St. Patrick’s Day is the best holiday! Think about it. No presents to buy, no extended family obligations, no meal that takes hours of preparation. Just fun, no stress. Plus, anyone can partake in the celebrations. Not Irish? It doesn’t matter! Pull on that “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” t-shirt no matter what culture, race, or religion you identify with.
As a parent, St. Patrick’s Day might look (and feel) a little different than it did in your younger days. What’s great is that you can go as low-key or as over-the-top with the holiday as you want. Here are some ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with children in a manner that suits your preference.
Clothing
First, you must look the part if you are going to join in the St. Patrick’s Day festivities. Anything green will do. From the (slightly trashy) green tutu and striped socks to a genuine sweater from Ireland with a cute bow to top it off, there is no judgment on St. Patrick’s Day.
Local Attractions
Research what fun events in your area the kids might enjoy. St. Paddy’s Day not big in your town? Plan a day trip to somewhere nearby!
Last year on St. Patrick’s Day I had family in town so we went to a few bars on State Street after the parade. I was wearing my one-year-old daughter in a carrier. Mind you, this was in the middle of the day and I wasn’t drinking because I was pregnant. One woman made a very rude comment to me about having a baby in a bar – clearly, she wasn’t Irish!
- Attend a St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
- Eat at an Irish restaurant.
- See Irish Dancers.
- Partake in kids’ activities such as face painting, crafts, and coloring.
- Register for the Madison Shamrock Shuffle. The 5K Walk/5K Run/10K Run benefits the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. Children are welcome!
Food/Drink
Food and drink on St. Paddy’s Day can be very authentic or just make something green. Rainbows are pretty trendy if you want to up your mom game. The options are endless.
Green Eggs and Ham
Fruit Rainbow
Lucky Charms Cereal with Green-Colored Milk
Rainbow Pancakes with Whipped Cream Clouds
Reuben Sandwiches
Corned Beef Hash
Irish Stew
Soda Bread
Books
I’m a reader and will do anything to force encourage my kids to love reading. Nothing like a holiday to sneak even more books in.
How to Catch a Leprechaun – A leprechaun runs amok around a household. This book will give you great ideas for pranks to pull on your children (put glitter in their hair while they sleep, color the toilet water green, etc).
O’Sullivan Stew – An adventurous girl gets in trouble with the king and uses her wits to save herself, her family, and her village.
Hooray for St. Patrick’s Day – A lift-the-flap book that teaches kids all about St. Patrick’s Day including traditional Irish food, a parade, and holiday crafts.
Activities
One of my few memories from kindergarten is one in which my class made a trap to catch a leprechaun. We used those red cardboard bricks to construct a large trap with a rainbow of our handprints leading to it. The next day there was a piece of green cloth (obviously from the leprechaun’s shirt) caught in the trap and black shoe-prints leading to and from the trap all over the wall. The best part was the chocolate gold coins left over that must have spilled out of his pockets.
Build a leprechaun trap.
Create an Irish-related scavenger hunt.
Make a St. Patrick’s Day craft.
Fashion a leprechaun hat or headband.
Play Pot ‘o Gold coin toss.
Orrrrr you can get a babysitter and celebrate the holiday the way it was meant to be celebrated.
Whatever you end up doing this St. Patrick’s Day – may the luck of the Irish be with you!
