Summer Solstice Books + Activity Ideas

Summer Solstice feels magical, don't you think? As a child, I spent nearly every other summer in Finland, and on Juhannus [Midsummer's Eve] the sun really never set. At midnight, everything looks dusky, but not dark. Everyone stays up all night, celebrating with friends and family by visiting their summer cabin, grilling at a fire pit, going between the sauna and a swim in a river, drinking, dancing to a live band, and watching a huge bonfire float on the river. (Everyone does some of those things, at least!)

In Utah, we haven't done much to acknowledge Midsummer's Day, but this year, I'd like to do something fun. Do you celebrate the longest day of the year?

I checked out a couple of non-fiction picture books from the library for celebration inspiration.

The Summer Solstice by Ellen Jackson, illustrated by Jan Davey Ellis.

The Longest Day: Celebrating the Summer Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer, illustrated by Linda Bleck.

Each book explains the science of Summer Solstice, and the history and celebration of it around the world. The Summer Solstice is longer, with more challenging vocabulary, best for ages 7 and up. The Longest Day has 3-6 sentences per page, and seems best for ages 4 and up. Each book has several activity ideas in the back, all fun, educational, and inexpensive. 

In case you can't get the books in time for Midsummer's (Friday and Saturday!), I found some similar activities around the web:

flower crown wreath
sidewalk sundial
hot rock art

summer solstice snake image (fascinating link!)

trees image