Spending some quality time with your kids can always be lots of fun, but sometimes it can be hard to figure out what to do that is a little different from the normal routine. Holidays offer the perfect opportunity to change things up a bit. With St. Patrick’s Day this week, you’re bound to see lots of green everywhere you go. There’s no reason you can’t jump on that bandwagon with the little ones and get crafty! While not all of the symbols of the holiday have much to do with its original story (the day is honor of the death of St. Patrick, who is the patron saint of Ireland), you can still have a little fun with leprechauns and pots of gold. Just remember that the shamrock holds significance for Ireland, and not the four-leaf clover!
Marshmallow Shamrocks
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/434386326545412498/
If you have little kids, then there’s a very good chance that you have a bag of jumbo marshmallows hanging around. Before using them to whip up a batch of green Rice Krispies Treats, snatch a couple for this craft project. With just a marshmallow and some green paint, you can create some really pretty shamrocks! Just don’t eat the green marshmallows afterward…
Rainbow Craft
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/554787247832615408/
Speaking of using food for arts and crafts, this is another one that is simple and involves not much more than some colorful cereal from your pantry. Glue some cotton balls to one side to make it that much more realistic. And if you really want to take it to the next level, why not put a pot of gold at the other end of the rainbow?
Leprechaun Mask
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/161637074105629044/
What is great about this one is that once the paper plate masks are made, the kids can have fun and wear them for the rest of the day. Just be sure to supervise if little ones are involved, since this requires a little bit of cutting.
Green Sensory Slime
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As if we need a reason to make slime…This gooey concoction is fun for any day, but why not make it green and call it a celebration of March 17? That being said, try to make sure they keep it off of your walls, or any other painted surface. It turns out that slime can stain.
Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
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Baking cookies is one of my favorite things to do with my little guy. It keeps us busy, and he stays in his seat (for most of the time) since he knows the payoff is a delicious, sweet treat. Just don’t forget that a little food coloring goes a long way, and that your hands will probably be green for the rest of the day. If you think the mint flavor might be too much for delicate palates, you can easily skip the mint extract, and they’ll come out just like any other (green) buttery, chocolate chip cookies.
Paper Leprechaun Hats
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/280700989255420359/
If you would like an activity that is going to keep butts in seats for a good chunk of time, then this might be the one for you. Plus, your kids are going to look adorable running around in these little hats for the rest of the day!
Pot of Gold
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/420664421430618055/
This particular St. Patrick’s Day activity is a favorite of mine thanks to my deep obsession with Rolos. That being said, it might be better for your older kids, since it is a little more involved. If you’re thinking of throwing a little get-together for the day, these might make perfect decorations/candy holders around the house! Just be sure to have an extra bag of Rolos hanging around to refill because your pots of gold will surely be empty before you know it.
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