St. Patty's Day Activities:
Rainbows, Shamrocks and Leprechauns
St. Patty's Day Activities:
Rainbows, Shamrocks and Leprechauns
By Fran Wisniewski
Top O' the Morning to You!
UniversalPreschool.com founder, Diane Flynn Keith,
has written a fun St. Patrick's Day article that includes
information about Ireland, Irish tradition and myths, and some fun family activities
to help celebrate the day. I thought it would be fun to complement those activities
by adding a few more ideas for you and your wee ones to enjoy the holiday together!
The information and activities in both articles are appropriate for the whole
family — older children can help the younger ones so everyone has a grand time!
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day on March.
St. Patty's Day Arts and Crafts
St. Patty's Day is full of fantasy and fun. It is said that if you follow
a rainbow to its end, you'll find a leprechaun's pot of gold! Your child is
sure to find the pot of gold at the end of this rainbow!
You'll need: Construction paper, scissor, crayons or markers, pencil,
glue, pot template and a quarter.
Adult Preparation: Print pot template and cut 1-9"x½"
strip of each of the following colors of construction paper: red, orange, yellow,
green, blue, and violet (purple).
Directions: Ask your child to color, cut and glue
1 pot template to the middle of a light blue piece of construction paper. Ask
your child to glue each strip of paper from the pot, straight up to the top
of the paper in the following order: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and
violet (purple). Help your child make circles with the quarter on yellow paper
and cut them out together; glue them to the top of the pot to form, "a
mountain of gold" with the rainbow as a background. Trim the paper that
goes off the page when the glue dries.
More great rainbow activities.
You'll need: 18"x12" blue construction paper,
crayons or markers, rainbow-colored yarn, tape, hole punch and scissors.
Optional: Green construction paper and a pencil
Adult Preparation: Cut a 2 ½"x18" strip of blue
construction paper and a full page copy of "Cascading Clovers"
printed on cardstock paper
Directions: Ask your child to color the clovers
and cut them out. (A parent can help with this part!) Cut 3 pieces of yarn
in different lengths. Lay the strip of blue construction paper out lengthwise
and ask your child to tape the yarn to the paper. Space the yarn evenly. Ask
your child to tape one clover to the end of each piece of yarn and then tape
one more clover to each piece of yarn. Put the ends of the blue strip together
to form a circle and ask your child to tape the ends together. Punch holes on
either side of the blue circle and hang with another length of yarn.
Optional: Print a copy of the "Cascading Clovers"
on cardstock and use one clover as a template. Have your child trace the clover
on green construction paper (shown) and cut them out.
Tip: Adults can help by cutting more then one clover at a time to
speed things up!
Make a Shamrock Person!
This little guy is easy to make and very cute!
You'll need: Construction paper,
shamrock template, pencil, crayons,
scissors, and glue
Optional Supplies: yarn (hair), smaller shamrocks
(for hands and feet), sequins, pom-poms
Adult Preparation: Print the shamrock template on cardstock paper and
cut it out for your child, then cut 4-9"x1" strips of green or white
paper for arms and legs.
Directions: Ask your child to trace the shamrock onto
green construction paper (your child may need a little help doing this) and cut
it out. Show your child how to make accordion folds out of each strip of paper.
Then, have them glue each one to the shamrock as arms and legs. Your child can
add a face, hands and feet
and other features to their person.
You're little one will have fun acting like a leprechaun when they are finished
with this fun craft!
You'll need: 9" white paper plate, orange, green, yellow and black
construction paper, glue, jumbo craft stick, paint and scissors.
Adult Preparation: Cut the middle out of the paper plate, and cut 7-12
½"x9" strips of orange construction paper.
Directions: Ask your child to paint the paper plate
in a flesh tone color. When the paint dries, glue each strip of orange construction
paper to the bottom of the mask to form a beard and curl the end of each strip
by rolling up a crayon and releasing it. Glue, tape or staple a jumbo craft stick
to the back of the paper plate and help your little leprechaun make a hat or use
a bowler hat template.
Have A Green Day! (Colors)
Make St. Patrick's Day a green day!
- Take a walk and collect green objects.
- Wear green clothing
- Eat green foods
Math & Science Activities
Make a Shamrock (Math)
This activity will show your child how to make a shamrock out of hearts!
You'll need: Green and white construction paper, scissors, and glue
Optional: Heart Shamrock template
Directions: Help your child to cut three hearts out
of green construction paper, then, show them how to arrange the hearts into a
shamrock shape and glue it to white paper.
If you use the template, ask your child to color in the pieces before cutting
Grow A Shaggy Shamrock (Science)
Help your little one grow a shaggy shamrock with this activity.
You'll need: Grass seed, sponge, scissors, foam plate and a bowl
Adult preparation: Cut a sponge into the shape of a shamrock for your child.
Directions: Ask your child to put the sponge in
water and to squeeze out most of the water, leaving the sponge damp. Have
your child place the sponge on a foam plate and cover it with grass seed.
Press the grass seed into the sponge. Your child will need to check the
sponge daily and keep it moist by adding a little water to the plate everyday
so that the sponge can absorb the water. The grass should start sprouting in
a few days. Once the grass sprouts, put it in a sunny window and keep on watering.
Tip: Rye grass seed works quickly.
