)

• Central African Time (CAT): 06:00am – 09:00am
• East African Time (EAT): 07:00am – 10:00am
• Eastern Standard Time (EDT): 00:00pm – 03:00am

SUNSET SAFARI (Monday to Sunday)

• Central African Time (CAT): 15:30pm – 18:30pm
• East African Time (EAT): 16:30pm – 19:30pm
• Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDT): 09:30am – 12:30pm

Cumbria Wildlife Trust (UK)

Over on the Cumbria Wildlife Trust webpage, you can drop in on webcams of a few different animals from across the United Kingdom. There is a camera pointed at the bird feeders at Plumgarths Wildlife Garden, Grey Seals at the South Walney Nature Preserve (archive footage when cam is not working), a Badger cam from Rydel, Ambleside, and an Osprey cam from Foulshaw Moss Nature Preserve (says cam will be available late March 2020).

Explore.org Webcams (Worldwide)

Explore.org has countless live streams from all over the world that you can choose from, including several locations already mentioned in this post. But our favorites are the ones you can view outside of a zoo, aquarium, or farm setting.

Some of these also have great audio, so you can make it full screen, turn up the volume, and have a window to the world. Great for background or meditation.

• Tembe Elephant Park (Africa)
• Honeybees going in and out of a hive
• Flying Foxes (bats)
• Hear Orcas (and occasionally see them) underwater
• Sea Lions hauled out onto rocks
• Polar Bear Cubs

Wolf Conservation Center

The Wolf Conservation Center in New York is dedicated to protecting and preserving wolves in North America. They have several live feeds of various species of wolves. And if you want to learn a little about wolves , you can do that, too.

Bald Eagle Cam (USA)

Despite being the national symbol of the United States, we don’t get to see Bald Eagles all that much. But with the camera set up at Duke Farms in New Jersey, we can look right into a Bald Eagle’s nest! They even have a scavenger hunt you can print out for the kids to watch the nest and see if they spot any of those things.

15 Fun Virtual Zoo Field Trip Options

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Fun field trips to the zoo are awesome, but sometimes it just isn’t possible to go. That is okay though!  As long as you have access to the internet, you can take your kids on a virtual zoo field trip at any time. 

Maybe the zoo you want to visit is too far away. Or maybe one of your kids is sick.  Sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. Perhaps zoo admission tickets are just not in your budget right now. 

Whatever the reason, a virtual zoo tour for kids can be a great alternative to a traditional field trip.

A virtual field trip has lots of advantages:

• It is free – some zoos offer a virtual field trip rate, but every zoo listed here offers free online options
• You can visit multiple zoos in one day, regardless of location
• See just the animals you are interested in
• No need to pack a bag full of snacks, bottled water, and sunscreen
• You can ‘visit’ every day
• You are not limited to zoos just in your area
• It is quicker – there is no traveling, walking around, or time spent dealing with crowds
• See wild animals from the comfort of your own home

Taking a virtual zoo field trip can be a great motivator for kids.  I admit that sometimes I offer this ‘reward’ for finishing schoolwork. They finish their lesson and then go on a virtual zoo field trip to visit their favorite animals.

Virtual zoo field trips can include webcams, live cameras, and live streams on their Facebook page.

Take a Virtual Zoo Field Trip

I listed the animals that are featured on webcams at each zoo because, if your kids are anything like mine, they want to see a specific animal. It is also handy for times when kids love different zoo animals.

Updated 9/23

1. Smithsonian National Zoo

(Planning an in-person visit to the National Zoo?  We went all the time when we lived in Northern VA!  Check out my post full of tips to make the most of the National Zoo .)

Check out these animals on the National Zoo webcam:

• Naked Mole Rats
• Cheetah cub
• Giant Pandas

The zoo offers printable zoo webcam bingo cards to encourage kids to watch the wild animals for a while.

2. Greenville Zoo

3. milwaukee county zoo.

• Humbolt Penguins
• Lake Wisconsin

4. Chattanooga Zoo

• Snow leopard

5. Houston Zoo

• Giraffe (This is my favorite live zoom cam for giraffes!)
• Elephant (most visible between 10:30am and 3:00pm CDT)
• Leafcutter Ant
• Giant River Otter

6. San Diego Zoo

• Panda (the pandas have recently returned to China, however, there is a prerecorded video available)
• African Penguins
• Burrowing Owl

Related Post: Great And Tango Makes Three Penguin Book Activities

7. Oakland Zoo

• Grizzly Bear
• Mountain Lion

The Oakland Zoo offers a variety of free lesson plans for multiple grade levels.

8. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo

9. kansas city zoo.

• Bornean Orangutan (currently on the critically endangered species list )

10. Woodland Park Zoo

(We visited the Woodland Park Zoo when we lived in Washington.  Don’t let the small number of webcams fool you.  It is a huge zoo!  Check out my tips for a successful visit to the Woodland Park Zoo if you live in the Seattle area.)

• Grizzly Bears

Woodland Park Zoo offers downloadable educator resources to help students of all ages learn about these amazing animals.

11. Alaska Zoo

An educational polar bear activity packet is available to download.

12. Detroit Zoo

• Snow Monkeys

13. Zoo Atlanta

14. bronx zoo.

