Being a child is magical. There’s Santa, the Tooth Fairy, unicorns, mermaids, and of course, leprechauns. That’s one of the reasons we absolutely love St Patrick’s Day in our household and the fun, family traditions we’ve built around this cheeky little holiday.
It’s the perfect excuse to get a little creative, get a little green, and try to catch some leprechauns.
St Patrick’s Day Fun for the Family
Our family loves any excuse to celebrate throughout the year, and St Patrick’s Day is one of those traditions that brings a little extra magic into our home.
It might not be as big as Christmas or Easter here in Australia, but it’s such a wonderful, low-pressure way to create special moments with your kids. A little imagination, a few simple crafts, and some leprechaun mischief go a long way.
This holiday is particularly special in our family because we’re lucky enough to have our very own Irish princess at home. Isla was born on St Patrick’s Day, and she thinks it’s hilarious that leprechauns visit on her birthday every year.
Our celebration usually includes a mix of crafts, treats, and relaxed family time. Below are some of our favourite St Patrick’s Day traditions that we repeat year after year.
Leprechaun Traps
Every family seems to have their own leprechaun mythology. If you catch one, does he lead you to a pot of gold? Do you get three wishes? Or does he simply escape and leave a trail of chaos behind?
No matter what you believe, getting kids involved in trying to catch a leprechaun is half the fun. Every year on the eve of St Patrick’s Day, we make leprechaun traps together and set them up around the house.
It’s creative, hands-on, and one of those activities that naturally encourages quality family time.
There are no rules when it comes to making leprechaun traps, but if you’re looking for a starting point, here’s our simple step-by-step approach:
- Find a box for each family member (any size works).
- Cut one side of the box to create a three-sided flap, like a little door.
- Cover the box in green paper or paint.
- Punch holes to tie the door up with ribbon or string.
- Alternatively, cut a square hole and attach rolled paper as a tunnel.
- Decorate freely and creatively.
For decorating, I pull out every green craft supply I can find. Think feathers, pom poms, glitter, crepe paper, and cut-outs of shamrocks, pots of gold, and leprechaun hats. Then I let the kids take the lead.
Once the traps are ready, we add leprechaun food to tempt them inside. Our favourite is oats mixed with green food colouring.
Here’s what our traps looked like one St Patrick’s Day:
Leprechaun Mischief
On St Patrick’s Day morning, the kids wake up to discover that the leprechauns have visited and left chaos behind. This is always a favourite part for us as parents.
Some of our go-to leprechaun mischief ideas include:
- Green milk in the fridge
- Doors tied together
- Toothbrushes in the fridge
- Chairs knocked over
- Toilet paper decorating the house
The ideas are endless, and the kids’ reactions are always priceless.
St Patrick’s Day Morning
Every St Patrick’s Day morning, the kids rush out to see if they’ve caught a leprechaun. So far, no luck, but they are always rewarded with treats left behind.
Make Your St Patrick’s Day Decorations Even More Magical
If you want to lean into the St Patrick’s Day theme a little more (without spending hours DIY-ing everything), you can create your own personalised decorations to match your leprechaun fun.
Our Custom Decorations collection is perfect for St Patrick’s Day inspired banners, signs, labels and party pieces. You can personalise names, colours and wording, and you can even use our AI options to help bring your green-and-gold vision to life in your own style.
It’s an easy way to tie your leprechaun traps, treats and breakfast table together with matching décor, whether you’re doing a little family morning at home or a full party setup.
One year they even woke up with leprechaun kisses on their faces.
The leprechauns usually leave gold chocolate coins, and sometimes dress-up outfits or a cheeky note hidden amongst the mess.
If you want to keep the celebrations going, a green breakfast is always a hit. Green pancakes, fruit, or themed treats work beautifully. You can also adapt my Party Wafers or Chocolate Spoons into fun St Patrick’s Day treats.
We haven’t caught a leprechaun yet, but the kids seem pretty happy with the alternative.
Find Us at Katie J Design and Events
If you’re looking for high-quality personalised party decorations, clothing, stickers, and celebration extras, Katie J Design and Events has you covered.
We’re proudly Australian-owned and based in Queensland, shipping Australia-wide, with international shipping available to New Zealand and the USA.
Explore our full range of Personalised Party Themes, or head over to Parties by Katie J for more real-life party ideas, DIY tips, and easy celebration inspiration.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What age is St Patrick’s Day leprechaun fun suitable for?
Leprechaun traps and mischief work beautifully for toddlers through to primary school-aged kids. You can easily adapt the activities to suit your child’s age and comfort level.
Do you need expensive supplies to make leprechaun traps?
Not at all. Most traps can be made with recycled boxes, craft scraps, and basic household items. It’s all about creativity, not perfection.
How can I make St Patrick’s Day special without a party?
Simple traditions like leprechaun footprints, green breakfasts, or a cheeky note from a leprechaun can make the day feel magical without hosting a full party.
Do you ship party decorations outside Australia?
Yes. Katie J Design and Events ships Australia-wide, with international shipping available to New Zealand and the USA.
Can I create personalised St Patrick’s Day decorations with Katie J Design and Events?
Yes. If you’d like to create St Patrick’s Day inspired banners, signs, labels or other party pieces, you can start in our Custom Decorations collection. You can personalise the wording and colours, and our AI options make it easy to create something unique for your family celebration.
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