Reading & Language Arts Activities
Irish Stories and Tales
The following sites have Irish stories, tales and songs. Parents please view
the sites and read the stories to make sure the content is appropriate for your
Learn a Limerick!
A limerick is a 5-lined poem. An example of a limerick is:
Hickory, dickory, dock
The mouse ran up the clock
The clock struck one
Down he run
Hickory, dickory, dock
- Here is a slightly different
picture version of this rhyme your child can
- Read limericks written by Edward Lear,
when you're finished reading, make up some of your own limericks and write
them down; your child can illustrate them!
St. Patrick's Day Books to Read for ages 2 and up:
Nutrition & Tradition
Our family looks forward to a traditional Irish meal of corned beef
and cabbage every St. Patrick's Day. We make our meal in a deliciously
modern way and serve it with fresh Irish Soda Bread.
Corned Beef and Cabbage
- Large head of cabbage cut into quarters or sixths
- 5 lbs of corned beef
- 1 lb bag of baby carrots
- 2-3 lbs of red potatoes washed and cut into quarters
- 1-2 Bay leaves
- Large stock pot
Directions for pressure cooker users:
- Put the corned beef in the pressure cooker and add just enough
water to cover the meat. If you have a small pressure cooker, you
may need to cut the corned beef in half and cook each half individually.
Retain all the juices! Seasoning packet is optional; we personally
only use bay leaf for flavoring. Cook on medium heat, when the
pressure regulator begins to rock, set a timer for 20 minutes per
pound of meat. Put pot in cold water to release the pressure and
put meat and liquid into a stockpot, repeat if necessary. The
liquid will create a flavorful broth as flavors mix together.
- Add potatoes and 1" of the broth to the pressure cooker,
stir, and cook on medium heat. When the pressure regulator rocks,
set timer for 10 minutes. Again, release pressure with cold water
and add potatoes and remaining liquid to the stockpot.
- Cook baby carrots in 1" of the broth, stir, and cook on
medium heat. When the regulator rocks, set timer for 3 minutes.
Run under cold water to release pressure and add carrots and
liquid to stockpot.
- Cook cabbage in 2" of the broth and cook on medium heat.
When the regulator rocks, set timer for 3-4 minutes. Run pot under
cold water to release pressure and put cabbage into stockpot. Add
or remove liquid to retain 2" liquid level and repeat if needed.
Add all liquid to stockpot when finished.
- Cut the meat and serve the vegetables in a large bowl with the broth.
Tip: Your child can help clean the potatoes and cut them with
a dough cutter. The baby carrots will not need to be cut, but your child
can help get all the ingredients ready by putting them into bowls. Your
child can also help by setting the table while you cook.
Note: Never leave pressure cooker unattended and never try to
open the cooker until the pressure is released! I personally do not allow
my younger children near the stove while using a pressure cooker.
Stock Pot Directions:
- Put corned beef and bay leaves (seasoning packet optional) in a pot
and cover with water. Cover the pot and cook on med heat until meat is
- Add potatoes and carrots, and gently boil for 10 more minutes. Lower
heat to medium-low if necessary.
- Add cabbage and cook until vegetables are at desired tenderness.
Irish Soda Bread
This recipe has been in my family for 5 generations! The crust is crispy
and the middle is soft and delicious!
- 3 ½-c flour (sifted)
- ½-c white sugar
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- 1-c golden raisins
- 1 stick of butter (softened)
- 1-c buttermilk
- 1 egg
- Large bowl
- Aluminum pan (greased and floured)
Directions: In a large bowl, add softened butter,
flour, white sugar, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Use
your hands to work all of these ingredients together until the mixture is
like fine sand. Add raisins and coat them with the mixture.
Put the egg and buttermilk together in a separate bowl and mix with a fork.
Add to flour mixture, and mix into a soft dough. Turn this out on a table
and knead for 1 minute. Form into a round loaf and put into the prepared
aluminum pan. With a knife, put a cross on the top of the loaf. Cook in a
375 degree oven for 50 minutes or until top is brown and knife comes out clean.
Optional: 2 tablespoons of caraway seeds may be added with the raisins.
Note: Your child can help measure ingredients, pour them into the
bowl, then mix the ingredients with their hands and finally knead the dough
and put it in the pan.
Bonus Activity: Make Fresh Butter!
You will need heavy cream and a baby food jar with a lid. Fill the jar ¼
of the way full and put the lid on it. Take turns shaking it vigorously until a
ball forms. Pour off the buttermilk (or drink it) and spread the butter over a
piece of fresh or toasted Irish soda bread.
Optional: Add a tiny bit of salt to preserve the butter if you are
planning to store it. Add a little sugar to make sweet cream butter.
Tip: A marble can be added to the jar before shaking to speed things
up. Remember to remove the marble and keep it out of young children's reach when
finished! (To avoid choking hazard.)
Music & Movement
Irish Music and Dancing
Irish music is lively and upbeat!
The Riverdance delivers a powerful performance! With its lively music,
and energetic dancing, your little one will be enthralled and inspired!
Activity: After watching Riverdance,
listen to Irish music together and ask your child to make up a dance!
Put a large piece of cardboard or plywood on the floor and tap away with your
Other St. Patrick's Day Activities:
- Check your local library for a St. Patty's day program
- Go to a parade or check local listings to watch on TV
- Have a St. Patrick's Day party!
St. Patrick's Day Sites
Happy St. Patrick's Day!