If you’re stuck inside with the kiddos during this coronavirus pandemic, chances are you’re slowly running out of ways to keep them occupied. One easy way to keep them (and yourself) occupied while stuck at home is to virtually visit a museum, so here are a few options.
British Museum
Not only can you explore the British Museum’s galleries through Google Street View but also the museum has an option to explore its wares through a timeline. Whether you just want to explore the museum or teach your kids about specific time periods, the British Museum has a myriad of ways to keep your kids entertained while in quarantine.
National Museum of Natural History
Another option for museums is the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, which has five different virtual tours available. Whether you want to explore the permanent exhibits or take a look at current and past exhibits, this is a great museum to virtually visit.
National Gallery of Art
The National Gallery of Art in the United Kingdom has two ways to virtually visit it: through Google Street View or through virtual tours the museum launched in 2011. So you can tour over 18 rooms and 300 paintings all from the comfort of your home. To make it even more fun for your kids, create a scavenger hunt using the art available through the virtual tour.
National Portrait Gallery
Another art museum you can virtually visit is the National Portrait Gallery in London. This museum has seven different rooms you can virtually visit — from the Tudor galleries showcasing Tudor royalty to the Victorian galleries exhibiting art from the reign of Queen Victoria. No matter what galley you decide to explore, this museum is a must for virtual visiting.
Museum of Modern Art
If you want to explore a specific medium of art, Google Arts & Culture has a variety of different art forms from the Museum of Modern Art in New York City to explore. Whether you and your kids want to try and decipher cubism or look at different sculptures, this is a great option for museums to virtually visit.
Metropolitan Museum of Art
If you want to visit The Met, there are two great options to do so. First, The Met has a series of 360 videos you can view to explore the spaces of The Met like the Great Hall or the Cloisters. And then Google Arts & Culture also has a page for The Met where you can explore online exhibits and see much of the art from The Met.
American Museum of Natural History
If art isn’t your thing, the American Museum of Natural History in New York City is another Google Arts & Culture offering. From online exhibits to exploring the mammals and dinosaurs they have, this museum is a great option for curious kids interested in animals and life.
Nasher Sculpture Center
Another art museum that has online resources is the Nasher Sculpture Center. This museum offers primary source teaching resources that include interactive components, videos on how artists create art and you can view their collections online.