2020 is a leap year, and that means an extra day for us to enjoy! Leap years come about because the Earth takes slightly longer than we think to go around the sun—specifically, 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 45 seconds. We add an extra day every four years to prevent this from throwing our calendar out of whack.
But the leap year isn’t just some quirk of mathematics. A lot of people—including us at Regal—use it as a golden opportunity to do things we wouldn’t otherwise have time for. If you’re struggling for ideas in your 29th of February bucket list, worry no more; the Regal team have rounded up some fantastic activities to enjoy this Leap Day.
And to find out what your leap day traditions are, we’re running a special 29th February bucket list competition on our social channels. Gain some inspiration from our top 6 leap day activities below, then tell us on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram what your tp acitivity for 29th February is.
Three lucky winners will receive one of our Regal Classics Gift Boxes. Hurry, as the competition ends midnight 29th February.
1. Be daring
Got something you’ve never quite dared to do? Leap Day is the perfect opportunity for that activity you haven’t had the guts for. Luckily, there’s plenty of different options.
The UK’s theme parks have plenty to offer thrillseekers. Try Thorpe Park’s Stealth roller coaster; it’s the UK’s fastest, and takes its riders from 0–80mph in under two seconds! You might also want to try Alton Towers’ Oblivion rollercoaster; in a world first, it drops riders down a near-vertical track at speeds of up to 68mph.
If roller coasters aren’t your thing, how about a bungee jump? The market town of Tamworth allows tourists to bungee jump from a 160ft crane. It’s one of the UK’s most popular bungee types.
Not a fan of heights? BMX biking is another great way to get the adrenaline pumping. Several venues offer taster sessions, as well as sessions for absolute beginners.
If you want to try something a little different, why not give zorbing a try? Zorbing puts you inside an inflatable ball, which is then rolled down a slope with you in it! Check out Leeds and Nottingham for zorbing experiences, and consider variants like zorb football or zorbing on water instead.
2. Throw a snack party
Since 2020’s Leap Day falls on a Saturday, why not have a party? Invite some friends round, have some fun, and get all your favourite snacks in!
One fun idea is to indulge in snacks from around the world. Luckily, Regal has got your back; enjoy British favourites like Salt & Vinegar Crisps, or order some of our signature Pakistani snacks online like our Sweet Nugdi or traditional Boondi. We even offer next day delivery at £5.95 for easy party planning.
See our complete snack selection here for more inspiration.
3. Try a new hobby
We all have hobbies, but it’s never too late to take up a new one. A lot of places run taster sessions for the curious, allowing you to check out hobbies without any obligations.
Our team discussed a range of options, including rock climbing, archery and extreme sports. Cricket and hockey are two sports you may not have considered before. Both are great fun; check out your local club or sports centre and see what they offer.
Dancing is another excellent choice; besides the health benefits, there’s plenty of genres to explore like street dance, hip hop and Bollywood dancing! These are even more fun with friends, so don’t be afraid to ask them.
If you fancy doing something a bit different, why not try a pottery class? This is an excellent way to develop your creative side. You’ll also be able to come away with something truly personal.
Fancy casting your sights a bit further afield? Venues like Leicester’s National Space Centre are perfect for stargazers, while Birmingham’s Thinktank has regular shows at its 4K planetarium.
4. Binge watch
Take the day to catch up on your favourite TV shows. If you’re feeling adventurous, why not get your friends over and have a movie marathon? There are plenty of film series out there to test the film buff.
You might want to limit your marathon to a single behemoth. Gangs of Wasseypur is an Indian crime epic; directed by Anurag Kashyap, its two parts last an eye-watering 5 hours and 20 minutes! If you think that’s a bit daunting, something like The Irishman (3 hours and 29 minutes) might be a better choice.
Alternatively, you might want to stick to something more familiar. The Lord of the Rings trilogy lasts 9.3 hours, while the Harry Potter films run for 19.6. Star Wars is another great choice; episodes 1–7 run for a respectable 15.6 hours, though of course there’s plenty other Star Wars media to consider.
Of course, no movie is complete without popcorn. Take a closer look at our popcorn range for sweet, salted or mixed popcorn! Want to enjoy a wider range of snacks? Our Regal Classics Box comes with Cake Rusks, Bombay Mix, Mango Juice and many other Regal favourites.
5. Propose
If you want to do something really special—and the time is right—have you considered proposing? Nick Frost’s partner proposed to him on the 29th of February, and it’s more generally seen as an ideal opportunity for women across the world.
The tradition of women proposing on Leap Day dates back to 5th-century Ireland. Legend has it that when St Bridget complained to St Patrick that women had to wait too long for marriage proposals, St Patrick gave women Leap Day for their own proposals. We suspect one day every four years isn’t quite what St Bridget had in mind, but even if it’s not for everyone it’s a great opportunity nonetheless.
6. Create a leap year time capsule
If you want to see how much you’re changing over the years, why not create a time capsule of the moment to open in four years’ time?
There’s a lot of different ways you can approach this; write yourself a letter, discussing your goals and what’s happening in your life. Pick up your favourite newspaper (or a handful of newspapers) and look for clippings you think are interesting. You can even team up with a friend and create a time capsule for one another; fill it with things that show why you’re such good friends!
Seize the Day
There’s plenty of options to consider for your 29th of February bucket list, so make sure you make the most of it. You’ll have to wait a long time for the next one!
Don’t forget to sign up to the Regal newsletter for even more fun facts, recipes and other great tips. Thinking of hosting your own snack party? Our next-day delivery is on hand to help you order snacks online as quickly as possible.
Make sure that you also check out our special 29th of February Bucket List competition this month! Head on over to our Twitter, Facebook and Instagram channels for more details.
