It is nearly Midsummer, the longest day of the year. Midsummer is a celebration of light, warmth and nature in full bloom. Celebrating Midsummer with feasts, faeries and flowers brings a sense of wonder making it a perfect opportunity to commemorate with preschoolers. Children at this age are naturally curious and imaginative, and the magic of Midsummer, sunshine stretching late into the evening, wildflowers everywhere, and birds in song, can spark their joy and creativity in delightful ways.
If you’re unfamiliar with Midsummer, let me share a quick summary.
When: summer solstice, the longest day of the year, this year it falls on Friday, June 20, 2025
Where: Scandinavia – it is a national holiday in Sweden and Finland, much of Europe has joined in through the centuries as well, America is invited in celebrating Midsummer anytime!
How: bonfires, faery magic and folklore, collecting flowers for wreaths and decoration, singing, feasting
Why: Midsummer began as a celebration to welcome the summer season and ensure a successful harvest
What ideas can you embrace celebrating Midsummer with your family? Join your preschooler outdoors to connect with nature. Go on a simple nature walk to collect flowers, leaves, and small twigs. Talk about the changing seasons, the extra-long daylight, and how plants and animals are growing strong in the sun. Use your findings to create flower crowns together. This is a traditional Midsummer activity that’s easy and fun for small hands with a bit of help. This hands-on experience is not only creative but also helps build appreciation for the natural world.
Celebrating Midsummer with my youngest daughter holds some of our most treasured memories of her childhood. Following the tale of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, believing this is the night the faery realm holds its annual revels, we would host their party. Midsummer would find us choosing a secluded venue under a bowery tree, decorating it with flowers and other nature treasures, filling doll dishes with faery-sized treats; raspberries, tiny cookie cutter Fairy Bread and small candies. Folklore promises any human child who prepares a feast for the faeries on Midsummer Night will be well rewarded. Next morning, what magic it was for her to discover a colorful crystal, a ribbon streamer or flower wreath in the very place she prepared the faerie’s party!
Another magical Midsummer tradition to enjoy is dancing and music. Create a simple maypole with ribbons, or just play music in your backyard and encourage your child to dance freely. Preschoolers thrive with movement, and dancing is a wonderful way for them to express themselves. You can sing traditional folk songs or make up your own cheerful summer tunes. Adding some instruments like tambourines or shakers can make celebrating Midsummer even more joyful.
Food plays a big part in celebrating Midsummer. Involve your preschooler in preparing a special picnic or summer snack for your family. Let them help wash strawberries, stir a bowl of whipped cream, or set up a picnic blanket outside. Together make Swedish Strawberry Cream Cake a traditional Midsummer staple. Sharing food in the open air connects the family to the rhythm of the season. Keep things simple and let your child feel like an important part of the preparations. They will remember the feeling of being included and capable.
Finally, as the sun sets, wind down with a story. Tell a gentle tale about sun fairies, woodland creatures, or the magic of the longest day. Preschoolers love stories, and this quiet moment can help them transition from the excitement of the day to a peaceful evening. Whether it’s with crafts, dancing, nature walks, faery fun or storytelling, celebrating Midsummer with your little one can be a magical experience filled with joy, learning, and deep connection.
To celebrate this glorious summer season together, we invite you to learn more about the Golden Days at Home Preschool Lesson Plans to teach at home. Explore the Summer Lesson Plan Bundle featuring 12 full week lesson plans to gently fill the season. Bringing picture books to life is a joy and each of our lessons is inspired by an award-winning picture book. Fill each week with activities, songs, lessons, crafts, story time and more – even a little bit of magic! You are your child’s greatest teacher.
Written by Janet Nicole Meyer for Golden Days at Home
Flower Fairy Books by Cecily Mary Barker
Cecily Mary Barker’s Flower Fairy books combine delicate watercolor illustrations with whimsical poems, each featuring a fairy that represents a specific flower. Known for their botanical accuracy and charm, these early 20th-century books continue to enchant both children and adults with their blend of nature and fantasy.
The founder and author of Golden Days at Home preschool curriculum savors all opportunities to play and travel with her now grown children. She and her husband hike, bike and enjoy living on a stream in Boulder, Colorado with their elderly English Mastiff, Roxy.
