Summer Solstice Nature Study

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The Summer Solstice is upon us!

I’ve created a little Summer 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!

For a limited time, you can purchase the study for just $3.00!

Members to my website will also find a exclusive freebie in the members area.

During the Summer Solstice, the Sun travels the longest path through the sky, making it the day of the year with the most sunlight. As we lead up to the Summer Solstice, you may notice the days becoming longer and longer. On the evening of June 20th or 21st, summer begins and the days gradually become shorter.

Because Earth’s axis is tilted, different areas of the planet experience varying degrees of sunlight as our planet journeys around the Sun. This is the reason for the seasons!

Did You Know? Earth actually experiences two Summer Solstices each year, one in the Northern Hemisphere (June), the other in the Southern Hemisphere (December).

Summer Solstice Resources

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

Summer Solstice Reading List

The Longest Day by Wendy Pfeffer
The Summer Solstice by Ellen Jackson
The Solstice Badger by Robin McFadden
The Reason for Seasons by Gail Gibbons
Sunshine Makes the Seasons by Dr. Franklyn M. Branley
Sun! One in a Billion by Stacy McAnulty

Additional Online Resources

National Geographic: Solstice
Farmers Almanac: Summer Solstice 2024
NASA: June Solstice Brings Summer, Winter Seasons
TedEd: Reasons for the Seasons (YouTube)

Summer Solstice Activities & Ways to Celebrate

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

  • Enjoy some summer themed poetry.

  • Tend to the plants in your garden.

  • Learn about the science of solstice.

  • Go for a summer solstice nature walk.

  • Spend time outside, enjoying the sun.

  • Go on a nature scavenger hunt.

  • Create a family summer bucket list.

  • Find somewhere that you can view wildflowers in bloom.

  • Attend a Midsummer festival.

  • Learn about Stonehenge and watch a Summer Solstice at Stonehenge live stream.

  • Catch fireflies in the evening.

  • Read your favorite summer solstice books.

  • Create some solstice crafts such as suncatchers, flower crowns, or DIY sundial.

  • Now that we’ve reached the mid-year point, reflect on the year so far.

  • Make goals and set intentions for the rest of the year.

  • Learn about summer solstice traditions from around the world.

  • Make a bonfire with friends.

  • Collect and dry herbs from your garden.

  • Watch the sun rise or set.

  • Have a summer solstice feast.

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

Happy Summer!

What’s included in the Summer Solstice Nature Study?

This mini nature study is 22 pages and includes several printable activities.

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

Sources

 “Summer Solstice 2023: The First Day of Summer.” Almanac.Com, 16 June 2023, www.almanac.com/content/first-day-summer-summer-solstice.

“Summer Solstice.” Summer Solstice | Royal Museums Greenwich, www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/summer-solstice. Accessed 19 June 2023.

 “Midsummer Day 2023: Why (and How) Is Midsummer Celebrated?” Almanac.Com, 8 May 2023, www.almanac.com/content/midsummer-day.