Particular Methods to Have a good time the Summer season Solstice together with your Household

WHAT IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE

Oh, great summer time! Simply saying the phrase brings on ideas of lengthy days, brief nights, and rising temperatures to get pleasure from. For these of us with youngsters, it additionally means early sunrises, late sunsets, and a number of “however the solar is out!” arguments for waking up early or staying up late. However what’s the summer time solstice, and why does it mark the beginning of summer time? Learn on to seek out out extra!

On the summer time solstice (additionally known as midsummer in some cultures), one of many earth’s poles reaches its most tilt (23.44 levels) towards the solar. For these of us within the Northern Hemisphere, this happens on June 21 this 12 months and marks the longest day and the shortest evening of the 12 months. Curiously, nations and territories north of the Arctic Circle (akin to Alaska) witness what known as the “midnight solar” the place the solar is seen for a full 24 hours.

Whereas we contemplate this present day the beginning of summer time in the USA, different cultures contemplate it nearer to the center of summer time. The summer time solstice has been related to every part from the beginning of the brand new 12 months in historic Greece to the female “yin” pressure in historic China. No matter which method you have a look at it, it is a day value celebrating! Listed below are some actions, crafts, and ebook suggestions to assist your loved ones rejoice the longest day (and shortest evening) of the 12 months.

Photograph Credit score: Jessica Human

ACTIVITIES

1. Welcome the early dawn with yoga —  Greet the dawn or sundown with a number of rounds of solar salutations to offer thanks for the blessings the solar brings us. You may comply with it up with a number of poses depicting a few of these blessings, akin to tree pose and flower pose, or some enjoyable animal poses to maintain the kiddos . Uncover extra family-friendly yoga poses on this article.
2. Dawn or sundown hike — Usher the household out the door for an early-morning hike to welcome the solar on the longest day of the 12 months. Don’t wish to get up that early? Intention for a sundown hike as a substitute and keep to marvel on the starlit sky because it involves life on the shortest evening of the 12 months.
3. Create a summer-themed nature desk — Creating an space the place youngsters can place objects that remind them of summer time is an excellent method to kick off the season! The realm might be as small as a bowl with a number of particular objects or as massive as a desk with quite a few summer time tasks on show. A number of examples to incorporate are seashells collected on the seashore, postcards from a trip, summer time crafts, or potted flowers. Any objects that remind your loved ones of the countless enjoyable of summer time will work!
4. Spend time with the native flora — What higher method to present your gratitude for the daylight than by spending time within the backyard or visiting a farm to offer thanks for the bounty that’s made doable by the solar? In spite of everything, with out the solar, crops couldn’t exist, which in flip signifies that animals (like us) couldn’t exist.

Photograph Credit score: Ali Chandra

CRAFT IDEAS

1. Assemble a solar suncatcher — Seize the radiance of daylight with a sun-shaped suncatcher to hold in your window! This craft is certain to brighten your day even when the climate turns gloomy.
2. Make a flower crown — Have a good time the season with a brilliant and sunny flower crown. If dandelions are plentiful in your yard this time of 12 months, right here is a simple tutorial for a dandelion crown utilizing no further supplies. Then you may harvest the dandelion greens to make a yummy salad! Trying to save the flowers and go away no hint, otherwise you don’t have dandelions in your yard? Here’s a tutorial that makes use of faux flowers to create a beautiful summer time crown.
3. Create a sundial — Get in some stealth studying by instructing the kiddos how historic people decided the time of day by utilizing the shadow solid by the place of the solar. This straightforward craft could make a fantastic addition to your backyard, patio, or out of doors play space.
4. Extra solar crafts — In search of extra crafts to assist your loved ones rejoice the solar and the beginning of summer time? Listed below are a plethora of straightforward choices to attempt together with your youngsters.

Photograph Credit score: Ali Chandra

SUMMER BOOKS TO READ

Because the saying goes, “An image is value a thousand phrases.” These superbly illustrated books assist youngsters of all ages perceive what occurs as spring turns to summer time.

BIRTH– 3 YEARS

I See Summer season by Charles Ghigna — Pea pods, cucumbers, and strawberries present loads of alternatives for counting within the backyard! This brilliantly illustrated, summer-themed ebook offers readers a possibility to go looking and be taught with hidden numbers on each web page.

Summer season Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Ye — Comply with a spunky little woman as she finds methods to entertain herself and keep cool on a scorching summer time day. From catching butterflies to looking for frogs, the creator focuses on appreciating the small however particular particulars that outline the summer time season.

Summer season Is Right here by Heidi Pross Grey — Learn alongside because the creator covers a number of the finest highlights of summer time, from selecting blueberries to diving into the water on a scorching day. Wonderful watercolor illustrations and rhythmic, whimsical textual content lead the reader on a summer time journey on this ebook.

The Wonders of Summer season by Kealy Connor Lonning – Comply with an adventurous little woman and her father as they expertise the wonders of summer time, from wading in a river and catching fireflies to having fun with ice cream. This heartfelt ebook will encourage households to get outside and recognize the wonders and great thing about nature in summer time.

4 YEARS AND UP

The Longest Day – Celebrating the Summer season Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer — This ebook takes readers on a journey via the historical past and science behind the summer time solstice, with a give attention to summer time celebrations from numerous cultures around the globe. The creator additionally makes use of kid-friendly language to explain the science behind summer time phenomena, akin to the expansion of a butterfly and the longer day size.

Summer season Solar Risin’ by W. Nikola-Lisa – Be a part of a little bit boy as he spends an activity-filled summer time day serving to his household on their farm. Feeding animals, mowing hay, selecting greens, and consuming freshly caught fish fill the hours on a summer time farm within the Nineteen Fifties.