Spring is almost here, and if we’re anything alike, then you’re also planning ahead. Today on the blog, I have a handful of spring virtual field trips that you can use this season. They all have a spring connection, but I’m confident you can find a way to use many of them throughout the school year.
Virtual field trips help us connect students with a wide range of exciting learning experiences beyond the classroom walls. From vibrant flower fields to spaces inhabited by animals around the world, we can bring spring themes directly to our students.
You can tailor the list below to the needs of your student, even getting a little help from AI. In Easy EdTech Podcast episode 244, I talk about “6 Ways to Customize Any Assignment with AI.” This episode is a great complement to the ideas shared in this post, particularly if you want to customize one of the ideas on the list below to the specific needs of your students.
Spring Virtual Field Trips
Let’s take a look at a handful of spring virtual field trips for students of any age.
Tulip Time
Take a vibrant trip to the tulip fields of Holland or to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival in Washington State. Explore dazzling colors and learn about bulb cultivation in either of these spaces. You can also view a collection of YouTube videos from the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival here or check out pictures from Holland here.
Butterfly Wonders
Witness the incredible metamorphosis of butterflies at a butterfly conservatory. Many offer live webcams or virtual tours, including the Key West Butterfly & Nature Conservatory and the Florida Museum of Natural History.
Journey to Rainforests
Explore the lush ecosystems of tropical rainforests, home to amazing biodiversity. Discover exotic plants and animals in lots of different places. You can also take a tour of the Amazon Rainforest with Google Arts & Culture’s interactive experiences.
Spring Symphony
You might decide to attend a virtual concert celebrating spring with your students or listen to a spring-themed playlist together. This playlist was created by the Toronto Symphony Orchestra and is titled Classical Springtime. It’s certainly a great choice for introducing spring moods.
Pond Exploration
Visiting a pond is a great option for spring virtual field trips, and this 360 video is a good start. You could pair it with a Nearpod lesson on the life cycle of a frog. Students can investigate pond life, from tadpoles and lily pads to dragonflies and frogs.
Spring Flowers Up Close
Ask students to explore patterns, textures, and movement of flowers up close. In lieu of an in-person experience, you might share this time-lapse video from National Geographic. Or you might encourage students to capture their own videos.
National Parks
Regular readers of the blog know that I love sharing content related to the National Parks. Many U.S. National Parks offer virtual tours, and students can witness geysers erupt at Yellowstone or discover Yosemite’s scenery through these webcams. Similar to national parks, smaller spaces throughout the world may most a webcam on their site.
Art Inspired by Spring
Visit virtual galleries showcasing artworks depicting spring, or take a look at this list from the National Gallery of Art. It includes plenty of inspiration for your students to explore new spring places. It might also spark inspiration for student creations.
World Landmarks in Spring
Tour famous landmarks surrounded by spring blooms. For example, you can watch the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., with this 360 video from The Weather Channel.
These spring virtual field trips provide lots of opportunities to connect students with the transformations of the season. You can use the links I’ve included or find related content that meets your students’ interests. If you also have some favorite spring virtual field trips, I’d love to hear all about it! Sign up for my newsletter below, reply to any email, and tell me all about it.
