St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just for drunken revelries. There are plenty of ways to have fun with your kids while teaching them some Irish history.
Don’t miss our guide to St. Patrick’s Day for families.
And be sure to check out our St. Patrick’s Day activities for kids.
1. Shamrock Scavenger Hunt (History & Fun)
- Hide paper or foam shamrocks around the house or yard.
- On each shamrock, write a fun fact about St. Patrick, Ireland, or symbols of the holiday (e.g., “Did you know St. Patrick wasn’t actually Irish? He was born in Britain!”).
- Kids collect the shamrocks and learn as they go!
2. Leprechaun Trap Building
- Teach kids about Irish folklore and the myth of leprechauns.
- Provide craft supplies (cardboard boxes, pipe cleaners, gold coins, string).
- Have them design and build a “trap” to catch a leprechaun overnight—great for STEM learning!
3. Rainbow Science Experiment
- St. Patrick’s Day is full of rainbow imagery.
- Create a walking water rainbow using cups, paper towels, and food coloring.
- While doing the experiment, talk about the pot of gold legend and why rainbows are a symbol of good fortune.
4. Irish Dancing Party
- Teach kids a few basic Irish dance steps and play traditional Irish music.
- Explain that Irish dancing is an important part of Irish culture and history.
5. Edible Irish Flag
- Use green grapes, banana slices, and orange cheese or carrots to create an Irish flag on a plate.
- Talk about what the colors of the Irish flag represent:
- Green = Irish Catholics/Nationalists
- Orange = Irish Protestants
- White = Peace between the two
6. St. Patrick’s Storytime & Craft
- Read a kid-friendly book about St. Patrick’s Day, such as The Story of St. Patrick’s Day by Patricia Pingry.
- Afterward, make paper plate St. Patrick’s hats or handprint shamrocks while discussing St. Patrick’s role in spreading Christianity in Ireland.
7. Coin Toss at the “Pot of Gold”
- Set up a small pot or bucket and have kids toss in chocolate coins.
- Share that gold coins are linked to leprechaun legends, where they supposedly hide their treasure at the end of a rainbow.
Would you like a printable scavenger hunt list or craft templates?
Author: Mile High Mamas
