Unless you have a boundless imagination it is tricky to think of 'new' places to explore to keep the children entertained whilst stuck at home. But just because you can't get on a plane doesn't mean you can't visit some extraordinary venues and see some other-worldly places! We have gathered some virtual tours to take you from your sofa to amazing places around the world at the click of a button! 

• Staying close to home we head straight to the artefacts of the British Museum
• Maybe your child is a budding cricketer but has never been bowled over by Lord's Cricket Ground. Let them walk through the hallowed ground where the greats like Ian Botham and Joe Root have stepped up to the wicket!
• No need to lose the "buckswashlingly brilliant" storytelling delights from the Roald Dahl Museum. This virtual tour is also part of a fantastic website that will capture the imagination of young story writers giving hints and tips in wonderful writing ways!
• If your child is more of an astronaut at heart then NASA Glenn Research Centre is the place to head. 
• Artist? Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam should inspire them to get their paintbrushes out.
• Maybe you'd like to step back in time and travel to the Acropolis in Greece or if you've never made it to Stonehenge...
• If you've ever wanted to see the Sistene Chapel in the Vatican but couldn't bear the crowds.You can enjoy this virtual tour of Michelangelo's magnificent masterpiece in peace.
• Are you mad about animals? There's a few virtual zoos and aquariums with live cams to see the animals and sealife as well as some in the wild.
  • Did you know Edinburgh Zoo was famous for its giant pandas? 
  • Another favourite is watching the sea otters at Monterey Bay Aquarium.
  • If the children would like a bedtime glance at a zoo having lunch head to San Diego zoo who are 7 hours behind us
  • The African plains with elephants and big cats your all time wonder? Check out Africam
  • Go deep sea diving with sharks or pretend you are swimming in the coral reef with the live ocean cams at Explore.
• And if you want to see the Seven Wonders of the World you can!
• Or you can literally watch the world go by with the live view from the International Space Station.  [Note: We would recommend hiding the Live Chat window before showing this to the children]
• Or if it's just the beauty of a sun rising and setting again over London then watch a 24hr view from the top of the Shard. Then go on a 360 degree tour of all the landmarks you spotted starting with a view from the top of the London Eye.  Click on the landmarks indicated for a closer look outside and in.