28 Fun St. Patrick's Day Activities for the Whole Family
Celebrate the Irish holiday with friends and family by trying something new!
You don’t have to be Irish to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! While it may not be a holiday everyone marks on their calendar, who would want to pass up the chance to enjoy festive Irish food, green beer, great music and quality time with friends and family?
Adults might head to the local pub, but if you're looking to get active, get creative with a St. Patrick's Day craft or plan kid-friendly fun, you're in luck! Spend the day decorating shamrock cupcakes, organizing a scavenger hunt or exploring your Irish heritage by diving into history and ancestry. However you choose to celebrate, these St. Patrick’s Day activities offer endless opportunities for festive fun.
Make a Leprechaun Trap
Get crafty this St. Patrick’s Day by building a leprechaun trap — who knows, you might just catch a bit of luck! Gather some plastic gold coins, green wrapping paper and a sprinkle of mischief for a fun-filled adventure.
Take a Virtual Field Trip to Ireland
Enjoy breathtaking views of Ireland’s rugged coastlines, lush greenery, and rolling hills — all from the comfort of home. With a variety of virtual Ireland tour options, you can explore Irish museums, historic landmarks and popular tourist destinations without the hassle of airfare or packing. This St. Paddy’s Day, take a digital journey through Ireland and experience its beauty, culture and history from wherever you are.
Make Green Slime
A simple craft that kids never seem to tire of is always a win — plus, it's just as fun for adults!
Plan a Scavenger Hunt
For a fun-filled family activity, set up a scavenger hunt around the house with clues leading to tasty treats like chocolate coins. Who knows? You might just discover a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Leave Out a Glass of Milk
It's not Christmas, but you may still want to leave out a glass of milk. According to Irish superstition, leaving out a glass of milk for the fairies is not only is it a gesture of goodwill, but it will bring you some luck, too.
Go to a Saint Patrick's Day Parade
You're bound to find at least one festive Saint Patrick's Day Parade in your area come March 17. Large cities like Chicago, New York and Boston are known for their extravagant holiday parades, but if you're looking to stay closer to home, there's sure to be some sort of smaller option for you and the family to enjoy.
Drink Green Beer
If there's one thing that's a must-do on St. Paddy's, it's drinking green beer! Whether you favor Guinness or something else, indulge in a pint this March 17 — and make sure to do an Irish toast for some extra luck.
Decorate Shamrock Cookies
Who will take home the pot o' gold at this year's cookie decorating contest? You'll have to wait and see. Better yet, purchase some low-cost prizes to hand out to the winners.
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Donate to Charity
Give back to "green" charities that support the environment, like the Greenpeace Fund, Friends of the Earth or the Rainforest Alliance, or simply donate to a cause of your choice that's near and dear to you.
Make Some St. Patrick’s Day Crafts
Get into the spirit by spending the day making these kid-friendly St. Patrick's Day crafts. When your little ones are happy with their shamrock wands, they can move on and make their own shamrock pins!
Make a Traditional Irish Meal
March is still chilly, so warm up with a classic Irish stew. You can even make some in a slow-cooker, so you can go about celebrating before sitting down for a perfectly-cooked meal.
RELATED: Best St. Patrick's Day Food Ideas for the Ultimate Irish Feast
Bake Soda Bread
What’s St. Paddy’s Day without classic soda bread on the table? This traditional Irish favorite adds a festive touch — and a delicious bite — to any celebration!
Paint Your Nails
Break out the gold and green polish. Paint festive designs and patterns on your nails, then post a picture to Instagram in honor of the lucky holiday.
RELATED: Festive St. Patrick's Day Nail Designs That Will Give You Some Extra Luck
Have a Costume Contest
Wearing green is a must on St. Paddy's Day, obviously, but why not take it to the next level? Break out those leprechaun hats and make it a friendly contest to see who has the most festive outfit.
Recite an Irish Blessing
If you truly want the luck of the Irish, there's nothing luckier than reciting an Irish blessing out loud. Better yet, you can even dive into a book of Irish poems for some words of wisdom.
RELATED: Best St. Patrick's Day Quotes to Celebrate All Things Irish
Sip on Green Drinks
Beer isn't the only thing that can be green for St. Paddy's Day! You can make some delicious (and kid-friendly) drinks that are just as festive, like green limeade or a healthy green smoothie.
RELATED: St. Patrick's Day Drinks That Go Way Beyond Green Beer
Bake Festive Desserts
It's time to take out your food coloring to turn your favorite desserts into something festive. Or, if you want to try something new, why not try out some traditional Irish treats like Irish apple cake?
RELATED: Classic Irish Desserts to Make Your St. Patrick's Day Celebration Extra Sweet
Watch an Irish Movie
Get your family together for a fun and cozy movie night featuring some of the best Irish movies to watch on St. Paddy's Day.
RELATED: The Best Irish Movies to Watch on St. Patrick's Day
Go on a Walk
If it's not too chilly, spend some time outdoors and go for a walk. Download an Irish playlist, or bring a buddy and enjoy some lighthearted conversation.
Create a Special Playlist
Enrich your lives by exposing yourself to the Irish culture through music. Listen to classics or modern hits, and if you become stuck, Spotify has you covered.
RELATED: Best Irish Songs to Add to Your St. Patrick's Day Playlist
Hannah Jeon is an Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention, where she covers expert-driven commerce content for all things health, beauty, and wellness. Previously the Editorial Assistant at Good Housekeeping, she earned her bachelor’s degree in creative writing and psychology from Johns Hopkins University. When she’s not on the hunt for all the best products online, you can often find her trying out new food spots in New York City or clicking away behind a camera.
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