Winter Solstice Activity for Kids [Free Worksheet PDF]

As winter approaches, the season brings many changes and new things to observe and study. Temperatures drop and days become cold and dark, and in some ways, nature seems to quiet down during this time of year. While this season brings joy and excitement with the holidays approaching, there is plenty to learn from the natural world around us during wintertime.

This blog post explains the winter solstice, the darkest day of the year, and includes a fun activity for kids to learn about it.

In this blog post:

What is the winter solstice?
Winter solstice on December 21, 2024
Winter solstice activity for kids [Free Worksheet PDF]
Fun activities for learning about the winter solstice
Benefits of nature study
More nature study ideas from Treehouse Schoolhouse

What is the winter solstice?

The winter solstice is the shortest day and longest night of the year. It marks when the Earth’s axial tilt is farthest from the Sun in the Northern Hemisphere. This event typically occurs around December 21 or 22. During the solstice, the Sun appears at its lowest point in the sky at noon. It is the day of the year with the fewest hours of daylight. After the winter solstice, days gradually lengthen as the Earth continues its orbit, bringing more sunlight. In many cultures, the winter solstice has been celebrated with festivals and rituals, symbolizing the return of light and the renewal of life.

Winter solstice on December 21, 2024

In 2024, the winter solstice will occur on Saturday, December 21, 2024.

Winter solstice activity for kids

This activity helps kids document the amount of daylight before, during, and after the winter solstice. This is a great way for children to research scientific facts about nature and practice documenting on charts and line graphs. This activity is suitable for children in 4th-8th grades.

The Winter Solstice is the shortest day of the year, with the fewest hours of daylight. Use the Winter Solstice Daylight Tracker (free PDF below) to document the times of the sunrises and sunsets on the days leading up to, and after, the winter solstice.

Use the sheet to calculate the number of daylight hours for each day, including for the solstice. Find the times on a weather app, or do an Internet search for the current times.

Then, make a line graph of daylight hours during the week to show the change over time.

Download the Winter Solstice Daylight Tracker [Free PDF] here.

For more fun and interactive nature activities, check out Treehouse Nature Study, Intermediate Years.

Fun activities for learning about the winter solstice

Winter solstice craft ideas

Make a winter solstice lantern. (Treehouse Nature Study, Primary Years: Winter)
Create an ice lantern. (Proven Winners)
Make pomander candles from beeswax and clementine peels. (Wineberry Wood Press)
Cut paper snowflakes with scissors and paper. (Art Recycled)
Make a folded paper sun. (Art of Homeschooling)

Winter solstice nature activities

Watch the sunrise or sunset.
Make a bonfire at night.
Go for an evening walk with flashlights.
Do the Signs of Winter Scavenger Hunt from Treehouse Nature Study, Primary Years: Winter.
Use the Seek app to catalog the evergreen trees in your area. Learn more about deciduous trees in Treehouse Nature Study, Primary Years: Autumn.
Mirror the pattern of the season by doing a Winter Spiral Walk.
Engage little children with a winter nature study hand rhyme.

Winter solstice food, recipes, and treats

Make this Sun Bread Recipe from Treehouse Nature Study, Primary Years: Winter.
Create a solstice feast with seasonal ingredients like root vegetables, soups, and winter fruits.
Mimic the Earth’s rotational pattern with this Spiral Apple Bread with Caramel Glaze. (Inspired by Charm)
Brussels sprouts shine in this colorful winter salad. (Dinner at the Zoo)
Keep warm with this Creamy Chicken Noodle Soup or Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate. (Sally’s Baking Addiction)
Enjoy a sweet treat with the Longest Night Cookies. (Wineberry Wood Press)

Benefits of nature study

In my homeschool, we value nature study because I want my children to personally relate to and experience the world around them through the natural world.

Nature study is as simple as spending time outdoors and observing the surrounding world. This habit is built over consistent time outdoors over days, months, and years. Being in rhythm with the seasons shows us how the world is constantly changing and renewing. Nature study is developed by connecting with nature time and time again. As children spend more time outdoors observing nature and learning to name the things around them, they will naturally form a greater understanding and deeper connection with the world around them.

Most days, my children will spend several hours outside, whether eating lunch together on our porch, running in our backyard, or exploring the woods near our home. Over the years we have gained so much life from living with the seasons and the rhythm of nature.

We also use nature study as part of our Morning Time together. My family uses Treehouse Nature Study to study nature year-round. During the summer, we will study soil and composting, the sun, bodies of water, and so much more. Treehouse Nature Study gently invites children to learn through living books, nature notebooking, hands-on projects, and beauty subjects such as poetry, picture study, and folk songs through the lens of nature. As children learn about the world around them, they will supplement their language arts learning with poetry memorization, recitation, copywork, and notebooking.

More nature study ideas from Treehouse Schoolhouse

Treehouse Nature Study, Primary Years

Treehouse Nature Study, Primary Years is a seasonal nature study curriculum designed with family-style learning in mind. It is a gentle guide meant to invite various ages to connect with each other and the world around them through living books, nature notebooking, hands-on projects, and beauty subjects such as poetry, picture study, and folk songs.

From preschool through upper middle school, it appeals to every age and is easily used with multiple ages at the same time. Treehouse Nature Study, Primary Years is a great fit for your preschool or kindergartener’s core curriculum or your whole family’s home education Morning Time and Nature Study. It also provides supplemental work for your children’s language arts through poetry memorization, recitation, copywork, and notebooking.

Try a free week of Treehouse Nature Study, Primary Years: Winter below.

Treehouse Nature Study, Intermediate Years

Treehouse Nature Study, Intermediate Years is a seasonal nature study curriculum designed with family-style learning in mind. It is a gentle guide meant to invite various ages to connect with each other and the world around them through living books, nature notebooking, hands-on projects, and beauty subjects such as poetry and picture study. This nature study guide for older children, 4th-8th grade, emphasizes science and advanced language arts.

Treehouse Nature Study, Intermediate Years is an excellent choice for older children who have done nature study throughout their school years but want to go deeper. It also coordinates with Treehouse Nature Study, Primary Years for family-style learning. Gather older and younger children together to learn about seasonal nature topics and use both guides to differentiate for their interests and learning levels.

Do you study the winter solstice in your homeschool? Let us know in the comments below.