For 2014 St. Patrick's Day celebrations, click here!
Irish or not, St. Patrick's Day is the perfect excuse to bring a wee bit of blarney into your home—catch leprechauns, find a pot o' gold, and enjoy all things green with your kids. Get ye started with these St. Patrick's Day activities, crafts, books, and fun foods!
Decorate your home for St. Patrick's Day
Make a Shamrock Sun Catcher (directions at Hands On: As We Grow), create a sparkling Pot 'o Gold (from Giggles Galore), or try this cute wreath made from scrap fabric for the front door (from The Magic of Ordinary Things).
Discover St. Patty's Day foods
There's always the traditional corned beef and cabbage or not-so-traditional green mashed potatoes; or make a rainbow from fruit, a pot of gold from Jell-O, and clover-shaped cupcakes.
Explore green science experiments
Steve Spangler Science explains how to turn a carnation green and make the water in your facet turn an emerald hue, as well as a few ideas to make it look like your home has been visited by the leprechauns of Irish legend.
Build a leprechaun trap
If leprechauns visit your home, be sure to read The Leprechaun Trap (by David Clinch and Kelly Clinch), and then get busy building a leprechaun trap.
Read books about the St. Patrick's Day
That's What Leprechauns Do (by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Emily Arnold McCully) tells the hilarious tale of mischief-making leprechauns on their way to bury a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow (best for ages 4+). For older kids (ages 6+), The St. Patrick's Day Shillelagh tells the tale of an Irish family immigrating to the United States (by Janet Nolan and illustrated by Ben Stahl). And for kids of all ages, the St. Patrick's Day Alphabet (by Beverly Vidrine and illustrated by Patrick Soper) explores stories and Irish legends from A to Z, using bright colors and fun pictures.
Fun St. Patrick's Day activities in New Jersey
For St. Patrick's Day festivities in New Jersey, check out our calendar section as well as this list of St. Patrick's Day parades in NJ.