Riley was born on a leap year meaning his special day technically only rolls around once every four years.

With 2020 being a leap year, Saturday is one of those days where Riley will actually be able to mark his birthday on the day he was born.

"I'm turning 12 but really I'm turning three this year," Riley said.

"It's kind of annoying being a leap year baby.

"When it's not a leap year we have my birthday on (February) 28.

"I have it still in the same month."

The Leeton Public School year 6 student will be marking his birthday in fine fashion at the Leeton pool with all of his friends and family complete with cake, a sausage sizzle, snacks and plenty of fun in the water.

His mum Tanya Melvin said the family like to make Riley's birthday even more special when a leap year does roll around.

"When Riley was eight ... when he turned two, we had a bash as well ... we like to do something," she said.

"When he was younger it was hard to explain it to him.

"It did take a bit to have him understand when he was younger, but I think he is used to it now."

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Riley was born via c-section on February 29, but his actual due date was in mid-march.

"The doctor went in and said 'okay Tanya, we're going to do this before your due date, so next Tuesday," Mrs Melvin said.

"So I said, 'not a problem'. Then I went home and looked at the calendar and went 'oh, it's a leap year'. I always joke he might thank me when he's 40 because he'll actually be younger than he really is.

"He would have been a mid-March baby, but that's just how it all played out. Having a c-section was the only option for me, so it is what it is."

For Riley getting to celebrate his actual birthday every four years means he doesn't take it for granted.

"It's the actual day, so it does feel different," he said.

"I like that on that year I don't have to explain it to everyone because it's my real birthday for once.

"Everyone knows about it and that doesn't happen every year."

The chances of being born on a leap day are one in 1461.

Some refer to people born on February 29 as "leaplings" or "leapers".

The worldwide population of people born on February 29 is roughly 50,00,000.

Another fun fact surrounding the February 29 date is one that has developed over the years where women propose marriage to their partner on this day as it is considered lucky to do so.