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Virtual field trips offer numerous benefits in the classroom, including accessibility, independent learning, interdisciplinary instruction, distance education, and cost efficiency. These trips eliminate the need for traditional school bus travel, bringing captivating experiences directly to students’ desks through slideshows, interactive websites, and guided WebQuests.
Virtual Field Trips for Kids in Elementary School
For teachers seeking to enhance their curriculum without the logistics of a physical field trip, virtual field trips provide an ideal solution. They are particularly useful during winter when travel is challenging or can be integrated into lessons throughout the year.
Start with STEM virtual field trips
Considering a scientific field trip but concerned about cost, safety, or convenience? STEM-based virtual field trips eliminate these worries, allowing students to explore international landscapes and geological phenomena, such as volcanoes, safely from the classroom.
Virtual Field Trip BEACH DAY | Google Slides | End of the Year Activities
By Teacher’s Brain – Cindy Martin
Grades: K-2nd
Subjects: Math, Science, Writing
Standards: CCSS K.CC.A.1, A.3; K.CC.B.5; K.G.A.2; 1.G.A.2; W.1.3, 1.7, 2.3, 2.6; MP1; CCRA.W.4, W.5, W.6
Experience the beach without the sand or travel with this CCSS-aligned virtual field trip. Young students can enjoy sequencing activities, counting exercises, a beach song, and engaging writing prompts.
Virtual Field Trip to a Volcano Digital Resource Activity Types of Volcanoes
By MagiCore
Grades: 2nd-5th
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Geography, Reading
Standards: CCSS.RI.2.1, 2.5, 10, 3.1, 10, 4.1, 5.7, 9, 10; NGSS 2-ESS1-1
Students can virtually explore a volcano with this NGSS-aligned resource. It includes educational videos, reading activities, and opportunities for students to enhance their geological understanding from the safety of their classroom.
Passport Template Activities Kids Printable Virtual Field Trip Country Research
By Miss Tech Queen STEM
Grades: 2nd-5th
Subjects: Computer Science-Technology, Geography
Elementary students can embark on a global journey with a printable passport and virtual field trip. The comprehensive resource offers 20 editable slides for virtual tours, perfect for country research projects or exploring world cultures.
Make musical field trips a priority this year
Enhance music education by hosting musical groups or utilizing virtual field trips. These resources allow students to learn about instruments, vocal techniques, music history, and more.
Peter and the Wolf Virtual Field Trip for Elementary Music – Google Slides Music
By Beth’s Music Classroom
Grades: K-3rd
Subjects: Instrumental Music, Music, Music Composition
Young musicians can dive into Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf, putting the story in order, exploring instruments, and engaging in vocal and rhythmic activities.
Share social studies and current issues
Students can explore diverse cultures and global issues through literature, research, and virtual field trips, gaining valuable insights without leaving the classroom.
THE WATER PRINCESS VIRTUAL FIELD TRIP [DIGITAL LINK]
By Love4Learning
Grades: 2nd-5th
Subjects: African History, Close Reading, Writing
After reading The Water Princess by Susan Verde, students can virtually travel to Burkina Faso to learn about global water access issues. The resource includes 22 interactive slides, videos, and writing prompts to deepen their understanding and encourage action.
Middle and High School Virtual Field Trips
For middle and high school students, virtual field trips offer endless possibilities, even with limited time and resources. These trips can replace traditional excursions or support independent learning.
Take a scientific look at the world around you
Virtual field trips help middle and high school students connect scientific concepts to real-world applications, offering valuable insights with minimal effort and cost.
Volcanoes Virtual Field Trip – Worksheets, Presentation, No Prep, Real World
By Spectacular Science
Grades: 6th-9th
Subjects: Earth Sciences, General Science
Standards: NGSS MS-ESS2-2, MS-ESS3-2; HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS2-2
Explore the impact of volcanoes on their environment with an NGSS-aligned virtual trip to Mount Saint Helens. Students can study historic eruptions and use simulations to draw their own conclusions.
Biomes Field Trip: Virtual Reality
By IslandScienceTeacher
Grades: 6th-12th
Subjects: Earth Sciences, Environment
Standards: NGSS HS-LS2-7, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-6, HS-ESS3-4, HS-LS2-8
Virtually explore five biomes around the world. This interactive resource includes comprehension questions and a scavenger hunt, teaching students about ecosystem interconnectedness.