The Bronx Zoo offers a few great digital resources. My favorite are the Quests. Kids click an interactive map to learn about a region of the world and the animals who live there.

15. Edinburgh Zoo

Many zoos also offer virtual programs for small groups hosted by zoo educators, but they can come with a steep price. I suggest taking advantage of all the free educational resources first. Find all of the activity ideas by visiting the education department section of the web page.

If you decide to book an official program, get together with a few other families to make the expense more reasonable.

Do you know of any other zoos with webcams?  Leave it in the comments and I will add it to the list so more families can enjoy the animals.

Visit a zoo today!

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Keep reading . . .

Welcome! My name is Jennifer. I am a teacher at heart. Before my children were born I was a public school teacher. Now, I am a homeschooling mom of two.

As i was looking though the zoos i was thinking i have never heard or seen them and i thought ” those are so cool” and i just really was paying attention to the animals and i saw a few that i new,And i thought is was cool and interesting to find more zoos to go and explore.

I like the San Diego because they have some animals I like!Like: Panda, Kola Bear, Penguins & Tigers! Maybe in Woodland Park Zoo should have more animals because it only has 3 types of animals and you could put more like the San Diego Zoo!But I really like this site.

Thank you. This is an excellent resource. I can have my students visit the zoo as part of their remote learning experience.

I am glad it helped 🙂

the cats are so cute

but of corse they can be deadly

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When you can't get away, your kids still can by taking a virtual field trip to a museum, farm, zoo, or another fun location. We compiled our list of favorites to help you keep your kids engaged and entertained. Some of these are virtual tours (you can actively decide where to go on the tour) and others are video walkthroughs (just watch and learn), but all give you a great experience of the location.

Best Art-Centric Virtual Tour: The Met

A glimpse at some of the greatest works of art created.

Online exhibits on various topics.

There's only one view of the museum currently available.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art is home to over 5,000 years of art from around the world. You can see some of it from the comfort of your home. Take a virtual stroll through part of the museum using Google Street View. There are also numerous online exhibits on topics like Coco Chanel, Vermeer, Catholic allegory in art, and more.

Best Tour of Space: NASA

The volume of space videos.

The approachable aspect of the videos.

So much more to see on the site.

It's not easily searchable unless you know what you're looking for.

This might be cheating a bit because it's really a collection of videos, but, oh boy, what a collection to tour! The Galleries open up an array of videos covering space topics from testing a parachute for Mars to moving water in space. Each video is a mini virtual tour that will awe kids and encourage interest in science and space.

Best Tour of the White House: Google Arts & Culture's The White House

Stunning 360-degree images.

See inside and outside the White House.

Offers views of 140 paintings.

Once inside a tour, it's hard to know what you're looking at.

No search functions.

Every President since John Adams has occupied the White House and now your children can visit it, too. Google Arts & Culture offers four museum views (three tours of The White House and one of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building) plus a look at more than 140 paintings that grace (or have graced) the walls of the country's most famous abode. The 360-degree images let kids explore to their heart's desire.

Best Cave Virtual Tour: Son Doong Cave

Son Doong is beautiful.

The virtual tour includes lots of information.

Zoom into areas for a more detailed look.

No supplemental online activities.

Son Doong is the world's largest natural cave. Located in Vietnam, it features a subterranean river and the largest cross-section of any cave worldwide. National Geographic's virtual tour lets you explore the cave with full 360-degree views and immersive sounds. You can even zoom in one area to check out the campers in their tents. Son Doong is beautiful and worth a virtual visit.

Best National Park Virtual Tour: Yellowstone

Offers multiple tours.

Lots of historical information.

Amazing images.

No video tours.

Lots of written information that can turn off some kids.

Yellowstone offers seven virtual tours appropriate for older elementary and middle school ages. There's a lot of written information along with the images, and the tours aren't in video. However, the information is fascinating, and the photos are stunning.

From learning about old Fort Yellowstone to discovering park anomalies like Mud Volcano, these tours are a great way for kids to discover unique facts about America.

Best Natural History Tour: Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

So many exhibits to see!

Easy, clickable maps.

Quick and easy to navigate.

It's not always easy to read the signs in the exhibits.

This iconic museum is dedicated to understanding the natural world and humanity's place in it. There's so much to see it can't possibly be listed here. However, the museum offers an online tour of most of its exhibits. Split this tour up into multiple lessons, so kids don't get overwhelmed.

Skip the ground floor and go straight to the first or second floors.

Best Aquarium Virtual Tour: National Aquarium

Easy to find exhibits.

Fun to explore using the 360-degree options.

Some scenes spin quickly, which can frustrate young learners.

Baltimore's National Aquarium features more than 20,000 aquatic animals. Kids can click and drag images to navigate their way around and use arrows, the map, or a scene list to explore various exhibits. Explore eight areas, such as the Amazon River, a tropical rain forest, and jellyfish.

Best Tours of the World: AirPano

Bright, well-produced videos and images.

Offers tours of numerous countries.

Includes video and still frame-images.

What's not to like?

AirPano has a variety of tours in China, Portugal, Switzerland, and more countries. Children can visit the Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge in China, an underwater cave in Indonesia, ski resorts in France, and more destinations around the globe.

