How To Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with Kids

Start a new family tradition! Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a fun child friendly party or by participating in holiday themed activities. Choose an age appropriate way of celebrating for your child (or children). Ideas by age include:

• Infants: Even the very, very young can join in activities for this special day. Babies are beginning to explore the world around them and use their senses. Try reading a colorful holiday board book to your child, creating cloth shamrocks from old towels or fabric to play with, playing Irish music, or going to a St. Patrick's Day parade.
• Toddlers: New motor skills (such as walking) give the toddler aged child the opportunity to further explore his world. Keep these active little ones busy with simple sensory activities. St. Patrick's Day ideas for toddlers include finger painting with paint in shades of green, listening and dancing to Irish music, or eating green colored foods.
• Preschoolers: Try a variety of holiday themed activities with your preschooler. He may enjoy making a St. Patrick's Day drawing, decorating shamrock cupcakes, or choosing special green clothing to wear.
• Grade School Aged Children: Older kids are able to better understand this holiday than their younger counterparts. In addition to making St. Patrick's Day crafts, ask your elementary aged child to research Ireland. Take a trip to the local library or look online for information about the country, customs, and culture.
• Teens: Teenagers may help to plan a family friendly St. Patrick's Day party or research the holiday's history.

 Older toddlers and preschoolers can create St. Patrick's Day inspired art using finger paints and paper. Simply gather the materials and follow the how-to steps.

Materials:

• Finger paints or tempera paints (make sure that they are labeled as non-toxic and safe for your child's age)
• Construction paper
• Scissors (for the adult to use)
• Pencil (for the adult to use)
• Paint palette or tray

Steps:

1. An adult can draw and cut out a large shamrock shape into a piece of construction paper. Use white or light green.
2. Place the finger or tempera paint onto a palette or washable tray. Use green or give the child blue and yellow to mix into green. Add in white to lighten the paint.
3. Encourage the child to use his or her fingers to paint the shamrock, making finger and handprints.
4. Set aside to dry.
5. Display!