For young children, St. Patrick’s Day is all about the green. Food coloring, Shamrock Shakes, Leprechaun crafts: the possibilities are endless. Learn more about the history of the festivities and how to celebrate the holiday with easy St. Patrick’s Day crafts for preschoolers, toddlers, and infants.
Why do we wear green on St. Patrick’s Day?
You might think that wearing green on St. Patrick’s Day is little more than a nod to the Emerald Isle. Yet there’s a more nuanced meaning behind it. According to Irish folklore, a leprechaun was a trickster you’d be better off avoiding. Wearing green is meant to hoodwink the hoodwinker, meaning you wouldn’t be seen by the leprechaun in this color. It’s why kids might feel a gentle pinch this year if they refuse to dress for the occasion.
What’s a fun and simple way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with preschoolers?
While your child’s attention span is likely anything but consistent, fables and fairytales can end up being what draws them into history. Start them off by teaching them about leprechauns and then maybe follow it up with traditional Irish food. Soda bread is not only easy to make but it’s also covered with a sugary glaze (which will usually make it easier to tempt your kids into trying it). You can also consider corned beef and cabbage, even if it’s more of an American tradition than it is an Irish one.
Or opt for decorations or games to capture the spirit of the celebration. St. Patrick’s Day crafts are instantly exciting for kids because of their vibrant greens. These projects are also avenues into the symbolism of Ireland. For instance, three-leafed clovers were a way to help other religious sects understand more about Catholicism.
Why shop at a thrift store for craft supplies?
There are all kinds of easy crafts and decorations you can make using the color green and the symbols of St. Patrick’s Day. The best part is that you don’t have to pay an arm and a leg for it!
Have you ever noticed how a trip to the craft store can really add up? Doing fun crafts at home is often more expensive than most people realize. Thrift stores can supplement a lot of the supplies you need so you’re not stuck shelling out more than you need to.
While you may need to purchase things like paints, felt, and glue, you can find most of the other necessities at a charity shop. At Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona, we see parents from every neighborhood swing by to shop a little smarter. For infants especially, you’ll definitely want to give them items that you don’t mind ruining. At least you won’t have to tally up just how much everything costs during the activity.
Plus, it’s a more creative shopping experience, which can be a really fun exercise for preschoolers or toddlers. Imagine walking in the kitchen aisle and asking your kids if they can spot anything that could be made into a leprechaun hat. They get to use their problem-solving and creativity skills while shopping, and you can save money on some of your larger craft supplies. It’s a win-win.
Easy St. Patrick’s Day Crafts, Games, and Decorations
Check out these simple ideas for inspiration to get your little ones in the spirit of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
Fabric Wreath
Find a tutorial, like this one, for a step-by-step outline on how to create a fabric wreath. Then head to the thrift store to pick out a variety of fabrics and linens. Tablecloths, towels, or even bedding would do the trick. Use a variety of colors and textures to create a collage that your kids will want to pull out year after year.
Leprechaun Hat
Print out or pull up a picture of a leprechaun hat. Show it to your kids and bring it with you to Goodwill. See what you can find that you can repurpose into a leprechaun hat. Turn an old flower pot or piece of Tupperware upside-down or cut and shape old cardboard boxes and decorate them with green t-shirts. If your child spies a plaid green they love in the clothing section, remind them that it could make the perfect shamrock to decorate the hat.
Pot o’ Gold Rainbow Tablecloth
This easy craft is a fun one for preschoolers and toddlers. All you need to find is a white tablecloth or table runner. Then it’s time to break out the finger paints and get those little hands ready. You can help make a pot of gold using construction paper. Then your kids get to create a handprint rainbow exploding out of the pot. You might get a little messy, but that’s half the fun. Even infants might want to get in on the action — especially if there’s glitter involved.
Green Scavenger Hunt
Preschoolers and toddlers love to practice their colors. You can do a green scavenger hunt virtually anywhere, but doing it at a thrift store is especially fun and challenging. Either make a list of items to find ahead of time or simply head to your local Goodwill and see how many green things your kids can find. St. Patrick’s Day crafts can be a great prize for the winner.
DIY Green T-Shirt
If you want to create a St. Patrick’s Day shirt for your kids to wear but don’t want to use one in their closet, head to Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona! Here, you’ll find just about everything you need to
All you need is a white or green shirt, some art supplies, and a lot of imagination. Let your kids make their own shamrock using a heart-shaped stencil or add some green handprints for an adorable design they’ll be proud to wear.
Treat Tray
If you’re one to set out festive candies or treats for special holidays, making a St. Patrick’s Day treat tray can be a fun craft for everyone. Using a recycled cutting board or wood butcher block, simply paint “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” on the tray.
Your kids can help by adding polka dots or sponge stamps to the design. Just add green candy, cookies, or cakes, and you’ve got a fun craft and decoration all in one!
Pot of Gold Sensory Game
This simple Montessori-inspired game can be played with one child or a group of preschoolers and toddlers. Fill a “pot of gold” with various small objects. They can be anything you want, so long as they’re of different shapes and sizes. Add some Rolo candies in there as the “gold.” Then, have each child put their hand in the pot without looking, describe what it feels like, and guess what it is. Pots of gold can be constructed with any number of trinkets, baskets, or buckets that you can find at Goodwill.
St. Patricks’ Day crafts don’t have to be expensive or complicated to make. In fact, they’re far more fun when you keep it simple. Ready to go on the hunt for craft supplies? Find a Goodwill of Central and Northern location near you!
