Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Here’s a couple of quick and easy ideas for kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day spontaneity. Everyone is Irish today – have fun with your kiddos and get in the spirit.
Backyard Fun
Catch a Rainbow
Grab some Skittles—call them rainbow seeds—and go outside to plant them in the ground with your kiddos. It’s the kind of silly that can only be found during family-fun time. Follow this one up with a search for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.
Kiss a Blarney Stone
Tell your kids about the stone at Blarney Castle and the legend surrounding it. You can bestow the gift of eloquent gab on your tiny tots by recreating the pilgrimage in your own back yard. Kissing a rock whilst dangling upside down means lots of giggles and laughter for all.
Go Green
Of course, dress in green—it’s St. Patrick’s Day, but also…
Make Homemade “Shamrock Shakes”
Put a couple of scoops of ice cream into a tall glass–a big plastic cup works great—add some milk and Crème de Menthe (or mint extract and green food coloring) then stir or mix until shake consistency and green. Your little ones will love watching the transformation – and probably eating the ice cream too!
Watch the River Turn Green
Grab your shakes and watch this time lapse video from Chris Biela and CBS Chicago local news of the Chicago River going green. Chicago has one of the biggest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the US, where they’ve been dying the river green since 1962.
Green Hair
Get yourself to Snip-its for some exciting, kid-friendly temporary color to celebrate the day. It’s fun in here!
Try Some Trad and Craic
The Irish have a saying: Having the craic (pronounced “crack) – it’s a term for news, gossip, fun and entertainment which usually coincides with traditional Irish music. Try your own version today.
Irish Storytelling
Go to the library or on-line and read some Irish myths or folklore to your little ones. We like the story of Tir Na’Nog. Get in a round of music and dancing in the living room with some Irish music groups like Gaelic Storm.
Sensory Game
Get a box of Lucky Charm’s and have the kids sort the marshmallows from the cereal.
Whatever kid-friendly, family-fun activities you have planned—or unplanned—today, make some memories, celebrate and laugh!
May happiness fill your heart each day your whole life through – Irish Blessing.
