Screen Time – it’s that double-edged sword we as parents lament on a daily basis. We’ve all heard the expert rules on limiting screens, but let’s face it – with school cancelled, most parents just really, really need a break! We’ll take it one step further – why not enjoy a mini-getaway with these 8 Can’t Miss Virtual Experiences Parents and Kids can enjoy together!


I guarantee it will be the best part of your day! The animal webcams at the Houston Zoo give you the chance to see some of the zoo’s most popular creatures – from the elephants in their play yard, to the rhinos in their muddy habitat, to the giraffes, who can be seen neck-up strolling into and out of the camera screen.

Maybe you’d rather check out an amazing underwater world – check out the webcams from the Monterey Bay Aquarium. Try the coral reef cam and the open sea cam, where you can see a wide variety of creatures – or pick a favourite animal to check out, like penguins or my beloved sea otters.

Disneyland may be closed, but thanks to the magic of google street view you can still enjoy the Magic Kingdom! (To protect the privacy of visitors, all faces have been blurred in the street view image.)

Another can’t-miss street view style tour is the galleries of the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History! I was blown away by the sharp images of dinosaurs, animals, artifacts and more!

Want to check out the view from the top of the Eiffel Tower without having to climb all those pesky stairs? Google Arts & Culture gives you the chance to see the city of lights as many of us have never done before!

Your travel plans may be on hold right now, but you don’t have to skip out on amazing adventures. See one of the great wonders of the world, up close and personal, when you take a virtual tour of the Great Wall of China!

NASA’s Space Centre Houston app lets you go beyond the basic virtual tour by including the audio stops that are at the museum. Learn new stories about the human journey to space!

Inject a little culture into your day! The Metropolitan Opera is offering a nightly free live stream of a performance each evening, starting at 5:30 pm MST. Metopera.org


Looking for more tips on how to keep your kids occupied during the COVID-19 crisis? Find our best ideas, activities and inspiration here!