Those of us in the Northern Hemisphere are getting ready to celebrate Summer Solstice. But this brings up the question, how does one celebrate this holiday? Perhaps you have your own traditions. We have designed easy, kid-friendly ways to learn about a day celebrating the sun.

Our first project is more of a science project than an art project. We are learning how to use the sun to make tea. Your little one will have fun learning how to use the sun to cook.

Sun Tea

Supplies:

1. Gallon size glass jar
2. 8 Tea bags
3. 1 Cup of sugar for those who prefer it
4. Gallon of water

Directions:

1. Put all the ingredients into the jug.
2. Place in the direct sun for 3-5 hours.
3. When done, place the jug in the fridge and enjoy.

While you are waiting for your tea to steep, let’s make a few craft projects to help us celebrate. One of the traditional ways to celebrate is to make a flower clown. In this project we are using paper flowers to make a headband. Your artist can wear this crown without worry of sneezing from pollen!

Flower Crown

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Supplies:

1. Copy of flowers
2. Colored paper
3. Construction paper 12″x18″
4. Glue
5. Scissors
6. Safety scissors

Directions:

1. Print off flower pattern onto different colored papers.
2. Cut out flowers, either you or the little one.
3. Cut two long strips out of the 12″x18″ paper.
4. Glue the flowers onto the strip of paper.
5. Fit to the child’s head and glue.

Next we are making a project in honor of our favorite tea maker, the sun. Your little artists will have fun using their own handprints to make this sun craft project.

Hand Print Sun

Supplies:

1. Construction paper
2. Pencil
3. Glue stick
4. Scissors

Directions:

1. Cut a small circle out of yellow construction paper.
2. Trace and cut child’s hand prints out of orange paper.
3. Glue hand prints to the back of yellow circle.
4. Turn over to reveal the sun.

Because the Solstice is a day to celebrate the sun, we thought we would make another sun project. This time we are refining small motor skills to cut and glue while completing the sun.

Mosaic Sun

Supplies:

1. Copy of sun
2. Glue stick
3. Tissue paper
4. Scissors

Directions:

1. Print copy of the sun.
2. Cut up tissue paper into small squares.
3. Spread glue stick on sun.
4. Glue tissue paper squares onto sun.

However you choose to celebrate the Summer Solstice, please remember to step outside and enjoy the longest day of the year. You might even make your crafts outside today. Wherever your little artist makes the projects, I hope you will remember to tell him or her, “You’re so creative!”