The winter solstice is the shortest day of the year.
That means we have the least amount of daylight and the longest night!

It usually happens around December 21.
Some years it can be December 20–23, depending on the calendar.

After the winter solstice, days start getting longer again.
Each day gets a tiny bit more sunlight—even if it’s hard to notice at first!

The Earth causes the solstice—not the weather.
It happens because Earth is tilted on its axis, not because it’s cold.

Winter solstice means winter begins (astronomically).
It marks the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere.

The Southern Hemisphere has its summer solstice at the same time.
While we have winter, places like Australia are having their longest day!

Ancient people celebrated the winter solstice.
Many cultures held festivals to celebrate the return of the sun.

The Sun appears at its lowest path in the sky.
This makes shadows longer during the day.

Animals notice the change in daylight, too.
Some animals hibernate or change behavior as days grow shorter.

The word “solstice” means “sun stands still.”
For a few days, the sun seems to rise and set in the same spot.

What Kids Learn

• The winter solstice has the shortest daylight
• The sun appears lower in the sky
• Shadows change with the sun’s position

Materials

• Paper or a notebook
• Pencil or crayon
• A sunny window, lamp, or outdoor space

Activity Steps

1. Stand near a window or outside where sunlight creates a shadow.
2. Trace your shadow on the paper (or trace an object’s shadow).
3. Label it:
   • “Winter Solstice Shadow”
   • Date and time
4. Talk about it:
   • Is the shadow long or short?
   • Why do you think it looks like that?

Quick Discussion Prompt

“Why do you think shadows are longer in winter?”