Image courtesy of Rawich at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
If you’ve looked closely at the calendar this February 2016, you most likely have realized that we have a Leap Day (February 29th) this year. Leap Year happens once every four years and there are a lot of ideas out there on how to make this “extra day”an extra special one. Let’s take a closer look at how you can celebrate Leap Day on February 29th.
Classroom Ideas:
Leap Day is on a Monday this year and if you are a classroom teacher you may want to incorporate some Leap Day/Leap Year ideas into your lesson plans. Many of the links I found include frogs, including the annual Frog Jumping of Calaveras County. The first set of ideas shared here for the classroom are from TeachWithMe.com. My favorites from this site include a mini-book called “My Leapin’ Animal Booklet”, a Leap Year Banner Bookmark, and a “Leapin’ to 29” Leap Day Coin Game. Another site with ideas for teachers is PTOToday.com with its post “7 Days for Leap Day”. One of my favorite ideas for students on this site is the Four Things Flyer where students write down 4 things they hope to do before the next Leap Year. Naturally, P.E. activities for Leap Day could include jump rope and/or hopscotch.
Image courtesy of Suriya Kankliang at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Party Ideas & Pinterest Boards:
An extra day sounds like a good excuse to have a party and TipJunkie.com has a fun post from 2008 with Leap Year Party Ideas. One of my favorites from this post is “Musical Lily Pads” which is a game similar to Musical Chairs. More ideas of ways to celebrate can be found on Pinterest. One of the boards I found is from RedShutters.com and focuses on Leap Day Activities.
Fun with Family Ideas:
The site FrugalCouponLiving.com featured a post earlier this month with ways to make Leap Year more fun for your kids and family. Two of my favorite ideas from this blog were to make a “Leap Day Time Capsule” (to be opened on the next Leap Year) and “Eat Dessert First” at dinner (either at home or if you decide to go out to eat).
Image courtesy of akeeris at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
All this talk about Leap Day and Leap Year may spark some curiosity about “Why do we have Leap Day?” LeapYearDay.com has a list of Ten Fun Facts for Kids about Leap Day. One of the fun facts I found interesting is that even decades have 3 Leap Years and odd decades have 2 Leap Years. For example, 2016 is the second (and last) Leap Year for this decade because it’s an “odd decade”. In the 2020s there will be 3 Leap Years (2020, 2024, and 2028). According to Examiner.com, in a post from 2012, the chances of being born on a Leap Day is approximately 1 in 1500. Also people who are born on Leap Day (February 29th) you are called a “Leaplings”.
Spur-of-the-Moment Ways to Celebrate Leap Year:
Finally, if you’re not the type to plan ahead, have no fear – you can still have a fun Leap Day by doing some (or all) of the ideas from this 2012 post on RealLifeatHome.com: “29 Leap Day Activities that require little to no planning”. Some of the ideas will take only a few minutes and others will take a couple of hours (or more) — you’re encouraged to find the ones that will work for you and your needs. Many of these ideas are best suited if you are a home-schooling family. One of my favorites from this list is a game where kids take guesses on what item in your house (or classroom) is closest to 29 inches. The one who guesses correctly (or the closest) can be the Leap Day King or Queen.
Whatever you choose to do to celebrate Leap Year, be sure to take lots of pictures to capture this special day. Share your memories with your family and friends on social media with the hashtag #LeapYear2016 and #LeapDay2016.
Do you know anyone born on Leap Day? What are your plans for Leap Day this year? Share your plans and ideas in the comments section or on the LadyBugBlog Facebook page.
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