This time of year we all pay more attention to it. Sometimes to lament the lack of it. Sometimes to enjoy the little bursts. And parents especially notice the change of it.
Light.
We change our clocks and shift when we experience natural light. The seasons change and so do the types of light we rely on. Celebrations all over the world — especially this time of year — include and even center upon light.
Candlelight. Twinkling lights. Moonlight. Flashlights. Sunlight. Colored lights. Firelight.
This is a great time of year to play with lights, notice lights and celebrate. Here are some of my favorite ways to explore light as a family.
Sunlight
Though the amount of time we are exposed to sunlight is getting shorter and shorter, I love to play with the light we have. Solar prints are an easy way to soak up some sun, especially with the bounty of nature treasures available.
Solar print paper is a fast and easy project with big results. There are many commercial options out there to make the process — known as cyanotyping — simple to get started. This project does require following precise steps, so working together is helpful. Collect some treasures — from the park, your yard or around the house. Arrange them on the solar printing paper in a dark room, according to the directions that come with the kit. When your print is ready, take it out into the sun (or even a sunlit window) to expose. You will notice the change take place quickly; after a minute or two it is time to bring it inside and rinse. I like to add a few drops of lemon juice to my rinse to boost the contrast a bit. When the items are removed and exposure complete and dried, you will find a fun print thanks to the sunlight!
You can also make solar prints and soak up sunlight on fabric! Using 100-percent white cotton fabric, diluted acrylic paints and a little more time in the sun, you will have sun prints that can join along on outdoor adventures. When you have your items to print ready, start by wetting the fabric, so it is completely wet, but not dripping. Paint the entire piece of wet fabric with one color of diluted acrylic paint (1:1-ish is a good ratio to aim for). Then press leaves, flowers and other treasures into the painted fabric as flat as possible; the more contact the item has, the sharper the lines and edges will be in the resulting print. Leave items and print out in the sunlight for several hours, until completely dry. Remove leaves and enjoy the amazing prints left behind!
Flashlights
With more darkness during waking hours, there are more options for playing with lights that can be harder to see when the sun is out. One of my favorites is a flashlight. There is something about a child having control over what they see and what is hidden in darkness — such fun!
Grab a flashlight for everyone in the family, and try any or all of the following:
Flashlight Hike: Go for a hike around your neighborhood or favorite park, after dark. How do these familiar places look and feel different in the darkness? Can your flashlight help spot new things?
Colorful Lights: Get some inexpensive colored gels photographers sometimes use, or even colored cellophane wrappers from Halloween candy (especially butterscotch and cinnamon hard candies) and shine your flashlight through the color. Does the color and light look as expected? Can you mix the colors through the light?
Flashlight Tag: This is a fun one for a big group! The “It” person gets a flashlight and tries to tag others with only the light. A great way to burn off energy out in the dark!
Candlelight
There really is something magical about candlelight. The flicker. The warmth. The cozy space it creates.
Candles don’t have to be saved for the tops of birthday cakes and fancy dinners. Candles and their components offer lots of fun to play and explore with! Wikki Stix — wax-covered yarn — offers endless fun to create with on its own, around nature treasures (my favorites are wrapping rocks) and in art. I also love to play with beeswax and paraffin wax to preserve those lingering fall colors — simply dip leaves and other treasures in melted wax to enjoy their beauty a bit longer.
A family favorite with candles this time of year is to make lanterns. We use empty glass jars and decorate with seasonal treasures (those wax covered leaves can work beautifully here) and art supplies. Apply diluted white glue or Mod Podge to the glass jar with small sponges or paint brushes, and then start sticking! Tissue paper, flower petals, autumn leaves, sequins and even bits of bark are all easy options to add a sprinkling of to the sticky jar. Allow to dry — sometimes an extra coat of glue or Mod Podge over the top can help seal things in — and then add a tea light or other small candle. It is fun to have these candlelit lanterns decorate our outdoor spaces, on the dinner table and join us for seasonal celebrations like the first day of Winter.
Reading about light
Here are a few of fantastic picture books about all different types of light:
Flashlight by Lizi Boyd
Shadow by Suzy Lee
Sun and Moon by Lindsey Yankey
Night Animals by Gianna Marino
The Game of Light by Hervé Tullet
Fireflies by Julie Brinckloe
Cozy up in front of a fire, turn off all the lights and get out the flashlight, or soak up the sunlight while we have it, and read one of these sweet stories with your favorite kiddos!
– Lee Alliet
Lee Alliet is an outdoor educator, wildschooling mama and naturing enthusiast. She lives in Wisconsin with her husband, two kids, resident dogs and an array of foster dogs. You can follow her outdoor adventures on Instagram and learn more about classes and events in the Madison area on her website.