Welcoming Winter

Winter officially begins on December 21st. Here are some meaningful and fun ways to observe and celebrate the winter solstice with kids.

Snow and ice are fascinating scientific phenomena, beautiful subjects for art, and hugely important factors in the Earth’s climate and ecology. The winter solstice is a wonderful time to learn about how water freezes, how our home planet has been shaped by glaciers, why the polar ice caps are melting, and what snowflakes look like up close.

At around noon on the first day of each new season, measure from your child’s toe to the top of her shadow. Have her measure your shadow, too. As you gather data on all four holidays, you can ask your child to guess which shadow was longest. Discuss the changing angles of the sun or read about our solar system and the Earth’s seasons.

A bonfire, a fire in the hearth, or tons of candles can remind us both of humans’ ability to create light in darkness (both literally and metaphorically) and of the sunshine in our nottoo-distant future. Or, if you’d like to delve deeper into the spirit of the solstice, try learning about and carrying on the rich tradition of the Yule log.

This observance can take place with your family or alone. On paper, out loud, or simply in your thoughts, reflect on these questions or others that suit you better: What would you like the coming year to bring? What do you hope to leave behind with this winter’s darkness? What lesson or skill—big or small—have you learned this season that you hope to carry forward with you?