What makes this site so good is that it offers narrations of several tours, provides closeups through interactive actions, and includes short chunks of written information that's easy for kids of most ages to read. The tours are also fairly short, which makes these tours great for younger kids, but older kids will still enjoy the trip.

Best Virtual Tour for Car Lovers: Lane Motor Museum

Totally unique tour.

An inside look that allows for deep diving into collections.

There's no way to tell what a specific vehicle is unless you know cars.

Scroll to the bottom of the link to watch a fun virtual tour of one of the most unique car museums in the world. Lane Motor Museum is home to an oddball collection of vehicles dating from the 1920s up to modern times.

Your child will love seeing amphibious vehicles, microcars, prototypes, and more. The tour is easy to click through and offers six angles to entertain viewers.

Best Tours of Nature: Nature Works Everywhere

Tours are narrated and easy to follow.

Provides student handouts, vocabulary, and discussion questions.

We wish there was a larger library of tours!

Explore nature around the world with Nature Works Everywhere's virtual tours. Visit the coral reefs of Palau, the deserts and grasslands of Africa, a rainforest (from a canoe's viewpoint), a renewable energy plant, and more.

The tours are narrated and give great, quick facts to help kids learn in simple, straightforward ways. All tours are appropriate for grades 3 through 12 but are marked with notes about the grades most likely to enjoy the tour.

Best Historical Tour: Ellis Island

A clear explanation of Ellis Island, how it worked, and why it was needed.

Includes children asking questions of tour guides.

The images in much of the tour are small in order to focus on the tour guides.

Ellis Island is a key piece of American history. This virtual tour offers lots of anecdotes and features actual guides from Ellis Island telling stories. Plus, it includes lots of pictures and views of the island.

It's more appropriate for fourth grade and up, mainly due to the litany of facts and complexity of the information provided.

Best Slime-Based Virtual Tour: Slime in Space

Nickelodeon

It's playful and educational.

Good production values.

Fun experiments.

It's a video, not an interactive virtual tour.

What happens to Nickelodeon's iconic slime when it's in space? That's the concept behind the Slime in Space virtual field trip. Featuring real astronauts and Nickelodeon celebrities, the 15-minute video shows kids how slime and water react in a microgravity environment 250 miles above the Earth. Along the way, it answers burning questions like, "Is slime a solid or a liquid?" and "Can you slime a person in space?" (The answer is: yes, very slowly.)

Best Virtual Zoo Tour: San Diego Zoo

Live cams of the animals.

A variety of educational videos.

Fun games and activities.

Fixed camera angles mean you're not always guaranteed to see the animals.

The San Diego Zoo is home to more than 3,500 animals of more than 650 species and subspecies. It's widely considered one of the best zoos in the world. But, if you can't make it to California, it has a robust virtual experience online.

You can peek in on the animals through live cams. There's also a variety of videos that teach kids about vultures or show them how to draw a tiger, for example. There are also zoo-related games and activities kids can do at home.

Best General Farm Tour: FarmFood 360

360-degree views of the farm.

Offers a free app for Android and iOS.

It can be hard to see things on a mobile device.

FarmFood 360 gives an inside look at the activities of a Canadian farm. Kids see 360-degree views of the farm as they learn about milk and cheese production, sheep farming, egg processing, and more.

There's an app available for Android and iOS devices, and it's compatible with some virtual reality headsets.

Best Virtual Planetarium: Stellarium

Realistic night sky simulation.

Mobile apps are available.

Includes a telescope control module for experienced astronomers.

Can be difficult to navigate.

The mobile apps aren't free, but the money supports the project.

Stellarium Web is an online planetarium created by two brothers. Offering an accurate and realistic view of the night sky, it lets you pan around and spot stars, satellites, and other celestial bodies.

It offers mobile apps for Android and iOS that aren't free. The money goes toward paying server and development costs for the two-person project.

Best Living-History Virtual Tour: Colonial Williamsburg

Next best thing to being there.

The virtual scavenger hunt.

The virtual tours are highly interactive.

Virtual tour models can load slowly.

Condensation or inclement weather can obstruct the webcam views.

Colonial Williamsburg is a living-history museum in Virginia that offers a glimpse at what life was like in the 18th century. Its virtual tour is highly interactive and includes videos, informational signs, and 3D models you can rotate.

With its various webcams, you can see the armory, courthouse, merchants square, and more. Colonial Williamsburg's website also offers a virtual scavenger hunt your kids can participate in as they tour the area.

Best European Museum Virtual Tour: The Louvre

It's the Louvre.

The website offers a list of online family-friendly activities.

The virtual tours include a map and an information button.

The website offers limited language options.

Sure, we'd love to jet off to France and tour its fabulous museums personally. But if that's not an option, the Louvre has several virtual tours available on its website. The offerings include exhibitions on the body in movement, founding myths, Egyptian antiquities, and more.

The Louvre also has a handy list of family-friendly online resources everyone can enjoy, including a Mona Lisa VR experience.

Best Factory Virtual Tour: M&M Factory Tour

Zoonar RF / Getty Images

Who doesn't love chocolate?

360-degree views of the factory.

It's short.

The Food Network teamed up with candy maker Mars to give M&M fans a virtual tour of one of its factories. During the short YouTube video, viewers can pan around as a tour guide explains how unrefined chocolate is turned into the little candies we know and love.

