Fun Leap Year Activities

How are you celebrating February 29th? Check out these fun leap year activities for kids of all ages! 

What is a Leap Year? 

Every four years we have a Leap Year, which means we have a year with 366 days in it, rather than the typical 365. That day is February 29.

This is done so that the calendar year can keep up with the astronomical year. If we didn’t have this extra day built in every four years, our seasons would slowly change. Can you imagine having to wear a winter coat during a July snowstorm? Neither can we!

Fun Leap Year Activities

Today is Leap Year Day, woohoo! And being that it is a day that only comes around once every four years, we are going to celebrate it in style:

Plan a Leap Year Party – any reason to celebrate, right? Plan a special evening to make this ordinary Wednesday really stand out.   Have a fun meal the whole family loves! Order take-out, make a homemade pizza using pepperoni or veggies to form a “29”, or have Brinner (our super fancy name for breakfast for dinner).

Discuss Leap Year over dinner –  Talk about being born on February 29^th and how each family member would feel how would you feel about only being able to celebrate your “real” birthday every four years. How would you celebrate? Put on your thinking caps, and figure out how many Leap Years-old you are!

Leap Year Party Activities

Bake a Birthday Cake – Sing Happy Birthday to all the people who are born on Leap Day! Do you know someone who was? Call them up and sing to them live!

Would you like to dance? – Did you know that in Ireland on February 29^th, women were allowed to ask men for their hand in marriage? A man was fined if he refused! Celebrate this fun tradition by putting on some music and having the girls ask the guys to dance.

Take a Mini Adventure Trip – Are there any day trips in your region that you can take your family on?   Maybe you can visit the same local destination every four years, and watch the region evolve!   

Leap Year Time Capsule Activity

I have always loved the idea of making a time capsule but never have the patience to wait 10-20 years to open it up again! Four years sounds ideal, and I can’t wait to make one as a family. Our plan is to put items in a shoebox, with a letter written by us (to us), and then we will hide it in the back of our closet until February 29, 2024.

A few ideas could include a newspaper, currency, family photos, a drawing, a poem, a grocery receipt, concert or movie ticket stubs, trophies, a book, or a favorite toy.

In addition to the items, I am having each family member complete a questionnaire about themselves in 2020. Typical questions such as favorite subject, best friend, and favorite food are on there, along with a few thought-provoking questions: what do you want to be when you grow up and why? What do you hope to be doing in 4 years?

Once everything is tucked away nicely (don’t forget to write the letter!), it’s a good idea to tape the box up.   This prevents you from peeking!

This is a day that only comes around once in four years “ whether you make a big deal out of it or not, I encourage you to do at least one activity with your kids out of the ordinary. Make it a day to remember!

More Ideas for Family Fun

• 10 Family Activities for a Rainy Day
• 24 Summer Games for Family Fun
• The Day We Changed Our Family Dinners
• How to Save Money on Family Vacations
• Organize Your Family’s Schedule 
• How to Make a Family Kindness Jar
• The Best Board Games for Family Game Night
• 5 Family Movie Night Snacks 

How are you celebrating this leap year? Comment below!