7 Ways to Celebrate the Summer Solstice with Your Toddler

Controversial opinion time: Summer is my least favourite season.

If you want a definitive ranking, mine is: Autumn, Christmas (it’s different to Winter + you know it), Spring, Winter, + then Summer. What’s yours?

BUT – we are blessed to live in a place on Earth where we do experience four distinct seasons, + I believe each season should be celebrated for it’s unique beauty, + individual role in the circle of life.

So… let’s celebrate Summer! With the Solstice coming up, now is the perfect time to bring in the new season with some nature-focused summer fun, for you + your little bugs.

Get up + get outside. If your minibeast is up with the larks like mine, why not go along with them for one day? Sure, getting out of bed waaay before you want to hurts, but there really is nothing better than stepping outside in the early morning. The air is crisp + fresh; the painted sunrise skies are spectacular; + if you can brave going barefoot, the morning dew is soothing to the soul – and soles (of the feet!).

Roll out your yoga mat + do a few sun salutations. This typical yoga flow can be modified to make it suitable for little ones, or if you’d like some help, come along to a TinyBugs Flow Solstice class!

Get in to nature – Walk in the woods. Paddle in a stream. If you’re brave, go wild swimming! Look for signs of summer – colourful flowers, shades of green leaves, pollinators, clouds. Right click + save the image below for a Summer-y Nature Hunt for your little ones!

Bake something with fresh fruit – Celebrate the abundance of summer with some fresh fruit! Last year my little bug + I picked strawberries at the local PYO, then made strawberry jam tarts. This year will definitely feature handpicked strawberries, but perhaps in a galette or crumble? Or, if you want a super simple but delicious dessert, frozen berries topped with white chocolate ganache is heavenly!

Eat a meal outside – there’s something so joyful about eating in nature, whether it’s a picnic, barbecue, or just your usual lunch eaten al fresco!

Do a natural craft together – For me, the goal will always be to make a daisy chain or flower crown. If that’s not your little bug’s vibe, maybe you could make mud cakes decorated with ‘ingredients’ from nature. Set up a tent and play camping. Make a den. Create a flower exploration tray. Or these dandelion hearts look adorable!

Don’t forget to treat yourself! – As parents, it’s natural for our time to be all about our little one’s joy. But you deserve to enjoy this season for you too, Mama. Buy yourself some flowers. Get out your journal or oracle deck. Have a bath or aromatherapy steam cleanse using petals. Paint your nails a bright shade. Pop to the library + stock up on some Summer reads. Try a Litha yoga flow. Whatever you do, enjoy every moment of it.

And on that note, I'm off to make a flower crown for the first time, + see whether I can get my minibeast to pose with it. Wish me luck!

How will you celebrate Summer this year?