St. Patrick's Day is a celebration of Irish culture and heritage that over the years has evolved into a commercialized holiday across the United States. If you are looking for ways to celebrate with your kids, make sure you celebrate respectfully. One thing I've tried to instill in my kids is that if just one person takes offense to something as it relates to their culture, ethnicity, or race, then that's enough reason to stop doing or saying the offensive thing.
In the case of St. Patrick's Day and the negative stereotypes Irish people have endured over the years, which have roots in anti-immigration sentiment, the holiday has unfortunately become associated with drinking to excess. Our job as parents is to move forward and teach our kids how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day with respect and sensitivity.
Here are a few St. Patrick's Day activities for kids, so we can begin to change the narrative.
St. Patrick's Day books to read with your kids
Crafts and St. Patrick's Day activities for kids
There's nothing quite like hands-on activities for kids of all ages when you want to celebrate holidays that are typically geared toward adults. These St. Patrick's Day crafts and activities ideas will help make the day feel special for everyone.
7. Print out St. Patrick's Day-themed activities
"Today was our family party at my mom's, we found some free printables of games and will play a few, like bingo," Meghan Bo, a mom of two from the Boston area, told Mom.com.
But you don't need to have a big family party to incorporate some St. Paddy's Day fun. Print out some coloring sheets, mazes, or these printable St. Patrick's Day pins to add a festive flair to any day.
8. Attend a local St. Patrick's Day parade
Chances are there's a big St. Patrick's Day parade scheduled near you! Check out your local news site for details, don your green, and take it all in! If you can't make it out though, don't worry — you can watch the oldest and biggest St. Patrick's Day parade online, live from New York City.
9. Plan a scavenger hunt
Your St. Patrick's Day craft doesn't have to be messy or wasteful — no one needs to be cleaning up glue and glitter in the middle of the week. Instead, opt for a backyard St. Patrick's Day scavenger hunt game that gets kids out and about for some hands-on fun.
