Every year, for one day in March, people of any background get to celebrate the “Luck of the Irish!” St. Patrick’s Day is a great holiday for exploring new traditions and bringing extra joy to the ones you love. Here are some fun activities you can do with your own little leprechauns as you spend this St. Patrick’s Day with family.
Go Green
No theme is more synonymous with St. Patrick’s Day than the color green. There are many ways you can add a little green to your day and create emotional intelligence.
- Wear a green shirt or accessory. Scarves, socks, sunglasses, ties, and headbands are a great way to incorporate green into your outfit.
- Try eating and drinking green foods. Take the opportunity to introduce some new, naturally green foods to your family. Let everyone pick out something green they want to contribute to the meal. If It Does Not Grow, Say No is a fantastic eatable activities book that encourages children to eat more fruit and veggies.
- Plan a vegetable and herb garden Garden therapy has been adapted to almost every kind of medical situation and social service, including Alzheimer’s and Autism.
- Relaxation Tip: Green is known for its healing, balancing, and relaxing properties. Talk about how green makes you feel. Ask your children to share how green makes them feel.
Tap Into Irish Cheer
- Put on some Irish music in the background at home or in the car. It’s the perfect way to add some special energy to the daily routine. Music streaming services usually have an Irish or St. Patrick’s Day themed station you can try out. Listening to music, singing, and dancing can lift your spirits or calm you down. Try different types and share how it changes your mood.
- Paint shamrocks, rainbows, or leprechaun hats on the kids’ faces. Kids love face paint! If you don’t want to deal with the mess, you can use stickers.
- Use green sidewalk chalk to make shamrocks or arrows that take the leprechauns on a fun path to follow. Hopefully, your neighbors will smile and see that you are sharing your joy.
- Make St. Patrick’s Day themed treats or crafts and share them with friends and neighbors. This is an opportunity to discuss how an act of kindness feels.
- Relaxation Tip: Put a variety of green crayons out and color with green. Coloring helps reduce stress and anxiety. Its benefits have been compared to meditation.
Get Creative
- Take your family on a hike or to a park. Spend some time with all of nature’s green and enjoy the beautiful outdoors. It is only a few days until spring! Look for signs of new growth or signs that a leprechaun might have been nearby. Encourage your family to use their imaginations.
- Every kid has dreamed of finding the Pot o’ Gold at the end of the rainbow. Make their dreams come true by creating a treasure hunt adventure for the little ones. The older children can hide the treats and prepare the clues. You can find affordable treats and treasures at any dollar store.
- Let kids design their own leprechaun inspired outfits using colorful costumes and items from around the house. Encourage children to build forts and houses to create their own leprechaun land. This activity keeps kids off screens especially if they have extra days home from school.
- Relaxation Tip: Connecting with nature is a way to rejuvenate, unplug, and be fully present. Your senses will be heightened by the smells and sounds of nature. Using your imagination quiets the to-do lists in your mind.
Learn About the History of St. Patrick’s Day and Ireland
- Why do we even celebrate St. Patrick’s Day? Plan a fun history project so everyone can learn about Irish culture and the meaning behind the holiday.
- Irish culture is full of wise proverbs and blessings. Find a few kid-appropriate sayings and learn them as a family. The lessons behind them will stick with you in the future.
- Even though spring season is just around the corner, St. Patrick’s Day can be a bit chilly. Cozy up with your kids and an Irish folktale or St. Patrick’s Day book and have a themed storytime. Here is a list of Children’s Literature for St. Patrick’s Day to give you some ideas. There are also stories available on YouTube if you don’t have time to get to the bookstore or pre-order something appropriate.
- Relaxation Tip: Reading together creates lifelong memories and bonds.
Make a Hearty Irish Dinner
- Finish the day with a hearty Irish dinner. You can make classic corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, or shepherd’s pie. Try baking some Irish soda bread with the kids to round out the meal.
- Relaxation Tip: Families that eat dinner together might experience better mental health, more happiness, less stress, and higher grades. Read 9 Scientifically Proven Reasons to Eat Dinner as a Family
No matter how you decide to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your family, remember to make it enjoyable for you as well by keeping it as stress free as possible. Use these ideas to get you started on planning a memorable and fun day.
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
(An Old Irish Blessing)
Lori Lite is the founder of Stress Free Kids and has authored 12 books. Stress Free Kids: A Parent’s Guide to Helping Children Build Self-Esteem, Manage Stress, and Reduce Anxiety has been named a Best Stress Management Book of All Time. Angry Octopus Color Me Happy, Color Me Calm has been awarded the Mom’s Choice Award. Lori’s content is featured in hundreds of media outlets, including CBS News, CNN Living, WebMD, The New York Times, Family Circle, and Parenting Magazine.