Catch A Leprechaun

Those leprechauns are sneaky and hard to catch, and they can make big ole messes too. But if you catch on, you'll get some gold or other riches! A few days before St. Patrick's Day, have your kids create some traps around the house to see if they can catch the leprechaun. Smaller children will need help to set up traps before they go to sleep and they should check them in the morning to see if they've caught anything. Shoe boxes, large containers or mixing bowls, or even sheets can work. While the children are sleeping, leave small signs that leprechauns have been nearby, including some gold pieces (plastic, chocolate coins, and bubble gum coins), green glitter trails, or just a big mess! Sometimes, on the morning of St. Patrick's Day, kids may find some telltale signs that they got really close to catching a leprechaun - such as a four-leaf clover, green beads or a necklace, or other trinkets. Better luck next year!

Picture from: http://scrapetv.com/
Activity from: The Playskool Toddler's Busy Play Book by Robin McClure (2007)