If you are like the millions of American parents that are nervous now that your kids will be home more than normal (much more than normal), fear not. At Twin Cities Kids Club, we have some ideas to keep the kids, and you, entertained.
Social distancing and self-quarantine are relatively new things to most of us. Thanks to COVID-19, they are becoming all-too-familiar. Whether or not you think everyone is overreacting or you are scared to leave your home, the point is we are all stuck at home.
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How to Keep the Kids Busy
Virtual Tours and Field Trips
If your kids are home all day and not going to school, chances are you will hear, “I’m bored!” more than you ever thought possible.
To help you out, we have collected a long list of things to keep your kids entertained. Bonus points, entertained kids equals peaceful parents.
- PBS Learning Media: Has a ton of virtual tours. Whatever your kids interest, you will find something useful.
- Yellowstone. You don’t have to wait for your trip out here. You can start exploring now by virtually touring some of the main attractions around the park. Included with each tour is additional information about visiting in person.
- Mars: The real surface of Mars. Recorded by NASA’s Curiosity rover. Take a look at the 360 mode.
- U.S. Space and Rocket Museum, Huntsville, AL: See the Saturn 5 Rocket on YouTube and more on this tour thanks to a real father/son outing.
- Boston Children’s Museum: Walk through the Boston Children’s Museum thanks to Google Maps! This virtual tour allows kids to explore 3 floors of fun.
- The Great Wall of China: This Virtual Tour of the Great Wall of China makes history come to life.
- Tour of the Louvre: on a cultural tour of Ancient Egyptian artifacts, nineteenth-century Romanticism paintings, and other breathtaking exhibits.
- “The Secrets of Easter Island” Tour: Let your kids learn about this unique and mystery-filled place.
- Discovery Education Field Trips: Discovery Education offers a variety of free, interactive tours designed for elementary school students.
Sudden Homeschooling Help
Math
- Max’s Fantastic Zoo: A virtual field trip that teaches K-2 students about animal shapes.
- Lure of the Labyrinth: Pre-algebra students can improve their math skills by solving math puzzles in this virtual tour.
- Math Virtual Field Trip: Grade 10 math students will get a better understanding of bridges and geometry through this virtual field trip.
- Pythagorean Theorem Investigation: Virtual investigation of the Pythagorean Theorem for middle school students.
Science
- Aquifer Virtual Field Trip: Grade 5-8 students can learn about aquifer in this virtual field trip.
- Endangered Species: A virtual field trip that provides grade 5-8 students an interesting insight into endangered species.
- Virtual Farm: This virtual farm can give grade K-6 students a complete experience of farm life.
- Human Body Virtual Trip: Students of all ages can learn about the various parts of the human body and their functions by taking this virtual trip.
- Introduction to Caves: Find out more about caves by going on this virtual tour.
- Planetarium: Grade 5-12 students can observe the night sky in this website.
- Fly Me to the Moon: An exciting virtual field trip to the moon for students in grades 4-12.
- Visit a Volcano: Take virtual trips to various volcanoes in the United States.
- Tundra Connections: Experience Polar Bears: Check out the frozen tundra from your home.
English Language Arts
- Essay Writing Virtual Trip: An essay writing virtual trip for grade 8-12 students.
- Critical Reading Virtual Field Trip: Improve critical reading skills through this online field trip.
- Shakespeare Virtual Trip: A Shakespeare virtual field trip for students in grades 4-8.
- Poet’s Pantry Field Trip: An online field trip that teaches grades 3-6 students about poetry.
- Get to Know Poe: Students in grades 7-12 can discover the life and works of American writer Edgar Allen Poe on this website.
Social Studies
- Virtual Tour of White House: A virtual White House tour for grade 4-12 students.
- US Capitol Virtual Tour: Students in grades 4-12 can tour the US Capitol in this website.
- Civil War Virtual Tour: Virtual tour for grades 6-12 students to learn about the Civil War.
- Rome Virtual Tour: Discover the historic city of Rome by taking this virtual tour.
- Salem Witch Trials: A National Geographic virtual tour for grade 5-12 students that reveal interesting information about the Salem Witch Trials.
- South Pole Virtual Trip: An excellent virtual trip to the South Pole for students in grades 4-12.
- Tour of the Forbidden City: Virtual trip that enables grades 4-12 students to explore the Forbidden City.
- World War I Virtual Trip: Grade 6-12 students can find out what happened during World War I on this site.
- Pyramids: An online adventure that provides an interesting insight into the construction of the Pyramids.
Art
- Metropolitan Museum of Art Virtual Tour: Students in grades 4-12 can gain a better understanding of art by taking a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
- Destination Modern Art: An interactive tour of the Museum of Modern Art for children of all ages.
- Louvre Museum: An excellent virtual tour of the Louvre Museum.
- Art Institute of Chicago: Students of all ages can learn more about art by taking this virtual tour.
- National Gallery of Arts Online Tours: Tours of the National Gallery of Art’s collections.
- Cave Paintings of Lascaux: A virtual visit to the famous cave paintings in Lascaux, France.
- Grandpa’s Painting: Virtual field trip that involves the investigation of artworks.
Music
- Rock & Roll Hall of Fame: An online field trip to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
- National Music Museum: Virtual tours that enable students to explore the collections of the National Music Museum.
- Carnegie Hall Listening Adventures: Listening adventures for K-6 children at the Carnegie Hall website.
- British Music Experience Tour: Learn more about the British Music Experience through this online interactive tour.
- Georgia Music Hall of Fame: Take a virtual tour of the Georgia Music Hall of Fame.
Health and Physical Education
- Food Pyramid Virtual Trip: A virtual trip that helps children learn about the food pyramid.
- Sports Museums of America: An online visit to the Sports Museums of America.
Foreign Language
- Spanish Online Field Trips: Virtual field trips to Spanish-speaking countries around the world.
- Virtual Field Trip to Spain: Teenagers can improve their Spanish language skills by taking this virtual field trip.
- Paris Online Field Trip: On this virtual field trip, students will learn about the French language and culture.
- Japan Virtual Field Trip: This online field trip helps students improve their knowledge of Japanese culture.
Zoos
- National Zoo: A behind-the-scenes look at the animals, plants, people, and programs of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. You’ll find a wide variety of informational articles, audio lectures, educational games, downloadable movies, and photos.
- Knoxville Zoo: Check out their webcam that focuses on different animals.
- Houston Zoo. Another incredible zoo opening up their webcams so kids can learn about animals.
- San Diego Zoo: The San Diego Zoo has a website just for kids with amazing videos, activities, and games The San Diego Zoo Kids site features video lessons hosted by zookeepers packed with information and interesting facts about popular animals.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium: This virtual tour allows students to go on a deep-sea adventure through exhibit webcams that allow students to watch sea creatures in real time. They also have this classroom resource page with activities, fact sheets, and games to play with your students/children.
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Well, this should keep your kids entertained for the next 17.3 minutes. Remember, you are not alone. Parents across America and the world are in this together. Your kids will survive, and you will too.
Just do your best, and remember, your kids are resilient. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Join Twin Cities Kids Club for more tips, tricks, and discounts.