Best General Virtual Tour Resource: Discovery Education

An eclectic variety of virtual field trips.

Watch live or on demand.

Trips come with a companion guide packed with activities.

A schedule of when field trips go live would be nice.

Discovery Education offers a variety of virtual field trips for kids learning from home. The offerings change often but currently include an NFL experience, a doodling experience meant to encourage creativity, and a virtual field trip through the internet of things. You can watch the field trips live or catch the videos later on-demand.

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Digital Safari

Welcome to the phoenix zoo digital safari.

We are committed to upholding our mission of providing experiences that inspire and motivate people to care for the natural world. In order to do this, stay close to our website and social channels for updates about our status as well as LIVE educational programming , virtual safaris and an abundance of cute photos and videos of animals, behind-the-scenes caretaking by our keepers, and in-depth stories of the Zoo and our amazing residents!

We’re bringing the Zoo to you with behind-the-scenes keeper talks , live educational programming , trail walks and behavioral enrichment !

We have remarkable staff at the Phoenix Zoo with extensive animal knowledge . Visit our blog page for exclusive articles and content from the experts

Check out our social media feeds every day (especially Instagram) for inspiring and stress-reducing animal photos! Have any requests? Let us know !

A resource to learn all about the animals who call the Phoenix Zoo home. Take quizzes , make crafts , play games and exercise like some of our animals!

Did you miss one of our Digital Safaris or behind-the-scenes videos ? Don’t worry! Check out the Digital Safari Round-Up for all of our exclusive content. Updated daily .

Día del Niño Virtual

Join us for a wild and wonderful virtual celebration of children, animals and Hispanic culture!

¡Acompáñanos para un evento excitante, salvaje y virtual en celebración de los niños, los animales, y la cultura hispana!

Earth Day LIVE!

Did you miss our digital celebration of Earth Day? Don’t worry; we have you covered! Earth Day is an annual event celebrated around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. Here at the Phoenix Zoo, even though we are currently closed, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Earth Day digitally!

The Zoo Needs You

As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, the Phoenix Zoo relies on ticket sales, donations, annual memberships, fundraising events, philanthropic gifts and our community partners to support our mission of motivating and inspiring people to care for the natural world.

While we are closed to help stop the spread of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), our amazing keeper and veterinary staff are hard at work ensuring our animals get the care they need. Please consider donating to the Zoo’s Relief Fund and help us keep our operations running smoothly while we remain closed during this time.

that's zoo we are

The Phoenix Zoo is one of the largest non-profit zoos in the U.S., caring for over 3,000 animals, with nearly 400 species represented, including many threatened/endangered species.

Sunny Weekend Alert

The Zoo anticipates high attendance on sunny weekends. Parking is limited, so arrive early, carpool, and check our site / social pages often for more updates! 

Virtual Visit

Live Events Schedule, Past Live Events and Videos

Virtual Species Spotlight

Bring a zoo animal virtually to your classroom, business or family event.

Zoo Classroom - Virtual Programs

We are bringing many of our education programs right into your classroom. 

Zoo EDventures Online Series

A live Facebook series with fun, educational presentations about animals and nature on the 3rd Wednesday of every month at 10 A.M. EST.

Untamed Science

Bite size video series with activities!  Join Rob Nelson from Untamed Science as he learns more about the North Carolina Zoo.

Art Projects

Arts & More

Dig out your craft paper and glue. It is time to make something new. On Wednesdays, we will bring you a new craft or activity inspired by Zoo EDventures.

Coloring Pages

Enjoy our animal coloring pages.

At-Home Science and Nature Activities

Zoo Science

Come explore the scientific world with us. We will present a new science experiment you can try at home. We will have lots of fun and you may even learn something.

Educator Resources

Our developmentally appropriate educator resources provide lesson plans and activities for all ages and ability levels while meeting curriculum standards.

Wild About Nature

Looking for fun new activities for your family? Our Wild About Nature gives you the tools to make nature play.

Student Resources

Wildlife Conservation at the Zoo

From vultures and gorillas in Africa to endangered plants and amphibians in our own state, the North Carolina Zoo has been involved in the conservation of animals in the wild for over two decades. 

Animal Habitats

The North Carolina Zoo is the largest natural animal habitat zoo in the world. Journey along shaded trails to discover more than 1,700 animals in habitats ranging from African grasslands to Arctic tundra. In the North American region, visitors can observe animals such as the Grizzly Bear, the Red Wolf, and the Black Bear in their natural habitats.

Zoo visitors can also observe other exotic species such as lions, giraffes, and elephants in the African region. Additionally, the Zoo also has a walk-through aviary where guests can encounter more than 100 exotic birds. Zoo visitors should stay tuned for future animal experiences in our new Asia region, scheduled to open in a few years.

For Your Reading Pleasure and Other Virtual Resources

North Carolina Zoo Blog

Check out our new Blogs on Animal Care, Saving Animals and It's a Zoo!

NCLearn @ Home

NCLearn @ Home  is a gathering place for NC DNCR (North Carolina's Department of Natural and Cultural Resources) online content and educational resources in one place for teachers, students, parents, and anyone needing enriching experiences, regardless of their location.

