Family friendly virtual experiences are now part of our everyday routine. So here are six Kids Trail destinations bringing the entertainment and education to your living room. Use these experiences to supplement your child’s at-home learning. Or just kick back and enjoy them as a family.
Family Friendly Virtual Experiences on the VA Kids Trail
While watching online can’t match the real thing, it does provide newfound knowledge and even relieve some boredom. Museums, libraries, parks as well as area resorts are providing virtual experiences. Not only can you learn something new, you can also have some at-home fun, too!
Museum Virtual Experiences
Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum: Ever wondered how many people can fit in a T-Rex mouth? Or how to work the right angle for a mini golf hole in one? Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum is offering new virtual exhibits on an almost daily basis. In addition to being entertaining, they’re also great teaching tools. You’ll find easy to grasp history lessons, art and fine motor activities, experiments, videos and resources galore. SVDM makes learning fun!
Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center/Air & Space: There are virtual experiences for everyone with Air & Space Anywhere. The museum has a terrific series of K-12 video programs. Watch Stem in 30, a collection of videos covering subjects like spy planes, exoplanets, and space travel. Learn all about the moon and search for new planets with E.Z. Science. Astronauts make it fun with ISS Science. You can also listen to the AirSpace Podcast and take virtual tours of the Chantilly, VA and Washington, DC museums as well.
The Local Library Goes Virtual
Handley Regional Library: You can get live story times on the library’s Facebook page. Love Legos? Check out the Facebook Live club. In addition, there are also drawing classes and virtual games for teens. For more details, visit the library’s website calendar. And don’t forget to use your library card to check out the Handley’s digital collections. You’ll find eBooks, AudioBooks, movies, music, and more.
Bring the Outdoors Indoors with State Parks
Virginia State Parks: Have you ever wanted to tour all of the Virginia State Parks? Now you can from the comfort of your home. Take some tours with videos on the State Park Facebook page. You can even learn how to make Solar Powered S’Mores. And on May 16, celebrate National Parks to Kids Day with a full slate of interpretive programs on Facebook.
Have a Virtual Experience at a Favorite Resort
Massanutten Resort: In light of Covid-19, the staff at Massanutten has been keeping busy in the virtual world. Have you seen Massenutten Moments? Videos cover yoga, exercise, cooking, healthy living, and crafts – fun for all ages. Make matching tie-dye T-shirts to wear on a future family adventure. You can also catch Massanutten Moments on Facebook, YouTube or IGTV.
Capon Springs & Farms: This all-inclusive, family-friendly West Virginia resort has a nice collection of videos on YouTube. Learn about the resort’s early history. Get next to nature with an Eastern Screech Owl sighting. Hang out with the farm’s chickens then learn how the cooks at Capon make delicious apple butter.
We hope these virtual experiences will help to entertain and educate your children. And when these destinations open again, go experience them in person along with other great stops on the VA Kids Trail.