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Harry Potter at Home: 18 Best Harry Potter Virtual Experiences

There’s no secret that my kids and I are Harry Potter fans.  We have enjoyed the Harry Potter books, movies, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, been on the Harry Potter Studio Tour in London, experienced Harry Potter in Melbourne and more.

You can even experience everything Harry Potter without leaving your house!

I’ve compiled a list of the best Harry Potter at home experiences from virtual tours to games and toys, books and movies.

 

Harry Potter at Home Virtual Experiences

1. Wizarding World and Harry Potter at Home

Wizarding World is the rebrand of Pottermore and is the official Harry Potter website by JK Rowling for all things Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts and the Wizarding World.

To get the best out of the website I recommend registering at the Wizarding World first. Unfortunately, if you’re based in Australia (like me) you can’t currently sign up for the paid ‘Wizarding World Gold‘ membership to receive extra benefits. 

Wizarding World Harry Potter at Home home page

What Harry Potter house are you in? When you register at the Wizarding World you take the Harry Potter house quiz to get sorted into your Hogwarts house. I’m a Gryffindor, Lady AB is Ravenclaw and Baby 2.0 is a Slytherin. 

(Note if you have a child under 13 years old who wants to register at the Wizarding World an adult needs to undergo a 2-step consent process before a minor can set up a Wizarding World passport account.) 

As part of the registration process, you also answer quizzes to share your favourite magical things, match your personality to your wand and discover your Patronus.

Then start exploring the rest of the site – you’ll discover feature articles for diving deeper into the stories, a Wizarding World crossword and Harry Potter-themed video call Zoom backgrounds!

From Tuesday 5 May different actors, musicians and sportspeople are reading all seventeen chapters of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone/Sorcerer’s Stone for you.

Naturally, the first chapter is read by Harry Potter himself aka English actor Daniel Radcliffe. You can watch Daniel’s reading of Harry Potter the Philosopher’s Stone or listen in audio form via Spotify or Spotify Kids. Here’s a sneak peek!

New narrators are reading a chapter every week. Coming up are Stephen Fry, David Beckham, Dakota Fanning, Claudia Kim, Noma Dumezweni, and Eddie Redmayne, with more surprises and special appearances from across the Wizarding World and beyond to come. 

Fans can even get involved by submitting their artistic interpretations of key scenes and having their artwork to be interspersed in the experience. Here’s how to submit your content.

After each chapter is finished you can test how many house points you can gain with ‘Chapter Challenges‘! There is a Chapter Challenge for every chapter of the first Harry Potter book.

Harry Potter At Home Website

Within Wizarding World is the Harry Potter at Home hub. The hub includes content which is targeted particularly for children. Learn how to make a Hogwarts house bookmark, try a Harry Potter word search and delve through the special First Year Readers hub for Muggles dipping into the Harry Potter books for the first time.

For more Harry Potter at Home updates, sign up to the Harry Potter Fan Club newsletter

2. Harry Potter A History of Magic at British Library

Experience the Harry Potter British Library exhibitionHarry Potter: A History of Magic‘ online! “Because that’s what Hermione does, said Ron, shrugging. “When in doubt, go to the library.”  (Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets)

Learn about how Harry Potter first came to life, how the exhibition was curated, facts about this history of magic and magical artefacts, and explore Jim Kay’s illustrations that bring the stories to life. You can also study like a wizard and learn about the classes at Hogwarts.  

Harry Potter A History Of Magic British Library homepage

To enhance your virtual visit buy the exhibition guide by the British Library Harry Potter A History of Magic.

Buy Harry Potter A History of Magic Amazon | Dymocks

3. Harry Potter Studio Tour

Explore the virtual world Harry Potter Studio Tour in London. It’s an interesting virtual walk through many of the Warner Bros sets, costumes, props, creature effects for any fan of the films, or a general movie buff.  

Getting a close look at the props and costumes is also the perfect opportunity to create ahead if your family loves an opportunity to dress up.

Diagon Alley at Harry Potter Studio Tour London

Related: Harry Potter Studio Tour review with my Harry Potter Studio Tour tips

4. Harry Potter Universal Studios

This point-of-view video takes you through the full experience of the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride inside The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando! This Harry Potter Universal Studios ride is available at Universal Studios Japan Osaka, Universal Studios Hollywood LA and Universal Studios Orlando Florida but not Universal Studios Singapore

During the video, you line up in the castle, complete with moving and chattering paintings, and then hop onto the ride with familiar friendly voices and music, and dodge the fire breathing dragons. Journey through Hogwarts, the Quidditch pitch and the Forbidden Forest.

Related: Universal Studios Hollywood tips

5. Hogwarts is Here

Created by devoted Harry Potter fans, Hogwarts is Here is designed for fans to virtually congregate and participate in Hogwarts classes and community.

There are classes, a library, news and even Hogwarts House Points!  Users sign up for a free membership so they can record achievements and participate in discussions.

Hogwarts Is Here

6. Hogwarts Online

Enrol in Hogwarts Online and join the virtual community that’s been running since 2001.  You can take Hogwarts Online classes, play the Hogwarts Online game and join in discussions. To access Hogwarts Online registration is required. 

Writing and art challenges are available for those who would like to take part. There is also a Quidditch pitch and Hogsmeade to visit for recreational activities.

