St. Patrick’s Day is the perfect time for kids to get creative with leprechaun traps! According to legend, if you trap a leprechaun, he has to grant you three wishes before he can escape.
But catching one isn’t easy. Those sneaky little guys are fast! That’s why we’re making a DIY leprechaun trap that’s just the right size for a small leprechaun looking for gold.
This easy leprechaun trap is a great school project or a fun activity to do at home. Plus, we’re using recycled materials, so it’s a green way to celebrate!
Building a leprechaun trap is more than just a fun St. Patrick’s Day craft, it’s an exciting way for kids to use their creativity and problem-solving skills!
They get to design, build, and decorate their traps while dreaming up the best way to catch a leprechaun. Whether it’s adding a secret trap door, a ladder, or a pile of gold coins, every child’s trap is unique.
Plus, there’s the anticipation of waking up on St. Patrick’s Day to see if a leprechaun visited overnight!
Even if a leprechaun escapes the trap, he often leaves behind a little mischief! Many families wake up to find tiny green footprints, gold glitter, or overturned furniture, showing that a leprechaun came but got away just in time.
Sometimes, he even leaves chocolate gold coins as a consolation prize! This fun tradition makes St. Patrick’s Day morning extra special and keeps the magic alive for kids.
Learning Through Play
This easy leprechaun trap craft is also a great STEM activity for younger kids. They get to practice cutting, gluing, and assembling, which helps with fine motor skills.
Older kids can take it a step further by engineering more complex traps, testing different ways to trap a leprechaun, and using problem-solving skills to come up with new ideas.
Whether it’s for a school project or just for fun, this craft is a great way to blend creativity and learning!
Ready to start? Here’s how to build a leprechaun trap with paper, cardboard and a little bit of luck!
Supplies You’ll Need for your DIY Leprechaun Trap
- A small box (we’re using a recycled one)
- Green crepe paper or tissue paper
- Green construction paper
- Gold glitter paper or yellow cardstock
- Cotton balls
- Rainbow-colored paper strips
- Scissors
- Glue
- Tape
- Paper straws and tape (for the ladder)
- Silver or green glitter glue
Step-by-Step: How to Make a Leprechaun Trap
Follow along with the simple step by step instructions below for how to mak a trap for leprechauns with the kids.
1. Cover Your Trap
Start with a small box.This will be the base of your leprechaun trap. Cover it with green paper or paint it green. We used crepe paper to give it a fun texture!
2. Make a Sneaky Trap Door
Cut a small X-shaped trap door in the top of the box. This is where the leprechaun will fall in! Make sure it’s big enough for a tiny leprechaun but small enough to keep him trapped.
3. Build the Leprechaun’s Ladder
Leprechauns are smart, so we need to make the trap tempting! Use paper straws and tape to build a little ladder.
Paint or cover it in green glitter glue to make it sparkle. This will help trick the leprechaun into climbing up to the top.
4. Make a Rainbow and Gold Coins
Cut strips of rainbow-colored paper and bend them into an arch. Glue them to the top of your trap, adding cotton balls at both ends for clouds.
Then, cut gold coins from glitter paper and place them right by the trap door – it’s the perfect bait!
5. Decorate with Shamrocks
Cut out shamrocks from green paper and tape them around the trap. This makes it extra festive!
6. Leave It Out for the Leprechaun!
Now that your leprechaun trap is ready, leave it out on March 16th, the night before St. Patrick’s Day. If you’re lucky, you might trap a leprechaun or at least find some golden chocolate coins in the morning!
The Leprechaun Trap Story – Why Do We Try to Catch Leprechauns?
Legend says that leprechauns are mischievous little creatures who love gold and hiding at the end of rainbows. If you can trap a leprechaun, he has to grant you three wishes before he escapes! That’s why kids love making leprechaun traps, even if they don’t catch one, they usually find a fun surprise instead.
Looking for more leprechaun trap ideas? Try making different styles using paper, recycled boxes, and small ladders. Get creative and see if you can build the best leprechaun trap this year!
Do you make leprechaun traps for kids at home or school? There are so many leprechaun trap ideas you can try!
More St. Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids
Looking for more St. Patrick’s Day crafts to keep the fun going? Try these easy and creative ideas that will bring a little extra luck and rainbow magic to your celebration!
St. Patrick’s Day Printable Activities for Kids
If your kids love coloring pages, puzzles, and fun worksheets, check out these free St. Patrick’s Day printables! They’re perfect for a rainy day, classroom fun, or a quiet activity at home.
If you enjoyed this leprechaun trap craft, don’t forget to pin it on Pinterest and share it with friends! We love seeing your St. Patrick’s Day crafts, so be sure to tag us if you make one.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, and good luck trapping a leprechaun!
Anna Marikar, mum of four and seasoned blogger, has spent over a decade sharing her parenting journey and passion for kid-friendly crafts and free printables.
Her easy-to-follow craft ideas and practical parenting advice have transformed In The Playroom into a cherished resource for parents.
