St. Patrick’s Day is one of those lighthearted holidays that doesn’t come with the stress of gift-giving or big gatherings—just an excuse to have some fun! If you want to make the day special for your kiddos without spending a pot of gold, you’re in luck. These simple, budget-friendly ideas will bring a little Irish magic to your home without breaking the bank.

Bonus: Click here for your chance to claim a Dollar Tree gift card. 

Color Me Lucky: Free St. Paddy’s Day Coloring Pages

A super easy way to keep little hands busy is with themed coloring pages. But don’t run out and buy a book—there are plenty of free options online! Just make sure you have plenty of green crayons, markers, and colored pencils on hand.

Check out these free printable coloring pages:

• Leprechaun 
• Pot of Gold
• Rainbow & Pot of Gold
• Shamrocks
• St. Patrick’s Day text and icons

Dollar Tree Decor and More

Dollar Tree (and most other discount stores) have affordable decorations and festive wearables that won’t cost much. Some of our favorites include: 

• Shamrock headbands and crowns
• Window clings 
• Novelty party glasses (pictured above) 
• Themed cups
• Mini bubble tubes

Melting Rainbows: A Crayon Craft with a Colorful Twist

Speaking of crayons… if you have old, broken ones lying around, turn them into a fun, festive craft!

Here’s how to create a melted crayon rainbow:

1. Find a base – A piece of cardboard, a white poster board, or even a small canvas.
2. Glue on crayons – Arrange crayons in rainbow order (purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red) and attach them using a glue gun or tape (just on the crayon’s wrapper).
3. Prep your space – Cover your work area to avoid a mess.
4. Melt the magic – Use a hairdryer on high heat, aiming at the middle to bottom of the crayons while moving back and forth. The wax will drip down, creating a colorful effect.
5. Add finishing touches – Once cool, younger kids can add St. Paddy’s Day stickers or doodles, while older kids (10+) can take charge of each step.

This is a fun way to create a rainbow that lasts longer than a rainy-day sighting!

Irish Music Dance Party

Turn up the fun with an Irish-themed dance party!

• Look up Irish folk music or Celtic tunes on YouTube or Spotify.
• Learn a simple Irish jig with the kids—there are plenty of easy tutorials online!
• Play freeze dance, pausing the music randomly to make it a game.
• Modern Irish artists to consider listening to include: U2, The Cranberries, Sinead O’Connor, The Waterboys, Hozier, and The Pogues.

Catch a Leprechaun: DIY Leprechaun Traps

Leprechaun traps are a fun way to spark your child’s imagination. The idea? Set up a tiny trap to catch one of those mischievous little guys and maybe—just maybe—find a bit of treasure in the morning!

Supplies you can use:

• Shoe boxes or small cardboard boxes
• Popsicle sticks
• Pipe cleaners
• Construction paper
• Gold coins (real or chocolate!)

Let the kids get creative designing their trap—maybe with a ladder, a tiny “Free Gold” sign, or a clever trapdoor. And don’t forget to leave some gold coins or a little note from the leprechaun before morning!

Eat Your Greens: St. Paddy’s Day Food Fun

One of the easiest (and tastiest) ways to celebrate is by turning your food green! A few drops of food coloring can transform everyday meals into festive treats.

Try these fun, green-inspired foods:

• Pancakes
• Scrambled eggs
• Mashed potatoes
• Lemonade
• Milk (turn it into a Shamrock Shake with a little mint flavoring!)
• Popcorn (toss it with a little green-colored white chocolate or butter)
• Pasta (just add green food coloring to the cooking water!)

Want a healthier option? Serve naturally green foods like spinach, avocados, cucumbers, or kiwi.

A Sweet Pot of Gold: Dessert with a Magical Touch

For a final touch of Irish magic, serve up a “pot of gold” for dessert! A simple and fun idea is to take golden Oreos and turn them into gold coins using edible gold spray paint.

Other golden dessert ideas:

• Golden cupcakes – Just add gold sprinkles or gold foil cupcake liners.
• Lucky Charms treats – Make Rice Krispies-style treats using Lucky Charms cereal.
• Chocolate gold coins – Available at most dollar stores, these make a cute and easy treat!

Watch a St. Patrick’s Day-Themed Movie

Have a cozy movie night with an Irish-themed flick! Some great family-friendly options include:

• “The Secret of Kells” – A beautifully animated Irish adventure that was nominated for an Oscar in 2016. Available to rent for $2.99 on Amazon Prime Video.
• “Darby O’Gill and the Little People” – A classic Disney film with leprechaun magic available to rent for $3.99 on Amazon Prime Video or stream on Disney+. 
• “Luck of the Irish” – A fun Disney Channel favorite from the early 2000s available on Disney+.

St. Patrick’s Day fun doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With a little creativity and some simple supplies, you can make the day feel special for your family—without dipping into your pot of gold. So grab some green, set up a leprechaun trap, and let the shenanigans begin!

Related: Stuck Inside? Here Are 10 Fun Ways to Get the Whole Family Moving!