The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year and is a perfect time to gather your family and friends for a celebration. Whether you’re looking for ways to educate your children about the significance of the solstice or just want to have some fun in the sun, there are plenty of exciting summer solstice activities and party ideas for kids. This guide will provide you with creative, fun, and educational ideas to help you celebrate this special day with your little ones.
What is the Summer Solstice
Before diving into the party ideas and activities, it’s helpful to understand what the summer solstice is. The summer solstice occurs when the Earth’s tilt is farthest from the sun in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the start of summer. This event typically happens around June 20th or 21st. On this day, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, resulting in the longest day and the shortest night of the year.
The solstice has been celebrated in various cultures throughout history as a time of abundance, renewal, and connection with nature. For kids, it’s a great opportunity to learn about astronomy, the changing seasons, and the natural world, all while having fun!
Fun and Educational Summer Solstice Activities for Kids
Sun Prints with Sun Paper
A classic and creative way to celebrate the solstice is by making sun prints. Sun paper (or solar paper) is a special kind of paper that reacts to sunlight. Kids can place objects like leaves, flowers, or small toys on the paper and let it sit in the sun for a few minutes. The areas covered by objects will remain white, creating a beautiful contrast and showing the shapes of the items that were placed on the paper. This activity is a fun way to introduce kids to the concept of how light interacts with objects and shadows.
Create a Solstice Nature Scavenger Hunt
A nature scavenger hunt is an excellent way to explore the outdoors and celebrate the solstice. Create a list of items commonly found in your area, such as pine cones, wildflowers, specific types of leaves, or even certain insects. Encourage kids to find as many items as possible during a walk through the park, garden, or nearby nature trail. This is a fun and educational activity that helps kids learn about local plants, animals, and the environment while appreciating the beauty of nature.
Solstice Sunflower Art
Sunflowers are often associated with the summer solstice, thanks to their large, bright yellow blooms and their connection to the sun. Why not make your own sunflower art to mark the occasion? You can use yellow construction paper, glue, and scissors to create a 3D sunflower craft or simply paint sunflowers on canvas or large sheets of paper. For an added educational touch, talk to your kids about how sunflowers follow the sun throughout the day, which is called heliotropism.
DIY Sundial
A sundial is an ancient device used to tell time by using the summer solstice activities position of the sun. Making a simple sundial can be a fun, hands-on science project for kids. All you need is a flat surface, a stick or straw to act as the “gnomon” (the part that casts the shadow), and some markers to indicate the hours of the day. Explain to your children how the sun’s position in the sky changes throughout the day and how ancient people used sundials to keep track of time before clocks were invented.
Solar Cooking with Kids
Use the power of the sun to cook a fun treat with your kids! Solar cooking involves harnessing the sun’s energy to cook food, and it’s a great way to teach kids about renewable energy. You can create a DIY solar oven with a pizza box, foil, and plastic wrap to cook something simple like s’mores, melted cheese on crackers, or even baked cookies. Not only does this activity teach about solar power, but it also results in a tasty treat to enjoy as part of your solstice celebration!
Solstice Storytime
Gather your kids for a solstice-themed storytime, reading books about the sun, nature, and the changing seasons. There are plenty of children’s books that explore solstice traditions, the science behind the longest day of the year, and how various cultures have celebrated this event throughout history. A few good options include “The Summer Solstice: A Family Story” by Ellen Jackson and “Sun Bread” by Elisa Kleven. After the reading, encourage kids to ask questions or share what they learned.
Make a Summer Solstice Time Capsule
Create a summer solstice time capsule with your kids to commemorate the day. Have them write down their favorite activities, what they’re looking forward to in the coming months, or even draw pictures of their summer experiences. Add in a few trinkets like a pressed flower, a solstice poem, or a small sun symbol. Seal the capsule and decide on a future date (perhaps the next solstice) to open it. This is a great way to engage kids in reflecting on the passage of time and marking the occasion in a memorable way.
Summer Solstice Party Ideas for Kids
In addition to the activities listed above, hosting a summer solstice party is a fantastic way to celebrate the day with family and friends. Here are some creative party ideas to make your summer solstice gathering one to remember.
Solstice Themed Decorations
Transform your home or backyard into a solstice wonderland with sun-inspired decorations. Use yellow, orange, and gold balloons, paper lanterns, and sun-shaped cutouts to set the mood. You can also make paper sunflowers or hang up shimmering gold streamers to represent sunlight. String lights and candles can be used as the evening approaches to mimic the setting sun.
Solstice Dance Party
With the longest day of the year, it’s the perfect time to have a solstice dance party! Create a playlist of upbeat songs and encourage kids to dance and celebrate. You can even introduce some fun sun-inspired dance games, like a “sunshine freeze dance” where everyone stops dancing when the music pauses, or a “sunbeam relay” where teams race to complete a solstice-themed obstacle course.
Sun-themed Snacks and Treats
A solstice party wouldn’t be complete without some delicious sun-themed snacks. Consider serving foods that are round and yellow, like oranges, pineapple slices, or even sun-shaped cookies. You could also create a “sun salad” by combining yellow fruits and vegetables such as corn, peppers, and squash. For dessert, a sun-shaped cake decorated with yellow frosting or cupcakes topped with sun-shaped candies would be a hit.
Solstice Games
Plan some solstice-themed games to keep the kids entertained. You could have a “sunball toss,” where children throw a yellow ball into buckets, or organize a “sun tag” game where one child is “it” and must tag others before they reach a designated “sun zone.” You could also create a solstice relay race with challenges like balancing a sun-shaped balloon on their head or running around the “sundial” marker.
Solstice Craft Stations
Set up different craft stations for kids to enjoy during the party. Some ideas include creating sun crowns with yellow and orange paper, painting sunstones, or making “solar bead” bracelets using beads that change color in the sun. These activities will keep little hands busy and serve as fun party favors that the kids can take home with them.
Conclusion
The summer solstice is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the arrival of summer, embrace the power of the sun, and spend quality time with your kids. Whether you’re making sun prints, hosting a solstice party, or learning about the science behind the longest day of the year, there are countless ways to turn this special day into a memorable experience for the whole family. By combining fun, learning, and creativity, you can make the summer solstice a tradition your kids will look forward to each year.
