Virtual field trips have become more popular, especially in the last year. With COVID, more homeschooling families and teachers teaching remotely, the concept has become more widespread. Technology has also played a part too, with live feeds online and virtual tours, places we may never go can be brought to us with a laptop and Wi-Fi connection.
I’ve done several virtual field trips for my students. I wanted to make the experience unique and memorable and not just watching live-cam feeds from different locations. I thought it would be fun to have some activities that the children would enjoy, but that they probably wouldn’t have done on an actual field trip.
Virtual Field Trip Activities
Yoga/Movement Component
Since I am a yoga teacher, almost always we have some kind of yoga lesson plan in my classes. We have Game Day once a month, which may or may not include yoga, but mostly there is a yoga/movement component to my classes and our virtual field trips are no exception!
Live Feeds
We do like to have a few options for some kind of live feed that I have ready to go when class begins. I think it makes a nice introduction to give my students a feel for what we’ll be doing.
Sensory/STEM/STEAM Activity
I love hands-on learning, which is also another element to the Yogalore curriculum. Whether it’s a themed sensory bin/table, activity at the light table, or a STEM or STEAM activity, children really enjoy this part of our “trip”. I like to have several of these activities if possible and have different centers that the kids can check out to have a more varied experience.
Pretend Tour
Recently my classes had a virtual safari field trip. The children had the best time. They loved the yoga activity, but any guesses on their absolute favorite activity? Our pretend safari. I had small stuffed animals that you might encounter on a safari and put them around the classroom. We began by discussing what we might need to take with us on a safari — backpack? Hat? Sunscreen? Camera? Snacks? Binoculars? We pretended to load up, ride in our jeep and “drive” past the animals. We had to be quiet though — we didn’t want to disturb them. We got out of our jeep to see the animals better and had to navigate the terrain, jumping over and crawling under imaginary obstacles.
I think all of these elements can help to make the perfect virtual field trip for your child or classroom. You may even want to plan your trip together and talk about the different possibilities so they’re more invested in the activity. Have a great trip!
