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The day is long, the sun is bright, time to celebrate the light! Welcome summer! On June 20th or 21st, depending on the year, the Western Hemisphere enters the long awaited summer season. In Waldorf tradition, this special day is a moment to celebrate the light, gather with friends and family, set heartfelt intentions for the season, and experience the wonder of the extended golden light of the Summer Solstice.

To prepare for this joyous time, we have compiled some of our favorite Solstice crafts and summer activities to help you and your family usher in the season with creativity and connection.

Sun bread in a white baking dish with parchment paper. Below sits a wooden waldorf celebration spiral with candles and decorations and above a wooden sunshine block toy

Make Sun Bread to Welcome the Sun

A lovely and storied Waldorf solstice tradition is to make Sun Bread. This sweet recipe is based upon the book written by Elisa Kleven called Sun Bread. We share this child-friendly and delicious sun bread recipe here.

Recipe for Sun Bread

A sunshine window decoration made from kite paper

Fold a Summer Solstice Kite Paper Window Star

One of our most favorite time-honored Waldorf traditions is to create summer-inspired kite paper stars to hang in your windows. Here is our tutorial for this fun and easy craft that will set the scene for a summer of light and celebration. Please note: This craft appears after the sun bread recipe in this blog.

Pattern for a Summer Solstice Window Star

Waldorf moving picture craft for summer solstice

Craft a Moving Picture Sun

Summer Solstice offers a wonderful chance to thank our Earth and everything it provides. One way is to make a moving picture mealtime blessing sun craft. This craft, created by Franzi Shelton, allows you to create your own sun-themed moving picture to go with a favorite summer blessing or verse.

Craft a Moving Picture Sun

A table with a nature book and Waldorf A Year In A Day magazine issue about ponds on a table with a bolga basket filled with dandelions, another small basket, an insect home, and the hands of a child reaching into a bowl of dandelion petals

Create a Waldorf Summer Family Rhythm

As you head into the summer season with all of it's brightness and opportunities for busyness, we love sharing this blog from our friend, artist and Waldorf mother, Jacinthe from @littlehouse_happyfamily. We asked her to describe a bit about how she creates a summer infused with Waldorf tradition that keeps everyone balanced, learning, and calm. Her summer guide will keep your family grounded while learing, exploring, and soaking up all the best of the season.

Create a Waldorf Summer Family Rhythm