16 Fun St. Patrick’s Day Traditions Kids Will Love!
St. Patrick’s Day is a fascinating and vibrant holiday that people celebrate with great enthusiasm and joy worldwide. Some of the best ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is through exciting traditions centered around Irish culture, folklore, and history.
While many of these traditions are tailored to adults, there are plenty of fun St. Patrick’s Day traditions for kids! In this article, we will delve into some of the most captivating St. Patrick’s Day traditions kids can engage in.
From creating delightful crafts to cooking delicious recipes and partaking in fun-filled activities, there are numerous ways to make the most out of this exciting day with your little ones.
Let’s get started!
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1. Read St. Patrick’s Day Books
Reading books about St. Patrick’s Day can be a great addition to your child’s day, whether it’s just a bedtime book or multiple books throughout the day. Here are some of our favorite St. Patrick’s Day books for kids:
- Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Curious George
- Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase
- How to Catch a Leprechaun
- The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day
- How to Trap a Leprechaun
2. Build a Leprechaun Trap
Building a leprechaun trap is a fun, classic St. Patrick’s Day tradition for kids. It’s a great way to engage children in a creative and imaginative activity while teaching them about Irish folklore.
You can make a leprechaun trap with simple materials such as cardboard boxes, construction paper, and glue.
Kids can decorate the cardboard box with green construction paper, shamrocks, and other St. Patrick’s Day decorations. They can then cut out a small door in the box and make a ladder with popsicle sticks or toothpicks to lead the leprechaun to the trap.
The trap can also include a small pot of gold, made with gold foil or glitter, to lure the leprechaun inside.
Once the trap is built, the children can set it up in a designated location and wait for the leprechaun to take the bait. It’s important to remind them that leprechauns are tricky creatures and may outsmart the trap.
However, whether they catch a leprechaun or not, building the trap and using their imagination will surely provide them with a fun and memorable experience.
3. Go On a Scavenger Hunt
St. Patrick’s Day is a perfect opportunity to get outside and enjoy the greenery of nature (providing winter is finished where you live!). One fun way to celebrate this holiday is by going on a green scavenger hunt. This activity is not only entertaining but also educational and environmentally friendly.
First, list different green items found in nature, such as leaves, moss, or grass. Then, search for these items with your friends or family outside.
Take a walk through a park or a nature reserve and try to find as many green things as possible. You could even make it a competition and see who can find the most items on the list!
(If you need more inspiration, check out our nature-themed scavenger hunt printable!)
Along the way, take the time to appreciate the beauty of nature and learn about the different plants and trees in the area. This activity is a great way to connect with the environment while having fun. Additionally, it is an excellent opportunity to teach children about preserving nature and caring for our planet.
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4. Have a Festive Breakfast
St. Patrick’s Day is a day of celebration and revelry, and what better way to start the day than with a festive breakfast? One of the most popular dishes for St. Patrick’s Day breakfast is green eggs, made by adding a few drops of green food coloring to scrambled eggs. The result is a fun and festive dish that is sure to put a smile on everyone’s face.
Another popular breakfast item for St. Patrick’s Day is Lucky Charms cereal. This colorful cereal is a classic breakfast staple and is often associated with the holiday due to its rainbow colors and fun marshmallow shapes.
For those who want to get a little more creative with their breakfast, shamrock pancakes are another great option. These pancakes are made by adding green food coloring to the pancake batter and then carefully and artfully pouring the batter into a simple clover shape.
Don’t worry, they don’t have to look perfect! Serve with butter and syrup for a delicious and festive breakfast that is sure to impress.
Overall, a festive St. Patrick’s Day breakfast is a great way to kick off the day and get everyone in the spirit of the holiday. Whether you opt for green eggs, Lucky Charms, shamrock pancakes, or all three, your family will love their morning meal’s fun and festive twist.
5. Be Sure to Wear Green
One of the most popular ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is by wearing green. Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is a tradition that dates back to the early 17th century and is believed to bring good luck and protect you from evil spirits.
Wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day can be a fun and easy activity to do with kids. You can encourage your children to wear green clothing, accessories, and even face paint to get into the holiday spirit.
You can also teach them about the history and traditions of St. Patrick’s Day, such as the legend of the leprechaun and the importance of the shamrock.
6. Decorate the Home
Our following St. Patrick’s Day tradition for kids is to decorate your home with St. Patrick’s Day-themed decor. There are many creative and easy ways to add some green and gold to your home.
The great thing about holiday decor is that you can make some with your kids or buy some; either way, your home will look excellent!
