The summer solstice, also known as midsummer, occurring around June 21st, marks the longest day of the year and the official start of summer in the northern hemisphere. On this day, the sun reaches its highest point in the sky, resulting in the greatest amount of daylight hours. The solstice happens because the Earth is tilted on its axis, and during this time, the North Pole is tilted closest to the sun.
Here in West Lothian, Scotland, the difference in daylight hours between the summer and winter solstices is quite pronounced. On the summer solstice, around June 21st, West Lothian experiences approximately 17 hours and 41 minutes of daylight. In contrast, during the winter solstice, around December 21st, the daylight duration is significantly shorter, with only about 7 hours and 2 minutes of daylight. This results in a difference of approximately 10 hours and 39 minutes between the longest and shortest days of the year.
For thousands of years, cultures around the world have celebrated this special day with festivals, rituals, and gatherings that honour the sun and the abundance of nature. The solstice offers a perfect opportunity to help children connect with the natural world, explore the science of seasons, and enjoy outdoor learning through engaging activities. Here are some fun and meaningful ways to celebrate the summer solstice.
1. Shadow Hunters
Shadow Hunters is a perfect activity for celebrating the summer solstice, using the sun’s highest point in the sky to explore light and shadows creatively. Children can work together to create shadow art while learning about how shadows form and change throughout the day.
Simply find an open, sunny space where children can safely spread out. Pop the children into small groups, with some standing in the sun while one traces their shadow on the ground using chalk or arranges natural materials such as sticks, leaves, and stones along the outline. Encourage them to be creative with their shadow art—some might choose to add features like wings, hats, or tails to their outlines. To enhance the learning experience, ask them to observe how their shadows change in length and direction if they repeat the activity at different times of the day.
This is a fun lesson that encourages teamwork, creativity, and observation skills.
Connection Tip: Talk about how ancient people used the movement of shadows to tell time and track the changing seasons, making this activity a fun way to explore both science and history.
2. Nature Mandalas
Encourage children to collect natural materials like flowers, leaves, stones, and twigs to create beautiful mandalas on the ground. Mandalas, circular designs that represent balance and unity, are a wonderful way to celebrate the balance of light and life at the peak of summer. This is a great activity combining mindfulness and creativity. You can also explore how different cultures use mandalas and circular symbols in their celebrations and rituals.
3. Sunrise or Sunset Gathering
Invite children and families to gather at sunrise or sunset to observe and celebrate the solstice. You could start the day with a simple mindfulness exercise, where everyone quietly listens to the sounds of nature, or end it with a storytelling session around a campfire. This helps to creates a memorable shared experience and encourages a deeper connection to the rhythms of nature.
This is also a great time to share some folklore based around summer solstice.
Fire Festivals
Ancient midsummer traditions in Scotland often included bonfires, which symbolised the power of the sun and were believed to protect against evil spirits. This practice reflects the solstice’s role as a celebration of light and life, aligning with other Celtic fire festivals.
The Faerie Realm
Midsummer was thought to be a time when the veil between the human world and the faerie realm was thin, allowing for magical encounters. Stories of faeries luring travellers into their world or granting boons to those who respected nature were common around midsummer.
Green Man
Though more broadly Celtic than uniquely Scottish, the Green Man, a symbol of rebirth and the life force of nature, is often associated with summer. His image, found carved in old churches and buildings, represents the lush growth and vitality of midsummer. You can get our version of the green man on our free resources page.
Sun Worship
Prehistoric sites in Scotland, such as the Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis, are aligned with the solstice sunrise or sunset. These ancient monuments are believed to have been used for solar rituals, reflecting a deep reverence for the sun’s role in sustaining life.
4. Plant a Sunflower Patch
Since the solstice is all about celebrating the sun, what better way to honour it than by planting sunflowers? Sunflowers are heliotropic, meaning they turn to face the sun as it moves across the sky. Children can plant seeds, care for the growing plants, and observe how they follow the sun throughout the day. This helps children learn about plant biology and heliotropism while providing a lasting reminder of the solstice as the sunflowers grow and bloom.
5. Solar Art
Harness the power of the sun by creating solar art. Give children dark construction paper and small objects like leaves, flowers, and stencils. Lay the objects on the paper and leave them in direct sunlight for a few hours. The sun’s rays will fade the exposed areas, leaving behind beautiful silhouettes.
This is a great way to introduce children to the concept of light and UV rays which can then link to Sun Safe Schools.
Additional Activities
- Sun dial making: Create simple sundials to track the movement of the sun.
- Leaf weaving: Weave leaves and grass into simple summer crafts.
- Sun poem writing: Encourage children to write poems inspired by the sun and summer.
- Nature journalling: Spend time observing and recording changes in plants, insects, and weather.
- Summer scavenger hunt: Create a scavenger hunt with items like blooming flowers, buzzing bees, and warm stones.
Why the Summer Solstice Matters
The summer solstice reminds us of the interconnectedness of life on Earth and the importance of living in harmony with nature. Celebrating this day helps children develop an appreciation for the natural rhythms of the planet and encourages them to slow down, observe, and connect. By engaging in solstice-themed activities, we nurture a sense of wonder and responsibility for the world around us.
This Summer Solstice, let’s take a moment to honour the longest day of the year and the abundance of life it brings. Whether through shadow exploration, planting sunflowers, or creating solar art, each activity offers a chance to connect more deeply with nature. Let’s inspire children to celebrate the sun, the Earth, and the joy of outdoor learning.