Fact Sheets

Animal Fact Sheets

Fact sheets that contain basic natural history information on some of the animals at the North Carolina Zoo.

Plant Fact Sheets

Fact sheets that contain basic natural history information on some of the plants at the North Carolina Zoo.

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Amazing Virtual Zoo Tours & Museums to Explore on Your Couch

1. Smithsonian's National Zoo

2. cincinnati zoo virtual tour, 3. san diego zoo, 4. monterey bay aquarium, 5. georgia aquarium virtual tour, 6. new england aquarium virtual tour, 7. barnes foundation: online art classes, 8. google arts and culture, 9. smithsonian national museum of natural history, 10. the louvre, 11. the british museum: history connected, 12. vatican museums, 13. national gallery of victoria, 14. nasa's kennedy space center, 15. pharaoh ramesses vi tomb virtual tour.

Show More 

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, zoos, theaters, museums, and other culture venues have stepped up with free virtual tours and online shows for those stuck at home or unable to travel. You will be surprised by the spectacular things you can enjoy from the safety and comfort of your own abode. Given the upheavals in all of our lives, you might as well take this chance to interact online with cherished works of art or adorable animal friends. Here are some of the most popular free virtual tours available to try right now.

Check back from time-to-time as more institutions join this growing trend.

Free Virtual Zoo Tours

Two words: panda cam! Through the Smithsonian National Zoo's giant panda cam, you can watch giant pandas Tian Tian and Mei Xiang chomp on bamboo and tumble in the grass. You can also help your little ones explore the amimal cams using the activities designed to engage K-5 students in thinking about the animal behavior and habitats. Tap the link in the photos below to check it out.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden rolled out an innovative series of "Home Safari Resources" for your enjoyment last year. Now that the zoo has reopened to the public, you can still find the home safari archive on their website. This collection of videos shows a wide variety of species and are curated by zoo staff. Check it out by tapping the photo below!

The San Diego Zoo is widely recognized as a leader among conservation organizations and was an pioneer in the development of more humane, cage-free enclosures. It remains the most visited zoo in the United States. The zoo has a number of fun animal cams with live video feeds and a large archive of recordings from their previous giant panda residents Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu. Tap the photo below to browse their offerings.

Monterey Bay Aquarium has thrilled visitors from around the world since first opening in 1984. With its focus on local marine life around the Monterey area, the aquarium has garnered widespread attention for its exhibits as well as its important conservation work. Now you can relax to videos of swimming jellyfish as they move mesmerizingly through the water or find yourself delighted by the playful behavior of sea otters. Check it out at the link below.

Georgia Aquarium is home to hundreds of marine and other species. When it opened in 2005, it was the largest aquarium in the world. Georgia Aquarium offers a range of virtual guided tours that take you around to explore the various exhibits and animal residents. The clever and interactive videos are a great companion for your little ones. Check out the offerings and book your virtual tour today. Just tape the link in the photo below.

Ready to get wet? By now you've probably seen the adorable videos of penguins exploring empty aquariums as zookeepers take them around to "visit" the other animals. If this sight melted your heart like it did ours, we think you'll enjoy the digital programs offered by the New England Aquarium in Boston. Aquarium staff post new educational presentations where they introduce viewers to different animals and tackle some of your frequently asked questions. Find a wealth of educational activities to try at home. These are perfect for families with kids or people who are just kids at heart. Check out the link in the photo below.

Virtual Museum Tours

The Barnes Foundation may not be super well known to the public; however, it is quite the name to Impressionist art aficionados. Located in Philadelphia, Barnes offers a slate of online courses for you to enjoy from home. Scholarships are available and new classes are starting up all the time. If you’ve ever fancied dabbling with pen and paper, there's never been a better chance to give it a try and follow your passion. Even if you're not an inspiring artist, you can enjoy the Barnes Takeout video lecture series where curators, scholars, and educators offer their perspectives on works in the foundation's impressive collection. Follow the link in the photo below to learn more.

Google has built up an online gallery of more than 2,500 museums. You can explore masterpieces online with a simple click including at places like Musee d'Orsay, The Museum of Modern Art, the Van Gogh Museum, Uffizi Gallery, the National Gallery of Art, and more. Wandering around Versailles or virtually strolling through MoMA is a great way to spend some time when you're stuck indoors. Check out the offerings in the link below.

You could explore virtual exhibitions and collections with this 360 degree virtual tour of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. As one of the most popular of the Smthsonian museums, the National Museum of Natural History is a delight to visitors of all ages. Discover why you when you follow the link below to start the tour.

The world's most visited museum offers a collection of virtual tours that you can enjoy at home. With updating content, you can discover more and more of the exciting works of art housed at the world's foremost museum. Get started today by following the link below.

The British Museum has collaborated with Google to bring you this fascinating virtual tour through history. Interactively explore various world cultures and civilizations as you move around on the timeline. You can sample artifacts from the British Museum's collections from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Check it out below.

The Papal enclave in Rome houses some of the most important artwork in the Western canon. You can explore their magnificence without needing to stand elbow-to-elbow as people crane their necks looking up at Michelangelo’s masterpiece in the Sistine Chapel. The 360-degree movable panoramas allow you to approximate walking through the many collections. On offer include Sala Alessandrina, the Profane Museum, the Pio Clementino Museum, and of course, the Sistine Chapel. Check it out below.