In addition to decorations, adding some St. Patrick’s Day-themed throw pillows or blankets can be an easy way to add some holiday spirit to your home. You can also create a centerpiece for your dining room table using green and gold candles or flowers.
Whatever decorations you choose, adding a touch of green and gold is sure to help you and your family get into the St. Patrick’s Day spirit.
7. Make St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
Doing holiday crafts and activities are some more great St. Patrick’s Day traditions for kids. If you’re looking for some creative ways to keep your little ones entertained, there are plenty of St. Patrick’s Day crafts and activities that you can try.
For example, you could make your own leprechaun hats using construction paper, glitter, and other craft supplies. You could also create a rainbow collage using tissue paper or paint or even make shamrock-shaped cookies and decorate them with green frosting and sprinkles.
Another fun activity for kids is to create their own St. Patrick’s Day cards to send to friends and family. They could draw pictures of rainbows, leprechauns, or pots of gold or write messages about what they love most about this holiday.
If you’re looking for even more craft and activity ideas for kids, check out this article! You’ll find many fun and easy ideas that kids of all ages will enjoy.
8. Gold Coin Toss
Another exciting St. Patrick’s Day tradition for kids is the gold coin toss game. It is a simple yet fun game that kids love to play. The game involves tossing gold coins into a leprechaun cauldron. If a player successfully throws the coin into the pot, they score a point.
You will need a few supplies to make a gold coin toss game for kids on St. Patrick’s Day. First, you will need a large pot or container resembling a cauldron. You can use a plastic cauldron or a bucket painted gold.
Secondly, you will need gold coins. You can purchase plastic gold coins or spray-paint regular play coins gold.
To play the game, have the players stand at a designated distance from the pot of gold. Each player takes a turn tossing their gold coin into the pot. If they make it in, they score a point.
If you want to add even more excitement to this game, you can offer the winners a prize at the end of each game!
9. Make Some Festive Treats
One of the more tasty St. Patrick’s Day traditions for kids is making some festive treats together. There are so many fun and easy recipes to choose from, and you can find recipes as easy or challenging as you want!
Shamrock cookies are a classic St. Patrick’s Day treat that your kids will love to help make. You only need sugar cookie dough, green food coloring, and a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter.
After mixing the food coloring into the cookie dough, cut out the shamrock shapes and bake them in the oven. Once they’re done, you can decorate them with green icing or sprinkles for an extra festive touch.
Another fun treat to make with your kids is lucky charm treats. This recipe is similar to rice krispie treats but with a St. Patrick’s Day twist. Simply melt some marshmallows and butter in a pan, add some Lucky Charms cereal, and stir until fully coated.
Once the mixture is ready, press it into a baking dish and let it cool. Your kids will love the colorful marshmallows and crunchy cereal in this fun and festive treat.
Finally, green rice krispie treats are a simple yet tasty option for St. Patrick’s Day. Follow the traditional Rice Krispie treat recipe, but add some green food coloring before mixing in the cereal. Your kids will love the bright green color, and you can even cut the treats into shamrock shapes for an extra festive touch.
All these treats are delicious and a great way to get your kids involved in the holiday festivities.
10. Listen to Celtic Music
St. Patrick’s Day is a wonderful opportunity to teach kids about Irish culture and traditions. One way to celebrate this special day with children is by listening to Celtic music. Celtic music is a genre that encompasses traditional music from areas like Ireland and Scotland.
Listening to Celtic music can be a fun and educational activity for kids. It can help them learn about different instruments, such as the fiddle, bodhran, and Uilleann pipes, commonly used in traditional Irish music.
Additionally, it can expose them to different types of songs, including ballads, jigs, and reels.
Children can sing along to the music, clap their hands, or even dance a jig or two. Playing Celtic music in the background while doing other activities, like cooking or coloring, can also create a festive atmosphere and enhance the St. Patrick’s Day spirit.
Listening to Celtic music is an excellent way for kids to celebrate this holiday and learn about Irish culture simultaneously.
11. Leprechaun Footprints
One way to make St. Patrick’s Day extra special for kids is by creating leprechaun footprints to surprise them in the morning. It’s a simple and easy activity that requires only a few supplies and a little bit of creativity.
You’ll need some green washable paint and a small brush to make the footprints. You can also use a stencil or a cardboard cutout to create a more uniform pattern.
Once your supplies are ready, dip the brush into the paint and press it onto the surface where you want to create the footprints. Make sure to vary the size and direction of the prints to produce a more realistic effect.
To make the surprise even more exciting, you can also leave small treats or prizes along the trail of footprints, such as gold foil-wrapped chocolates or small pots of gold.
