Season (disambiguation) facts for kids

A season is one of the main parts of the year. We usually think of four seasons: spring, summer, autumn (or fall), and winter. These seasons happen because the Earth is tilted on its axis as it travels around the Sun. This tilt means different parts of the Earth get more direct sunlight at different times of the year.

What Are Earth's Seasons?

The Earth's tilt is about 23.5 degrees. As our planet orbits the Sun, the Northern and Southern Hemispheres take turns leaning towards or away from the Sun. When a hemisphere leans towards the Sun, it gets more direct sunlight and experiences warmer weather, leading to summer. When it leans away, it gets less direct sunlight, leading to winter.

The Four Main Seasons

Most places outside the tropics have four distinct seasons. Each season brings different weather, changes in nature, and often different activities for people.

Spring: A Time of New Life

Spring usually follows winter and brings warmer weather. In many places, snow melts, and plants start to grow again. Trees grow new leaves, and flowers bloom. Animals that hibernated wake up, and many birds return from warmer places. Spring is a time of new beginnings and fresh growth.

Summer: Warmth and Long Days

Summer is the warmest season, with the longest days of the year. The Sun is high in the sky, and there's lots of daylight for outdoor activities. Plants grow quickly, and many fruits and vegetables ripen. People often go on holidays, swim, and enjoy the sunshine during summer.

Autumn (Fall): Changing Colors

Autumn, also called fall, comes after summer. The weather starts to cool down, and the days get shorter. A famous part of autumn is when the leaves on many trees change color to beautiful reds, oranges, and yellows before falling off. Farmers harvest their crops, and animals prepare for winter.

Winter: Cold and Short Days

Winter is the coldest season, with the shortest days. In many parts of the world, it snows, and temperatures drop below freezing. Some animals hibernate, and others grow thicker fur to stay warm. People often wear warm clothes, drink hot drinks, and enjoy winter sports like skiing or ice skating.

Special Days in the Seasons

The start of each season is marked by special astronomical events:

• Solstices: These are the longest and shortest days of the year. The summer solstice marks the start of summer, and the winter solstice marks the start of winter.
• Equinoxes: These are the two days each year when day and night are almost exactly equal in length. The spring (vernal) equinox marks the start of spring, and the autumn (fall) equinox marks the start of autumn.

Seasons in Different Climates

Not all places have four distinct seasons.

• Tropical Regions: Places near the equator often have only two main seasons: a wet season (or rainy season) and a dry season. The temperatures stay warm all year round.
• Polar Regions: Areas near the North and South Poles have very long, cold winters and short, cool summers. They experience extreme differences in daylight, with months of continuous daylight in summer and months of darkness in winter.

Other Meanings of 'Season'

The word "season" can also mean other things:

• Season (sports): This is the part of the year when a particular sport is played, like the "baseball season" or "football season."
• Season (television): This refers to a group of episodes of a TV show that are released together, often called a "series" in some countries.
• Seasoning: This means adding spices, herbs, or salt to food to make it taste better.