Hogwarts Online

Related: Best Harry Potter Melbourne experiences

Harry Potter Books

7. Harry Potter Books

If you don’t already have the Harry Potter books at home, purchase the complete series in a Harry Potter box set.

You can also add to your collection with the Hogwarts Library box set (including Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages and The Tales of Beedle the Bard).

Or, if you want to fill in the gaps in your bookshelf or purchase the illustrated books, browse all the Harry Potter book options.

Buy Harry Potter Books Amazon | Dymocks

8. Harry Potter Knitting Book

Have you ever dreamt of having a knitted sweater just like Mrs Weasley creates each Christmas?  With the official Harry Potter knitting pattern book ‘Harry Potter Knitting Magic‘ you can!

There are 25 patterns included, so you can create creatures, décor and wardrobe items.

Buy Harry Potter Knitting Book Amazon | Dymocks

9. Harry Potter Origami Book

There are 15 foldable paper crafts in the Harry Potter Origami kit.  You can fold characters, Hedwig, the Golden Snitch and more with the specially designed illustrated paper.  There is also information about each item you are creating so you can brush up on Harry Potter facts.

And the best bit?  You can play with the pieces once you have finished the origami!

Buy Harry Potter Origami Book Amazon | Dymocks

10. The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook

Make food mentioned in the books to enjoy at home with The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook. Perfect snacks while you’re watching one of the movies or reading the Harry Potter books.

Recipes included in The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook include Irish Soda Bread, Pumpkin Juice, Rock Cakes and other food, with each recipe citing where the food was mentioned in the Harry Potter books.

Buy The Unofficial Harry Potter Cookbook Amazon | Dymocks

Harry Potter Games and Toys

11. Harry Potter Match Crazy Cube Game

In this 2 player Harry Potter Match Crazy Cube Game you are aiming to match 5 of your favourite characters in a vertical or diagonal line before your opponent does. It’s sort of a like a Harry Potter-themed Connect Four and comes in a handy portable case.

Buy Harry Potter Crazy Cube Game Amazon | Dymocks 

12. Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit

Test who is going to ace the Wizarding exams at Hogwarts with Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit (1800 questions) or Harry Potter Bite Sized Trivial Pursuit (600 questions) which is a single wedge filled with Trivial Pursuit cards. 

Buy Harry Potter Trivial Pursuit Amazon | Dymocks 

13. Harry Potter Cluedo

Play the classic boardgame Cluedo with a Harry Potter twist.

You can play as one of your favourite characters and work out who was the culprit, with which magical weapon and in what location.  Lucius Malfoy in the Ministry of Magic with a Cursed Necklace perhaps?

Buy Harry Potter Cluedo Amazon | Dymocks 

14. Harry Potter Codenames

A cooperative card game for 2 or more players, Harry Potter Codenames tasks you to contact all 15 members of the Order of the Phoenix in Diagon Alley.

Work with your partner to share single word clues to determine the location of each member.

Buy Harry Potter Codenames Amazon 

15. Harry Potter LEGO

I really like both LEGO and Harry Potter– so they are definitely a favourite combination. You can buy a range of LEGO Harry Potter, including the LEGO Harry Potter Quidditch Match which is under $50.

Build the four towers of each of the Hogwarts houses, goalposts and rings then play an imaginary game of Quidditch with the Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Severus Snape, Oliver Wood, Lucian Bole and Marcus Flint minifigs!

Buy Harry Potter LEGO Amazon 

16. LEGO Harry Potter Games for PS4 and XBOX

Play the LEGO Harry Potter games on PS4 or XBOX with each set including the two original games (years 1-4 and years 5-7).

You can find and unlock favourite characters and travel through familiar locations.  Includes spell casting, puzzle-solving and duelling.

Buy Harry Potter LEGO PS4 Game Amazon and Harry Potter LEGO XBOX Game Amazon

Harry Potter Movies

17. Harry Potter 8 Film DVD Collection

Have a movie night (or several) with the Harry Potter movies DVD box set of all eight films, ready to watch over and over again.

Buy Harry Potter Movie DVDs Amazon 

 

18. Stream Harry Potter Movies

You can stream the Harry Potter Movies with Amazon Prime.  It is only $6.99 per month and includes lots of great benefits including free shipping on Amazon Australia orders with no minimum spend and streaming tv and movies. Check out all the Amazon Prime member benefits.

If you sign up to the Amazon Prime free trial you get free, fast 2-day delivery from Amazon, great entertainment, exclusive early access to deals and more. You can cancel anytime within the trial period at no cost OR if after the 30-day trial you find it’s saved you heaps of money it’s only $6.99 a month (and you can still cancel at any time). 

Harry Potter And The Philosophers Stone

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This post contains affiliate links. If you book using the links there is no extra cost to you and I earn a small commission that helps me to provide free, valuable and useful information for you! Thanks Joyce

About Joyce Watts

Joyce Watts is a former intellectual property, IT and media lawyer turned serial entrepreneur.

As well as being the founder of TOT: HOT OR NOT she helps businesses with their SEO, email marketing & social media as BrightSmart.com.au; she owns an online bike store CycleStyle.com.au and develops and produces creative experiences for families via WheelieGoodFun.com. She used to publish another popular lifestyle and food blog called MEL: HOT OR NOT The decisive guide to Melbourne.

She lives in inner-city Melbourne with her husband, two children and seven bikes.

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