Kids will love waking up to find evidence of leprechauns visiting their home and may even start their own search for the elusive creatures. It’s a fun and easy way to add a little magic to your St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
12. Make Shamrock Shakes (or Smoothies!)
One fun way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with kids is by making green shamrock shakes or smoothies.
To make a shamrock shake, you’ll need milk, vanilla ice cream, peppermint extract, and green food coloring. Blend these ingredients until smooth, and serve with a straw in a festive green cup.
If you prefer a healthier option, you can make a shamrock smoothie instead. For this recipe, you’ll need spinach, banana, Greek yogurt, honey, and milk of your choice. Blend these ingredients until smooth.
Your kids will love this nutritious treat’s fun green color and sweet taste. And to make it extra festive, add some whipped cream and green sprinkles on top.
Making shamrock shakes or smoothies is a great way to involve your kids in the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations and provide them with a fun and tasty snack. Plus, it’s a great way to spend quality time together in the kitchen.
13. Attend a St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Attending a St. Patrick’s Day parade with kids can be a fun and exciting experience for the whole family. As you prepare for the event, dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable shoes, as you may be standing or walking for a long time. It’s also a good idea to bring along some snacks and drinks to keep everyone fueled and hydrated throughout the day.
One of the best things about attending a St. Patrick’s Day parade with kids is the sense of community and celebration. You’ll be surrounded by people of all ages and backgrounds who share a love for this festive holiday.
Feel free to strike up a conversation with your neighbors or join in a sing-along of Irish songs. By the end of the day, your family will have made some great memories and maybe even a few new friends!
14. Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner
Next on our list of St. Patrick’s Day traditions for kids is having an Irish dinner.
St. Patrick’s Day is a fun holiday celebrated worldwide, but it’s prevalent in Ireland and the United States. If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate with your kids, why not try making traditional Irish food like Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner or Shepherd’s Pie? Both dishes are hearty, delicious, and perfect for a family dinner or party.
To make Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner, you’ll need a good-sized cut of corned beef, a head of cabbage, some potatoes, carrots, and onions. Start by boiling the corned beef until it’s tender, then add the vegetables and simmer until they’re cooked through. The result is a satisfying meal that’s perfect for a chilly evening.
Another great option is Shepherd’s Pie, which is a savory casserole made with ground beef or lamb, vegetables, and mashed potatoes. To make it, brown the meat in a skillet, then add onions, carrots, and peas. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish, top with mashed potatoes, and bake until golden brown. Your kids will love the comforting flavors of this classic dish.
Be sure to involve your kids in the cooking process, whichever recipe you choose. They can help chop vegetables, stir the pot, or set the table. By working together, you’ll create a memorable St. Patrick’s Day celebration that your family will cherish for years to come.
15. Search for Four-Leaf Clovers
Searching for four-leaf clovers is an exciting activity to do with kids on St. Patrick’s Day. Kids love finding something unique and lucky, and it’s a great way to spend time outside and enjoy the fresh air.
To start, you’ll need to find a patch of clovers. Look for areas with lots of greenery, like parks, fields, or even your own backyard. Once you see a patch, let the kids go wild searching for four-leaf clovers.
One tip for finding four-leaf clovers is to look for patches of clovers that are growing in a clump. The four-leaf clovers are often hidden among the regular three-leaf clovers, so it’s essential to look carefully.
Encourage the kids to take their time and search each patch thoroughly. It’s also a good idea to remind them to be gentle when picking the clovers so they don’t damage the plants.
16. Have a Step Dancing Contest
Last on our list of St. Patrick’s Day traditions for kids is hosting a step dancing contest. Step dancing is a traditional Irish dance that involves intricate footwork and movements. It’s a great way to celebrate Irish culture and heritage on St. Patrick’s Day.
To organize a step dancing contest, you can start by encouraging the kids to develop their own steps and routines. You can have individual or group performances if you’re hosting a party. Make sure to have some fun prizes for the winners, such as green ribbons or shamrock stickers!
To add to the festive atmosphere, you can decorate the space with green and gold decorations, such as balloons, streamers, and tablecloths. You can also play traditional Irish music in the background to set the mood.
Overall, a step dancing contest is a great way to bring kids some St. Patrick’s Day fun. It’s a fun and engaging activity that celebrates Irish culture and gets kids up and moving.
And there you have it: the best St. Patrick’s Day Traditions for kids! From dressing up in green to celebrating with sweet treats or festive activities, I hope you’ve found traditions that your family will cherish.
Before you go, check out these related articles:
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What was one of your favorite St. Patrick’s Day traditions for kids? I would love to know in the comments below!
