St. Patrick’s Day Activities
With St. Patrick’s Day just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to bring a bit of Irish charm into your classroom! We’ve put together a list of St. Patrick’s Day activities that not only celebrate the day but also enrich your students’ learning experiences. From St. Patrick’s Day read-alouds to crafts, these ideas are tailored to delight and educate first graders. Get ready to turn your classroom into a magical Irish wonderland that your first graders will adore.
St. Patrick’s Day Read Alouds
If you are required to teach about folktales, St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time to teach this standard! You can explore Irish folklore and traditions with these run books:
- “The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day”: This engaging story is a fantastic starting point for discussions about St. Patrick’s Day, its traditions, and how different cultures celebrate holidays.
- “Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato”: An Irish folktale that’s not only entertaining but also introduces students to the rich tapestry of cultural stories, sparking an interest in folklore and history.
- “That’s What Leprechauns Do”: This book, rich with whimsy and charm, opens up a world of imagination, perfect for discussing mythical creatures and the stories behind St. Patrick’s Day.
St. Patrick’s Day Craft
It’s not a comprehensive list of St. Patrick’s day activities without a craft! This craft is a wonderful way for students to express what makes them feel lucky or grateful. It’s a simple yet effective activity that encourages self-reflection and gratitude, important aspects of social-emotional development. The best part might be that it’s free! Grab the FREE craft here!
Leprechaun Gold Hunt
Turn your classroom into an exciting landscape for a treasure hunt. This activity is not just fun; it’s an opportunity for students to practice counting, addition, and even early multiplication skills. Hide gold coins in various nooks and encourage the children to use their math skills to tally their finds.
St. Patrick’s Day Printable Math Activities
Lucky Charm Math is always a super fun activity to do with students, but with all of the food sensitivities and rules around food in schools, I created a spin and graph that match the marshmallows in that festive cereal. You can check out that activity (and many more) here.
St. Patrick’s Day Directed Drawing
I love using directed drawings to help my students practice following directions, and develop coordination and artistic skills, all while immersing the children in the holiday’s themes. St. Patrick’s Day symbols such as shamrocks, pots of gold, or even a friendly leprechaun. YouTube has tons of options if your district allows you to access them. If that’s not an option check out these ready-made pages for you, just print and go!
St. Patrick’s Day Printable Activities
Our set of St. Patrick’s Day printable activities is designed to seamlessly blend literacy and numeracy skills with St. Patrick’s Day excitement. These activities range from clover counting exercises to creative story-writing prompts featuring leprechauns and rainbows. They are an excellent way for your students to practice academic skills in a festive and fun way. Check out the print and go set here!
St. Patrick’s Day Dance Party
Have you ever seen Irish dancing? It is quite impressive! Do a quick search for Irish Step Dancing and delight your students in the festive dancing. If space and time allow, let them try out their own simple Irish jig. Music and movement are not only great for physical development but also for cultural education and bringing a joyous energy to the classroom.
St. Patrick’s Day Science Experiment
Why not add a bit of science to the mix? Conduct a simple, safe experiment like creating a rainbow with a glass of water and a flashlight. This activity can tie into discussions about weather phenomena, light, and color theory, making it both educational and thematic.
Host a Green Day
Have a ‘Green Day’ where everything revolves around the color green – the most iconic color of St. Patrick’s Day. Encourage students to wear green and bring in green-colored snacks. Incorporate learning activities around this theme, such as a green scavenger hunt, where students find objects in the classroom that are green, enhancing their observational skills.
St. Patrick’s Day Writing Prompts
Encourage your students to engage in creative writing with St. Patrick’s Day-themed prompts. Ask them to write about what they would do if they found a pot of gold, or to invent their own story about a leprechaun’s adventure. This activity not only sparks creativity but also helps in developing their writing and narrative skills. Here are some writing prompt resources in case you need some!
St. Patrick’s Day in the classroom is an excellent opportunity to blend fun with education. These activities offer a mix of cultural exploration, academic skills, and creative expression, all within the context of this vibrant holiday.
Engage your first graders in these enriching St. Patrick’s Day activities, and watch as they learn and grow, all while enjoying the spirited essence of St. Patrick’s Day. It’s about creating memorable learning experiences that go beyond the traditional curriculum and tap into the excitement and magic of this special day.
🍀💚🌈
Did you love these St. Patrick’s Day activities? You might also like these!
