How to Teach Children About the Summer Solstice #summersolstice #longestday #kidsactivities #homeschooling #homeeducation
The summer solstice is more than just the longest day of the year, it also offers a fascinating blend of science, culture and natural wonder that will enthrall your children.
Teaching children about the summer solstice is a great opportunity to inspire curiosity about the natural world, introduce some amazing cultural history, and have fun with seasonal activities.
Read on to find out how to teach kids about the Summer Solstice.
What is the Summer Solstice?
The summer solstice occurs when one of the Earth's poles is tilted closest to the Sun.
In the Northern Hemisphere, this usually happens on June 20th, 21st or 22nd, which is the longest day and the shortest night of the year.
Some countries use this astronomical event to signal the official start of summer.
In the Southern Hemisphere, summer solstice occurs on or around 21st December.
But for kids, the concept of a solstice and being tilted towards the sun can sound a bit abstract.
So how do you explain it in a way they can grasp?
How to Teach Children About the Summer Solstice: Fun, Educational, and Easy Ideas
There are lots of fun, age-appropriate ways to teach children about the summer solstice through science, storytelling, crafts and cultural traditions.
Use some of our engaging activity ideas to help children understand the summer solstice, making it both meaningful and memorable for your young learners.
How to Explain the Summer Solstice to Children
The easiest way is to start with a relatable concept: the Sun.
Most children already understand that the Sun rises and sets every day and that it gets dark at night.
Building from this foundation, you can introduce the idea that:
The Sun appears in different parts of the sky during different times of the year.
This causes the seasons and affects the length of daylight, as well as the path of the Sun across the sky.
In summer, the Sun takes a longer path across the sky, which means more daylight hours.
The longest day of all is the summer solstice.
Try these books to help:
Or download our Summer Solstice unit study for more guidance and activities:
Use Visuals and Analogies
Most children understand best with concrete examples, something tangible that they can relate to.
So use a globe and a flashlight to simulate the Earth’s tilt and orbit around the Sun. Or invest in an orbital model.
Show how the tilt means that the Northern Hemisphere receives more sunlight in June than at any other time in the year.
You might say something like, "Imagine the Earth is like a spinning top that’s leaning. During summer, the top part is tilted toward the Sun, so we get more sunlight hours during the day. That’s what makes the day of the summer solstice so long!"
Introducing Scientific Concepts in a Kid-Friendly Way
The summer solstice is a great chance to explore big ideas with kids.
You could talk to them about the Earth’s rotation, orbit, and tilt, but it’s important to match your explanations to your child’s developmental level.
For preschool to early elementary (ages 3-7) ages, keep it simple and visual.
Talk about the Sun staying in the sky longer and how we get more time to play outside.
The Let's Read and Find Out Science books are perfect for this age group.
For older elementary to middle school age kids (ages 8-12) you can begin to introduce and define new vocabulary like axis, orbit and hemisphere.
Discuss how the Earth’s tilt causes the seasons and encourage questions about how different parts of the world experience the solstices.
For example, what happens at the Equator?
Solstice: Around the World on the Longest, Shortest Day is a brilliant book for this as it explores the daily life of children around the world on that one single, special day in June - the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and the shortest in the southern hemisphere.
If you know someone on the other side of the world, call or email them to compare your solstices.
Connecting Nature and Culture
Many cultures have myths and legends about the solstice and sharing these tales can help children to appreciate how people throughout history have celebrated and explained this special day.
You could start with some geography by looking at the ancient stones, tombs and temples across the world that align with the Sun at the solstice.
Storytelling: Cultural Stories About the Solstice
Stories are such amazing, powerful teaching tools and a fascinating and engaging way to learn about the solstice, and also about different cultures, their beliefs and history.
This is an ideal time to start a new tradition of circle time in your homeschool with storytelling, or share stories with your family around a bonfire.
If you are confident telling stories, research and retell some of these traditional tales:
- Norse mythology speaks of the Sun being a chariot pulled by horses.
- Ancient Egyptians linked the solstice with the rising of the Nile River and the star Sirius.
- Native American groups told stories and marked the solstice with sacred rituals and dances.
These stories provide a lens into how different civilizations observed and celebrated the natural world.
If you prefer to read a book, try one or more of these:
Fun Activities to Celebrate and Learn
We all know children learn best when they’re engaged and having fun, so schedule some of these hands-on activities into your day.
Here are some interactive ways to help kids understand and enjoy the Summer Solstice:
1. Shadow Tracking
On the day of the solstice, go outside with your child/ren every couple of hours to trace the shadow of an object, or their own body.
Stand or leave the object in the same place to see how the Sun's position changes throughout the day.
