Things to Do in Orange County on St. Patrick’s Day

March is finally upon us, which means that many parents are thinking about things to do in Orange County for St. Patrick’s Day. This Irish holiday is a great opportunity to spend time with kids and teach them about different cultures. Here are some of the ways you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day this year:

St. Patrick’s Day Crafts

There are tons of Irish-inspired crafts that you can find on the internet, from a leprechaun puppet to a rainbow painting! Do some research to determine which art project your little one will enjoy most. 

Green Drinks

For family-friendly things to do in Orange County on St. Patrick’s day, you’ll need a little green food coloring! We recommend adding edible dye to ginger ale, lemonade, or ice cream for a root beer float! You can also have food-coloring-free smoothies by adding spinach or kale.

Leprechaun Trap

As the story goes, leprechauns know the way to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. So, if you catch one, he has to show you! Bond with your kids by creating a leprechaun trap the night before St. Patrick’s Day. Even if you don’t catch one, your child will enjoy the process! 

St. Patrick’s Day Food

From green cupcakes to rainbow cookies, you can get creative with your snacks on St. Patrick’s day. If you’d rather skip the sugary-sweet and artificially-colored food, then you can make some authentic Irish dishes with your children. Try corned beef and cabbage, Irish stew, colcannon, and mashed potatoes! 

St. Patrick’s Day Games

Bring the St. Patrick’s Day theme into your children’s playtime! This will help them get outside and release some of their energy (especially if they’ve been eating sweet treats all day). Try a shamrock scavenger hunt, hopscotch, or Irish tag. You can make up the rules with your kids and make it a tradition! 

The History of Ireland and St. Patrick

If you would like to take advantage of this holiday as a teaching moment, then perhaps you can share a short video about the history of St. Patrick’s Day. Older children may be interested to see the castles of Ireland and learn about the rich history as well.  

Irish Stories

Looking for a good St. Patrick’s Day book? We recommend A Fine St. Patrick’s Day by Susan Wojciechowski. There are tons of other picture books that convey the history of Ireland or just have a St. Patrick’s Day-themed story. Find these stories in advance and share them with your children on the holiday. 

Plant Shamrocks

If you want a more active activity for your kids, then consider planting shamrocks with your children in the garden! You can teach them about plant-care and responsibility while also activating their imagination. 

You don’t have to attend a parade or festival to enjoy St. Patrick’s  Day with your kids. Try some fun activities at home! Younger children may like to hear more about leprechauns and four-leafed clovers while older children may be more interested in enjoying food and learning about Ireland. See what works for your family–you may even return to some of these activities next year! 

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