As we enter the summer season, the days become brighter and the sun shines longer. Trees and flowers are in full bloom, and animals are active all around us. Plus, warm weather leads to all kinds of fun outdoor activities! It’s an especially exciting time for teachers and kids, since we have some much needed time off from school. Summer is the best season for travel, festivals, barbecues, and splashing in the pool. Help your students relate to the changes in the world around them with these fun and fascinating facts about summer.
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Fun and Fascinating Facts About Summer
Summer is the warmest season of the year.
States with the hottest summers include Florida, Texas, Arizona, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Nevada.
The first official day of summer is called the summer solstice.
The summer solstice begins on June 20 or 21 and is the longest day and shortest night of the year.
There are more hours of lightness than darkness in the summer.
We see more light in the summer sky because this is when the Earth is tilted closest to the sun.
The hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth was 134°F.
This occurred in the hottest place on Earth, Death Valley, California, on July 10, 1913. Learn even more fun facts about Earth here.
When it is summer in the Northern Hemisphere, it is winter in the Southern Hemisphere.
The hemispheres experience opposite seasons because they receive more direct sunlight at different times of the year. Summer occurs June through September in the Northern Hemisphere and December through March in the Southern Hemisphere. Check out these facts about winter to compare it with these facts about summer.
Alaska has only a few hours of darkness in the summer.
Depending on location, the sun only sets between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. In other areas, the sun does not set at all!
Polar days are days without darkness.
Polar days occur in areas of the world that are far north, including parts of Norway, Sweden, Canada, Greenland, and Russia. They can last for many days or even months. The moon and stars go into hiding!
Some constellations are more visible in the night sky during summer.
Three prominent constellations form the Summer Triangle: Aquilas, Cygnus, and Lyra. Scorpius and Sagittarius are also easily seen in the summer night sky.
Summer is known for heat waves.
These are periods of extremely hot weather that can be dangerous for people, animals, and plants. Stay indoors and drink plenty of water during these times.
Thunderstorms are most common in the summer.
During summer, warm air rises, forming large clouds. These can bring lightning, rain, and even hail. It’s always a good idea to have a raincoat and umbrella nearby in the summer.
A hurricane is a severe summer storm.
Hurricanes are destructive tropical storms that form over warm ocean waters. They consist of damaging winds of 74 mph or more, heavy rains, and storm surges.
Some animals have fur that adapts to summer weather.
Many animals shed their thick winter fur in the summer to stay cool. The new fur is thinner and lighter. Some animals have summer fur that is a completely different color than their winter fur!
Fireflies are most active in the summer.
Also known as lightning bugs, fireflies light up through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence. This helps them attract mates and communicate.
Some animals estivate in summer.
This is like hibernation but for hot weather! Animals like lungfish, snails, and some amphibians burrow underground to stay cool and survive droughts in summer.
Sharks come closer to shore in summer.
This is because the water is warmer and there’s more food available for them near the coastline. Learn even more about sharks here.
Bees and butterflies are most active in the summer.
Flowers are in full bloom at this time, providing them with nectar to collect. Learn more about butterflies here.
Most plants grow best in summer.
This is because they get the most sunlight and warmth during this season. Some flowers, like roses and daisies, bloom best during the summer months.
Many fruits and vegetables are in season during the summer.
This means they taste and grow best during this time. This includes all types of berries, watermelon, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, zucchini, and corn. Yum!
Ice cream and cold treats are popular in summer.
These tasty treats are delicious, while helping people cool down at the same time. National Ice Cream Month takes place in July. What a tasty and fun summer fact that’s easy to celebrate!
Barbecues and cookouts are fun summer traditions.
Popular foods include hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled corn, baked beans, watermelon, and potato salad. Families and friends get together for outdoor food, games, and summer fun!
Many countries celebrate their independence day in summer.
This includes Canada Day on July 1, July 4 in the United States, and Bastille Day on July 14 in France.
The Summer Olympics are held every four years.
Popular featured sports include swimming, gymnastics, basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track and field. Newer sports like skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing were added in recent years. Thousands of athletes from around the world take part in the competitions.
The first Summer Olympic Games were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896.
The next Summer Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles, California, from July 14 to July 30, 2028. The most recent games took place in Paris, France, in July 2024.
More people travel in summer than any other season.
This is the busiest time of year for vacations and road trips. National parks, beaches, big cities, and mountains are popular destinations.
Amusement parks and water parks are busiest in summer.
Kids are off from school, so it’s a great time for families to go away to these super-fun places. The Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, is the most visited amusement park in the United States.
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