Are you counting down the days until spring, or embracing the cozy darkness of December? If you’re in the first group, you’re not alone. Winter’s shorter days can be tough for many, especially families with energetic young children. But the good news is, December 21st marks this year’s winter solstice, the longest night of the year. After that, the days will gradually begin to lengthen, bringing more daylight and brighter days ahead.

Until spring arrives, there’s so much beauty to be found in winter—a time to rest, reflect, and recharge, just like the rest of nature, in preparation for the growth that will come with warmer weather.

For families who spend time outdoors and cherish a connection with nature, the winter solstice presents a wonderful opportunity to teach children about the season’s rhythms and traditions. One of the most rewarding challenges of parenthood is sharing something new with your kids—especially when it helps them feel connected to the natural world.

When we first introduced the idea of the winter solstice to our young children, we explained it like this:

“The winter solstice will be here soon! It’s special because it’s the longest night of the year. People from all over the world have been celebrating the solstice for thousands of years, because it marks the moment when the days start getting longer again. Some cultures celebrate by lighting candles or bonfires to welcome the sun’s return.”

If your children are a bit older, you can dive deeper into specific traditions from around the world:

• In Sweden, people celebrate with a festival called St. Lucia’s Day, where children dress in white robes and wear crowns of candles to bring light to the dark winter.
• In Iceland, families gather to share stories, sing songs, and enjoy a festive meal together.
• In Mexico, the solstice marks the beginning of the holiday season, with traditions like the Posadas, which reenact Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter.

These traditions remind us that we’re all connected by the same cosmic event and help bring light into the darkest part of the year. Many of our own Christmas traditions are inspired by these ancient celebrations. Cool, right?? (We think so!) 

Our Family's New Winter Solstice Tradition: The Lantern Walk

This year, we’re excited to introduce a new family tradition: a Winter Solstice Lantern Walk! This meaningful tradition is visually stunning and rich in symbolism, making it a perfect way to celebrate the winter solstice with children.

What is a Solstice Lantern Walk?

A Solstice Lantern Walk is a quiet, reflective activity where participants walk through the evening or nighttime carrying lanterns. The lanterns symbolize the return of light after the longest night of the year, representing hope, renewal, and the gradual lengthening of the days.

This tradition is common in many European and Scandinavian cultures, where it’s part of larger celebrations of the Winter Solstice or Yule. It’s a way to embrace the winter darkness while celebrating the light that’s gradually returning.

How to Create and Enjoy a Solstice Lantern Walk

1. Prepare the Lanterns
Get creative and craft your own lanterns with your kids ahead of time! Here are some simple and fun ideas:

• Jar Lanterns: Use mason jars or any clear glass jars. Place a battery-operated tea light inside and decorate the outside with tissue paper, paint, or Solstice-themed designs like stars or snowflakes.
• Paper Lanterns: Cut out shapes like stars or moons from colored paper, then glue them to a piece of parchment or craft paper. Form the paper into a cylinder, and add a small LED light inside.
• Natural Lanterns: For an eco-friendly touch, make lanterns from pinecones, twigs, and leaves. Glue these around a small jar or container to create a rustic, woodland look.
• Tin Can Lanterns: Using an empty tin can, hammer small holes in a pattern (like a sun or star). Place a small light inside to create a beautiful glowing effect.

Safety Tip: Use battery-operated tea lights or LED lights to keep things safe, especially if young children are involved.

2. Plan the Walk

• Location: Ideally, the walk should take place outside, after sunset. A garden, park, or forest area is perfect, as long as the path is safe and clear. You can also walk through your neighborhood or in your backyard. Wherever works for your family! 
• Route: Keep it simple and short—young children might find it difficult to walk too far in the dark. A loop or circular path works well, so everyone ends up back where they started.
• Dress Warmly: Since it’s winter, make sure everyone is dressed warmly and in layers. Merino wool base layers are perfect for this—breathable, temperature-regulating, and cozy. After the walk, kids can remove their outer layers and still feel comfortable in their Iksplor gear, which is made to keep you warm, dry, and cozy in cold weather.

3. Set the Atmosphere

• Music: If you’re in an area where you can control the sound, play soft, calming music to enhance the mood. Look for instrumental or nature-inspired tunes—gentle flutes, chimes, or bells. Or, simply enjoy the sounds of nature around you.
• Candles: If it’s safe, light candles along the path or in the starting and ending areas to help create a sense of movement toward the light.
• Storytelling: Before or after the walk, share a Solstice story. It could be a myth about the Sun God, or simply a tale about the rebirth of the sun and the return of the light.

4. Walking Together

• Start the Walk: Begin at twilight or after sunset. Hold your lanterns steady and remind everyone that each light represents the gradual return of daylight.
• Reflection: The walk is often quiet, (or not-so-quiet if your kids are as excitable as ours 🤪) allowing for peaceful (or enthusiastic!) reflection. Ask your children to think about what the Solstice represents—new beginnings, the return of light, or their wishes for the upcoming year.

5. End the Walk with a Special Activity

• Solstice Feast: Warm up with a cozy meal or treat afterward—soup, hot chocolate, or a comforting dessert.
• Solstice Wishes: Have each family member share a wish for the coming year. You can place them on your Christmas Tree like ornaments or write them on paper and hang them near the lanterns.
• Singing or Reading: End the night with a Solstice song or a festive reading, such as The Shortest Day by Wendy Pfeffer or Winter's First Snow by Jill McDonald.

Why the Lantern Walk Is Special

• Symbolism of the Return of Light: The lanterns represent the return of light after the longest night. Holding a lantern connects everyone to the growing light that follows the Solstice.
• Mindfulness and Connection: The Lantern Walk encourages mindfulness, providing a time to reflect on the year past and the year ahead. It’s an opportunity to connect with nature and each other.
• A Memorable Family Tradition: The Lantern Walk is a visual and emotional experience that families can cherish year after year. It symbolizes hope and joy, while celebrating nature and the cycles of life.

A Magical Experience

We recently did a test run of our lantern walk, and it was even more magical than we anticipated! We started by crafting our lanterns with mason jars, glue, tissue paper scraps, and twine (our camping lanterns came in handy, too, as they were a bit brighter). We took our walk near a family member’s home in the woods, following a trail that winds by a creek. With the soft glow of lanterns, the almost-full moon above, and Christmas lights sparkling through the trees, the experience was truly enchanting.

We dressed warmly in Iksplor’s base layers, coats, and hats, with blankets for the little ones (who we ended up carrying most of the way). Along the trail, we spotted mushrooms, squirrel nests, and beds of moss. We also talked about how nature sleeps during winter and looked for signs that the earth is resting: bare trees, brown plants, and the quiet creek, with a thin layer of ice forming in the shallow spots.

The combination of light from our lanterns, the moon, and the forest around us created an atmosphere of wonder. It was a perfect way to celebrate the Solstice and start a new family tradition. And have we mentioned how much we love being parents and sharing our love for the outdoors with our children? Because we really do!

Happy winter, and happy Iksploring!