Due to the coronavirus, parents are using video conferencing platforms like Zoom to stay in contact with their kids’ friends and teachers. From online learning to virtual playdates, Google hangouts, Zoom, and Skype have become our window to the world, helping ease the sting of social distancing.
The downside? Video conferencing means friends, family and educators aer getting a look inside our homes — that’s not always a good thing (especially when you’re struggling to clean up with everyone home making a mess 24/7!). Using a green screen behind a computer is ideal for keeping your private life private. Alternatively, video conferencing platforms like Zoom have built-in virtual backgrounds to use in the settings.
While Zoom has a couple of virtual template backgrounds for anyone to use, you can also completely customize the experience for your kids. I made a background that showed my daughter’s school campus, so when she logs into her online classroom each day, it looks like she is actually at school.
Canva.com is a photo editing and design template website, and they have stock Zoom backgrounds to download for free. Alternatively, they also have a template where you can add your image to create a custom background. Maybe it is a picture of your actual kitchen, but without the dirty dishes (anyone else feel like they’ve made 500 dinners over the last month?).
So get creative with it! Put your kids in a dance studio or on the soccer field. Fun backgrounds can give kids an incentive to log into the online classroom again because they can select a new virtual background for the day to reflect their moods (sunny or rainy) or favorite interest (Marvel superheroes or Legos)!
Have fun creating your own, but here are a few to download for instant background screen fun!
Yellow Taxi for kids who love cars and cities
Cupcake wall for kids who love sweet, colorful treats
Beach background for kids who love the sand
Track and field for kids who love to run
Swing set for kids who love playgrounds
Building blocks for the budding master builder
Need more virtual backgrounds for kids? Check out my post here with 10 more Zoom backgrounds that kids will love (and grown-ups too!)