St. Patrick’s Day Activities Kids Will Actually Love

St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect excuse to bring some magic, creativity, and fun into your home! Whether you’re of Irish heritage or just love a good reason to celebrate, this holiday is packed with opportunities to make memories with your kids. But let’s be honest—not all St. Patrick’s Day activities are created equal. Some are way too complicated, others are more about the adults than the kids, and a few just don’t hold their attention.

This list is full of St. Patrick’s Day activities kids will actually love—simple, engaging, and perfect for all ages. Bonus? Many of these ideas sneak in learning, sensory play, and family bonding!

---

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through my links.

---

1. Build a Leprechaun Trap

Let’s start with a classic! Kids love the idea of trying to “catch” a mischievous leprechaun. All you need is a shoebox, construction paper, glue, tape, and your imagination. Encourage kids to build their own traps using whatever supplies they have on hand—LEGOs, popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, or even old cereal boxes!

How to make it extra fun:

• Set it up the night before and leave “evidence” that a leprechaun visited! Think tiny green footprints (a washable marker works great), gold chocolate coins, or a little green glitter trail.
• Read How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace to inspire creativity!

📌 Related Post: How to Create a Cozy Calm-Down Corner for Kids – a great way to encourage imaginative play and relaxation!

2. Have a Green Pancake Breakfast

Kick off the day with a festive (and kid-approved) breakfast! Add a few drops of green food coloring to the pancake batter or make shamrock-shaped pancakes with a cookie cutter.

Fun twists:

• Top with whipped cream and Lucky Charms cereal for extra fun!
• Serve with green milk (just add a drop of food coloring to regular milk).

3. Go on a St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt

This activity is a hit for kids of all ages! Create a scavenger hunt with St. Patrick’s Day-themed clues leading to a small treasure at the end (gold chocolate coins, stickers, or a fun book).

Ideas for clues:

• “I’m green, leafy, and grow in the sun. Find me, and you’ve found clue #1!” (A plant or shamrock decoration)
• “Look where you put your shoes at night, and you’ll find something bright!” (A gold coin hidden in their shoe)

👉 Want a ready-to-go St. Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt activity? Grab my free printable when you sign up for my email list! Your kids will love this fun treasure hunt filled with festive clues.

4. Make Rainbow Sensory Bins

For little ones who love hands-on activities, a rainbow sensory bin is a perfect way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Easy setup ideas:

• Rainbow rice: Dye dry rice in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple using food coloring and vinegar. Let kids scoop and pour with small cups or spoons.
• Gold coin hunt: Hide gold coins in a bin of green-dyed pasta, dried beans, or kinetic sand.

📌 Related Post: The Best Sensory Bin Fillers That Every Parent Needs– play-based activities that support sensory learning!

5. DIY Shamrock Crafts

Crafting is always a win, especially if you keep it simple. Try these easy shamrock crafts:

• Handprint Shamrocks: Paint kids’ hands green and press them onto paper in a three-leaf clover shape.
• Torn Paper Collage: Have kids tear green construction paper and glue it into a shamrock outline.
• Salt Dough Ornaments: Make a batch of salt dough, shape it into shamrocks, and let kids paint them once dry!

6. St. Patrick’s Day Storytime Activity

Snuggle up with some St. Patrick’s Day books that bring the magic of the holiday to life. Some great options include:

• How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace
• The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing
• Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase by James Dean

7. Bake Rainbow Cupcakes

Baking is a great way to bond with your kids—and these rainbow cupcakes will be an instant hit!

How to make them:

1. Prepare white cake mix.
2. Divide batter into six bowls and color each one a different rainbow color.
3. Layer the colored batter into cupcake liners.
4. Bake, let cool, and top with white frosting and gold sprinkles!

Use these Rainbow-Themed Cupcake Toppers – Cute decorations to make cupcakes extra festive.

8. Create a “Pot of Gold” Gratitude Jar

Turn St. Patrick’s Day into a time for reflection and gratitude. Have kids write things they’re grateful for on gold paper circles and drop them into a jar labeled “Pot of Gold.”

9. Have a St. Patrick’s Day Dance Party

Create a playlist with Irish folk music or fun songs like:

• The Unicorn Song by The Irish Rovers
• I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover by Art Mooney
• Rattlin’ Bog (a fun, fast-paced Irish tune!)

10. Make a Leprechaun Hat Snack

Turn simple food into a festive treat! Stack a chocolate-covered cookie, a marshmallow dipped in green candy melts, and a yellow candy buckle to create a “leprechaun hat.”

11. St. Patrick’s Day Slime Activity

Make green slime with gold glitter for a fun sensory activity.

12. Rainbow Fruit Snack Board

Arrange fruits in rainbow order—strawberries, oranges, bananas, green grapes, blueberries, and purple grapes—with marshmallows as “clouds.”

13. Magic Leprechaun Footprints

Use green washable paint to create “footprints” leading to a tiny leprechaun note!

14. Coin Toss Game

Use a plastic pot (or cup) and have kids toss gold coins to see how many they can land inside.

15. St. Patrick’s Day Yoga Activity

Try a fun kid-friendly yoga session with poses like “leprechaun squat” or “rainbow stretch.”

16. Watch a Family-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Movie

Choose a themed movie like Darby O’Gill and the Little People or an Irish-themed Bluey episode!

17. DIY Rainbow Watercolor Art

Have kids paint rainbows with watercolors and frame their artwork for a festive display!

📌 Related Post: 15 Engaging Spring Sensory Bin Activities Toddlers Will Love– a great way to encourage hands-on learning, and build motor skills while keeping them engaged.

---

Keep the Fun Going!

St. Patrick’s Day is all about joy, laughter, and a little bit of mischief. Whether you go big with a leprechaun trap adventure or keep it simple with a festive breakfast, the most important thing is making memories with your little ones.

What St. Patrick’s Day activities do your kids love? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear your ideas! ☘️💚