If you’re homeschooling your child during COVID-19, you may be stumped when it comes to field trip ideas. Many businesses are still closed and many activities are cautioned against to avoid catching the virus. Here are some field trips you can take during COVID-19 that will keep you and others safe.
Home Movie Theater
If your local movie theater is closed, create the setup right at home. Drape dark sheets or curtains over the walls to black out the room and arrange chairs and couches to resemble theater seating. You can set up a snack stand in the kitchen and give your children vouchers to redeem for popcorn, candy, or their favorite movie theater snacks.
Go on a Hike
Hiking in a relatively remote area is a great way to get outside while staying safe. Pick a park or trail that you know won’t get very crowded and take the whole family for a pleasant afternoon to enjoy the weather and fresh air. To make the trip educational, you can talk about native flora and fauna to keep an eye out for. Or, if the focus is physical education, stop every ten minutes to do a different exercise, like jumping jacks or running in place.
Virtual Tours of National Parks
Thanks to technology, you and your entire family can visit one of the country’s many national parks without ever leaving your living room. Using Google’s 360-degree virtual tours, take your kids to Bryce Canyon in Utah or all the way to Hawaii to see volcanoes. Connect a computer to your TV for an even more realistic view.
Visit an Art Museum Online
The COVID-19 outbreak has been a trying time, but some good has definitely come out of the situation. Many art museums around the world developed ways to put their exhibits online for viewers to watch for free. You can take your child to the Van Gogh Museum to learn about the life of one of the most famous artists of all time or check out the Mona Lisa at the Louvre.
Explore Different Careers
National Geographic offers the ability for students to listen to interviews with researchers, explorers, educators, and more. Your kids will learn what it takes to have a career in one of these fields and might find their new passion.
See Some Animals
Zoos and aquariums are some of the most anticipated field trips, but they may not be available to visit right now. Luckily, many of these facilities have live web cams online where you can watch animals in real time. Spy on pandas at the Atlanta Zoo or watch sharks float by in the Monterey Bay Aquarium. You can combine these trips with lessons on biology, animals, nature conservation, and more.