The National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne, Australia has loads of virtual tours. Navigate through the gallery in 3D virtual space where you can see recommended works, hear the audio guide, and move around using the dollhouse view. Experiencing a gallery in this manner is quite nice as you can get a sense for how the artists and curators work together to develop the space in its entirety.

Other Virtual Tours

Who doesn't love the idea of space exploration? From the Apollo moon landings to the Space Shuttle program and Mars rovers, NASA has pioneered space exploration for over 60 years. Now kids can come along on a series of virtual field trips that explore NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They'll learn about various mission successes and failures. These educational videos provide loads of great entertainment for adults and kids alike. Blast off today at the link in the photo below.

The Egyptian Tourism Authority has an online tour of the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses VI. The 3D virtual experience allows you to feel as if you're walking into famous the tomb in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Murals decorating the tomb appear in striking clarity and the online interface allows you to explore objects up close, something you can't do in real life. If you have an interest in archeology, then this virtual tour is for you. Tap the hieroglyphics below to get started.

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June 5th, 2020

5 free virtual tours: museums, zoo and aquarium.

When you’re cooped up at home, or even just when the kids are out of school for the summer, keeping everyone entertained is key to the family staying happy and out of your hair. For something that’s fun and different, why not plan a virtual field trip to a famous museum, zoo or aquarium? It’s not only educational for kids and adults alike, but these online tours are a great way to explore some amazing, far-away places you might not be able to otherwise.

At Shearwater , staying at home doesn’t have to be boring. In addition to all of these amazing tours, residents have access to a variety of events and activities planned by our Lifestyle Director, both on and offline. To learn more about this new home community in St. Augustine, Florida, join our Interest List .

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OPEN DAILY  9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

OPEN DAILY 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

• Teacher Resources – Special Edition for Distance Learning

Virtual Programs

• Outreach Programs
• Private & Youth Groups
• School Field Trips & Teacher Resources

There are so many great ways to connect with Reid Park Zoo from the comfort of your own home!

Reid Park Zoo offers fun and engaging educational opportunities for families, school groups, and other private groups. Click the tabs below to explore all of our virtual programming options. We cannot wait to Bring the Zoo to You!

Understanding a field trip to the Zoo may not be possible, Reid Park Zoo has developed TWO virtual field trip options for your class:

• Virtual Zoo Adventure Programs with Zoo Educators
• Pre-recorded Virtual Zoo Tours

Virtual Zoo Adventure Program (ZAP):

We bring the Zoo to you during these 45 minute online classes allowing your class to personally interact with Zoo educators and virtually meet several animal ambassadors up close. The ZAP program curriculum is designed to align with current state and federal science standards and provides a fun and memorable virtual field trip for your group. 

• 45-minute program featuring several LIVE animal ambassadors; some classes have an Educator-facilitated activity that can be done virtually.
• Each ZAP session can accommodate multiple logins – perfect if some of your students are learning from home. 
• A confirmation letter will be sent once your private program is confirmed. A link to join a Zoom meeting will be emailed the day of your program.  
• Must be booked at least 2 weeks in advance.
• A representative/teacher MUST attend the program.

Programs will focus on the topic of your choice and will include presentations of live animal ambassadors; some topics include fun, virtual activities.

• Habitats (designed for all ages): Learn what an animal needs in its habitat and how animals survive in desert, rainforest, and savanna habitats.
• Adaptations (designed for all ages): Learn about adaptations that help wild animals survive and how people can be inspired by nature’s survival tips.
• Locomotion (designed for grades K-2): Investigate how animals move from here to there by exploring their unique adaptations.
• Zoo 101 (designed for all ages): Caring for the animals that call the Zoo home is a big job! Learn how we do it and why what we do is so important.
• Conservation and Endangered Species (designed for grades 3 and up): Discover Reid Park Zoo’s role as a conservation organization and how zoos and scientists work to protect wild animals and wild places.
• Animal Food and Nutrition – Feeding A Zoo (designed for grades 3 and up): Omnivore, herbivore, carnivore, or insectivore? See first hand what some of the animals at the Zoo eat and meet live animal ambassadors. Your group will learn about the unique adaptations that determine what an animal eats and what it takes to feed all the animals at the Zoo.
• Animal Health Care – Caring for Animals in a Zoo (designed for grades 3 and up):  Visit the Zoo’s Animal Health Center, meet live animal ambassadors, and learn how the Zoo cares for over 250 animal residents.

Request a Virtual Program with a Zoo Educator Here

Pre-Recorded Virtual Zoo Tours

These pre-recorded virtual Zoo tours will assist you in meeting science standards while bringing your class on a virtual trip to the Zoo. Once reserved, you will receive access to the tour you selected that will be active for 30 days enabling you to show your class the video at a time that works best for you. Note: You will not be able to give your students their own access. You will also receive a post-tour activity sheet that you can use to further your students learning or as an evaluation tool. 

Cost:   $40 

Tour Topics: 

Grades K-2:   Finding Food   (12 minutes) – Your students will explore how animals use their senses and special adaptations to find and eat food on this tour to visit squirrel monkeys, jaguar, tapirs, and vultures. At the end of this program, your students will understand the roles different animals play in ecosystems and how energy moves through ecosystems. 

