17 Ways Your Kids Can Learn About Animals & Nature Online

One thing that we have probably all learned over the last several weeks of being stuck indoors is a new appreciation for our world and the life in it. Something as simple as the feel of the grass beneath our feet and being able to enjoy a bird's song is something we long for now more than ever. Whether you are a grown up or just a young child, our current world is riddled with uncertainty and with that, a lot of us are understandably apprehensive and not entirely ready to step back outside just yet.

So if you are planning on keeping the little ones indoors for now, there are plenty of ways for the outdoors to come to them - virtually that is. We have scoured the web for our favourite ways your kids can learn about animals and nature online whether it is facts about man's best friend or about the deep blue sea's underwater secrets.

1. David Attenborough's Great Barrier Reef

Go on an interactive journey with the legendary, David Attenborough, and explore one of the most spectacular, complex but fragile eco systems in the world; The Great Barrier Reef.

Along with Sir David and a multi-sensory online tool, you will go on a unique interactive journey as you peel back the reef to reveal its structure and learn about its past; see and hear the reef as its inhabitant do; discover its uncertain future and learn the steps to be taken to help save it.

2. Animal Planet on YouTube

Immerse yourselves in the full range of life in the animal kingdom with rich, deep content that offers animal lovers and pet owners alike the access to engaging, high-quality entertainment that not only educates and "edutains" but also enriches your boys and girls' knowledge of the animal world. 

3. Nat Geo WILD on YouTube

National Geo Wild is a place for all things animals and for animal-lovers alike. Take a journey through the animal kingdom and discover things you never knew before, or rediscover your favorite animals!

4. BBC Earth on YouTube

Celebrating nature, science, space and the human race, BBC Earth brings you face to face with heart-pounding action, mind-blowing ideas and the sheer wonder of being part of this amazing planet we call home.

5. All Things Animals TV

All Things Animal TV introduces your children to All Things Animal by taking a tour of the dazzling world of the animal kingdom.

Arranged by the environments that the animals live in, including Snow & Ice, Australia, Africa, Farm and Jungle - the videos help children recognize various animals and reveal fun & interesting facts about each animal.

6. Blippi on YouTube

Great for your pre-schoolers, the quirky Blippi has a range of edutaining videos on YouTube where he takes trips to the zoo, visits a farm, explores aquariums and even sings songs to get your kiddies to learn about various animals.

7. Learn About Animals with Smithsonian's National Zoo

The Smithsonian's National Zoo is committed to supporting teachers, students and families around the globe as they face unprecedented new learning challenges.

On their website, you will find resources to engage your little learners in grades pre-K to 12 with science, the natural world, wildlife and conservation. Some things you can expect are Animal Webcam Activities, ZooCrew Family Guide and Animal Clinic Investigation.

8. The Deep Sea by Neal Agarwal

Teach your kids about the ocean's creatures as you scroll further and further down the deep blue sea. A super simple and cute way to get your boys and girls familiar with what's lurking under the surface.

9. The Hidden Worlds of The National Parks

Follow rangers on a journey to places most people never go. You can your kids can explore some of the world’s most stunning national parks like Utah’s Bryce Canyon, New Mexico’s Carlsbad Caverns, Florida’s Dry Tortugas, Hawaii’s Volcanoes and Alaska’s Kenai Fjords.

10.

Take a trip to the San Diego Zoo. Watch live footage of the animals going about their business through the San Diego Zoo’s live cameras – accessible to everyone for free! You can choose to watch their baboons, penguins, pandas, polar bears, apes, koalas, giraffes, butterflies, elephants, tigers, owls and condors.

11. Animal Facts on YouTube

If you love animals, and we know you do, Animal Facts is your place on YouTube. Animal Facts presents information about dogs, cats and other animals in a fun and unique way.

12. Monterey Bay Aquarium - Live Cams

Tune in to ten of Monterey Bay's Aquarium live cams to check out the funny antics of the sea otters or mellow out to the hypnotic drifting of the jelly fish! The different live cam options are Aviary, Coral, Jelly, Kelp Forest, Monterey Bey, Moon Jelly, Open Sea, Penguin, Sea Otter and Shark. 

13. The Northern Lights - Live cam

Sit back and watch the most magical light show the planet has to offer; the northern lights (also known as aurora borealis). This live feed comes in from Manitoba province, in Canada. Your highest chances to see the northern lights are on a clear night.

14. Elephants in South Africa - Live

Watch some gentle giants in their natural habitat in Tembe Elephant Park, which is renowned for having the largest elephants in Africa – and the planet! The park is remote, lying deep in the sand forests and wetlands in northern Tongaland, right on the border between KwaZulu-Natal and Mozambique.

Along with seeing these gentle giants, you can also spot the rest of the Big Five – lion, leopard, black and white rhino and buffalo. There is also the tiniest antelope, the Suni, and a spectacular variety of animals and over 340 bird species.

15. Cliffs of Moher

Take a virtual trip to Ireland's stunning Cliffs of Moher. Towering heights and crashing waves, ageless legends and endless flurrying birds: the Cliffs of Moher are a natural masterpiece.

16. Animals in Augmented Reality

Make nature's amazing creatures come to you with Google's AR animals! This fun augmented reality tool will surely entertain you and your kids as you invite all kinds of animals into your own home - all you need is a smartphone!

17. Yoga for Kids by Cosmic Kids Yoga

Here's a way to make screen time for your kids mix with something healthy and active. Andy’s Wild Workouts are a range of fun and interactive videos that will take your kiddies on a journey as Andy travels the world to amazing places and learns to move like the animals he meets on his wild adventures. Can you adventure with Andy and learn some animal moves of your own?

 

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