Amazing Seattle Virtual Tours to do When you are Stuck at Home
None of us need any reminders about how life and normalcy changed almost overnight. However, families have taken a crisis and turned it into an opportunity to spend more time together, as well as ways to help children learn more than what their school’s curriculum calls for. In doing so, virtual tours offer an opportunity to visit local attractions without leaving home and dealing with large crowds, as well as learning moments. Here are a few virtual tours in the Seattle area.
Seattle Aquarium virtual tour:
Anyone who has visited the Seattle Aquarium along the Waterfront knows it’s home to interesting exhibits, such as otters. Watching the critters swim about in a pool and play with toys and enjoy a snack or two can make for an enjoyable visit. While we can’t visit in-person right now, you can still watch the otters and more animals – such as octopus, harbor seal, and dogfish – virtually. Click on an animal’s picture and you can learn fun facts about it, as well as educational information. The aquarium includes virtual tours, online children’s activities, and live streaming webcams showcasing animals. The Seattle Aquarium also features an exhibit of the week on its homepage.
Seattle Art Museum virtual tour:
A virtual visit to the Seattle Art Museum offers you a trio of attractions. Tour the SAM’s collections, take a virtual stroll around Olympic Sculpture Park, and visit the Asian Art Museum. With special exhibits online, you can learn about a variety of trees at the sculpture park, as well as view the unique art pieces that are located at the southern end of the Waterfront. Inside the art museum, more than 25,000 pieces of art await you. Click on any of the items in collections ranging from ancient Mediterranean art to Pacific Northwest Native American art to contemporary works and you can learn about each item, with dates, artist information, and significant information about the art piece. The Asian Art Museum features classic and contemporary works from Japan and China to Iran and other nations.
Museum of Flight virtual tour:
Showcasing the history of humans’ infatuation with flight, the Museum of Flight chronicles the story of flight from the days of the Wright Brothers to the International Space Station. Virtual tours take you around the museum, offering views of the aircraft on display, special exhibits, and other collections. Seeking to keep children interested in its story about flight, the Museum of Flight offers experiences featuring 3D explorations, fun activities that also help students better understand how planes work, such as the Blue Angels’ magical stunts, as well as curator-led video tours.
Pacific Science Center virtual tour:
Encouraging children to continue learning while at home, the Pacific Center features weekday Facebook Live performances beginning at 11 a.m. With STEM activities, lessons, and tutorials available online, the Pacific Center offers several activities for children to stay alert and interested in science with its Curiosity at Home program. The science center also offers information on Covid-19, which may help families better understand the virus.
Tacoma Rainier’s activities:
Just because there are physical schools in session doesn’t mean physical education classes need to go by the wayside. The Tacoma Rainiers baseball team wants children of all ages to stay active and healthy. The Rainiers, the Triple-A baseball affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, offer you a list of physical activities you can do just like professional baseball players, including jumping jacks and sit-ups. Besides the physical activities, the Rainiers’ virtual tour includes educational resources targeted for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. Included in the activities are word scrambles, math challenges, and memory activities. The baseball team knows it shouldn’t be all work and no fun, though, and includes coloring sheets available to be printed for fun.
Museum of Glass virtual tour:
Tacoma’s Museum of Glass features YouTube videos that students can watch to learn about glassmaking. Check out the museum’s exhibitions online. The Museum of Glass also encourages families and children to complete activities and other projects offered online.
As you continue to look for ways to keep children interested in learning while at home, your solutions may only be a click away. Explore Seattle-area attractions virtually for fun family activities and learning opportunities for the kids.