Grades 3-5:   Animals through Time: Adapting to a Changing Planet (13 minutes) – Your students will explore how different animal features help animals survive in certain environments and how and why these features could change over long periods of time. We will also discover why some animals are able to adapt and change while others are not while visiting zebras, ostriches, an alligator, and lions.  

Grades 6-12 :   Animals and a Changing Climate (10 minutes) – Your students will understand how the climate makes earth habitable. Visits to the elephant, grizzly bear, and meerkat habitats will highlight how human-induced climate change affects these species and the habitats that these animals and people rely on.  We will end the tour highlighting solutions that we can all take to reduce our impact on the climate. 

Grades 3-8: Pollinators: Nature’s Helpers (28 minutes) -In this class, students will learn what  pollination  is and how our food sources are connected to  pollination . We will explore several species of  pollinators  from around the world (butterflies, bats, bees, lemurs, hummingbirds) to understand their mutualistic relationships with the plants they  pollinate . Actions we can all take to protect  pollinators and value both their economic and intrinsic value will be discussed and followed up through an observational drawing lesson. This program will remain a FREE program for the entire school year through May 2022, courtesy of Freeport-McMoRan Sierrita Operations.

Request a Pre-Recorded Tour Here

Additional Teacher Resources can be found here. 

Looking for educational videos from Reid Park Zoo, visit Reid Park Zoo’s YouTube Education Connection channel .

Get up close with some of your favorite Reid Park Zoo animals by booking one of these 20-minute virtual , private experiences just for your family or group.

Price: $30 per program (can accommodate multiple Zoom logins)

All experiences must be booked at least 3 days ahead of your desired date. Virtual experiences are booked based on availability. You will receive a confirmation within 24 hours of your request. Payment must be made at the time of confirmation, refunds will not be provided if you cancel within 24 hours of the program start time. 

Please note: animal care staff reserves the right to modify the experience based on animal needs.

Animal Ambassadors:   Meet some of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors during a private encounter. During this encounter, you will get up close with some of the Zoo’s smaller animals while watching a feeding and/or training demonstration. 

Request a virtual animal experience here

We bring the Zoo to you during these 45 minute PRIVATE online classes allowing your group to personally interact with Zoo educators and virtually meet several animal ambassadors up close.  

Online Zoo Adventure Program (ZAP) Details:

• Each ZAP session can accommodate up to 20 logins – perfect for groups that cannot be physically together. Please note personal interactions with Zoo educators may be limited for large groups. 

Request a program here

• Pre-Recorded Tour Request Form
• Virtual Animal Experience Request Form
• VIRTUAL Zoo Adventure Program Request

• Virtual Zoo

Since you can’t come to us, let the

Zo0 come to you, everything you need to know about our virtual zoo days, virtual visits are back, don’t miss out, watch our original live virtual zoo days ., we have been going live on our facebook and youtube pages for a whole day of amazing animal antics packed full of fantastic facts … it’s the perfect way to learn, all from the comfort of your own sofa.

From AMAZING aardvarks, an elephant POOL PARTY and fantastic fossa!

Don’t miss out on red pandas, giraffes, butterflies, tigers, fish and MORE!

TREAT YOURSELF OR A LOVED ONE TO A ROARSOME CARE PACKAGE – WITH A CHESTER ZOO TWIST …JUST BECAUSE!

Give a loved one a little something to show you care, whether you know someone who needs a little break, a sweet treat, or a hand with making home schooling more FUN – we have something for everyone!

EXPLORE OUR CARE PACKAGES

Some of our best bits so far.

Get in on the action and join some of our zoo keepers and animals for brunch!

Catch up on all of our    VIRTUAL ZOO   days! 

• Virtual Zoo Day 1 
• Virtual Zoo Day 2
• Virtual Zoo Day 3
• Virtual Zoo Day 4
• Virtual Zoo Day 5
• Virtual Zoo Day 6

BRAND NEW VIRTUAL ZOO!

• Virtual Zoo Day 7
• Virtual Zoo Day 8
• Virtual Zoo Day 9

Catch up and join the FUN!

Missed any of our virtual zoo days? You can find all of our VIRTUAL ZOO DAYS on our Chester Zoo TV/YouTube page. The animals are waiting…

WATCH LIVE ON FACEBOOK       WATCH LIVE ON YOUTUBE

Bring home a small piece of Chester Zoo magic!

Since you can’t come to the zoo right now, why not bring a little bit of Chester Zoo into your home? Our online gift shop is now LIVE, and all purchases help SAVE wildlife and PREVENT EXTINCTION!

EXPLORE THE SHOP!

How long is a Giraffe’s neck ? How fast can a cheetah run ?

Feed your animal curiosities and check out our  incredible learning resources , virtual zoo visits ,  workshops  and loads more amazing activities to keep you busy in lockdown! Whether you’re a learner, a teacher or just passionate about animals and conservation, we have something for everyone!

Find out more

THE FIGHT ISN’T OVER YET…

Your incredible support has given us a vital lifeline, but we still NEED YOUR HELP

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Virtual Field Trips

Enjoy a virtual visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with a San Diego Zoo Safari Park wildlife expert! Let us help you connect NGSS to the real world through our science lessons—with grade-specific, NGSS-aligned, fun lessons delivered to your class with a special Safari Park spin!

