Winter Solstice Nature Study

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The Winter Solstice is upon us!

I’ve created a little Winter Solstice Nature Study for you but in this blog, I’ll share all the resources you’ll need to put together your own celebration, totally free!

During the Winter Solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the Sun travels the shortest path through the sky, making it the day of the year with the least sunlight. As we lead up to the Winter Solstice, you may notice the days becoming shorter and shorter. On the evening of December 21st or 22nd, winter begins and the days gradually become longer.

Did you know? Earth actually experiences two Winter Solstices each year, one in the Northern Hemisphere, the other in the Southern Hemisphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, Winter Solstice is in June (usually 20th or 21st).  

Winter Solstice Resources

I’ve created a list of lovely winter solstice themed books. I’ve included Amazon affiliated links but we always get ours from the library.

Winter Solstice Reading List

The Shortest Day by Wendy Pfeffer
The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper
The Winter Solstice by Ellen Jackson
Winter is the Warmest Season by Lauren Stringer
The Reason for Seasons by Gail Gibbons
Sunshine Makes the Seasons by Dr. Franklyn M. Branley
Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty
Goodbye Autumn, Hello Winter by Kenard Pak
Sun Bread by Elisa Kleven
Winter Bees & Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman
The Tomten by Astrid Lindgren

Additional Online Resources

National Geographic: What’s the winter solstice?
Farmers Almanac: Winter Solstice 2022
NASA: December Solstice Brings Winter, Summer Seasons
TedEd: Reasons for the Seasons (YouTube)

Winter Solstice Activities & Ways to Celebrate

We’re celebrating by reading books, going on a winter hike, baking solstice sun cookies, and making tissue paper sun catchers. Here is a full list of my ideas for crafts, activities, and ways to celebrate.

  • Bake sun bread, sun cookies or other sun themed treats.

  • Enjoy some winter themed poetry.

  • Make pinecone bird feeders or simply feed the birds and other wildlife.

  • Learn about the science of solstice.

  • Go for a winter nature walk.

  • Read your favorite winter solstice books.

  • Create some solstice crafts such as suncatchers, paper snowflakes, salt dough ornaments, lanterns, orange pomanders, or bee’s wax candles.  

  • Reflect on the year, make goals and set intentions for the coming year.

  • Make popcorn and cranberry or dried orange garlands.

  • Learn about Yule and other winter solstice traditions from around the world.

  • Learn about the history, folklore and origins of the Christmas tree, Santa and other Christmas traditions.

  • Make a winter bonfire with friends.

  • Watch the sun rise or set.

  • Light a Yule log.

  • Make homemade gifts and decorations.

  • Have a winter solstice feast.

  • Forage greenery to make wreaths, garland, or a centerpiece.

  • Hang some mistletoe.

I really hope I've inspired you to celebrate the Winter Solstice with your family. It’s such a lovely time of year and learning about the solstice is a great way to incorporate an educational nature study into your winter traditions.

Happy Holidays!

What’s included in the Winter Solstice Nature Study?

This mini nature study is 17 pages and includes several printable activities.

WHAT YOU'LL RECEIVE:
Book List
Nature Journal Example Page
Winter Solstice Diagram
Daylight Hours Tracker/Graphing Activity
Interactive Nature Play Scene (Earth's orbit around the Sun)
Public Domain Poem
Copywork
Art Study

Sources:
Lea, Robert. “When Is the Winter Solstice and What Happens?” Space.com, Space, 26 Oct. 2021, https://www.space.com/winter-solstice.
Morrison, Dorothy. Yule: A Celebration of Light and Warmth. Llewellyn Publications, 2000.