March 17 is St. Patrick's Day -- an excuse to celebrate all things Irish (and to drink a green beer!), the day when many people honor the patron saint of Ireland, and an excuse to create some fun St. Patrick's Day crafts! Whether you're actually Irish or not, you can help your kids get in the shamrock spirit with these fun, easy St. Patrick's Day craft projects:
Irish Bookmark
sweet and lovely crafts
From: Sweet and Lovely Crafts
Why we love it: It's a sweet thumb-print memento -- and it can double as a gift tag!
How to do it: Have your kid dip his thumb in green and orange paint. Then have him press down on a piece of cardstock and add googly eyes, decals and string to complete his bookmark.
Handprint Leprechaun
Meet The Dubiens
From: Meet the Dubiens
Why we love it: Because we're suckers for handprint art.
How to do it: Paint your child's palm and fingers (excluding her thumb) orange. Once coated, have her press down on a sheet of paper and let it dry. Then she can add a tiny hat made of foam and a button, and use a marker to draw a funny face.
Lucky Necklace
Busy Bee Kids Crafts
From: Busy Bee Kids Crafts
Why we love it: A shamrock-past necklace is the perfect accessory for the school St. Patty's Day party.
How to do it: Cut out small shamrocks using a stencil and punch out holes on top. Use food coloring to paint the macaroni green and let dry. Then, string the clovers and macaroni it though yarn, tie the ends and let your girl wear it for the big green day.
Rainbow of Luck
Lisa Storms
From: Lisa Storms
Why we love it: It's a sweet, fun way to teach your kid the importance of gratitude -- and it makes a great centerpiece and conversation starter on the dinner table.
How to do it: Take a square piece of styrofoam and cover it with green tissue paper. "Plant" little clovers and fringed grass using green construction paper with glue. Then make a rainbow out of colorful pieces of construction paper -- don't forget the cloud! To finish, have your kids write down on each clover why they are lucky.
Marshmallow Rainbow
No Time for Flashcards
From: No Time for Flashcards
Why we love it: Finally, it's okay for your kids to play with their food!
How to do it: Have your kid draw and color a rainbow on a piece of paper. Buy multi-colored marshmallows (or dye white ones) and let her glue the sweets to the matching color of the rainbow. (Later, you can make white hot chocolate and have fun with those leftover marshmellows!)
Handprint Pot of Gold
B-Inspired Mama
From: B-Inspired Mama
Why we love it: You get a pretty picutre for your fridge; they get to eat chocolate!
How to do it: Paint your kid's hand like a rainbow, using one color for each finger. Have her press her hand onto paper and let it dry. Buy (and eat!) some chocolate coins and then glue the foil wrappers onto the rainbow. Cut a pot out of black construction paper to catch the gold foils.
Leprechaun Friend
Mommyapolis
From: Mommyapolis
Why we love it: It's a fun craft that can also help teach little kids their shapes.
How to do it: Cut out a variety of shapes using various colors of construction paper. Give your kids the chance to mix shapes as they create their own leprechaun friend.
Four Leaf Clover Buddy
Little Family Fun
From: Little Family Fun
Why we love it: It's a super-cute, smiley shamrock friend, perfect for decorating the fridge.
How to do it: Cut out shamrock shapes, white strips of paper and green circles out of construction paper. Let your kids fold the white strips of paper back and forth -- like an accordion -- and then attach them as arms and legs to the shamrock. Glue the green circles as hands and feet.
More Fun St. Patrick's Day Ideas:
Gorgeous! Rainbow Cakes We Love
Yummy St. Patrick's Day Treats and Recipes
