Every four years, our calendars get a bonus day, and families around the world get the chance to make that extra day extraordinary. Leap year, with its 29 days in February instead of the usual 28, is a fascinating quirk of our calendar system that often goes unnoticed. This year, Dailies wants you to embrace the extra day and turn it into an opportunity for unique family bonding and celebration.
What is Leap Year?
Leap year is an adjustment made to the calendar to ensure that our measurements of time align with the Earth’s revolutions around the sun. While our standard calendar year is 365 days, the Earth actually takes approximately 365.2422 days to complete one orbit. To correct this discrepancy, an extra day is added to the calendar every four years, making February 29th a special and rare occurrence.
Leap Year Family Activities:
Time Capsule Creation: Use this bonus day to create a family time capsule. Each member can contribute something significant to them, whether it’s a letter, a small trinket, or a drawing. Bury it in your backyard, and set a date to unearth it in the next leap year.
Family Game Marathon: Spend the day playing board games, card games, and maybe even inventing a few of your own. A little friendly competition can bring laughter and joy to the household.
Outdoor Adventure: If the weather permits, plan an outdoor adventure. Whether it’s a hike, a picnic, or a day at the beach, use the extra day to explore nature together.
Leap Year Time Capsule Dinner: Prepare a special dinner using ingredients that represent the four seasons, symbolizing the four years that pass before the next leap day.
Family Movie Night: Select movies or documentaries that explore the concept of time or include leap year events. It’s a great opportunity for entertainment and education.
Leap Year Reading List for Families:
“Brave Irene” by William Steig: a heartwarming story about courage, determination, and the leap of faith one young girl takes to help her mother
“The Time Garden” by Edward Eager: a magical tale that involves time travel, perfect for sparking the imagination and discussing the concept of time with your children
“A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle: a classic science fantasy novel that delves into the mysteries of space and time, perfect for older kids and teens
“The Extraordinary Mark Twain (According to Susy)” by Barbara Kerley: explore the life of Mark Twain through the eyes of his daughter, Susy, and discover the leap years in the iconic author’s lifetime
“The Watcher” by Nikki Grimes: a poetic and beautifully illustrated book that encourages children to appreciate the world around them and the passing of time
Make Today Unique:
Here at Dailies we love to celebrate the uniqueness of everyone and the world around us. Spend this leap year doing just that with these activities and books, creating lasting memories for your family. It’s not just an extra day; it’s an opportunity to make the most of our time together, appreciating the quirks and wonders of our world.