The Big Bang Theory WebQuest | Virtual Field Trip | Astronomy | Space Science
By Physics Burns
Grades: 9th-12th
Subjects: Astronomy, Physical Science
Standards: NGSS HS-ESS1-2
Embark on an astronomical journey to explore the universe and the Big Bang Theory. Students will watch videos and complete comprehension questions to understand the history and alternative theories.
Have middle and high schoolers step into history
Virtual field trips bring history to life, allowing students to explore the past and present through interactive maps and digital museums.
Salem Witch Trials Virtual Field Trip Webquest for Middle and High School
By TeachWithBri
Grades: 6th-12th
Subjects: European History, Social Studies
Explore the Salem Witch Trials with a virtual tour. Students can take a walking tour, watch educational videos, and explore the Salem Witch Trial PEM Museum online.
Connect ELA skills to older students’ lives
Virtual field trips provide middle and high school students with opportunities to use their ELA skills daily, enhancing their understanding of literature and history.
Citing Text Evidence Digital ESCAPE ROOM! Virtual Field Trip Game & ELA Review
By Howes in the Middle
Grades: 5th-9th
Subjects: ELA Test Prep, English Language Arts, Informational Text
Standards: CCSS.RL.5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 9-10.1; RI.5.1, 6.1, 7.1, 8.1, 9-10.1
Incorporate ELA skills with a virtual escape room game. Middle schoolers navigate through engaging activities using text citation skills.
National Parks Music Virtual Field Trip for Google Slides
By Joyful Noise Teaching
Grades: 3rd-12th
Subjects: English Language Arts, Music, Writing
Plan a virtual journey across multiple National Parks. This activity connects ELA skills with musical concepts, offering a backdrop of stunning geographical sites.
William Shakespeare Virtual Field Trip & Webquest Activity – Print & Digital
By Books and Bloom Teaching
Grades: 8th-12th
Subjects: English Language Arts, Literature, Reading
Standards: CCSS RL.8.1-8.4; RL.9-10.1-10.9, 11-12.1-12.5
Enhance your Shakespeare unit with a virtual field trip. Students tour 10 significant locations in his life, answering questions and reflecting on the legendary writer’s impact.
Walk world language classes through cultural landmarks
Virtual field trips allow language classes to explore cultural landmarks, offering an immersive experience when international travel isn’t feasible.
FRENCH Virtual Field Trip to Les CATACOMBES de Paris! Excursion Virtuelle!
By French with Elise
Grades: 5th-7th
Subjects: French
Take your French class on a virtual exploration of les Catacombes de Paris. This resource includes a 27-slide PowerPoint, teacher directions, and background videos and readings.
Puerto Rico Project Virtual Field Trip | Spanish 1-2 Culture Project Carnaval
By La Libre Language Learning
Grades: 8th-11th
Subjects: Spanish
Virtually tour Puerto Rico with your Spanish class. This resource covers travel vocabulary, cultural context, and key tourist spots throughout the country.
Inspire music and theater students with unforgettable performances
Bring the magic of Broadway to your classroom with virtual field trips that showcase the power of the stage and highlight iconic performances.
MUSIC Field Trip | New York City Virtual Musical Field Trip | Digital SUB PLANS
By Sarah Stockton Resources
Grades: 6th-12th
Subjects: Instrumental Music, Vocal Music
Experience the ultimate musical field trip from New York with a Google Slides deck, interactive links, and engaging musical videos, complete with a reflection exit ticket.
Types of Virtual Field Trips for the Classroom
With a variety of virtual field trip options available, educators can easily select the right experience for any grade or subject.
A successful virtual field trip should do more than simply show students a place; it should help them explore a concept, make cultural connections, and engage in meaningful inquiry.
Virtual field trips can take students from ocean depths to mountain peaks and beyond, using various formats:
- Interactive maps and websites: Utilize interactive maps from the National Park Service to explore large areas with unique landmarks.
- Virtual tours: Embark on self-guided tours of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History or other museums.
- 360-degree tours: Discover panoramic views of extraordinary places and art through 360-degree tours on platforms like Google Arts & Culture.
- Virtual reality: Enhance lessons with VR experiences using tools like Nearpod for immersive virtual trips.
- Multimedia trips: Experience places like the International Space Station through virtual tours that combine slideshows, videos, and multimedia tools for an engaging classroom experience.
Open the world to your students without leaving the school
Modern education provides teachers with unique opportunities, such as virtual field trips featuring previously unimaginable resources. Employ these virtual field trip activities, games, and resources to replace costly physical trips, serve as substitute day activities, or enhance independent learning throughout the year. Education is about broadening students’ horizons, and you don’t need a school bus for that!
