Virtual Travel Adventures for Kids
Traveling is an enriching experience. It feeds the soul and expands one’s horizons. For young children, travel serves as an enjoyable way to increase their knowledge and make them holistic. However, problems arise as traveling to different places is not always convenient, doable, or affordable at the moment. Children, who get bored easily, require immediate and versatile options. Virtual travel adventures are a good way to bridge this gap.
The Benefits of Virtual Travel Adventures for Kids
Virtual travel adventures refer to a specific niche within tourism whereby people can experience different cultures, activities, destinations, and locations without leaving their homes. They are done through a wide variety of multimedia formats, such as pictures, videos, infographics, and 360-degree virtual tours.
There are numerous key benefits of virtual travel. The first and foremost is the convenience and flexibility it offers tourists, saving both costs and time. Secondly, virtual travel is more accessible and allows people to travel to far-off places they would never be able to experience in real life. Thirdly, it is spontaneous and hence perfect for children, who make decisions on a whim due to their varied interests.
Most importantly, virtual travel eliminates the need to wait and plan. Children can visit multiple destinations in a short span. Thus, while virtual travel can never replace real in-person traveling, it caters to a different need that helps in a child’s holistic development and knowledge expansion.
Virtual Travel Adventures in India: The Diversity of Our Nation
India is vast. The tourist experience in all our travel destinations differs. From natural hotspots to historical landmarks, India has a lot to offer. This list of virtual travel adventures in India attempts to cover a diverse range:
1.Nandankanan Zoological Park
Nandankanan, which is located in Odisha, is one of India’s best and oldest zoos. Complete with a botanical garden, a zoo museum, a lake, and various animals, it is visited by many tourists every year. It contains separate sections for different wildlife like an aviary for birds, a reptile center, and even a space for foreign animals like emu and ostrich.
The zoo offers a virtual 360-degree tour, replete with lush visuals and calming background music, that is easy to navigate. Children can experience the rush of visiting a real zoo by looking at pictures of various animals in designated spots, seeing the museum, and enjoying the diverse wildlife of the zoo!
Link - https://www.nandankanan.org/tour/Zoological-Park-Virtual-Tour/
2.Goa
This tropical paradise is on every Indian’s bucket list. Besides the beautiful beaches and year-long warmth, Goa also offers a unique history due to its cultural background from being a Portuguese colony. Along with beaches, Goa has various churches, wildlife sanctuaries, temples, waterfalls as well as adventure activities.
The Goa Tourism website offers an extensive virtual tour of many of Goa’s best landmarks. It is a huge list, covering dozens of museums, numerous beaches, churches, wildlife sanctuaries, temples, and even caves. It offers a lot of flexibility due to its easy drop-down menu where one can tinker and explore to the heart’s content!
Link - https://www.goa-tourism360.com/
3.KidZania
KidZania is a popular indoor adventure park for kids. Children simulate adult jobs and earn real currency. It is a popular tourist attraction as it provides educational entertainment in a structured way for kids. Thus, it is fun and stimulating while also being a great learning opportunity.
Two of KidZania’s primary locations in India are in Mumbai and Delhi NCR. The KidZania website offers 360-degree tours of both these locations, allowing children and adults alike to experience the magic of this innovative role-play park right from home.
Link - https://india.kidzania.com/en-in/pages/kidzania-india-360-virtual-tour
4.Taj Mahal
Built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal, the Taj Mahal encapsulates India’s historical and cultural pride through its beautiful architecture consisting of white marble and intricate minarets. It is considered one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is recognized as an important part of Indian heritage.
The 360-degree virtual tour of the Taj Mahal by Virtual India 360’s YouTube channel is a great way to explore the historical landmark, see its beauty, and explain the complicated but enlightening history behind its creation to children. You can collect some information, open the video, and dive in with your child!
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuCcugJEMEg&ab_channel=VirtualIndia360
5.Dholavira
Located in Kutch district in Gujarat, Dholavira is an archaeological site that contains the ruins of the Harappan Civilisation. It is one of the five biggest archaeological sites of this particular civilization and was once a grand city. It is nearly 120 acres big.
This short video by Gujarat Tourism contains calming background music, audio explanations, concise descriptions, an exploration of history, and clear video visuals. If your child is a budding historian, this is the perfect tour to explore.
