It might not be summer just yet, but field trip season is in full swing! As summer fever sets in, have you thought about taking your students on a virtual field trip? It’s like a mini-vacation—without ever leaving the classroom!
With just an internet connection, students can explore places they might never get to visit in real life, from world-famous museums to outer space. Virtual field trips are a fun, accessible, and budget-friendly way to dive into history, science, art, and more.
We’ve gathered a variety of websites offering virtual tours, so you and your students can go on unforgettable journeys together. Some favorites include a tour of the International Space Station and a walk through the Louvre Museum. Whether your students are curious about nature, history, or culture, there’s something for everyone.
Looking for an easy and engaging follow-up activity? Have students create a virtual postcard from their chosen destination. Ask them to write a message as if they were truly there, using vivid, descriptive language to share what they saw and experienced.
Here’s an example from a student who “visited” the International Space Station:
Dear Teacher,
Wow! Today I got to float around inside the International Space Station. It’s so cool—but also kind of squishy! I felt like I might bump into all the buttons and levers. I don’t think I could live here forever (there’s not much space!), but floating with no gravity is the best feeling ever!
You can find free, easy-to-use postcard templates by searching for “postcard template” along with your preferred file type (like Google Slides or Microsoft Word).
Ready to explore? Here are some of our favorite virtual field trips to get you started:
eMediaVA’s Interactive Locations: Belgium, Canada, Paris, or Switzerland
Nearpod: “Top 10 Virtual Reality (VR) Field Trips for Students”
Ditch That Textbook: Virtual Field Trips
Dedicated Websites with Virtual Tours:
- Colonial Williamsburg (Virginia)
- Ellis Island and Statue of Liberty (New York)
- The Giant’s Causeway (Northern Ireland)
- The International Space Station (Space)
- The Louvre Museum (Paris)
- Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming)
Kristen Strickland is an ITRT in Chesapeake Public Schools and an eMediaVA Ambassador.