5 Ideas for Fun With the Kids on St. Patrick’s Day

This morning a sneaky leprechaun – or perhaps several – stopped by our house and sprung the rainbow trap that my kindergartener had set. Along the way they dropped a few gold/chocolate coins from their pot of gold. My little guy was super surprised and very happy to find the surprises.

Last year was the first year that I learned about these leprechauns visiting houses on St. Patrick’s Day. At first I felt about as enthused as I do about the Elf on the Shelf (which is not a lot) because it’s just one more thing that I add to-do list. Catching leprechauns, however, is different because my son and I actually sat down and made the trap, using our crafty, creative skills (which I’m first to admit is not my strong point), and then talking about how and where to strategically place the trap to catch a leprechaun. The other thing that helps me be OK with it: it’s a one-day event unlike that Elf!

If you’re interested in making a leprechaun trap, I suspect you could probably still catch one tonight. My son and I simply used watercolors to paint the colors of the rainbow on a large piece of paper from his art easel. I think took that paper and wrapped a small shoebox. We lined the inside with green tissue paper and the propped it up with a stick he found in the backyard. Easy peasy. Picture below is our final product (no Pinterest perfect here, but was fun to do together).

Many St. Patrick’s Day events happened last weekend, but here are some fun ideas for celebrating with the kids at home or out and about around Charlotte:

1. Wear green and head to Discovery Place KIDS in Huntersville to Wear green to experiment with the color green during the Science Show and participate in green-themed art projects all day,

2. If you’re a baker, make a sweet green treat like these All-Natural Mint Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Swirl Brownies. If you’re not a baker, go buy some mint chocolate chip ice cream or have a Yum!

3. Head to Rock Hill this afternoon for St. Patrick’s Day on Main for live music, and loads of activities and games for kids.

4. The weather is gorgeous! Pack a lunch or early dinner picnic and get going on a local greenway for some biking or scooting. Stop and look for four-leaf clovers along the way.

5. Talk up the leprechaun lore, and try making some cheesy Irish soda bread, and have corned beef and cabbage for dinner.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!