FIVE THINGS TO DO ON THE LONGEST DAY OF THE YEAR

In many places around the globe, the summer solstice is cause for celebration. Here are a few things Torontonians are doing with the extra hours of daylight. By Geoffrey Vendeville

1. Go fly a kite

How many times have you lost your kite to the night? Too many to count, no doubt. On Tuesday, kite-flying enthusiasts will have a large time window to catch a breeze while the sun is up.

2. Get your dose of Vitamin D

The sun’s rays will melt the winter blues. Science says so. The summer solstice may be the happiest time of the year because sunlight helps regulate circadian rhythms, which control sleep cycle, hormonal fluctuations and body temperature, Philip Gehrman, associate director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Program at the University of Pennsylvania, told Time magazine.

3. The dog days of summer

No need for street meat when you can cook your own hotdog using the sun’s rays. The Grade 8 science section of Education.com explains how to make a solar-powered hotdog cooker. Aluminum foil and shoebox (or empty Pringles can) required.

4. Bottoms up

The daylight hours may be longer, but unfortunately the happy hours aren’t. However, the sunlight means you won’t get chilly sitting outside and sipping an ice-cold margarita.

5. Better than pickled herring

If you missed the last summer solstice Strawberry Moon until 2062, console yourself with freshly picked strawberries. The strawberry season has just started at farms near the GTA and will be hitting farmers’ markets.