If you want a simple St Patrick’s day project, making your own leprechaun trap is an ideal STEM activity. Children will enjoy designing a one-of-a-kind leprechaun trap for St Patrick’s day. The fun part is that each trap can be different, and there is no single correct method for catching a leprechaun. Use these 3 leprechaun traps as inspiration for creating one of your own!
RELATED: St Patrick’s Day Crafts for Kids
3 Simple Leprechaun Trap Ideas
When creating your own leprechaun trap, consider adding some of these features:
Shamrocks – look for shamrock stickers, or sketch your own shamrocks on green glitter paper
Decoration – decorate your traps with green construction paper or green glitter paper. You can also make a rainbow from paper strips to give your trap some character.
Some type of bait – lucky charms, gold coins, or imitation gold can lure the leprechaun into your trap!
A ladder – create a ladder using pipe cleaners, popsicle sticks, twigs, or even Lego!
A trapping method (or the way you will catch the leprechaun) – catch your leprechaun with a hole, like our jars, a closing gate, or an item that drops over the leprechaun, like the hat example.
We’ll demonstrate three simple leprechaun traps that you can make with children. You can also set out all the materials and allow kids to design their own versions! We enjoy how every leprechaun trap can be different.
Children can enjoy brainstorming and sketching their trap before they begin. Ask them to draw a plan first, and then they can construct it.
Watch the Video Tutorial Here!
How to Create a Hat Leprechaun Trap
Materials:
1. Curve a 2-3 inch section of pipe cleaner at both ends. Attach the pipe cleaner to your construction paper with glue.
2. Rest the hat on the pipe cleaner at an angle. If it will not remain upright, glue it to the hat for support.
3. Decorate the paper with stickers or other embellishments. Next, create a trail of Lucky Charms that leads into the hat.
How to Create a Glass Jar Leprechaun Trap
Materials
1.Cut a 2 inch wide piece of construction paper and wrap it around the jar’s opening, securing the ends with glue.
2. Cut a circle from construction paper so it is a little wider than the mason jar opening. Make a smaller circle in the middle to form an entrance into the jar. Write “FREE GOLD” across the circle, then glue it onto the top.
3. Create a ladder with 2 pipe cleaners and place it against the jar.
Finally, put all the gold coins inside the jar!
How to Create a Paper Roll Leprechaun Trap
Materials:
1. Shape green construction paper into a cylinder. Alternatively, cover a paper towel roll with paper or paint it green.
2. Cut out two circles– one green circle and one black circle. Ensure the circles are a little wider than the paper roll’s opening.
3. Attach the green circle to one side of the paper roll with glue.
4. Secure a toothpick or pipe cleaner to the front of the paper roll. Then, glue the black circle along the upper edge of the other end so it appears to be raised.
5. Create a sign using green construction paper, then fasten it to a popsicle stick. Glue the sign onto the rear of the paper roll.
6. Place a few gold coins inside the paper roll and set it on a sheet of construction paper. Finish decorating your trap with stickers and other embellishments!
This paper roll leprechaun would make an adorable addition to the paper roll leprechaun trap!
