Fun Activities to Celebrate Leap Day

Leap Day, on February 29, has been a day of traditions, folklore and superstitions ever since they were first introduced by Julius Caesar over 2000 years ago. According to an old Irish legend, St Brighid struck a deal with St Patrick to allow women to propose to men – and not just the other way around – every four years. In Scotland, it used to be considered unlucky for someone to be born on leap day, just as Friday 13th is considered an unlucky day by many. Greeks consider it unlucky for couples to marry during a leap year, and especially on the 29th. And since 1980, a satirical French newspaper has come out once every four years on leap day, making it the least frequently published newspaper in the world.

In addition to having interesting connotations and traditions around the world, the Leap Year adds a bonus day to the end of February every four years, giving us more time to accomplish our goals, spend time with our favorite people, and learn more about the world around us. A Leap Day celebration is a fun way to engage students and explore ways to jump into learning. Try some of these ideas to make memories at school and help students aim high all year long.

1. BONUS TIME: Ask students to imagine all the things they could do with an extra day, from reading and writing stories to playing outside with friends and pets.

2. QUIZ TIME: Organize a trivia challenge, testing students’ knowledge about historical events, traditions and scientific facts related to this unique day.

3. STEM SESSION: Arrange a science experiment exploring physics concepts like gravity and motion through fun, hands-on activities.

4. GO GLOBAL: Celebrate diversity with a “Leap Around the World” showcase, where students share traditions, customs, and celebrations from different cultures.

5. LEARN TOGETHER: Plan a special assembly featuring guest speakers or presentations on the significance of leap years and the extra day in our calendar.

6. FUN WITH NUMBERS: Incorporate leap-themed math problems into the day’s lessons, making learning fun and relevant to the occasion.

7. LEVEL UP: Reading Facilitate a “Leap Through Literature” session, where students can share or find favorite books or poems related to jumping, leaping, or personal growth.

8. TIME IN A BOTTLE: Conclude the day with a time capsule activity, encouraging students to reflect on their growth and set goals for the next leap year.

Allison Green
Boston Tutoring Services