Teaching Kids About Winter Solstice

I still remember the first time I taught a group of 7-year-olds about the winter solstice. It was December 21st, and we were outside in the schoolyard, surrounded by bare trees and a crisp, icy breeze. I had no idea that a simple discussion about the sun’s path and the changing seasons would spark such curiosity and questions from the kids. Teaching kids about winter solstice isn’t just about history or science — it’s about connecting them to the world around them and showing them that there’s magic in the natural rhythms of the Earth.

In the years since that cold December day, I’ve learned that teaching kids about winter solstice is more than just a seasonal activity. It’s about creating a bridge between the ancient traditions of the past and the scientific understanding of the present. Whether it’s through storytelling, hands-on experiments or even a simple observation of the sky, the winter solstice offers a unique opportunity to engage children in learning in a way that is both meaningful and memorable.

As I’ve explored different ways to teach kids about winter solstice, I’ve discovered that the key is to be specific, creative and grounded in real experiences. From crafting shadow puppets to using a sun tracker to measure the sun’s position, the possibilities are endless. The best part? These activities are not only educational but also fun — and that’s what makes teaching kids about winter solstice so rewarding.

Understanding the Winter Solstice

As of August 2026, I remember explaining the concept of the winter solstice to my students by using a simple globe and a flashlight. I turned the globe slowly and asked the kids to notice how the light from the flashlight changed as the globe rotated. They were fascinated by how the angle of the light created different seasons and even different daylight hours.^[1]

It’s important to use visuals and hands-on tools when teaching kids about winter solstice, because abstract concepts like the Earth’s tilt can be difficult for young minds to grasp. When I used a large paper sun and moved a small paper Earth model around it, the kids began to see how the sun’s position in the sky changes with the seasons.

I’ve found that using a combination of real-world observations and interactive models helps make the concept of the winter solstice more tangible for kids. After our globe activity, I asked the children to observe the length of their shadows outside and note how they changed over the next few weeks.

The Science Behind the Solstice

I once led an activity where the children used a sun tracker — a simple tool made with a stick and a piece of string — to measure the position of the sun each day. They recorded the height of the shadow the stick cast at noon and compared it to the previous week’s measurements. This helped them see the gradual change in the sun’s path.

I also used a diagram to explain how the Earth’s tilt causes the sun’s rays to hit the Northern Hemisphere at a more direct angle in the summer and a more oblique angle in the winter. This made the solstice and its effects more understandable to the kids.

By the end of the activity, the children were able to explain why the days get shorter in the winter and longer in the summer. It was a simple but powerful moment of understanding that came from a hands-on approach.

Science doesn’t have to be complicated — it can be as simple as watching a shadow change over time.

Related: Teaching Theater To Kids

Cultural Traditions and Celebrations

I introduced my students to the Yule traditions of the Norse people, where the solstice was celebrated with feasts, carvings of Yule logs and the lighting of candles. The children were especially interested in the idea of the Yule log, which symbolized the return of the sun’s light after the longest night.

We also explored the Mexican tradition of Las Posadas, which, while more closely tied to Christmas, has roots in solstice celebrations. The children created small houses out of paper and participated in a mock celebration that included singing and sharing stories about the solstice.

Incorporating cultural traditions into the lesson made the winter solstice feel more global and more meaningful. The children were fascinated by the different ways people around the world mark this time of year.

“I still remember the first time I taught a group of 7-year-olds about the winter solstice.”— Teaching Drama to Kids editors

Related: What Is The Rationale For Teaching Drama

Storytelling and the Solstice

I read a short story to my class about a family who lived in a village that celebrated the solstice by lighting a great fire. The story described how the people gathered, shared food and sang songs together. The children were captivated by the imagery and the sense of community in the story.

After the story, I encouraged the children to create their own solstice stories. Some wrote about families gathering under the stars, others imagined a world where the sun had returned after a long absence. This creative exercise helped them internalize the solstice’s meaning in their own words.

I’ve found that storytelling allows children to connect emotionally with the solstice and understand its significance in a way that facts and figures alone cannot convey.

Related: Teaching Drama Book

Hands-On Experiments

One of my favorite activities is to have the children track the sun’s position over the course of a few weeks. They use a stick planted in the ground and mark the tip of its shadow each day. Over time, they can see how the shadow changes and how the sun’s position shifts in the sky.

We also used a paper plate to create a sun dial. The children drew the sun in different positions and made notes about how the shadow of a pencil changed with the time of day. This was an easy and engaging way to visualize the sun’s movement.

These hands-on experiments not only teach about the solstice but also develop observational skills and a curiosity about the natural world.

The Role of Light and Shadow

I once had the children create their own shadow puppets using cardboard cutouts and a flashlight. As they moved the puppets in front of the light, they saw how the shapes changed depending on the angle of the light. This helped them understand how the Earth’s tilt affects the sun’s position in the sky.

We also used a large piece of paper to trace the shadows of objects outside at different times of the day. The children noticed that the shadows grew longer as the day progressed and were especially fascinated by the way the shadows changed as the sun moved.

These shadow activities helped the children make a direct connection between the solstice and the way light and shadow interact with the Earth.

Light and shadow are a simple but powerful way to demonstrate the changes of the solstice.

Creating a Solstice Journal

I had each child create a solstice journal where they could draw, write and paste photos of their observations about the sun, shadows and the changing seasons. They recorded the length of their shadows, noted the time of sunset and even drew pictures of the sky.

At the end of the solstice unit, we had a small sharing session where the children presented their journals to the class. They were proud of their work and excited to see how much they had learned over the past few weeks.

Creating a solstice journal not only helped the children understand the science behind the solstice but also gave them a personal record of their learning and discovery.

Winter Solstice Crafts and Art Projects

Introduce a solstice lantern-making activity using recycled materials like cardboard tubes, tissue paper, and LED lights. Each student creates a lantern that represents the return of light. This project takes about 45 minutes and costs less than $5 per student using materials from around the home. The resulting lanterns can be displayed in the classroom or taken home as a symbol of the solstice’s message of renewal and hope.^[2]

Incorporate a shadow puppet theater where children design and perform a short play about the solstice. Use white cardboard, markers, and a projector or flashlight to cast shadows on a screen. This activity encourages collaboration and creativity, and can be completed in a single 60-minute class. Students often express a deeper understanding of light and darkness through the act of storytelling and performance.^[3]

Another engaging project is creating a solstice mandala using natural materials like leaves, twigs, and stones. This activity encourages mindfulness and appreciation for nature. Spending 30 minutes in a park or garden to collect materials allows kids to connect with the environment. Completing a mandala takes about 20 minutes, and the final pieces can be displayed in a classroom gallery to celebrate the solstice’s themes of balance and transformation.^[4]

Teaching Kids About Winter Solstice