Day Length Through the Year: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 1
Day Length Through the Year is a free printable worksheet for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1. Are summer days and winter days the same? It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, a growing library of free printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795.
It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is the activity for children. Page 2 is for the grown-up: it has notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard, a stretch idea, and the answers. Print it at home or in the classroom. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
This worksheet includes numbered questions with space to answer.
A look at what children will meet:
- In summer, are the days long or short?
- In winter, are the days long or short?
- When is it light for longer: summer or winter?
- When do we put the lights on earlier?
- Which season is your favourite and why?
Who this is for
Year 1 (ages 5 to 6) in Key Stage 1.
Key Stage 1 covers Years 1 and 2, ages 5 to 7. Children are building secure foundations in reading, writing and number, and short playful practice at home helps those foundations stick. Use it at home, in class, on a rainy afternoon or at a family gathering.
What children practise
- Comparing
- Seasons
- Talking about science
Notice that days are longer in summer and shorter in winter.
Learning focus and curriculum link
Subject: Science. Key stage: Key Stage 1. It supports the subject at this level through short, focused practice.
This sheet is a practice and play activity. It supports classroom learning and is not a replacement for it.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for the child. Keep page 2 for the grown-up.
- 1 child with a grown-up. About 10 minutes. Talk about what time it gets dark at different times of year.
- Work through the activity together the first time. Talk about each choice.
- Check against the notes on page 2 and the answers.
- Come back to it another day. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
If it feels too hard
Read each question aloud and let the child answer by speaking.
To stretch confident children
Draw the sky in summer and winter on the back and compare.
Make it a game
Look out of the window at bedtime and say if it is still light.
Tips for parents and teachers
- Print on plain A4 paper. Black and white printing works too.
- Work through it together the first time, then let children try alone.
- Praise effort and thinking, not only correct answers.
A screen-free science activity for Year 1
Children spend a lot of time on screens. This is a screen-free science activity that needs only paper and a pencil. It works as quiet time after school, a rainy day activity, a holiday boredom buster or a calm moment before bed. Screen-free learning gives eyes a rest and gets children talking, thinking and writing by hand.
Free science resources for teachers
Teachers can use this worksheet as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task, a supply teacher resource, a homework task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. The learning focus and skills are listed above so you can match it to your planning, and page 2 gives support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Science ideas for parents at home
You do not need to be a teacher to use this. Read the sheet through, sit with your child for the first go and let them lead. Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work better than long sessions. If you are looking for free science worksheets for Year 1, or simple home learning for the weekend or school holidays, this is a good place to start.
Home education and tutoring
Home educators and tutors can print this as part of a wider science plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Because the sheet is free and printable, you can use it again for brothers and sisters or for revision a few weeks later.
Why it helps children learn
Hands-on, paper based activities slow learning down in a good way. Children read carefully, think before they answer and see their own progress on the page. Games and challenges add a reason to keep going. That mix of play and practice is why printable activities like this are popular with parents, teachers and home educators.
Curriculum links for teachers
This sheet supports the areas below. It is matched to the published England frameworks. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | Science | Seasonal changes | Year 1 |
What children will be able to do
- I can say that days are longer in summer.
- I can say that days are shorter in winter.
- I can compare the length of days in different months.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Is it light for longer in summer or winter?
- How can you tell on the chart?
- What do you do in the long light evenings?
More like this
Same subject, one year up: Micro Habitats Hunt | Same subject, one year down: Rainbow Colour Mixing
Frequently asked questions
What age is Day Length Through the Year for?
It is written for Year 1 (ages 5 to 6), in Key Stage 1.
What will children practise?
Notice that days are longer in summer and shorter in winter.
How do I use it?
1 child with a grown-up. About 10 minutes. Talk about what time it gets dark at different times of year.
What if it feels too hard?
Read each question aloud and let the child answer by speaking.
Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use.
Is Day Length Through the Year suitable for teachers to use in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing.
Is this a screen-free activity?
Yes. It is a screen-free printable that needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays.
Can I use it for home education?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider plan. It is free to print again for brothers, sisters or revision.
How long does it take?
Most children finish page 1 in 10 to 20 minutes. The notes on page 2 suggest ways to make it shorter or longer.
Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
More free printables
More for Key Stage 1 | More science printables | Free printable games | All Mini Minds Hub resources