Summer is just about to be here, and I don’t know about you, but I am already fantasizing about pool days, ice cream, and no homework. But summer isn’t just for vacations and sleeping in—it’s filled with some pretty bizarre and outrageous facts! I dug around, and here are some awesome things I bet you didn’t know about summer.
- The Sun Isn’t Nearer during Summer
You may believe summer is warm because the Earth is nearer to the sun, but it isn’t! The Earth is furthest from the sun in early July. It’s warmer because of the Earth’s tilt. In summer, our hemisphere is tilted more towards the sun so that we get more sun and have longer days.
- The Eiffel Tower Expands during Summer
This was a surprise: the Eiffel Tower grows more than 6 inches taller when it’s warm in the summer! Metal gets bigger when it gets hot, and this means that the tower grows in size when it gets warm. That’s one huge summer stretch!
- Ice Cream Used to Be Illegal (Sort Of)
In World War II, a few countries rationed milk and sugar, so people could not consume ice cream. But now it is a summer treat! Americans eat about 20 pounds of ice cream annually per person. I might eat about 10 of those pounds myself.
- The Longest Day of the Year
The beginning of summer, known as the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year. That’s the most daylight! In a few locations, such as Alaska, the sun does not set at all—it simply remains in the sky for nearly 24 hours. You could play outside all night!
- Mosquitoes Like Summer Too
All right, this is not very nice—but it’s true. Mosquitoes are much more active in warm weather. They require warm temperatures to survive and reproduce. So don’t forget to bring bug spray if you camp! 
- Popsicles Were Created by a Child. One of my favorite facts is about a boy named Frank Epperson. He accidentally created the popsicle in 1905 when he was 11 years old. He left a cup of soda with a stick in it outside overnight, and it froze. That is how Popsicles came into being! So, summer snacks can technically be called a kid’s invention! And there you have it, summer is not only a blast, but it also has some cool science and history. Whether you are at the beach or lounging around the house, now you have some cool facts to impress your friends. Have a great summer, everyone and don’t forget the sunscreen!
“Why Does the Eiffel Tower Change Size?” La Tour Eiffel, The OFFICIAL Eiffel Tower website, 27 Dec. 2023, www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/history-and-culture/why-does-eiffel-tower-change-size#:~:text=When%20temperatures%20rise%2C%20the%20Tower,slightly%20away%20from%20the%20sun.
Stephanie Sanders, M.Ed. “25 Fun and Fascinating Facts about Summer.” We Are Teachers, 7 May 2025, www.weareteachers.com/facts-about-summer/.
Uwadiare, Jennifer. “Beat the Heat with These 20 Sizzling Facts about Summer!” Home Quirer, 3 Mar. 2025, homequirer.com/facts-about-summer/.
