Irish patron saint St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated annually on March 17. In addition to parades and shamrocks, the holiday is an ideal time to build lasting memories with your family. There is something for everyone, whether you like traditional celebrations, crafts, or delicious treats.

We’ll explore a variety of fun and engaging St. Patrick’s Day activities the whole family can enjoy, ensuring a day filled with joy, learning, and community.

1. Host a St. Patrick’s Day Themed Dinner Party

St. Patrick’s Day dinner parties are a great way to celebrate surrounded by friends and family. Make the atmosphere festive with green tablecloths, shamrock-shaped plates, green food, and green drinks.

• Menu Ideas: Serve classic Irish dishes such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd’s pie, Irish soda bread, and hearty stews. For dessert, consider Irish coffee cake or green-tinted cupcakes.
• Drink Ideas: Serve Shamrock shakes, green beer, Irish whiskey cocktails, or traditional Irish coffee.

2. St. Patrick’s Day Potluck

The best way to encourage variety and showcase guests’ cooking skills while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is to host a potluck where guests can bring their favorite Irish and green-themed dishes.

• Dish Ideas: Colcannon, Boxty, Guinness stew, or an array of green salads and dips will certainly bring Irish flavors to your gathering.

3. St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke Party

You can turn your home into an Irish pub with St. Patrick’s Day karaoke. Gather your friends for fun party songs, traditional Irish songs, and classic pop songs. Mix popular Irish songs like “Danny Boy” and “The Fields of Athenry” with contemporary Irish hits by U2 or The Cranberries to create a playlist.

Family-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Activities

4. Craft Time: DIY St. Patrick’s Day Decorations

Making St. Patrick’s Day crafts with your kids is a great way to get everyone in the holiday spirit as well as decorate your home.

• Craft Ideas:
  • Shamrock Wreath: Create a wreath using green paper, felt, or construction paper in the shape of a shamrock.
  • Leprechaun Hats: Make leprechaun hats out of cardboard or construction paper, adding glitter for extra sparkle.
  • Rainbow and Pot of Gold Craft: Use paper plates or cardboard to create rainbow and pot-of-gold crafts, which can then be hung as wall art.

5. St. Patrick’s Day Scavenger Hunt

Make a list of holiday-themed items, including a shamrock, leprechaun figurine, and pot of gold, and hide them around the house or yard for children to find on St. Patrick’s Day. You can even add clues that lead the children from one item to another, making the hunt more interactive and engaging.

• Ideas for Hiding Items:
  • Hide gold-wrapped chocolate in the backyard for the ultimate “pot of gold.”
  • Include fun riddles or questions for the children to answer before finding the next clue.

6. St. Patrick’s Day Bingo

You can create an Irish-themed bingo game for the whole family to enjoy on St. Patrick’s Day. You can design your bingo cards using Irish symbols such as shamrocks, leprechauns, pots of gold, and rainbows. This activity is easy to set up and can entertain both adults and children.

St. Patrick’s Day Outdoor Activities

7. Attend a St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Whether you’re in New York, Chicago, or Dublin, you can enjoy a parade every St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Watch marching bands, bagpipers, and traditional Irish dancers while enjoying the festive atmosphere. Attending a parade is a great way to experience Irish culture, whether you’re in New York City, Chicago, or Dublin.

• Tip: Arrive early to get the best spots along the parade route and wear your green attire to blend in with the crowd!

8. Go on a St. Patrick’s Day Nature Walk

Enjoy the green surroundings and the spirit of the day by searching for shamrocks and four-leaf clovers while you stroll through a local park or forest.

• Bonus: Bring along a picnic lunch with Irish-inspired snacks like soda bread, scones, or a thermos of Irish coffee.

9. St. Patrick’s Day Field Day

Plan an outdoor field day with games and activities for all ages. You can incorporate green items or play Irish folk music in the background to make it St. Patrick’s Day-themed.

• Competition Ideas:
  • Shamrock Toss: Toss green beanbags or soft balls into large shamrock-shaped targets.
  • Leprechaun Hat Ring Toss: Create a ring toss game using leprechaun hats as targets and rings made of rope or hula hoops.

St. Patrick’s Day Activities for Adults

10. Irish Whiskey Tasting Party

Adults can enjoy and learn from a whiskey tasting event on St. Patrick’s Day. Choose a selection of Irish whiskeys, such as Jameson, Bushmills, or Redbreast, and host a tasting event. To enhance the tasting experience, pair the whiskey with Irish cheeses, charcuterie, or dark chocolate.

11. St. Patrick’s Day Pub Crawl

Visit local Irish pubs and savor Irish pub fare while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. Don’t forget to wear your festive green attire and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

• Tip: Design a crawl route ahead of time to ensure you hit all the best spots and to avoid overindulging.

12. Host an Irish Movie Marathon

If you prefer something a little cozier, try an Irish movie marathon. Start by watching iconic Irish films such as The Commitments, Brooklyn or The Wind That Shakes the Barley. Don’t forget the popcorn and the Irish snacks like potato crisps and cheese and crackers.

Fun St. Patrick’s Day Games for All Ages

13. Pin the Shamrock on the Leprechaun

You can play this variation of “Pin the Tail on the Donkey” with young children by blindfolding them and having them place a shamrock onto a large poster of a leprechaun.

14. St. Patrick’s Day Trivia Quiz

This quiz is a great way to test your knowledge of Irish history, culture, and St. Patrick’s Day facts and it can be tailored to suit a variety of different age groups, making it a great activity for both kids and adults alike.

Creative St. Patrick’s Day Decor Ideas

15. DIY St. Patrick’s Day Garland

Use green construction paper to make shamrocks, leprechaun hats, and rainbows for a garland that will add a touch of charm to any St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

16. Create a St. Patrick’s Day Photo Booth

For fun photos, set up a DIY photo booth with St. Patrick’s Day props like leprechaun hats, green glasses, and beards. This creates a fun space for your guests to snap memorable pictures.

Conclusion

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day, everyone can enjoy a variety of fun and unique activities. There are plenty of activities and events to celebrate the rich Irish culture and the joy of this global holiday, including family-friendly crafts, scavenger hunts, and festive parties. These activities will help you create lasting memories with family and friends. Be sure to wear green and share the good fortune of the Irish with everyone!