Our planet, Earth, goes through four special times of the year called seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. These seasons happen because of the way Earth is tilted as it travels around the Sun.
Earth is a bit tilted, like a spinning top leaning to one side, at an angle of about 23.5 degrees. This tilt is why we have different seasons. As Earth moves around the Sun, different parts of it get more or less sunlight.
In the Northern Hemisphere, the seasons usually happen like this:
In the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite:
Spring is when the cold of Winter starts to go away, and it gets warmer. During Spring, you might notice:
Summer is the hottest season, with long days and short nights. It’s known for:
Fall is a time of change and harvest. As it gets cooler, you might see:
Winter is known for cold weather and shorter days. Depending on where you live, Winter might bring:
The four seasons—Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter—each have their own special things to enjoy. Knowing why these changes happen helps us appreciate the beauty of nature. Whether you love the flowers of Spring, the sunshine of Summer, the colorful leaves of Fall, or the snowy days of Winter, each season is unique and wonderful. What’s your favorite season, and what do you enjoy most about it?
Seasonal Observation Journal: Start a journal to observe the changes in your surroundings as the seasons change. Each week, write or draw what you notice about the weather, plants, and animals. For example, in Spring, you might see flowers blooming or hear birds singing. In Fall, you might notice leaves changing color. Share your observations with your family or classmates.
Seasonal Craft Project: Create a craft that represents your favorite season. You could make a paper snowflake for Winter, a sun for Summer, a leaf collage for Fall, or a flower for Spring. Use materials you have at home, like paper, crayons, and scissors. Display your craft and explain to someone why you chose that season and what you like about it.
Sunlight Experiment: With the help of an adult, use a flashlight and a globe or a ball to see how Earth’s tilt affects sunlight. Shine the flashlight on the globe at different angles to mimic the tilt of Earth during different seasons. Notice how the light covers more or less of the globe, just like how different parts of Earth get more or less sunlight during the year. Discuss how this experiment helps you understand why we have seasons.
