We are all feeling a bit stir crazy these days, and that’s why spending time outdoors can be so beneficial. What can you do when it’s stormy outside, you’re stuck indoors, and you just want to be immersed in nature? We found five ways to help you appreciate nature without leaving your home:

Explore a national park … virtually!

Wishing you could explore all the national parks on your bucket list? Well, you can right now! Some national parks offer great virtual tours and live cams so you can see the sights from the comfort of your own home (for now)! The National Park Foundation listed some of the magnificent parks you can explore; check it out here. So, relax and watch the kelp forests sway on the Channel Islands webcam or watch it snow while you wait for Old Faithful to erupt in Yellowstone National Park. 

Tune in to live wildlife and nature webcams

This is basically a real-world, live stream version of National Geographic. While you work at home, you can live stream some remarkable footage for a fun background and change in scenery! Explore.org has a variety of live streams showcasing wildlife and natural beauty. Some of our favorite live cams are of the bald eagles in Decorah, Iowa; snow-covered ski runs at Homewood Mountain at Lake Tahoe, and the beautiful Aurora Borealis (the northern lights) in Manitoba, Canada!

Escape with outdoor podcasts

Plug in your headphones, find a cozy spot and get lost in some good tales from the trails. Some of our favorite outdoor podcasts are The Dirtbag Diaries, The First 40 Miles, The By Land, and She Explores. 

Tour the National Museum of Natural History

Bored with Netflix? Looking for another educational yet fun activity for the kids? The Smithsonian National Museum can help curb boredom with a long list of fascinating virtual tours. Exhibits you can “wander” through include the Butterfly Pavilion, Polar Forests, Importance of Insects, Soil, and many more! You can find them here.

Virtually visit zoos and aquariums 

You also can broaden you and your family’s horizon by going on a virtual tour of a zoo or aquarium! Apartment Therapy released a list of some of the top zoos and aquariums offering up-close tours and live streaming. You can emulate the sloth in your own natural habitat while gazing into the deep blue of the Georgia Aquarium. 

Keep in mind, we want you to get outdoors, get fresh air, and some Vitamin D. So try to save these virtual visits for days when you need to connect with nature, but going outside isn’t possible.

 

We want everyone to enjoy the outdoors, and we work to build loyalty one connection at a time. Visit our online store today and take advantage of our curbside pickup, local next-day delivery, or standard shipment options! #BeOutdoors