WHAT IS THE SUMMER SOLSTICE
Oh, fantastic summer season! Simply saying the phrase brings on ideas of lengthy days, quick nights, and rising temperatures to take pleasure in. For these of us with youngsters, it additionally means early sunrises, late sunsets, and lots of “however the solar is out!” arguments for waking up early or staying up late. However what’s the summer season solstice, and why does it mark the beginning of summer season? Learn on to seek out out extra!
On the summer season solstice (additionally referred to 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 is named the “midnight solar” the place the solar is seen for a full 24 hours.
Whereas we take into account at the present time the beginning of summer season in the USA, different cultures take into account it nearer to the center of summer season. The summer season solstice has been related to the whole lot from the beginning of the brand new 12 months in historical Greece to the female “yin” power in historical China. No matter which approach you have a look at it, it is a day price celebrating! Listed here 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
- Welcome the early dawn with yoga — Greet the dawn or sundown with a couple of rounds of solar salutations to provide thanks for the blessings the solar brings us. You’ll be able to observe it up with a couple 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.
- 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 need to get up that early? Purpose 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.
- Create a summer-themed nature desk — Creating an space the place youngsters can place gadgets that remind them of summer season is a superb option to kick off the season! The realm may be as small as a bowl with a couple of particular gadgets or as massive as a desk with quite a few summer season initiatives on show. A number of examples to incorporate are seashells collected on the seashore, postcards from a trip, summer season crafts, or potted flowers. Any gadgets that remind your loved ones of the infinite enjoyable of summer season will work!
- Spend time with the native flora — What higher option to present your gratitude for the daylight than by spending time within the backyard or visiting a farm to provide thanks for the bounty that’s made attainable by the solar? In spite of everything, with out the solar, vegetation couldn’t exist, which in flip implies that animals (like us) couldn’t exist.
Photograph Credit score: Ali Chandra
CRAFT IDEAS
- 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.
- Make a flower crown — Have fun 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’ll be able to harvest the dandelion greens to make a yummy salad! Seeking 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 attractive summer season crown.
- Create a sundial — Get in some stealth studying by educating the kiddos how historical people decided the time of day through the use of the shadow solid by the place of the solar. This simple craft could make a terrific addition to your backyard, patio, or out of doors play space.
- Extra solar crafts — Searching for extra crafts to assist your loved ones rejoice the solar and the beginning of summer season? Listed here are a plethora of simple choices to attempt together with your youngsters.
Photograph Credit score: Ali Chandra
SUMMER BOOKS TO READ
Because the saying goes, “An image is price a thousand phrases.” These fantastically illustrated books assist kids of all ages perceive what occurs as spring turns to summer season.
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 look and be taught with hidden numbers on each web page.
Summer season Days and Nights by Wong Herbert Ye — Comply with a spunky little lady as she finds methods to entertain herself and keep cool on a sizzling summer season day. From catching butterflies to looking for frogs, the writer focuses on appreciating the small however particular particulars that outline the summer season season.
Summer season Is Right here by Heidi Pross Grey — Learn alongside because the writer covers a few of the greatest highlights of summer season, from choosing blueberries to diving into the water on a sizzling day. Superb watercolor illustrations and rhythmic, whimsical textual content lead the reader on a summer season journey on this ebook.
The Wonders of Summer season by Kealy Connor Lonning – Comply with an adventurous little lady and her father as they expertise the wonders of summer season, from wading in a river and catching fireflies to having fun with ice cream. This heartfelt ebook will encourage households to get outdoor and admire the wonders and fantastic thing about nature in summer season.
4 YEARS AND UP
The Longest Day – Celebrating the Summer season Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer — This ebook takes readers on a journey by the historical past and science behind the summer season solstice, with a deal with summer season celebrations from numerous cultures around the globe. The writer additionally makes use of kid-friendly language to explain the science behind summer season phenomena, akin to the expansion of a butterfly and the longer day size.
Summer season Solar Risin’ by W. Nikola-Lisa – Be part of a little bit boy as he spends an activity-filled summer season day serving to his household on their farm. Feeding animals, mowing hay, choosing greens, and consuming freshly caught fish fill the hours on a summer season farm within the Nineteen Fifties.
And Then Comes Summer season by Tom Brenner — Lyrical textual content is used to explain the sights, smells, sounds, and favourite out of doors actions of summer season. The ebook is accompanied by cheerful illustrations depicting the fun of summer season and is sufficient to get anybody excited for the warmest season of the 12 months!
Beneath Alaska’s Midnight Solar by Deb Vanasse — See summer season by the eyes of an Alaskan lady as she enjoys the “midnight solar” of her area. With stunning illustrations, observe alongside as she dances, watches wildlife, and stays up late with the solar that doesn’t set.
How does your loved ones rejoice the beginning of summer season? Tell us within the feedback beneath!
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