Tomorrow we're having our second annual Winter Solstice get together (a.k.a: a play date) with good friends. My friend and I wanted to find a way to open our children's eyes to the beauty of the solstice from a scientific standpoint but even more so the significance to us human beings and those with whom we share the earth. Here are a few wonderful ideas from my friends around the internet. The idea is to create warmth, spirit and light around this dark (as in little daylight particularly here in the Pacific Northwest) day.
Bring in the Sunshine
Craft Like There is No Tomorrow
Or what about these classic medallion snowflakes from One Dog Woof. My boys are 3 and 4, so their cutting skills are developing as I write. I thought it'd be fun to save one each year to observe how their snowflakes change over the years.
Take Care of Nature
We live in the mountains with lost if animals adapting through the colder months. I find watching these birds, especially, adapt as the seasons change. No matter where you live helping these animals during colder months is always a good thing. Sheri Silver's Orange Bird Feeder is not only unique but it sure looks pretty hanging in the yard! What fun to make too!
Related Post: How to Get Kids Outdoors During the Winter
Read Fantastic Winter Solstice Children's Books
Reading stories out loud is always a pleasant and heartwarming activity to do with friends, especially around special celebrations like Solstice. Last year I collected several books to add to our collection. Check out the list of Winter Solstice Children's Books!
Move Your Bodies
What better way to bring in the day with the least amount of light than a fun Winter Solstice yoga story time to get our bodies moving? This yoga session for children tells the story of a raven bringing light.
Meditate & Teach Kids to Meditate
I also researched a few short Winter Solstice poems appropriate for children. Long enough to have meaning to the child yet short enough to keep a child's attention. All we want to do is provoke thought and questions. Plant any seed to ignite further learning. Poems are a great way to achieve this goal.
Happy Winter Solstice!
Stay Warm,
Marnie
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