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3T50bZUb0kQ&ab_channel=GujaratTourism
6.National Museum of India
Located in the capital city of Delhi, this museum is one of India’s oldest and largest, coming under the direct jurisdiction of the Ministry of Culture. It covers prehistoric to modern knowledge. Everyone is bound to find something of interest within its exhibits due to their diverse offerings.
The Museum’s website has uploaded a collection of videos covering its various exhibits as well as a virtual tour of the museum within nine minutes. Some things that can be seen include a tour of the Medieval Art collection, ancient folk toys, historical footwear as well as Northeast culture.
Link - https://nationalmuseumindia.gov.in/en/museum
7. Virtual Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are fun and engaging. They require deciphering a variety of clues and finding the solution so one can escape the room or solve the mystery. One of India’s most popular providers of this format of entertainment is Mystery Rooms, which has branches across the country.
What is little-known is that they also offer virtual mystery room experiences. These games, which are multi-player, can be purchased online from their website and enjoyed as a family. They are perfect for those days children want to wrack their brains!
Link- https://www.mysteryrooms.in/online-escape-games/
International Virtual Travel Adventures
Global exposure through travel is important, but it is inaccessible and often unaffordable. Virtual tours bridge that gap and allow children to see international locations. Some include:
1.Disneyland Paris
Disneyland is well-known as the land of dreams. Every child wants to visit this amazing amusement park and explore the rides while interacting with their favorite childhood characters. Disney theme parks are not only popular amongst kids, but also cherished by adults who want to celebrate their inner child.
There is a well-made 360-degree tour of Disneyland Paris which attempts to recreate the magic of the park virtually. With instructions and information in both French and English, this tour acts as a temporary suspension of disbelief as one transports oneself to the world of magic and wonder!
Link - https://www.disneyland-360.de/tour/
2.Statue of Liberty
This historical landmark located in New York was a gift to the United States of America from the people of France. It is 93 meters tall and a sight to behold. The figure represents Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty and freedom. It was meant to celebrate 100 years of American independence and the abolition of slavery.
The National Park Service of the US, a government body, has designed a virtual tour of the statue consisting of spherical images and historical information. It can be viewed on their website.
Link - https://www.nps.gov/hdp/exhibits/stli/stli_tour.html
3.Tokyo
Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is one of the world’s most densely populated cities. It is known for its blend of modern and traditional architecture, its stunning nightlife, its civic sense, its range of historical landmarks, and pop culture coverage of anime, manga, and other Japanese media.
The virtual tour of the city by 360 cities provides panoramas and aerial views of various Tokyo hotspots. It is fairly simple to navigate and it packs a punch within a single webpage!
Link- https://www.360cities.net/area/tokyo
4.Ship Tours
Luxury cruises and ships are fascinating to children. These floating marvels are like miniature cities on the water. Ships offer a wealth of activities, sights, and experiences that captivate young minds. On ships, children are transported to a world of adventure as well as exploration.
Riviera River Cruises offers 360 virtual tours of its various ships. Children will love exploring and discovering the interiors of these fancy ships!
Link - https://www.rivierarivercruises.com/360-virtual-tours
5.Louvre Museum
One of the world’s most popular museums, the Louvre is located in Paris, France. It is home to some of the world’s greatest and best pieces of art, especially those made in the medieval age and the Renaissance. Children who are creative and historically inclined will love the Louvre.
The Louvre website offers virtual tours of its various galleries. While navigating this online tour might require some parental guidance, it is perfect to ignite a child’s curiosity and get them interested in art.
Link - https://www.louvre.fr/en/online-tours
6.Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu, located in Peru, contains the ruins of a citadel city that belonged to the Inca Empire of South America. It is estimated that the city was built in the 1400s and is now one of the primary pieces of evidence of the Incas’ existence. Since the civilization did not have a script, Machu Picchu is considered mysterious and a lost city.
Google Arts and Culture offers a virtual tour of Machu Picchu, including pictures and information, as well as 360 views of the trail and sanctuary. It is perfect to explore with kids!
Link - https://artsandculture.google.com/project/wonders-of-machu-picchu
Virtual travel adventures are a unique way for children to explore the world, enriching their knowledge and stimulating their curiosity without leaving home. These online experiences offer convenience, accessibility, and endless opportunities for learning and fun.
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