Dancing Into May: Celebrating Beltane with Children

As someone who didn’t grow up marking the seasons, discovering the joy of Beltane through my children has been unexpectedly magical. There’s something so carefree and wonderful about this time of year, a soft turning point where the days stretch longer, the world feels lighter, and colour seems to return to everything.

My children have been lucky enough to attend a school that celebrates Beltane with great enthusiasm. Each year, they craft their own flower crowns, and there's always a moment (or many!) of tangled feet and giggles as they learn to weave vibrant ribbons around a tall maypole. The pattern doesn't always work out perfectly, but that’s part of the fun. Watching them dance, skip, and try again has become one of my favourite ways to welcome May.

I think what makes Beltane so special, especially now, is how beautifully simple it is. In a world that’s constantly buzzing and beeping, this celebration asks nothing of us but to notice the beauty, move a little, and be together. It’s not about getting it right, it’s about letting go, laughing, and stepping into the season with light hearts.

If you’d like to mark Beltane at home, here are a few ideas to try with your children:

Make Flower Crowns
You don’t need anything fancy, some gathered blossoms, dandelions, and a few bendy twigs or a ribbon base can become something truly beautiful. 

Set Up a Mini Maypole
If you can’t get to a community celebration, you can still have a go at home. We’ve made maypoles from garden canes or tree branches, add a few Sarah’s Silks or colourful ribbons, and children can take turns weaving and dancing around it. It doesn’t have to be polished—joy is the only goal.

Light a (Safe!) Fire or Candle
Traditionally, Beltane celebrated the return of the sun and fertile earth with great bonfires. At home, even a single candle can honour that spirit. Light it at dinner or just before bed, and take a moment to say something you’re grateful for in this season of growth.

Tell a Story or Sing a Song
This is the time for songs that skip and twirl, and stories that celebrate the land waking up. We often end the day with a folk tale or a little rhyme, sometimes told outside in the last light of the day.

There’s no right way to celebrate Beltane. Whether you go all in with costumes and maypoles or just take a walk to notice the buttercups blooming, it’s about connecting to something simple and true. I love that my children will grow up with these memories woven into the rhythm of their year.

And honestly—so much of it is just an excuse to dance.

With love,

Funmi

Beautiful photos captured by @apockettofforest