March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day all around the world. It’s not officially a holiday outside the US and is predominantly marked by the Irish. For more than 1,000 years, the Irish have celebrated this religious holiday during the Lenten season. The church waives its rule against eating meat during lent to allow people to feast and drink. As such, there is plenty of merry-making on this day. Such passion has made it one of the most popular days on the calendar globally. But what about the kids?
The day usually starts with going to church in the morning, followed by celebrations in the afternoon. Parades will mark the holiday in many towns and cities. Kids love to watch or participate in these parades. It would be nice to engage them more as they learn about the saint and this important holiday. One way to do that is to come up with craft ideas for them to do during the day. As such, here are five fun St. Patrick’s Day crafts for kids.
Preparing for the Occasion
Your choice of craft ideas will revolve around the color green, leprechauns, pots of gold, rainbows, and the four-leaf clover. You need to ensure you have plenty of materials such as craft paper, glue, glitter, paint, crayons, etc. The materials you need for each of the ideas will depend on which you implement. Our advice; have a bit of everything. You don’t know what might tickle your kids’ fancy.
1. Pot of Gold
St. Patrick’s Day pot of gold is an iconic symbol that makes for an incredible craft idea. There are a lot of ways your kids can create pots of gold. You could even encourage each to come up with a unique and creative pot using different materials.
Pot of gold incorporates rainbows, gold, and a lucky shamrock, the four-leaf clover. It’s also a colorful work of art, with the green color well represented.
An easy way to make a pot of gold is to create a two-dimensional representation of it. You’ll need cardboard, colored paper, some gold glitter paper, craft glue, a pair of scissors, a pencil, and a template. Have your kids trace the template on the cardboard, then cut pieces of paper to represent sections of the pot. The gold glitter paper will represent the gold inside the pot. Using craft glue, stick those pieces to complete the ensemble.
You could also make a 3D model by getting them a small plastic pot. They can then cover it with craft paper and gold glitter paper. In all these options, make sure they stick a green shamrock or two on the pot surface.
2. Rainbow
Perhaps the most versatile craft idea for St. Patrick’s Day is the rainbow. It is the most colorful craft idea while adhering to the holiday theme. You may buy craft supplies for the rainbow, or you could use what you have in the house.
If you have young children, you’ll need to keep it simple and colorful. For example, you can paint the rainbow onto white paper, or you could stick colored paper ribbons onto the paper. In addition, ensure you’re the one handling the scissors.
With age, their options can increase. For example, you can make rainbow necklaces using colored strings and buttons. There are also colored stone accessories for making necklaces they can wear well beyond the holiday.
Another great idea is to make rainbow kites. If the weather permits, this will make for a fun afternoon as the kids fly their kites.
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3. Shamrock Streamers
Streamers are an easy yet vivid craft option. You can hang shamrock streamers over the mantle and other house sections. It could also serve as a welcome message out front if guests come over. Your kids will enjoy crafting them, knowing they will be in full display.
You’ll need plenty of green craft paper. You could then interchange green and white streamers or go all out and have multiple colors. Make sure the paper can withstand the weight of its contents. You can stick different colored letters on the shamrocks for the welcome sign.
4. Painted Rocks
Small rocks and pebbles offer an excellent medium for your kids to show their painting skills. You’ll need pebbles and rocks, different colored paints, and paintbrushes. This exciting craft idea allows your kids to be as artistic as possible.
They can paint shamrocks, gold, rainbow colors, and their own unique art choices on the rocks. You can even pick a theme for the process, such as making colorful pebbles to fill up a pot of gold. Instead of the usual gold pebbles and coins, this will be a fun and unusual choice. They can also display the rocks and pebbles on the dinner table, their rooms, and other sections.
5. Theme Paintings
St. Patrick’s Day could also be a time for some amazing art. How about recreating the beautiful stained glass at church?
You’ll need to get your kids different paint colors, some painting canvas or paper, a frame, and brushes. Have them mount the canvas or white paper on a painting board. Then, help them outline what they wish to paint. It could be a picture of St. Patrick himself, like from church, a shamrock, or other ideas. Let them make sections of the entire surface to cover different colors, aping the stained church glass. Once it dries, help them hang it in the living room or anywhere they prefer.
Conclusion
In summary, you can choose plenty of craft ideas to make St. Patrick’s Day fun and memorable for your kids. Such projects don’t need to be expensive to make your kids enjoy them. Pick from this list the ideas that’ll allow your kids involved to express themselves artistically. With these 5 fun St. Patrick’s Day crafts for kids, you’re assured of the best time ever.
