20+ VIRTUAL SUMMER ADVENTURES FOR KIDS

With social distancing still in place and many summer plans canceled, the season will definitely look a lot different this year. Good news is that online opportunities for fun, play and entertainment are virtually endless! Here’s a list featuring Fourth of July happenings, virtual field trips, free online camps, animal encounters, story times and reading resources, and other awesome activities that can still make summer cool.

PLAY & ENTERTAINMENT

Experience the thrill of your favorite SeaWorld park rides through first person coaster videos, and enjoy park-inspired recipes, easy-to assemble crafts and coloring pages through SeaWorld@Home. Also, get the chance to be featured on SeaWorld’s website by sharing photos of your activities on social media with hashtag #SeaWorldAtHome. www.seaworld.com/at-home

Feeling bummed about all the canceled fireworks shows in the area? You can still get your fireworks fix with a touch of Disney magic! Check out the Disney Parks Youtube channel to get a front row seat right in front of Cinderella Castle at Walt Disney World Resort, and watch as the castle becomes a canvas for the stories of beloved characters in the Happily Ever After fireworks show. www.youtube.com/user/disneyparks

Boss Baby, Shrek, the Trolls and other favorite Dreamworks characters unite to bring you hours and hours of fun and entertainment through the Dreamworks Activity Center. Have a blast with crafts, games, coloring and connect-the-dots pages, recipes, music and irresistible Zoom backgrounds! http://create.dreamworks.com

Hang out with your favorite Marvel superheroes at Marvel HQ where you can play free online games featuring Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy and more. Also includes comics, cartoon videos and fun activities. www.marvelhq.com

Missing Comic-Con? Break out your capes, wear a “super” outfit and create your own Comic-Con inspired celebration at home! For details, visit https://issuu.com/sandiegofamilymagazine/docs/san_diego_family_july_2020/32

ART

Learn how to draw Captain Underpants, Dog Man, Li’l Petey and other beloved Dav Pilkey characters courtesy of Dav Pilkey at Home. Also, read Dog Man comics, watch fun videos, get free coloring sheets and enjoy games and activities including the opportunity to create your own Dog Man graphic novel. http://kids.scholastic.com/kids/books/dav-pilkey-at-home

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

Craving for a dose of wildlife? San Diego Zoo Kids Corner brings you half-hour virtual “funshops” filled with trivia, arts and crafts, and exciting activities. Visit intriguing animals at the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, as well as other zoos and aquariums around the world, and learn fascinating wildlife facts. http://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/kids-corner

SCIENCE

NASA lets you explore the universe from the comfort of your couch. Check out NASA at Home where you can learn how to draw Artemis (NASA’s Space Launch System rocket), find science experiments you can do using household items, create a video game that lets players explore Mars with a helicopter, travel into deep space in search of exoplanets and more. www.nasa.gov/nasa-at-home-for-kids-and-families

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FREE VIRTUAL CAMPS

Parents can fill their children’s summer with exploration, creativity and fun with Camp PBS KIDS. Discover ideas, games and parent-led activities around different themes such as PBS KIDS Read, Blast Off into Space, Dive into Dinosaurs, Get Creative with the Arts and more. www.pbs.org/parents/page/summer

Varsity Tutors offers weeklong camps for ages 5-18 through August. Explore the Spanish language and culture, inventive and eccentric artists, digital photography, the history of rock ‘n’ roll, creative writing, science activities, recycled art, cooking and more. Register at www.varsitytutors.com/virtual-summer-camps.

STORY TIMES/SUMMER READING

Don’t miss this year’s virtual summer reading program by the San Diego Public Library with the theme, “Dig Deeper: Read, Investigate, Discover.” Read 10 books or read for 10 hours to collect prizes, and complete at-home activities to earn digital badges. Program runs through Aug. 31. www .sandiego.gov/public-library/kidsandteens/summerreading

Do you have an American Girl fan at home? Check out American Girl’s free online library and meet girls from different times and places who will share their stories of adventure, family and friendship. New books will be available for download each week. www.americangirl.com/explore/ articles/onlinelibrary

Join beloved icon Julie Andrews for a special story time! Check out Julie’s Library, a literacy podcast where she reads children’s books alongside her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. Every story comes to life with music, sound and activities. www.julieslibraryshow.org

Enjoy stories, songs and delightful activities with San Diego County Library’s Story Time Shorts. Spanish story times are also available. www.sdcl.org

Read The Ickabog, a new story by J.K. Rowling, which she wrote more than 10 years ago as a bedtime story for her children. Also, kids, ages 7-12, are invited to let their imaginations run wild by illustrating characters and scenes featured in Rowling’s story as it unfolds online. Get the chance to have your artwork featured in the book which will be published in November. Contest deadline is July 17. For competition details, go to www.theickabog.com/home.