Facts
What is the "bonus day" in February?
LEAP YEAR! February, making it 29 days instead of the usual 28. It happens every 4 years.
In ______, there's a tradition called "Bachelor's Day" on Leap Day. It's a special day when women are encouraged to propose to men. This tradition dates back centuries, and it adds a bit of fun to the idea of leap years. What country does this happen?
Ireland
Is leap year math magic?
Leap years are a bit like a math puzzle. The Earth takes about 365.25 days to go around the sun, so we add that extra day every four years to keep our calendars in sync with the Earth's journey.
Is leap day considered unlucky?
In some cultures, there's a superstition that it's not a good idea to get married or do important things on a leap day. It's like a day that doesn't quite belong!
How many days are in a leap year?
366
What is it called if your birthday is on leap day?
If someone is born on February 29, they only get to celebrate their "real" birthday every four years. They might call themselves a "leapling" or "leap year baby."
In ______, some people believe that getting married in a leap year, especially on Leap Day, is not a good idea. It's a superstition that has been passed down through generations. What country does this happen?
Greece
Leap year!
Was 1992 a leap year or not?
A _____ is the amount of time it takes a planet to orbit its star one time.
Year
A leap year occurs every
every 4 years
In _______ culture, leap years are sometimes considered lucky. Some people believe that children born in a leap year will have special talents and good fortune. It adds a positive twist to the idea of a leap year. What countries culture does this happen?
Japan
2012 - Leap year or not a leap year?
Leap year!
What are "leap seconds"?
Just like leap years, scientists sometimes add a "leap second" to our clocks to account for tiny changes in the Earth's rotation. It keeps our timekeeping super accurate!
Leap years happen because a planet’s orbit around
the sun
What is the definition of "leap"?
In everyday language, “leap" means to jump or move quickly. But when we talk about a "leap year," we're not talking about jumping physically. Instead, we're talking about a special year that doesn't follow the usual pattern.
In _____, there's a saying that says, "Leap year was ne'er a good sheep year." This reflects an old belief that sheep born in a leap year bring bad luck. However, it's all just a bit of fun folklore. What country does this happen?
Schotland
1995 - Leap year or not a leap year?
What is the leap year capital?
There's a place called Anthony, Texas, that proudly calls itself the "Leap Year Capital of the World." They throw a big celebration ever
Mars, for example, has more or less leap years than regular years?
MORE - A year on Mars is 668 sols, or Martian days.
Why do we have Leap Year?
Imagine you have a calendar to keep track of the days, like the one on your wall. Now, our Earth takes about 365.25 days to go all the way around the sun. But regular calendars have only 365 days.
So, to catch up with that extra 0.25 day, we add an extra day to the calendar every four years. This extra day is what we call a "leap day," and the whole year is then called a "leap year." So, a leap year is like a little adjustment in our calendars to make sure they match up with how long it really takes the Earth to go around the sun. That's why we have an extra day in February every four years!
In _____, leap years are often considered unlucky for the elderly. To counter this belief, daughters prepare a special dish of pig trotter noodles for their parents on leap day. This meal is believed to bring good health and fortune, serving as a remedy against the perceived bad luck associated with leap years. What country does this happen?
Taiwan
2036 - Leap year or not a leap year?
LEAP YEAR!
Can you make things "official" by law on leap day?
In certain cultures, leap day is considered unlucky for legal matters and marriages. The superstition suggests that agreements made on this day may not be as binding.
It takes the Earth 365 days to make a complete orbit around the Sun. We call this a
solar year