17 Fun Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day This Year

Whether you're in need of after-school activities or just in search of a fun Saturday project, making DIY leprechaun traps is one of our favorite St. Patrick's day activities for kids. Pick up a copy of How to Catch a Leprechaun ($10, Barnes & Noble) and then set the kids loose with scissors, paper, markers, and other craft supplies so they can create their own traps.

Whether you love beer on its own or mixed into a special cocktail, St. Patrick's Day marks a popular time to celebrate Irish-made Guinness and other beer-based drinks. This year, try making a homemade batch of green beer rather than going out.

Get your wee lads and lassies in the St. Patrick's spirit with a simple scavenger hunt. Hide clover stickers throughout the house and have the kids compete to see who can find the most. Reward the winner with a pot of gold—or chocolate gold coins ($10 for 72 coins, Party City). When the game is over, serve shamrock cookies so everyone wins!

According to the National Leprechaun Museum in Dublin, Ireland, if you can catch a leprechaun, he is obliged to tell you where his gold is stashed. But keep a close eye on him—legend has it he's liable to disappear if you look away. Try making chocolate leprechaun bark this year!

Related: Make a Homemade Leprechaun Trap!

Create your own luck with a fun and kid-friendly St. Patrick's Day craft. This easy-to-make four-leaf shamrock hat comes together with just a paper plate, scissors, and colored markers: Simply trace a shamrock shape in the middle of the plate, then cut around the shape (be sure to keep the base attached) and around the rim of the plate to make the hat.

St. Patrick's Day tradition holds that if you're not wearing green on March 17, you'll get pinched. Simply add a touch of green to your wardrobe this year as an easy way to show your Irish spirit—even as you work from home.

Be prepared to have a green smile on St. Patrick's Day. Beverages at restaurants, street festivals, and bars are often dyed green in honor of the day—and if you're staying home this year, it's the perfect time to try making your own. Try making a green drink at home.

Celebrate St. Pat's with a crunchy cucumber treat designed to look like a leprechaun hat. Cut 1-inch sections of an English cucumber, and lay the pieces flat on a plate, as shown. Trim a cucumber brim for each hat and set it in place. Finish with a sliced cheese band and buckle, attached with dots of hummus or dip.

Looking for a quick and fun St. Patrick's Day idea? Whip up some St. Patrick's Day desserts to drop off with friends, share with the kids, or for yourself.

Legend has it that Saint Patrick used three-leaf clovers to illustrate the concept of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Four-leaf clovers are rare and are therefore considered lucky. Paint a clover on your face or dress in a clover-print garment to make your day a lucky one.

Related: Must-Know Facts About Shamrocks

Show off your love for St. Patrick's Day decor by filling your house with all things green. We especially love this shamrock table decoration: Not only is it quick to make, but it's an easy way to bring the luck of the Irish into your home.