Appalachian Homeschooling

Have you been wishing for a family outing to the zoo or aquarium, but your schedule won’t allow it?

In today’s digital age, exploring the wonders of the animal kingdom has never been easier. Whether you’re looking to enhance your homeschool curriculum or take a virtual adventure with your kids, virtual tours of zoos and aquariums offer a wonderful opportunity to learn about wildlife without having to leave your home. They are also great for all ages.

Here’s our list of favorites:

Aquariums

1. Monterey Bay Aquarium
Dive into the depths of the ocean with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s 10 live cams. Watch the sea otters play and the moon jellies glow, or even peek into the bird aviary for some birdwatching. They also have live feedings you can watch. Check their site for the times.

2. Aquarium of the Pacific
Discover the vibrant marine life of the Pacific Ocean through the Aquarium of the Pacific’s live webcams. From the playful antics of penguins to the serene beauty of sea jellies, there’s something for everyone. They even offer Aquarium educator-led, live virtual programs. Click here for more details about those.

3. National Aquarium
Take a virtual stroll through the National Aquarium in Baltimore. Explore their captivating exhibits and learn about their conservation efforts to protect our oceans. From Blacktip Reef, where you’ll see Blacktip reef sharks darting through the waters, to the Pacific Coral Reef, home to colorful butterfly fish, there’s so much to discover.

4. Georgia Aquarium
Experience the wonders of the Georgia Aquarium with live webcams showcasing beluga whales, jellyfish, and whale sharks. Their Ocean Voyager webcam is a must-see. We spent hours watching the whale sharks glide gracefully through the water. It’s like having a front-row seat to an underwater ballet

5. Waikiki Aquarium
Explore the unique marine life of Hawaii through the Waikiki Aquarium’s live cams. Learn about their conservation programs and the fascinating species native to the Hawaiian Islands. The kids loved seeing the Hawaiian monk seals, and we even did a unit study on Hawaii afterward.

6. California Academy of Sciences
The California Academy of Sciences offers virtual tours and live cams, including a peek into their aquarium exhibits. Discover the rich biodiversity of our planet from their incredible collections. My kids were particularly excited about the rainforest exhibit. It’s amazing how much you can learn from just a virtual tour!

Zoos

1. Ouwehand Park Polar Bear Cubs
Watch the adorable polar bear cubs at Ouwehand Park grow and play through their live webcam. This is a fantastic way to learn about polar bears and their habitat. We love watching these little cubs. Their playful antics always bring a smile to our faces, and it’s a great way to introduce kids to Arctic wildlife.

2. Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo offers a variety of live animal cams, including giant pandas, elephants, and lions. Their virtual tours provide an up-close look at these majestic creatures. We had so much fun watching the giant pandas. Elizabeth even drew a whole series of panda sketches after our virtual visit.

3. National Park Service
Explore the vast wilderness of America’s national parks through the National Park Service’s virtual tours and live cams. Discover the diverse wildlife and stunning landscapes that our parks have to offer. We made a whole day out of exploring different parks virtually, and it felt like a mini-vacation without leaving home.

4. San Diego Zoo Webcam
The San Diego Zoo’s live cams allow you to watch a wide range of animals, from playful pandas to graceful giraffes. Their extensive collection of webcams offers endless educational opportunities.

5. Cincinnati Zoo
Join the Cincinnati Zoo for their “Home Safari” Facebook Live sessions and virtual tours. Meet their famous hippo, Fiona, and other amazing animals. Fiona the hippo is a superstar in our home. We even made hippo-themed snacks to enjoy while watching her!

6. Zoo Atlanta Panda Cam
Tune into Zoo Atlanta’s Panda Cam to watch giant pandas as they eat, sleep, and play. This is a delightful experience for panda lovers of all ages. The kids were enthralled by the pandas.

7. Houston Zoo Animal Cams
Houston Zoo offers several live animal cams, including giraffes, elephants, and chimpanzees. Explore the different habitats and learn about their conservation efforts.

8. Reid Park Zoo
Reid Park Zoo’s live cams feature a variety of animals, including grizzly bears and elephants. Their virtual tours provide an educational journey into the world of wildlife. We had a great time learning about grizzly bears. We even did some bear crafts afterward.

9. National Geographic Safari Live
Join National Geographic for their “Safari Live” virtual tours. Experience real-time wildlife safaris in the African bush and learn about the incredible animals that inhabit this region. It was like being on a real safari!

10. Wildlife Earth TV
Wildlife Earth TV offers live cams from various wildlife habitats around the world. From African savannas to underwater ecosystems, their streams provide a global view of wildlife.

11. Minnesota Zoo
The Minnesota Zoo provides live cams and virtual tours, featuring animals like brown bears and snow monkeys. Explore their exhibits and learn about their conservation initiatives. The snow monkeys were a hit. The kids enjoyed watching them play in the snow and learning about their behavior.

12. The Turtle Hospital
The Turtle Hospital offers virtual tours and live cams of their rehabilitation efforts for injured sea turtles. Learn about the care and conservation of these remarkable creatures. We all became big fans of sea turtles after watching these gentle creatures being cared for.

These virtual tours and live cams are a fantastic way to boost your homeschooling experience. They’re fun and educational for kids of all ages. Whether you want to add some excitement to your science lessons, spark a new interest in wildlife, or just enjoy a cool virtual family adventure, these online tours are perfect.

What’s great about these virtual trips is that you can fit them into your schedule whenever it works best for you. Maybe you’ll sneak in a quick peek at the penguins during a break, or spend an afternoon diving into the ocean’s depths. There’s always something new and amazing to discover.

These virtual visits can also be the start of some fun projects at home. They can inspire your kids to draw their favorite animals, write stories, do science experiments, or just talk about what they’ve seen. It’s a great way to keep learning fun and engaging.

So, grab your family, get cozy, and dive into these virtual wildlife adventures. Let your curiosity take you on a journey through the animal kingdom, all from the comfort of your home. These experiences not only make homeschooling more exciting but also bring the wonders of the animal world right into your living room. Enjoy the adventure!