Our new Virtual Education Programs take place online only, via the virtual meeting platform of your choice. A device with internet access, and a webcam and microphone are required for this program.

Teachers/education group leaders will work with the Education department reservation team to secure a confirmation email, and set up a link and instructions to access the online program on their designated date and time. Groups of various sizes can be accommodated, but for the best and most interactive experience, we strongly encourage groups to limit their audience size to 40 or fewer people.

To book one of these programs, contact the Education Reservation Team via email at [email protected] or call us at 760-738-5057.

Funding may be available for select groups. If your group does not qualify for funding, advance payment will be required.

Please note: San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is not responsible for internet connectivity or other technical issues. Interested in booking a virtual or on-site program? Click here for more information! If booking an on-site program, please be sure to fill out a self-guided request form.

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30 Free Virtual Tours for Kids – Zoo l Museum Tours and more!

*This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the full disclosure here . 

Virtual Field Trips for Kids

Entertaining kids that are stuck at home can be a difficult task.

Unless its something that is engaging, kids tend to get bored easily.

These virtual field trips can give kids a real-life field trip experience that is both entertaining and educational.

Today we will be taking a look at some virtual tours for older kids and adults, as well as animal webcams for the little ones to enjoy.

From historic landmarks to animal adventures – it’s all in here.

**This post may contain affiliate links. Please read  disclosure .

Why virtual field trips for kids?

Field trips are great for kids to explore different cities and learn new things.

While it’s not always possible to travel the world, these online adventures will educate the kids visually.

Seeing things imprint an unforgettable adventure for them.

Plus, they get a more hands-on experience of each trip and can choose to revisit anytime. These websites are free to use and can be accessed at any time of the day.

Having said that, when it comes to the animal webcams, its good to check zoo opening times to view the animal feeding times which kids will enjoy watching.

Who is offering free virtual tours?

1. google virtual tour.

Google Earth is an excellent geographical learning resource for kids.

They can type in questions about capital cities and landmarks to get interactive answers. It also has a 3D feature that can be used to view any location around the world.

You can virtually see a street view of any part of the world.

2. Virtual Museum Tours

Once they choose any of the museums below, they can select the different room in the museum and view artefacts and other extraordinary exhibits.

These virtual tours also provide information about the rooms you visit.

Here are a list of museums that have free virtual tours

Children’s museum indianapolis, boston’s children’s museum, louvre virtual tour, smithsonian museum, british museum, london’s natural history museum, the australian museum, museum of fine arts, boston, 3. historic places virtual tours.

Who says you need to travel the world to see the Eiffel tower? Now you can bring the Eiffel tower home with a 360-degree experience. 

And it’s not just the Paris, here are a few more historical landmarks that you can visit while at home.

White House Virtual Tour

Buckingham palace, city of london, mount vernon, liberty bell, great wall of china, 4. virtual zoo tour.

It’s good to read information about the zoo’s opening hours and feeding times as the animals are more active around these hours.

Most of the animal webcams below are of high quality giving the kids an amazing experience.

Based on the age of the kids you can try and include games like, animal spotting, or naming the animals. Older kids can also record notes of what they see and experience.

Kansas City Zoo

Houston zoo, kids san diego zoo, san diego zoo, edinburgh zoo tiger cam, zoo atlanta panda cam, maryland zoo lion cam, reid park zoo, virtual london zoo, 5. virtual aquarium tours for kids.

Enter into sea life with these aquarium tours of a variety of underwater creatures.

We’ve got webcams of a small and big sea animals including sharks. Yes, the Aquarium of the Pacific link below will take you into the world of Sharks.

Vancouver Aquarium

Aquarium of the pacific, georgia aquarium, monterey bay aquarium, national aquarium, seattle aquarium, shedd aquarium, 6. national parks virtual tours, universal studios florida, christ the redeemer – rio de janeiro, taj mahal 360 degree tour, stonehenge virtual tour, yellow stone national park.

Looking for some other fun ways to keep kids entertained at home?

Check out these ideas!

• Fun indoor family game night ideas
• 50 Hilarious questions to ask kids!
• Cheap Summer Activities for the entire family

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Virtual Tour

Before you visit, get to know the National Aquarium so you can make the most of your time and see it all!

Where in the National Aquarium are your favorite animals? This virtual tour will take you through the Aquarium's two main buildings, so you know where each exhibit is located and what animals you'll find there.

Exhibits Explore Award-Winning Exhibits

Experience dozens of unique aquatic habitats—from a northern Australian river gorge to an Indo-Pacific reef to a tropical rain forest—all interconnected by the binding force of water.

Amazon River Forest

Discover an Amazon tributary in three distinct stages of seasonal flooding.

Animal Care and Rescue Center

Atlantic coral reef, australia: wild extremes, blacktip reef, dolphin discovery, tours & experiences experience the aquarium like never before.

Explore behind the scenes, meet our experts and come face to face with amazing animals.

Daily Family Sunrise Tour

Saturdays & sundays insider's tour, daily vr: shark dive, daily dolphin training session, daily shark behind-the-scenes tour, subscribe to our newsletter sign up to receive updates on animals, news and events..