The first day of summer marks the most daylight hours of the year and is a perfect opportunity to celebrate the Summer Solstice with kids. It’s a day full of light, warmth, and the promise of summer fun.
When is the Summer Solstice?
The Summer Solstice takes place on June 21st (sometimes on June 20th or June 22nd) in the Northern Hemisphere and December 21st (sometimes on December 22nd) in the Southern Hemisphere.
The Summer Solstice happens on a specific minute of the day (check online to find out the exact time), however you can celebrate the beginning of summer throughout the entire day or week.
Here are fifteen creative and educational ways to celebrate the Summer Solstice with kids.
Watch the Sunrise
Start this special day off by rising early, just before the sun, and watch it rise into the sky. Once the sun rises, it’s a good time to meditate, do yoga, or simply reflect. Summer is a time of growth and light. With the rising sun, think about what you would like to accomplish for the second half of the year.
Don’t want to wake up so early? No problem! Watch the sunrise at Stonehenge on the English Heritage YouTube channel. Learn about the prehistoric structure in England and how the monument was placed to view the sunrise on the summer solstice and the sunset on the winter solstice.
Eat Sun Foods Breakfast
Kickstart the day with a sun foods breakfast, full of yellow, orange, and red food. My go to Summer Solstice breakfast for the kids includes circular pancakes or eggs, cantaloupe or watermelon (I use a melon baller to make them round), and orange juice.
Summer Gratitude Craft
Show gratitude to the sun and the arrival of summer with this summer gratitude craft for kids. Cut out the sun pieces, write what you are grateful for, and glue them to a piece of paper or the template. This craft for kids can be completed individually or as a family.
Nature Walk and Scavenger Hunt
Take advantage of the extended daylight by exploring the great outdoors. Plan a nature walk in a local park, forest, or even your backyard. Create a scavenger hunt list with items like specific leaves, rocks, flowers, and insects. This activity gets kids moving and teaches them about local plants and animals.
Tip: Bring along a magnifying glass and a notebook so your kids can observe and document their findings. Or print the summer journal page below.
Crafting Sun Catchers
Sun catchers are a beautiful way to capture the essence of the solstice. You can make simple sun catchers using paper plates, tissue paper, and glue. Cut out the center of the paper plate, fill it with colorful tissue paper, and hang it in a sunny window.
Supplies Needed:
Paper plate
Tissue paper in various colors
Glue
String
How to make a coffee filter sun catcher:
Spread a coffee filter into a circle on the table.
Color the coffee filter with bright washable markers, especially yellow, orange, pink, and red. Note: the outside edge of the filter will be covered up by the paper plate, so focus coloring the middle.
Move the coffee filter under a plate or outside. Spray the filter lightly using the mist setting of a water spray bottle or garden hose. The colors will begin to run together and create pretty swirl.
Let the coffee filter dry.
Cut the center out of two paper plates. I fold the plate lightly in half and make a cut in the center to start.
When the coffee filter is dry, place it on top of one of the paper plates and glue it in place.
Place the second paper plate on top and glue it in place.
Make a hole at the top of the paper plates and tie some string or yarn.
Hang up your sun catcher in a sunny location and watch it shine in the light.
Sun Snacks
Prepare some sun-themed snacks to enjoy during the day. Think orange slices arranged like suns, sunflower seed butter sandwiches, devilled eggs sprinkled with paprika, or even making homemade lemonade to stay refreshed.
Recipe Idea: Create a sun-shaped fruit platter with mango, pineapple, oranges, and bananas radiating from a central bowl of yogurt for dipping.
Plant a Sunflower Garden
Celebrate the sun by planting sunflowers, which are often associated with the solstice. Sunflowers are easy to grow and can provide a summer-long reminder of the special day. Your kids can help with planting the seeds and watering them.
Learning opportunity: Measure the sunflowers as they grow and keep a growth chart.
Sidewalk Chalk Art
Celebrate the beginning of summer with sidewalk chalk art. Kids can write “Welcome Summer!” on their sidewalk or driveway and draw things related to summer, such as the sun, watermelon, and butterflies. If it’s raining, draw a picture or use these free summer coloring pages.
Solstice Story Time
Find books that explain the summer solstice and read them together. Some good titles include "The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstice" by Wendy Pfeffer and "Under Alaska's Midnight Sun" by Deb Vanasse.
Discussion: Talk about different cultures and how they celebrate the solstice around the world.
Create a Sun Dial
Teach your children about how ancient civilizations kept track of time by making your own sundial. Use a paper plate, a pencil, and some markers to create a simple sundial. Place it in a sunny spot and mark the shadow at each hour. You can also visit a local sundial if there is one in your community. Check out these instructions to make your own sundial at home.
Shadow Drawings
Another way to watch the sun move throughout the day is by making shadow drawings.
Trace your child’s shadow: Have your children stand in your driveway and trace the outline of their shadows. Repeat a few times throughout the day to see how their shadow has changed.
Trace a toy’s shadow: Go outside with a small toy and a piece of white paper. Set the toy in the middle of the paper and trace the shadow. Come back a few times throughout the day to see how the shadow has changed.
Make S'mores with a Solar Oven
Enjoy a sun-kissed treat with s’mores made in a solar oven. Kids can see the sun in action by making a DIY solar oven, which acts like a greenhouse by heating the air inside of a box. If you’ve never made a solar oven before, the Summer Solstice is the perfect time to try. Plus, kids will love the treat at the end of the activity! Here’s directions on how to make a solar oven.
Build a Solstice Bonfire
If it’s safe and permitted in your area, building a small bonfire or fire in a fire ring can be a wonderful way to celebrate. Gather around the fire with your family, tell stories, sing songs, and maybe even roast some marshmallows. Discuss the significance of the solstice and the history of bonfires as a way to honor the sun.
Safety First: Always supervise children around fire and follow local regulations.
Learning Opportunity: Discuss how the Earth’s tilt and orbit around the sun create the solstice.
Evening Picnic and Stargazing
End the day with an evening picnic at the park or your own backyard to watch the sun set. As the sun sets, spread out a blanket, enjoy your picnic, and watch the stars appear. If you have a telescope, this can be a great time to introduce your kids to stargazing and constellations.
Pro Tip: Apps like Star Walk or SkyView can help you identify stars and planets in the night sky.
Backyard Camping
The Summer Solstice is a great time to camp in your backyard! Spend the night outdoors in a tent after you watch the sun set. This is a great option if you have little ones who can’t quite stay up late enough but want to join in the festivities outdoors. You can easily keep your eye on them while you relax and enjoy the fire and stargazing.
Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Kids
Celebrating the Summer Solstice with kids is a wonderful way to connect with nature, learn new things, and enjoy quality family time. Whether you’re crafting, exploring, or simply enjoying the sunshine, these activities can make the day memorable and fun for everyone. Embrace the light, warmth, and joy that the longest day of the year brings and create lasting summer memories with your children.
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