Hey kids! Are you interested to find out what happens in winter and other winter facts for kids? In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about winter.
What is Winter?
Winter is one of the four seasons.
The four seasons include Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Winter is the season that comes after Fall and before Spring.
Winter begins on the Winter Solstice.
In the Northern Hemisphere (live above the equator) this happens in December around the 21st.
If you live in the Southern Hemisphere (live below the equator) this happens in June.
The Winter Solstice marks the shortest day of the year. Not the shortest hours, but the shortest hours of daylight.
The coldest temperatures of the year occur in winter. When we think of winter we think of cold temperatures, warm clothing, snow, fewer hours of sunlight, and of course Christmas.
The winter season takes place during four months. It starts at the end of December, runs through January, and February, and ends towards the end of March.
Why is it cold in the Winter?
The Earth orbits around the Sun. It takes 365 days for the Earth to make its trip around the sun.
While the Earth is orbiting the Sun it is tilted on its axis.
During the Winter the Earth is tilted away from the sun.
Because the Earth is titled away from the Sun, The rays from the sun have to travel further through the atmosphere before it reaches the Earth’s surface. Since it takes longer, the hours of daylight are shorter and the temperature is colder.
Did you know that the Earth is actually closest to the sun between January 3 and January 5th? Well, it is, it just doesn’t feel warm because the Earth is tilted away from the Sun.
What Happens in Winter?
Some animals including bears and chipmunks hibernate in the winter. Hibernate means to stay inside in a state of rest.
Most of the trees will look bare. All the leaves have already fallen.
People stay inside more than they do during the Spring and Summer as it is cold outside and gets dark early.
There are many fun holidays celebrated in the Winter. Some include Christmas, New Year’s, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Valentine’s Day, President’s Day, and Groundhog Day.
During the Winter it usually snows. There are many fun activities to do after it snows. Many children and families like to build a snowman, go sleigh riding, have a snowball fight, go skiing, or snowboarding.
Did you know that Chionophobia is the fear of snow? Click here to read more facts about snow.
Hope you enjoyed reading our winter facts for kids. Don’t forget to check out our other fun facts for kids at our Fun Facts page!
