Looking for a fun St. Patrick’s Day activity for kids? This leprechaun trap is an easy and creative project that encourages imagination, problem-solving, and a little holiday magic at home.
St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about the food in our house. It’s also about the fun that builds up in the days leading up to it.
Every year, the kids look forward to making a leprechaun trap after reading How to Catch a Leprechaun, and this year was no different. What started as a simple craft quickly turned into a full family project, with everyone getting involved in the planning and building.
The Activity
Activity at a Glance
Activity: Leprechaun trap
Time: 30–60 minutes
Age Range: 5+ (with adult help)
Mess Level: Moderate
Best For: St. Patrick’s Day tradition
This leprechaun trap started with a basic kit, but quickly took on a life of its own. The kids came up with a plan, assigned themselves roles, and got to work building it together. There was a lot of discussion, problem-solving, and excitement around how it would all come together. We helped with a few of the trickier parts, but they really led the process.
The kit includes a variety of pieces along with a guide for how to assemble it, but there’s plenty of room for creativity. It also comes with extra decorations and even gold coins to help lure in the leprechaun, which the kids loved.
It was one of those activities where the fun wasn’t just in the finished product, but in the building, the ideas, and the teamwork along the way.
Supplies
- Leprechaun trap craft kit – Amazon
- Scotch tape (we always need more tape)
How It Went
The trap came together with a lot of creativity and a few last-minute adjustments, which felt very on-brand for this kind of project.
My daughter added extra sticky tape to one of the ladders to make it harder to climb toward the coins, which were strategically placed around the trapdoor. My son suggested adding a bell or something jingly so we would hear when the leprechaun fell in, and quickly found something to attach.
When it came time to set it up, we gave some thought to placement and decided on the foyer so he would see it right away. My daughter also used K’nex to build a wheeled contraption with a sign that said “get in,” designed to guide him straight to the trap. She even laid out some of her shiny jewelry to help lure him in.
By the end, everyone had contributed something, and there was a real sense of pride in what they built and the plan they created. In the morning, we all checked to see if we caught him. And once again, that pesky leprechaun got away… but not before leaving a few treats behind.
Maybe next year!
Why I Love This Activity
I love activities like this because they give the kids a chance to be creative, work together, and take the lead.
It’s simple, but it turns into something memorable. There’s planning, building, problem-solving, and just enough imagination to make it feel a little magical.
And more than anything, it’s something they look forward to year after year, which is what makes it feel like a tradition.
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