February 29th leaps onto the calendar this year, marking the arrival of a special occasion that comes around only once every four years – yes, 2024 is a Leap Year! For your kiddos, it might even be their very first one, or the first they’ll truly remember, so let’s make it extraordinary. Leap year, the anomaly that adds an extra day to our calendars every four years, is a distinctive event that merits celebration! If you’re in Des Moines and seeking exciting ways to maximize this additional day with your kids, rest assured, we’ve got you covered.
Explore the dsm4kids’ Event Calendar for an even broader array of enjoyable activities. Don’t forget to peruse our Winter Fun Guide for a comprehensive list of events and activities taking place throughout the entire season.
Here are 10 of our favorite things you can do to celebrate Leap Year with your kids in Des Moines:
1. Jump for Joy
Literally leap for leap day! The ultimate winter indoor play places are just as appealing on Leap Day, with an array of bounce houses, slides and obstacle courses to choose from. Fortunately, several Des Moines play places have open jump hours on Leap Day itself – Thursday, February 29th. Check out the individual venues for specific hours and let the leaping festivities begin!
2. Party! It’s FINALLY Your Birthday!
Are you one of those unique individuals born on February 29th, experiencing a birthday only once every four years? What a jip…right?!?! Quadrennial birthdays call for an additional layer of celebration. Leaplings, after all, were born on the day that literally keeps our calendar in sync with the Earth’s journey around the sun. Ensure it’s a celebration to remember with a few of our birthday party ideas.
3. Celebrate Caesar
Roman general Julius Caesar introduced the first leap years to the calendar over 2,000 years ago. Honor the Roman legion by eating the best food of Italy (according to your kiddos) and order a pizza! Of course you could order from Little Caesar’s or go with a local fav like Gusto Pizza Co.
4. Learn from a Pro
What better way to learn to leap than by paying a visit to the masters of the craft: frogs? Blank Park Zoo is home to exotic species like the Blue Poison Dart Frog and the Panamanian Golden Frog. You can also learn a thing or two from other “jumpy” animals like the King Island Red Wallaby, the Big Cats and Primates. The zoo is open throughout the year, their winter hours are 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, daily.
5. Leap to the Finish
Leap into Leap Day with a thrilling frog race at the Altoona Public Library. Dive into the fun by crafting origami froggies and then watch as they race to determine which one goes the furthest and fastest. Join them for this exciting event on February 29 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm. It’s bound to be a ribbiting good time!
6. Hop To It for Chocolate
Sweets for you and your little sweets this month. If you’re looking for the ultimate Leap Day treat, the whole family will adore, head to Beaverdale Confections. They have the cutest chocolate frogs. They come in dark and milk chocolate, so make sure you get one before they hop out of the store!
7. Jump and Dunk
If you’re looking for an outing that’s sure to be a slam dunk hit with the whole family, including some jumping and leaping action, catch a Drake Women’sBasketball game on February 29th. Alternatively, embrace an Iowa tradition by attending an Iowa Girls High School State Basketball game at the Well.
8. Spring into Space
“One small step for man, one giant LEAP for mankind!” Kids can learn about space at the Science Center of Iowa’s “Why the Sky” exhibit. They will learn how light has been used throughout history to keep time and they will see a space suit and learn about an Iowa-born NASA Astronaut. SCI’s winter hours are Thursday through Sunday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm.
9. Go Green
The reason for a Leap Year is that it takes exactly 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, and 46 seconds for the Earth to circle once around the Sun. This is called a tropical year. So why not enjoy a bit of the tropics at The Juice Company, where they craft premium quality smoothies and juices from fruits and veggies? Try the Green Nirvana and you’ll realize, it is easy being green!
10. Leap to Service
What better way to spend an extra day than helping others? Or helping the planet? Kids can organize a community service project around Leap Day. Consider such activities as a food pantry collection or a park cleanup. Or hold a book drive, with a slogan that points out on this extra day in February, let’s donate our extra books. If you’re looking for Family Volunteer Opportunities in Des Moines, we’ve rounded up a few to get you started. Let’s make Leap Day a day of giving back!
How are you leaping into some fun this this leap year? Let us know!
