For those of you who LOVE St. Patrick's Day and are looking to find a great way to celebrate it with your kids, this could be a new family tradition. I've always loved the little scavenger hunts that teachers do with their kindergarten classes, but wanted to expand on it. So here goes:
It all starts with a door. A little door. You can make it out of paper. You can make it out of wood. You can buy some pretty amazing ones as well.
All of these amazing doors can be found in this incredible Etsy store:
NothinButWood
The door, whichever you decide to use, is a magic door. "Install" the door on any wall in your house, right at the floor, say the magic words and follow the spell's directions and the door "unlocks" allowing a Leprechaun to visit you during the night. You can make up your own "magic words" or use none at all (the door only works for St. Patrick's Day) Here are some magic words I wrote for our door:
First two knocks, then a scratch, (the kids do two knocks and a scratch on the door)
Then 5 twirls, but here's the catch:
If anyone should take a spill
sing a song while standing still.
If your feet stayed nice and steady
get your Irish tap shoes ready!
Do a jig for all to see
then all together count "1,2,3!"
That is it, there is no more
Now you have unlocked the door!
Turn out the lights! Jump into bed!
You'll need your rest, Sleepyhead(s)!
Now the door is "unlocked" and this will allow the Leprechaun to visit, leave prizes, gold, etc. You can really get creative. There are so many awesome ways to make it all believable! Leprechauns are known for shenanigans, so here are some great ideas that you can use to make St. Patty's morning a riot at your house!
Make footprints using your hand - you can do just a couple on a piece of paper in front of the door (explain to your kids the night before that it's magic paper that will track the leprechaun) or if you're using washable paint and have tested it on the floor, leave a trail headed out the door to your yard.
A Gold Hunt- (gold spray painted stones, rocks, pebbles) Leave an empty plastic cauldron in front of the Leprechaun's door with a note saying that he has misplaced his gold and needs the kids to collect it for him! Once it's collected they can leave it in front of the Leprechaun's door. The Leprechaun will be so grateful to have his gold back that he will reward them! (This is great for when St. Patrick's Day falls on a school day and you aren't lucky enough to live in the Boston area and have it off!) Once the kids are off to school, stash to gold away for next year and do some/ all of the following for the reward!
- A scavenger hunt with clues, maps, rhymes, and of course gold at the end of the rainbow! Many candies come wrapped in gold - Hershey's kisses with almonds, Hershey's Pot of Gold, Rolo, Forrero Rocher, and of course chocolate gold coins!
- A Lucky Penny - find a nice shiny penny in the year of your child's birth and tuck it into an old ring box or make a card to hold it. Then wrap it up. You can put it in their lunch box, under their pillow, in a shoe or anywhere that is sure to surprise them. Here's a nice rhyme to include:
Here's a penny just for you
You'll have good luck the whole year through.
A year from now the luck runs dry,
Unlock the door, I'll swing by!
- Use green food coloring to play tricks on the kids! Pancakes, milk, applesauce, anything really! Pack a green muffin or cupcake in their lunchbox. I've heard of people using food coloring in the tap successfully, but that could get a bit messy!
- Leave small toys and prizes in a boot! We're coming into our rainy season, which means one thing to a kid - puddle splashing season! If your kids need new rain boots (galoshes, wellies... whatever you like to call them) now would be a great time to get them! You can use those to put small toys, prizes, school supplies and such for the kids. Otherwise, an old boot is great!
Whatever you decide to do, it's sure to stir up some fun at home this St. Patrick's Day!