Every year around June 21st, we celebrate the summer solstice, the longest day of the year. What a beautiful time of year to be celebrating the arrival of summer, soaking up some sun, and spending time in nature. This is a perfect time for families, especially those with kids, to do fun, educational and creative activities. In this post, we will share fun summer solstice activities, summer solstice party ideas, and other fun ways to celebrate summer solstice with kids throughout the summer.
What Is the Summer Solstice?
We enjoy learning what the summer solstice means. Indeed, summer solstice is a day when the Earth directly points its farthest angle to the Sun, which causes the longest days and shortest nights the Sun has ever had in the calendar year. It is that annual phenomenon that different civilizations on Earth have celebrated for centuries.
Children may also enjoy the educational component of solstice by learning science facts about the solstice. But it is also a time to bond through creative stuff and rejoice the nature, as a family.
Nature Walks and Sun Observations (Outdoor Adventure)
And spending time outside this summer solstice point would be a great way to celebrate. Summer solstice activities for kids might involve a nature walk or hike to appreciate the beauty of the longest day. It will be at its highest point in the sky making this the ideal time for sun-related activities.
Sunspot Exploration
A safe observation of sunspots, using solar viewers or other indirect sunlight, is also one of fun activities done here on such days. In this way, kids are learning about the surface of the sun while out playing. You can even design some basic experiments for tracking shadows with kids where kids will track and record shadow movement over time.
Solstice Scavenger Hunt
You might plan a solstice scavenger hunt, where kids scout and gather natural items that represent summer flowers and leaves and rocks or just find them in your own local parks or in your backyard. This is going to come exciting for you with the fun challenges, like ‘find something yellow like the sun’ or “spot a bird flying high up in the sky”.
Kids Summer Solstice Party Ideas
They can give you tips on summer solstice party ideas, which can come in handy when you want to throw a special event for your loved ones in the family or friendship circle. The celebration includes games, crafts, food, and more all of which will make this event incredibly memorable for your kids.
Solstice Bonfire
One popular way to celebrate the summer solstice is with a bonfire. Build a small bonfire or fire pit in your backyard, if your city or town permits it. Children enjoy roasting marshmallows, telling stories and singing songs by the fire. The bright sun is an impulse to retreat; fire is a warm contrast, and evening is a magic handshake.
Solstice-themed Craft Station
Set up a craft station with yellow paper, glitter, and flowers to use as materials for kids making their own sun crowns, or paint stones into bright summer colors. This is another fun activity to celebrate the sun while you get creative.
Solar-Powered Fun
Add solar-powered toys (think solar car, wind chimes) to your party ideas. Solar powered, these toys are one way to help kids engage with the energy of the solstice while also helping them learn about renewable energy.
Dancing and Music
Have a rockin’ dance party on the solstice with music. Kids can bust a move in the backyard or living room as you pump up a playlist of space-age tunes. You might even create a summer solstice playlist packed with songs about the sun, nature or summer that will get them dancing.
How to Celebrate Summer Solstice with Kids
The summer solstice is a great time for kids to learn about nature and astronomy, but also a little about the history of the solstice celebrations as well. Here are some summer solstice activities for kids that you’ll find are both fun and educational.
DIY Solar Oven
A low-tech, hands-on way to celebrate the solstice is to assemble a solar oven. You could make a solar oven using a pizza box, aluminum foil and plastic wrap. Children can then attempt to cook simple foods, such as s’mores or melting chocolate with the sun’s energy. This project teaches children about solar energy and how strong the sun can be on the longest day of the year.
Sun Art Projects
Foster creativity by making sun art, like sun prints with special light-sensitive paper. Children can lay any objects onto the paper, including leaves, flowers, or small toys, and allow the sun to do its work! After a few hours of sun exposure, the paper will dramatically reveal stunning impressions of the objects. And it’s a fun way to learn about the power of the sun.
Storytime and Myths About the Sun
All cultures have their own sun stories and myths about its purpose. Read books on sun-themed stories or tell the myths of various cultures and gather your children around for storytime. For example, Native American tradition almost always has a ceremonial presence involving the sun. In Scandinavian cultures, Midsummer celebrations are based on the solstice through ceremonies and dancing. So teaching your children these stories expands their outlook on this ancient practice.
Gathering with Solstice Foods
Bizarre, one of the best ideas to embrace the summer solstice in your actions is food. Definitely, a summer solstice party will not be perfect without a simple set of sumptuous foods to welcome the occasion. Here are a few inspiring ideas that could ignite your solstice feast:
Sun-Inspired Snacks
Make sun-shaped snacks such as sandwiches, sun-shaped cookies or fruit. Orainbow fruit salads with orange, pineapple, and mango will also have a bright and sunny feel for the day.
Lemonade Stand
Setting up a lemonade stand is a refreshing way to celebrate the solstice. Kids can assist in making the lemonade, decorate the stand in bright sunny colors, and sell their homemade drink. This is a simple way to teach kids about business and community while enjoying the sun.
Summer BBQ
Host a summer solstice BBQ. Grill outside, play a few games, and bring a lot of cool drinks to toast. Add some grilled veggies, corn on the cob, and fruit skewers for a healthy and fun celebration.
Solstice Party Games for Kids
In addition to the craft station and dancing, no party marking the solstice would be complete without party games. Here are some fun party games that work for celebrating with kids for the summer solstice.
Solar Relay Race
Arrange for children to play a relay game where they “carry sunlight” (a ball in bright yellow or orange) around obstacles. They’re set up as stations the kiddos have to successfully complete a challenge before passing the sun to the next person in their team.
Sunflower Seed Toss
This one is an enjoyable game, very much in keeping with the theme. Offer children sunflower seeds and place some targets or buckets at different distances. The goal is to throw the seeds into the buckets for points. As part of this game, you can even teach kids about growing sunflowers.
Mindful Moments and Reflection
Stretch the children out on grass and get them to by observing the sun at this hour. Tell them about the cycles that bring the seasons in and out. Have your children brainstorm how they want to spend the last days of summer. This calm activity will help children connect with nature, which echoes the spiritual purpose of solstice.
Conclusion
Not only will the summer solstice, the longest day of the year, be a great event, but a beautiful time to appreciate nature, give thanks to the sun and bond with your family as well. A combination of easy outdoor fun activities, summer solstice fun for kids, cool party ideas for the solstice, unique summer crafts, summer solstice point this solstice celebration will be filled with fun, laughter and sharing as well! Whether you’re throwing a huge bash or simply having a quiet day at home with your children, the summer solstice is the ideal time to celebrate the splendor of the sun while making lasting memories with your kids.
