Find an activity
Back to ideas

Explore · Wild and Tumble activity

Goodnight sun

Wave goodbye to the day. Wrap up warm and watch the sky change colour as the sun goes down.

  • 15 min total
  • Low mess
  • Ages 2–5*
  • Outdoors
  • Autumn and winter
Let's do this

*Illustrative age guidance. Your child's development and circumstances matter more than a number.

A tiny plan for your day

Estimated time: 3 min to wrap up · 10 min to watch · 2 min to head in. In autumn and winter, sunset fits nicely before tea. It's fine to stop early.

Before you start

What you’ll need

  • Warm coats
  • A spot with a clear view west, like a window, garden or park
  • Optional: a warm drink in a flask

Let's begin

Five simple steps

That's the whole activity. Tick each step off as you go, and stop whenever you like.

  1. Check today's sunset time and head out ten minutes before.

  2. Look at the colours. Can you spot pink? Orange? Purple?

  3. Watch the sun sink lower and lower.

  4. Together

    Say "goodnight, sun" together as it disappears.

  5. Look for the first star or the moon on the way in.

All done!

That's every step. However it went, you made a little moment together.

If you enjoyed this

More little ideas like this.

All activities