2. Make a Sundial
Craft a simple sundial using paper, a pencil, and some stones.
Place the pencil upright in some putty and trace the hours by marking the position of the pencil on the paper.
As the Sun moves through the sky, they’ll see how time can be measured by shadows, a concept closely tied to ancient solstice traditions.
3. Build a Mini Stonehenge
Use rocks, LEGO or cardboard boxes to build your own model of Stonehenge and align it to where the Sun rises.
Explain how ancient people used landmarks to mark time and seasonal changes.
4. Nature Walk and Sun Observation
Go for a nature walk and observe how plants and animals behave in the summer.
Look for sun-loving flowers like sunflowers and see how they turn their faces ot the sun, or try to spot birds and animals that are more active in the warmer weather.
Many daisy species exhibit heliotropism too, meaning they track the sun's movement across the sky throughout the day.
Sketch some in your nature journal or make some crafts.
Integrate Art and Creativity
Another way to cement children's learning is by using their hands or imagination to make something memorable.
Art can also help children to process and express what they have learned.
Here are some ideas for creative projects to celebrate the Summer Solstice:
1. Sun-Themed Crafts
Use bright yellow, orange and red art materials to create sun-inspired art.
Encourage kids to design sun masks, paint suns on canvas, or to make solar paper prints using UV light.
2. Solstice Poetry or Journaling
Ask your children to write a short poem or journal entry about the longest day of the year.
Prompt them with questions about how the sun looks and feels; what they like about summer; how the natural world is different in summer, etc.
Bring in Culture and Celebration
The summer solstice has been observed around the world with vibrant celebrations, bonfires, storytelling and dances.
Teaching our children about these traditions is a great way to encourage global awareness and appreciation for different cultures.
Here are some of our favourite global Solstice traditions:
- Sweden: Midsummer is celebrated with flower crowns, dancing around a maypole, and family feasts.
- China: Celebrated with food offerings and honoring feminine energy (yin).
- Alaska and Canada: The Midnight Sun festivals feature outdoor games and music.
Learning about these customs can be a useful gateway into geography, history and social studies, all anchored around a single, shared event.
Do some research together and see how other peoples celebrate around the world.
Encourage Reflection and Connection
Use the solstice as a time to slow down, reflect and connect with nature and your family.
Sit quietly and watch the sunrise or sunset together.
Talk about what you’re all grateful for this summer season.
Start a family solstice tradition like planting seeds or having a picnic in a beautiful setting.
These moments help children to associate the solstice with connection and meaning - not just a science lesson!
How to Handle Common Questions Kids Ask
Children’s curiosity is boundless, especially as this is quite a tricky concept to understand - even for adults!
Here are a few common questions they may ask, and how to answer them in a clear, age-appropriate way:
"Why is the day so long today?"
Because the Earth is tilted toward the Sun right now. That means we see the Sun in the sky for more hours than usual.
"Why is it called the solstice?"
The word 'Solstice' comes from Latin and means "Sun stands still." This is because on this day it seems as though the Sun stops moving higher in the sky and starts going back the other way.
"Is it the same everywhere in the world?"
No, definitely not. When it’s summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. And at the Equator the days are approximately the same length (12 hours) all year round.
If you are looking to explore some of these ideas with older kids, grab our printable study pack:
Tips for Parents and Educators
It seems daunting, but you don’t need to be an expert in astronomy to teach kids about the solstice.
The best way to make the experience as fun and stress-free as possible is to start with your child's interests.
If they love crafts, lead with an art project or creating a model.
Make a poster or draw the sun's movement outside on the patio with pavement chalk.
If they’re into science, build a solar system model.
Look for age-appropriate documentaries and YouTube videos that explain the summer solstice and the movement of the sun and Earth in the solar system.
And remember that the goal is to inspire curiosity and wonder, not to insist on memorizing facts and terminology.
Celebrating together with a delicious picnic or a special sunset viewing trip, as well as some storytelling or delightful living books to read, will turn this Summer Solstice into a memory they'll treasure.
It could even create some new fun traditions for your family.
Resources for Further Learning
Here are some other books and resources that would be useful as you teach your kids about the summer solstice, especially if your child gets hooked on the topic!
Books:
Websites:
These resources break down complex ideas into child-friendly language and visuals.
Why the Summer Solstice Matters
Teaching children about the summer solstice is about more than understanding an astronomical event.
It’s about connecting them to the rhythms of the natural world, learning about diverse cultural traditions and helping to spark a lifelong love of learning.
Whether you celebrate with a story or three, a shadow experiment, some crafts or a handmade sundial, you will help kids to see the world through a lens of curiosity and wonder.
It's time to celebrate the longest day of the year!
More summer solstice ideas:
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