Hooray, summer is almost here! As the earth revolves around the sun, the amount of daylight or darkness we see changes, and so do the seasons. This Sunday, June 20th is the first day of summer, and is marked by the Summer Solstice here in the Northern Hemisphere — better know as the longest day of the year! This is when we get the most daylight hours of any other date on the calendar.
As summertime kicks off, we can all get excited for what it brings. Family vacations, sandcastles at the beach, camping trips, dipping our toes in the lake, ice cream and running through sprinklers on the hottest of days!
Celebrate the change of season with crafts, activities for indoors and out, and great educational resources for the whole family below. We’ll learn all about the Summer Solstice, explore what causes the seasons, and plan fun projects for the months ahead.
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Learn About the Season
Summer Solstice | All About the Holidays
Grades K-5
As our earth revolves around the sun, our daylight hours get longer and shorter depending its orientation. Learn more about why we celebrate the longest and shortest days of the year.
Daylight Hours and the Sun’s Apparent Path
Grades 3-5
Explore the duration of daylight and the Sun’s apparent path in the sky in a northern hemisphere location during the solstices with this adapted WorldWide Telescope video. This resource gives students an opportunity to observe differences in the Sun’s apparent path across the sky and make evidence-based claims about the changing duration of daylight in summer and winter.
The Science of Summer Collection
Grades 6-12
It’s finally summer! Use this collection of videos and lesson plans to inspire students to explore the science behind some of their favorite summer activities, from the chemistry of campfires to the physics of sailing!
Why Seasons Make No Sense | It’s Okay to Be Smart
Grades 9-12
Day by day, country by country, we tend to measure seasons differently. This video explains why we divide the years into seasons here in the Northern Hemisphere, how it lines up with the weather, and where the practice has its roots.
Maximize Family Time!
Five Easy Ways to Sneak in Summer Learning
Grades PreK-3
Summer learning doesn’t have to mean boring worksheets, forced reading, or multiplication problems. In fact, the more unlike school, the better! Some of the best learning takes place not sitting at a desk, but through experience. Here are five fun ways to keep your kids’ academic skills sharp and prevent summer learning loss.
Summer Challenges for Kids with Sensory Processing Issues
Grade PreK-3
For many kids, summer vacation promises endless days out in the sun, plans made on the fly, and staying up just a little bit later to enjoy the sunset. For kids with sensory challenges, on the other hand, the summer months can pose a significant challenge. Gone are the routines, schedules, and, in some cases, carefully created coping skills. With some preparation and practice, however, parents can help kids with sensory processing issues enjoy the summer months.
What If We Let Kids Get Bored?
Grades PreK-5
Summer boredom isn’t all bad! The Kratt Brothers say boredom can help kids flex their creative muscles and gives them time to think, breathe, explore, and figure out their interests.
Getting Kids Unplugged and Back to Nature Through Camping
Grades K-5
With the flicker of the campfire replacing the glow of the screen, these weekends in the woods are spent bonding as a family and immersing the kids in nature, which we know is good for them on so many levels.
Crafts, Activities & More
20 New Ideas and Activities to Try This Summer
Grades PreK-3
Looking for ideas on how to make summer special? Here are a few kid-approved ideas for engaging your children in a summer of fun, adventure and learning!
Children’s Books for Summer Fun
Grades PreK-4
Get your kids’ summer reading bookshelf ready! From the sandy beach to the city streets, this book list will inspire your children to read no matter where summer takes them.
Super Seasons Snapshot
Grades K-2
In this online game, your child can explore a park to learn how animals and plants change during spring, summer, fall and winter. Use the camera feature to snap a photo of each animal to earn Hero Elementary badges.
Make Your Own Sundial
Grades K-3
A very long time ago (long before there were digital clocks and mobile phones), people used a sundial to tell time. A sundial may consist of a round plate with a vertical stick, called a gnomon, that casts a shadow on the dial. Make your own sundial with this fun and easy DIY project.
Pool Noodle Obstacle Course
Grades K-5
This easily customizable pool noodle obstacle course is perfect for a kid’s play date, party or a family time in the yard.
Why Do We Have Seasons?
Grades 5-12
Explore what causes seasons on Earth in this interactive adapted from NASA materials that features four cities at different latitudes. Use this resource to view how Earth’s axial tilt causes seasons from different perspectives and to develop and use models of sunlight received at Earth’s surface.
The Great American Read | High School Titles
Grades 9-12
Explores and celebrate the power of reading this summer with The Great American Read LearningMedia collection for high school students, highlighting books from a list of America’s 100 best-loved novels. Read along and learn about the historic and cultural impact of books like Pride and Prejudice, Frankenstein, The Catcher in the Rye, The Hunger Games and more!
For even more games and educational resources for young learners, go to the Summer of Possibilities Collection on PBS Kids for Parents.