Homebound Kids Need A Distraction? How About A Visit To The Virtual Zoo!
June 26, 2009 – 7:13 amBorrowing a bit from home-schooling parents, I decided to do a bit of computer traveling courtesy of Google for virtual places to visit with the kids when it’s not possible to leave the house. Sometimes, whether it’s a stormy day or just for simple economics, we have to stay home. Kids need entertainment, education, and I need a break. So, I started my search for something to do.
Lo and behold! A virtual trip to the zoo appeared! I was pretty sure I would discover what exhibits were at the zoo, but didn’t even consider the amount of interesting live or video-taped animal antics we could see… and all right there for the clicking!
The site I found to be very easy to use and full of goodies was The National Zoo, aka The Smithsonian National Zoological Park. Click on the live cam link to, hopefully, catch the pandas, flamingos, lions, panthers, and a whole host of critters roaming around, going about their business. You may not get a glimpse right away, but it’s worth keeping the cam going as long as you can to see what’s happening. One link we enjoyed was a video of the “fishing cats” catching their dinner. That’s truly worth seeing while you wait for the lions to wake up and walk around.
Of course, there are other zoos that offer virtual visits along with live cam shots of many of their resident critters. Do a virtual zoo search and you’ll be surprised what you’ll find… for free!
A virtual visit to a zoo may not be the same as a real live visit, but on a rainy day, when the kids are restless, and you’re going a bit batty yourself, the ability to relax and watch a couple pandas play, or watch a mama and baby elephant on parade, can really boost your family’s morale. Learn something new and have a little fun… without the cost of admission!