Virtual Field Trips to Spain for Kids
Getting to know different cultures can be the trickiest part of language learning. It’s expensive to travel, difficult to do so with kids, and (as I write this in May 2020) currently prohibited. Given the extent that kids are doing things online these days (virtually everything), it’s not a bad way to learn about Spanish speaking countries, too. To narrow down the overwhelming amounts of information available online, I’ve focused solely on one country -here are a few virtual field trips to Spain for kids.
Before getting started, have your kids learn some basic facts and geography by watching the following short, kid-friendly introductory videos to Spain.
Virtual Field Trips to Spain for Kids
Without further ado, the following virtual field trips to Spain for kids are geared towards Spanish language learners in elementary school -though you’ll find a few that are entertaining for all ages.
Museo del Prado
El Prado is Spain’s national art museum. They offer virtual visits on their website and Instagram account. But the fun part are their educational, art-centric online activities that are made just for kids.
Juegos Sonoros en Casa
Updated every Thursday in May, Juegos Sonoros en Casa pairs a work of art with a related activity to complete at home.
Juego Para Familias
In this massive scavenger hunt, kids download illustrated maps of the museum and are challenged to find a number of objects. Each room of the museum has its own map, list of objects to find, and answer key.
Both programs are great for all ages, but the instructions are in Spanish only.
Casa Museo del Ratón Pérez
Ratoncito Pérez is the Hispanic version of the tooth fairy and Casa Museo del Ratón Pérez is a small museum dedicated to the tiny mouse. It’s primarily based on a story written by Luis Coloma, which stated that Ratoncito Perez lived in that very same building in Madrid.
Coloma wrote the story for King Alfonso XIII, who was eight years old at the time and about to lose a tooth. It follows King Buby (the nickname for the king) as he catches Ratoncito Pérez while trying to exchange his tooth for a gift. King Buby then proceeds to accompany Ratón Pérez for the rest of the night.
While the museum’s website is pretty simple, you can take a quick tour of the museum by watching the YouTube video below.
Then watch an animated version of Coloma’s story.
Museo Casa Natal de Cervantes
Kids can take a virtual tour of Miguel de Cervantes’ birthplace. Cervantes is the author of Don Quixote -arguably the most famous Spanish book of all time.
The house is located in Alcalá de Henares (about 20 miles from Madrid) and decorated to look as it did in Cervantes’ time.
I’ve included it on this list, not because it’s geared towards kids. It’s not. But being able to snoop in a house that’s not yours, that’s decorated for its time period, and that distantly involves an oddball character like Don Quixote -is pretty interesting regardless of age.
The website and virtual tour are available in both English and Spanish.
Museu Nacional d’Art de Catalunya
Barcelona’s premier art museum offers a great selection of art-themed games, memory, coloring pages, puzzles, and virtual tours. The website and activities are available in both English and Spanish.
Fútbol
For the youngest soccer fans, a virtual trip to Spain wouldn’t be complete without mentioning it’s two most prominent teams, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid. And, because I’m not about to get in the middle of which team is better, I’m going to talk about both.
Even the youngest soccer fan can get lost on either website browsing player stats, game clips, and breaking news. Kids can check out Real Madrid’s Kid Zone and a 3D model of Santiago Bernabeú stadium seen from above.
Meanwhile, Barça fans can enjoy some kid-friendly activities and games. As part of their #culersathome movement, kids can design a t-shirt, make Barça themed pizza, play who’s who, have ‘electricity races’, and more from the comfort of their homes. FYI, Barça fans are called culers.
Both teams offer their websites and activities in English and Spanish.
Casa Batlló
Casa Batlló is a house in Barcelona designed by famous architect, Antoni Gaudí.
Their website offers an all-access virtual tour, a 360 degree video experience, and a selection of Gaudí inspired arts and crafts for kids to complete at home -with instructions available in English.
360 Degree Tours
360 degree tours are a great way for kids to (virtually) manipulate their surroundings, explore at their own pace, and be the boss of their own adventure.
Google Arts & Culture
Google Arts & Culture has an overwhelming number of virtual tours for most any country, including Spain. In addition to 360 degree tours, it also has online exhibits, museum tours, cooking videos, and much, much more.
Airpano
Another great option for 360 degree city tours is Airpano. They offer only a few Spanish cities, so the choices are less overwhelming. But you can get great aerial views of major cities like Madrid and Barcelona.
Suggested Places to Visit
If the mere quantity of places to see on Airpano and Google Arts & Culture seems like too much, here is a smaller list of my personal favorites.
- Alhambra: A large palace and fortress, located in Granada, which is in the South of Spain. You can take a virtual tour here or here.
- Anything by Gaudí: I mentioned Casa Batlló earlier, but you’ll also want to check out Barcelona’s Sagrada Familia and Park Güell for more colorful, intricate, and interesting designs.
- Alcázar de Segovia: It’s a castle! And, yes, there are castles all over Spain, but this is one of my favorites. Kids can take the virtual tour and imagine what it might have been like to live there.
- Sevilla’s Plaza de España: Nearly every major city in Spain has a Plaza de España, but none of them live up to Sevilla’s. Plus, several movies have been filmed here, including Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
- Valencia’s City of Arts and Sciences: Because it literally looks like the future. It has also been a shooting location for Tomorrowland, Doctor Who, and Westworld.
Virtual Field Trips to Spain: At Home Activities
Every country on this planet has a rich culture with plenty of interesting sights, museums, and landmarks. Spain is no exception. Thankfully, the internet is here for the win with plenty of virtual field trips to Spain for kids.
If you would like to incorporate additional activities into your kids’ or students’ Spanish learning adventures, you (or your kids) can create a scavenger hunt, checklist, or bingo game card of places in Spain you’d like to visit. The beauty of virtual field trips are that you (or your child) get to be the boss!
¡Buen viaje!
If you enjoyed my virtual field trips to Spain for kids and want to continue learning about Spanish culture check out, How to Make Tortilla de Patatas With Your Kids.
One Comment
Lisa Hays
This “kid” enjoyed this post!