Visit Orlando compiles virtual learning experiences from local attractions
To help the parents who are juggling working from home, sheltering, and now teaching their children from home, Visit Orlando has compiled a list of more than 20 free online learning activities from the region’s travel partners to keep kids engaged and educated.
These activities offer education with an attractions-themed twist, including lessons about space from astronauts, engineering from theme park designers, and physical education tips from a golf pro. All of these offerings have been gathered to one central place where you can browse them all — VisitOrlando.com/blog.
“Millions of families are not only learning how to school at home, but also missed out on a fun spring break vacation, so we hope this helps ease the pain on both fronts,” said George Aguel, president and CEO of Visit Orlando. “As the theme park capital of the world, Orlando is home to some of the most creative minds and entertainers out there, and our tourism industry has teamed together, using their skills to help kids and parents who are adapting to this current reality.”
Check out the breakdown of all the compiled virtual activities and educational tools (with links) below:
Creative Expressions
- Disney has several at-home activities to try:
- Learn to design theme parks, engineer thrill rides, and develop characters from the Imagineers themselves with the free online program created in partnership with the Khan Academy and Pixar.
- Draw Mickey Mouse with tutorials on the Disney Parks YouTube channel.
- Characters from across Disney’s vast library help with lessons on the new Disney Magic Moments website, from story time with celebrities to cooking recipes and educational activities.
- Interact with droids from Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge test your Disney trivia, download official Disney playlists and more with the Play Disney Parks mobile app.
- Go behind-the-scenes of what makes your favorite rides run with the Science of Universal Orlando Resort videos produced by NBC Learn with Universal Orlando Youth Programs.
- Watch live singalongs with celebrity musicians, learn techniques for sidewalk masterpieces, art tutorials, and a fun new craft every day on Crayola Experience’s Facebook page.
- Explore life’s oddities on Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Odditoriums at home, which offers live content on Facebook, at-home activities for all ages, and unusual facts about famous people throughout history.
- Practice building flowers, dinosaurs, and flying cars with new Lego challenges, tips, and activities on Legoland Florida’s Facebook page.
- Create your own coat of chivalry or color a princess crown via Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament – Orlando’s Facebook page.
Science
- Enjoy “Story Time from Space,” a series of audiobooks read by real astronauts, or learn about living in space, Mars and rocketry with the ongoing series of Facebook Live videos from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Parents can find even more downloadable activities here.
- Future scientists can find videos on projects like making rock candy and slime on the Orlando Science Center’s website. Other tutorials include making your own superhero training camp and creating dinosaur fossils.
Biology Class Gone Wild
- Gatorland’s School of Croc on Facebook goes live every day at 10 a.m. to showcase animals and educate viewers of all ages. On their YouTube channel at 3 p.m. each day, viewers can see live-action encounters with animals like Burmese pythons, crocodiles, alligators, and lizards.
- See animals from all over the world and learn more about them through SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment’s distance learning resources, which includes hands-on classroom activities, teacher’s guides, videos and more.
- Read with sea creatures during “Under the Sea Story Times” every Sunday and experience educational animal encounters on Sea Life Aquarium’s Facebook page.
- Listen to the sounds of the jungle with Wild Wednesday Nature Sounds on Wild Florida’s social channels.
Brain Games
- Put your problem-solving skills to the test with free online games from The Escape Game’s TEG Field Trips, which take students virtually through museums and historic landmarks.
Virtual P.E.
- Gym class goes online with Topgolf’s WGT Golf online or on mobile devices. you can find additional tips, drills, and printable quizzes through their downloadable guide here.
The Arts
- Learn to juggle, face paint, or dance like a Cirque du Soleil performer through CirqueConnect, a new digital content hub featuring a section just for kids’ content.
- Experience the #MuseumFromHome with Orlando Museum of Art’s free online archives and social media channels.
- See comedy and magic come together to teach lessons about bullying through two full-length productions filmed live onstage of “Pip-Squeak, An Anti-Bullying Magic Show,” presented by The Orlando Repertory Theater.
History
- The Holocaust Memorial & Resource Center of Florida is encouraging kids to share stories of how they helped others through YouTube video submissions.
- Learn about native Americans pioneers and famous people in history on the Orange County Regional History Center’s website. Activities include historic coloring pages, lesson plans, and even virtual tours.
To check out all of these at-home activities, lessons and more, head to VisitOrlando.com/blog.
