Days in each month and leap years: what children learn
Year 3 pupils learn the number of seconds in a minute and the number of days in each month, year and leap year. There are 60 seconds in a minute, 365 days in a year and 366 days in a leap year.
In this game children sort the twelve months into those with 31 days, those with 30 days, and February, which has 28 days, or 29 in a leap year. A leap year comes about every four years: 2024 and 2028 are leap years.
This topic covers the Year 3 statutory requirement in the National Curriculum in England (Measurement): pupils should be taught to “know the number of seconds in a minute and the number of days in each month, year and leap year”. Year 3 pupils are usually aged 7–8.
There is no direct equivalent in the US Common Core State Standards. No Common Core standard covers calendar facts; the nearest is telling time in 3.MD.A.1.
How to play
Sort the cards into the right groups. Tap a card, then its group. You can also drag a card, or press the number on its group. Each game has 3 rounds with no timer. Every card is checked as soon as you place it: a card in the wrong group comes back with a hint, and you get a point for each card you place right first time. For a quicker go, choose Quick quiz: 10 multiple-choice questions in 150 seconds (choose Relaxed for more time).
Step by step
- Learn the 30-day months. Only four months have 30 days: April, June, September and November.
- February is special. February has 28 days, but 29 in a leap year. The extra day is 29 February.
- Everything else has 31. January, March, May, July, August, October and December all have 31 days.
- Use your knuckles. Make two fists and count the months on the knuckles and the gaps between them. Months on a knuckle have 31 days; months in a gap have 30, or 28 or 29 for February.
Worked examples
Example 1: How many days are there in September?
Working: September is one of the four 30-day months.
Answer: 30
Example 2: How many days are there in a leap year?
Working: 365 + 1 extra day on 29 February.
Answer: 366
Example 3: Which two months in a row both have 31 days?
Working: Check the knuckles: July is the last knuckle on one hand and August is the first on the other.
Answer: July and August (and December and January)
Common mistakes and how to fix them
- Thinking every month has 30 days. Only four months have 30. Learn the rhyme: '30 days has September, April, June and November.'
- Forgetting that August has 31 days. On the knuckle method, July and August are on knuckles next to each other.
- Thinking every year has 29 February. 29 February only happens in a leap year, about once every four years.
Activities to try at home
- Look at a calendar together and check how many days each month has.
- Count the days until a birthday or holiday.
- Time how many seconds it takes to do something, such as brushing teeth.
Ideas for the classroom
- Teach the knuckle method and the '30 days has September' rhyme.
- Pupils make a class calendar and number the days of each month.
- Work out how many days are left in this term.
Free printable game and worksheet
The free printable starts with a game sheet, such as a colour-by-answer picture, an answer maze or a secret-code joke, followed by a worksheet. Both use the same checked questions as the online game, and the answers are on the last page. Print it, or save it as a PDF from your browser’s print menu.
Open the free printable game and worksheet
Frequently asked questions
Is every fourth year a leap year?
Almost. Years divisible by 4 are leap years, except for years divisible by 100 but not 400. So 2000 was a leap year, but 2100 will not be.
Why does February have fewer days?
The calendar we use was changed many times over history, and February ended up with 28 days. The leap day keeps the calendar in step with the Earth going round the Sun.
Can it be played with a keyboard?
Yes. Tab to a card, press Enter to pick it up, then choose the group it belongs in.