St. Patrick's Day Activities!
by Jodie Lynn

St. Patrick’s Day -- Let’s Get It Together For Fun! 

Spring is right around the corner. There may be snow and chilly nights in many areas but let’s get ready for spring anyway and have a little fun with St. Patrick's Day.

Have you ever thought about the significance of the shamrock or clover as it is most commonly called? The clover is an important plant in Ireland because it symbolizes the new year of spring on St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. Are you ready? Gather your kiddos around you and have fun!

. Make it a fun day by sharing stories of leprechauns. Check out as many books as possible from the library or by buying a few. 

. Create your own tale. Make up a story of your own and let the kids get in on the storytelling. Tape the story and let each child add their own two-cents. Send a copy to grandparents or a parent who is not going to be there for the celebration. Be sure to keep a copy for the child.

. Don’t forget the pot of gold. You can use the same black pot from Halloween and fill it with walnuts or pecans to pretend these are the gold nuggets that fill the "pot of gold." The head leprechaun insists that all members of the family protect this family wealth with their tiny, but mighty souls, spirits and enchanted personalities. 

. Draw and color three leaf clovers. Put them up on your windows and even a couple on the window of your car but be sure not to obstruct the driver's view. 

. Draw a colorful rainbow with the kids, color and cut it out. Sick it up over a doorway with the pot of gold (nuts) in the black bucket (or any old bucket sprayed with black spray paint will do). If you have little ones younger than four around, substitute plastic blocks or balls for the nuts just for their safety. 

. Think green! Bake shamrock cookies by cutting out the shape of the three-leaf clover with cookie cutters that can be purchased in any cooking store and sometimes the Dollar Stores even have them. Add a few drops of green food coloring. 

. Got milk? Add a few drops of green food coloring to it and make it a drink dandy enough for any leprechaun. 

. Last but not least, listen to music from Ireland. The local radio stations should be playing a few gigs. Dance with your kids and take a little break by acting silly.