St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to unwind and have some fun while celebrating Irish culture and history. However, many St. Patrick’s Day activities tend to be designed for adults. These ten ideas will help the children in your life engage in the activities while learning a bit about Ireland, Irish culture, and maybe even St. Patrick. These ten ideas will help bring some joy to the day while keeping kids busy on a budget. You should be able to enjoy most of these ideas for less than $10, if not for free! All of the options are also easy to perform without a lot of planning, so you can have last-minute ideas available in the blink of an eye.
1. Clover Hunt
Clovers have become a symbol of Ireland for so many people, which is why a clover hunt is a great way to share some fun with your kids. Clovers grow in many locations, so there is a good chance that you will be able to find some in your community, if not your backyard. A four-leaf clover is said to bring luck so you might instruct children to look for a four-leaf clover to add fun to the activity. If you don’t have clovers around you, then you can use the day to plant some. You can also make them out of construction paper and hide them around the home for children to find.
2. DIY Leprechaun Hats
Leprechauns tend to be a big part of Irish lore, which is why the mythical legend plays a large role in the holiday. In order to celebrate the fun that leprechauns bring to the holiday, you might consider helping children make leprechaun hats. Leprechaun hats can be made in a variety of ways. One of the most common options is to use construction paper to form a headband that is easy to decorate. You can also make them out of felt or recyclables if you’re working with older children that want a more challenging craft. The hats can also be accompanied by DIY leprechaun beards to add to the look.
3. Search for the Pot of Gold
Finding a leprechaun’s gold at the end of a rainbow is a great way to bring some fun to the day. One way to do this is to add rainbow accents around the house, so kids can go on a treasure hunt to find the pot of gold. You can also use glittery footprints to make kids feel like a leprechaun has hit the pot of gold. The pot of gold you hide can be filled with treats like golden wrapped chocolate coins, party jewelry, or anything else you think should go in a pot of gold. For older children, you might skip the rainbows and glitter and come up with a treasure map filled with clues to help them find their treasure.
4. Leprechaun Trap
If you want to bring a bit of STEM to your child’s life for the holiday, then you can easily help them make a leprechaun trap to add to the fun. Some cereal boxes are actually providing the blueprints for some of these projects, but if you can’t find one that suits your needs then you might also consider looking up some of the STEM projects available online. If you have older children, then they might want to come up with their own trap utilizing knowledge that they’ve already gained in school. If your kids do make a trap, you might consider sneaking small treats into the trap to bring even more delight to your children.
5. Green Fashion Show
Wearing green has played a big role in St. Patrick’s Day for decades now. Those that choose not to wear green are often pinched, which has played a fun role in getting kids to enjoy the holiday. Instead of just dressing kids in green, you might consider having a full-on fashion show. See how creative kids can get with the color green. Most children will be able to put together their own green outfits, while older children may even consider making their own clothing. You can even take the fashion show online to allow others to participate in all of the fun too.
6. Explore Irish Legends
When it comes to Ireland, there are so many incredible stories to explore. Since this is a major part of Irish culture, you might choose to learn about some of the legends that the country has to offer. There are far more options than just leprechauns, so you are certain to find a little something for all of the children in your lives. You might even find some legends that strike your fancy too. There are lots of resources to choose from online, but you can also find incredible options in your local library. If your child is creative, then they might even have fun making art based on their favorite legends.
7. Enjoy Irish Movies
Although it might not feel like it when you look at lists of popular movies, there are some really incredible Irish movies available for you to watch. Irish cartoons have grown in quality over the last decade and offer engaging stories that feature traditional art and stories. If you’re looking to gain a better understanding of Irish culture, then certainly Irish cinema is the way to go. Children will get to enjoy a wide range of films, especially if they like stories about mythical creatures and mysteries. There are, of course, a lot of movies that adults will enjoy too. There are many Irish movie lists online to help you find the perfect match for your St. Patrick’s Day celebration. You should be able to find most things on streaming websites, but you might also have a bit of luck at your local library.
8. Enjoy an Irish Meal or Snack
Irish food can be a lot of fun to try, especially since many of their meals can be considered comforting. If you’re looking to bring some authentic fun to your holiday, then you might consider picking up an Irish recipe to try out. One of the most common things to make is corn beef and cabbage, but there are so many other things to choose from. Ireland has many amazing stews and bread to try, amongst other things. You can also have some fun with your family’s staples. For instance, you can make cereal squares out of Lucky Charms or add green coloring to cupcakes and other treats. If you want to help the kids get more out of the experience, ask them to help out.
9. Create a Rainbow
If you love to work with the theme of leprechauns hiding gold at the end of a rainbow, then you might consider adding a touch of STEM to your celebration. You can show children various ways to make rainbows, so they can easily learn a little bit of science while having some fun. Of course, there are so many ways you can create a rainbow, so you might look at some age-appropriate options. You can use a prism to show how light filters into colors, or simply create a rainbow on your wall. There are lots of ideas online so make sure to keep it lighthearted and fun, so your child can enjoy the holiday while gaining an interest in science.
10. Watch a Parade
You might be surprised by how many St. Patrick’s Day parades there are. Many smaller communities will host their own, while big cities also get in on the fun. Boston offers one of the more famous St. Patrick’s Day parades, which you can usually watch streamed online. Some areas of Ireland will also host a parade, even though St. Patrick’s Day isn’t as commonly celebrated there. It shouldn’t take long to find the information you need to watch a parade online if there isn’t one happening in your own community.
St. Patrick’s Day is a great way to have some wholesome fun while taking your mind off of the hectic world that we live in. These tips will help you get started on planning all of the fun aspects of your holiday. Of course, this is only the beginning as there are many amazing games and activities that you can enjoy during the holiday.
