Family: Enjoy a Leprechaun Hunt on St. Patrick’s Day

Create Your Own Leprechaun Hunt:

St. Patrick’s Day is a fun day to celebrate all things green which includes leprechauns. Last year my daughter’s pre-school teacher had used washable green paint and put little footprints around the classroom. When the kids arrived at school, they couldn’t believe that a little leprechaun had visited their school during the night. She explained that he was a bit naughty as he messed the room up – turning over chairs, leaving some papers on the floor, footprints on the floor – but he also left some gold chocolate coins for them. This year we plan to do a Leprechaun Hunt in our neighborhood and have some suggestions if you want to create one of your own!

Tips to find a Leprechaun!

Wake up early. Tell the participants in the Leprechaun Hunt that legend has it the leprechauns will only come out on Saint Patrick’s Day, so you don’t want to miss them.

Obtain a net. This step is optional, as you might not be interested in catching your leprechaun and indeed, he may be offended if you do. You might also want to bring a camera, and camouflage clothes.

Get your leprechaun hunting party together. Its a lot more fun when two or more people are participating in the Leprechaun Hunt. You can get the whole neighborhood involved and take along older siblings, cousins, neighbours and friends.

Start your search. Start outside, because it’s only natural that a leprechaun prefers the great outdoors. After all, leprechauns wear a lot of green and it stands to reason that green trees and grass provide perfect cover for them. Note to parents: You can hide a little leprechaun and take a picture when your kids aren’t looking. Then “show” them the picture and when they go back to that hiding spot he has magically disappeared! Silly and mischievous guy that he is!

Look for leprechaun tracks. If you see any, follow them. Leprechauns may also leave gold coins, or even chocolate coins! Note to parents. It might be fun to take some old baby shoes you might have around and dip them in washable green paint. Outside your house, have the green footsteps walking on the sidewalk leading into bushes. This will make for an extra fun leprechaun hunt! Maybe leave the gold coins in these areas the footprints leading up the hiding spots.

Be aware that legend has it that leprechauns don’t like animals. Since they’re most probably scared of dogs, cats, birds and squirrels, it’s best to leave Fido home and to not look up the trees for leprechauns. The better places will be where the animals are not.

Look at all possible hiding places. That includes trees, holes, and even sheds. The group leader should be prepared to look in tight and strange places.

Look closely. They could just be blending in. Are you sure you haven’t seen one yet?

Check near lawn gnomes if you have any. Leprechauns may think it’s a real gnome and try to entertain the gnome with conversation or a riddle or two.

Go indoors. Once you’ve looked everywhere in your yard, start in your house. They might have already gotten inside your house! Note to Parents: You can have one parent leave a pot of gold for the kids while everyone is outside on the Leprechaun hunt!

Have fun!