How to Livestream Aquariums and Zoos From Home

Although zoos and aquariums across the country are closed due to the coronavirus outbreak, you can still access the animal exhibits and educational activities they offer.

By Melissa Wickes June 22, 2020

Everyday is a struggle to find something new and exciting to keep kids occupied during this COVID-19 quarantine. With the abundance of apps, games, and streaming services within arms reach, it's even more difficult to find activities that will actually keep them engaged for a long period of time. Luckily, zoos and aquariums all over the country are providing animal exhibit livestreams, online events, Q&As with zoo and aquarium staff, and many more animal-related resources and fun for you to access for free on their websites. These activities are not only engaging and exciting for the kids, but they are educational too.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Access ten live cams displaying different Monterey Bay exhibits including sea otters, jellyfish, the open ocean, and more. Streaming from 10am-10pm ET.

Charles Paddock Zoo

Every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, tune into Virtual Zookeeper Talks on Facebook that highlight species at the Charles Paddock Zoo.

Long Island Aquarium

Live stream the Coral Cam, the Long Island Aquarium's 15-year-old reef exhibit.

Wildlife Conservation Society

The Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Queens Zoo, and Prospect Park Zoo will be sharing animal content like videos, virtual learning, and Instagram stories visiting animals to bring the zoo to you. Visit this page to stay updated.

Georgia Aquarium

The Georgia Aquarium offers nine live, underwater live streams, including the Ocean Voyager cam where you'll get to see the magestic Whale Shark in action.

Virginia Living Museum

8am: Diet of the Day (Facebook)
10am: Awesome Animal Ambassadors - Daily encounters with a VLM ambassador animal presented by expert staff (Facebook)
11am and 2:30pm: VLM Live Facebook- Watch exhibits live and have your questions answered by keepers/ aquarists
12pm: Nature at Noon- Learn about something you can find in your backyard (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram)
2pm: Social Picks (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or Youtube. Platform subject to change daily)
- Mondays: Bo Knows Mammals
- Tuesdays: Twitter Chat
- Wednesdays: Weird & Wild
- Thursdays: Outdoor Adventure
- Friday: Science Friday
- Saturday: Living Sustainably
- Sunday: Starry Stories
VLM Mysteries: Identify the photo on Instagram
6pm: Virginia Skies- Discover the night sky and learn tips on what to look for (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
8pm: Night Night Nature- Bedtime stories for ages 5 and younger

Buttonwood Park Zoo

Virtual Keeper Chats: Daily, 11am; Facebook Live
Nature Connection: Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter activities
Virtual Field Trips: Interactive, multimedia live exhibit footage or science demonstrations

The Florida Aquarium

SeaSpan: Weekdays, 10am; Facebook Live take you on a virtual tour of galleries, animal exhibits throughout the aquarium, storytimes, and more

South Carolina

Virtual Aquarium Visit: Daily; Interpretive opportunity with an animal exhibit or animal ambassador. 10am STEM-based lesson, 1pm family nature challenge

Utica Zoo

Uti-kaZoo: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; Utica Zoo Kid's Academy: Learn about alligators, crocodiles, Waylon, and more via videos and activities

North Carolina Zoo

Edventures Facebook Live: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, 10am; Educational, live presentation about animals and nature. Topic varies each day.

Phoenix Zoo

Digital Safari Live: Daily, 1pm; Facebook Live educational programming, virtual safaris, and behind-the-scenes animal caretaking

Virginia Zoo

Virtual Voyage: Daily, 2pm; Behind the scenes animals and education on social media platforms

Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk

Live Q&A's: Daily, 3pm; Animal husbandry team will accept animal questions daily from 10am-3pm and then you can watch your answers via webcast watch party on Facebook at 3pm

Birmingham Zoo

Meet the Neighbors: Daily, 12:15pm; Meet animals and staff
Virtual Zoo Camp: Engaging activities for the whole family

New England Aquarium

Video Presentation: Daily, 11am; Facebook videos featuring videos with aquarists, animal feedings, and behind-the-scenes animal care

Seneca Park Zoo

Zoo projects for kids and adults to do together

Brookfield Zoo

Bring the Zoo to You: Weekdays, daily 12pm ET; Facebook live. Educational insight from animal care specialists

Zoo New England

Zoo to You daily videos and fun print-outs, games, quizzes, and more

Greenville Zoo

Facebook Live Educational Encounters: Tuesday-Thursday, 10:30am
Facebook Live Keeper Check-in: Monday-Friday, 2:30pm

Toledo Zoo

Facebook Live: Daily; Animals and staff highlights, behind the scenes
Video presentations: Facebook videos including interviews, animal feedings, and behind the scenes looks at animals

Oregon Zoo

Go behind the scenes with animals and connect with animal care staff on Facebook Live. Access at-home activity ideas to coincide with the videos on the Oregon Zoo website.

Ripley's Aquarium of Canada

Explore various Ripley's exhibits including the Ray Bay, Reef Shark tank, and sea turtles on Facebook Live.

For updates on live streams and animal events, visit the Association of Zoos and Aquariums website.

Main Image: Whale Shark at the Georgia Aquarium, which you can live stream here.