St Patrick’s Day is a fantastically fun day for kids – who wouldn’t want to spend time thinking about leprechauns, rainbows and golden (chocolate) coins? Make this year a special one with these fantastic ways to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with kids!
Whether you want to go all out or aim for something simpler, we’ve got loads of ideas to help you celebrate St Patrick’s Day with some seasonal flair!
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Fun Ways to Celebrate St Patrick’s Day
Go to a Festival
Dublin’s St Patrick’s Festival takes over the capital every year, with family fun and community spirit at the heart of it all. Expect a lively city fun fair and a bustling festival quarter, along with the main parade on St Patrick’s Day itself, March 17th.
Discover some of the amazing family-friendly events that take place as part of this celebration of Irish arts, culture and heritage.
Watch a St Patrick’s Day Movie
Sitting down for a family movie night is always fun, and this pick of the best Irish movies would make great viewing! With lots of exciting folklore, humour and imagination, there’s plenty to choose from for all ages.
Learn Some New Irish Words
Are you ready for a bit of obair bhaile? Whether you’re looking to brush up on some long-forgotten vocab or just teach your child a few new words, here are 60+ fantastic Irish words and phrases to get you started.
You could even watch SpongeBob ‘as Gaeilge’! The Irish-language version of The SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run has been available on Netflix – it’s worth checking your Netflix library, as streaming availability can change.
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Dress to Impress
Dress yourself in your very best St Patrick’s Day gear – as much green, white and orange as you can!
While you can easily buy everything from t-shirts to hair clips, why not try making your own and turn it into a fun activity? Some ideas include:
- Use a white t-shirt and some fabric pens or paints to design your own St Patrick’s Day top
- Use green construction paper and craft supplies to make your own leprechaun hat
Tell a Joke
Your little leprechauns will absolutely love to have a good giggle with these hilarious (and groan-worthy!) St Patrick’s Day jokes.
Read a Book Together
Telling the tales of Ireland, Irish folklore and history, leprechauns and more, these hilarious and heartwarming St Patrick’s Day books for kids are a great way to spend some time together.
Learn More About Ireland
There’s so much to discover about Ireland, from the tradition of fairy rings and forts to Irish legends and myths, and the fascinating tale of legendary pirate queen Grace O’Malley.
Books like Irelandopedia are a wonderful way to explore fun facts about every county. Other great choices include:
- Dr Hibernica Finch’s Compelling Compendium of Irish Animals, packed with information about the animals of Ireland
- The Great Irish Farm Book, which takes you on a fascinating journey through life on an Irish farm and is jam-packed with fun facts
- Blazing a Trail, which tells the stories of 28 remarkable Irish women
Get Festival Ready
Transform yourself into a vibrant pot of gold, a leprechaun or even a gloriously green unicorn with some fun St Patrick’s Day face paint ideas!
If you don’t feel confident enough to take on a full look, try incorporating some little green shamrocks, four-leaf clovers, the tricolour flag or a vibrant rainbow for a great seasonal look.
Have Some Rainbow Treats
There’s something inherently fun about rainbows, and bringing that playfulness to food can be a great way to introduce new flavours and tastes to family meals. From healthy to decadent to completely whimsical, these fun rainbow desserts, cakes and treats will definitely brighten your day, and are a delicious way to add a pop of colour to any table!
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Get Crafty
Leprechauns, rainbows and shamrocks… all great inspiration for St Patrick’s Day crafts! Take a look at these really fun ideas – we particularly love the shamrock slime and the no-sew banner (and those cookies might just be calling your name).
Cook Some Classic Irish Food
Are you looking for some seasonal dinner inspiration? What about classic Irish ham and potatoes, some delicious pan-fried garlic Dublin Bay prawns, or even a hearty and warming beef and Guinness stew?
Bake a batch of traditional soda bread to have alongside, or even transform it into a sumptuous soda bread and butter pudding for dessert!
Make it Fun!
Grab your shamrock cookie cutter, break out the green food colouring, and have some fun cooking with the kids this St Patrick’s Day. From tricolour macaroons to shamrock pizzas, these fun and easy St Patrick’s Day recipes are sure to be popular.
Give the day even more colour with these green foods for St Patrick’s Day! From smoothies and pancakes to soup and even muffins, your meals and snacks are definitely not going to be boring!
Serve a St Patrick’s Day Cake
Image: Not Martha
If ever there was a time for a rainbow cake, it’s now! These inspired St Patrick’s Day cakes and cupcakes are the perfect centrepiece for your Irish-themed celebrations. We love this leprechaun trap cake, but there are also plenty of other green-themed delights to try!
Go On a Scavenger Hunt
Having some themed activities to do in the run-up to the day itself is a great idea. Who will be the lucky leprechaun who wins the St Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt? Just download yours and get started – can you find them all?
Try Some St Patrick’s Day Activities
Once you’ve done some crafts and gone searching with our scavenger hunt, sit down together and try some more fun activities.
Our St Patrick’s Day word search is free to download, or you could try your hand at these St Patrick’s Day colouring pages and themed printables.
Set a Leprechaun Trap
Legend has it that if you catch a leprechaun, he will grant you a wish. However, leprechauns are wily and crafty – so in order to get your wish, you’ll need to catch one first!
Top tip: use some chocolate coins!
Check Your Leprechaun Name
Will you be Jinx McTwinkle from Termonfeckin or Rainbow O’Fortune from Clonaghadoo? Check out our leprechaun name generator to see which legendary leprechaun you are!
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is St Patrick’s Day?
St Patrick’s Day is celebrated every year on March 17th.
What are some fun ways to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with kids?
There’s plenty to enjoy together, from festivals, movies and books to crafts, face paint, rainbow treats, scavenger hunts and setting a leprechaun trap. Mixing a few quiet activities (like reading or a movie) with a few active ones (like a scavenger hunt or dressing up) usually works well for families with a range of ages.
What food is traditionally eaten on St Patrick’s Day?
Classic choices include ham and potatoes, beef and Guinness stew, and soda bread. Many families also like to add a playful twist with green-themed foods and rainbow treats for the kids.
How can we celebrate St Patrick’s Day at home without going anywhere?
Simple at-home ideas work brilliantly – try a family movie night, some Irish-themed baking, a craft session, a scavenger hunt, or setting a leprechaun trap together.
More Ideas You Might Like
- Best Irish Movies for Families
- St Patrick’s Day Jokes for Kids
- St Patrick’s Day Books for Kids
- Fun and Easy St Patrick’s Day Recipes
- Colourful Rainbow Activities for Kids
Save These Ideas for Later
Loved these St Patrick’s Day ideas? Bookmark this page or save it to your favourite parenting board so you’ve got it handy when the day rolls around.
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