It doesn't matter whether you're Irish or not — going green on March 17 is pretty much a given for everyone. It's a day filled with fun and laughter [1], bright outfits, and hearty meals of shepherd's pie, corned beef and cabbage, and traditional soda bread. But while the holiday is heavily associated with adults-only activities like green beer and pub crawls, there are tons of things you can do with your kids [2] to make the St. Patrick's Day charm come alive. From catching local parades to baking yummy (and green!) treats [3], keep reading for 11 St. Patrick's Day activities that will have your little ones' Irish eyes smiling.

Go to Your Local Parade

Small towns, large cities, and everywhere in between! Almost everyone has a parade nearby they can attend with the family. They're filled with Irish dancing, Irish music, adorably dressed dogs, local celebrities, and more. Get dressed up as a family — either in green or in cosy Irish sweaters — for a fun day out.

Bake Irish-Themed Treats

Rainbow cupcakes, Lucky Charms cake, and shamrock rice cereal treats are just a few ideas for Irish-themed sweets [4] you can bake together. Your little leprechauns will love making memories in the kitchen and diving into those treats when you're finished!

Create Fingerprint Rainbows and Pot of Gold Art

What kid doesn't love finger paint? Grab a bunch of colours and encourage your wee lad or lass to make a rainbow with their fingers. Finish it off with a pot of gold made from glitter and construction paper and you'll have a fun piece of art to put on the fridge!

Make a Leprechaun Trap

Try to outsmart that tricky leprechaun by creating a trap that lures him right where you want him! Get creative and set up your trap the night before St. Patrick's Day. When the kids wake up, they'll be excited to see if it worked. Leave behind some candy treats and a little note encourageing them to try again next year.

Make Leprechaun Crafts

Whether you're straight off the boat or just Irish for the day, being a leprechaun is fun for everyone! Grab a paper plate, some orange paint, and construction paper and you can turn your little one into a real-life leprechaun.

Listen to Irish Music

Check your local listings for live music. Irish bands are fun for the whole family, and they're usually everywhere around St. Patrick's Day, from Irish restaurants to town squares. Your little Irish dancer will be doing their own form of the jig before you know it.

Organise a Treasure Hunt For Gold

Make a scavenger hunt in your house or around your backyard. Create a sensory box with rainbow sand, good-luck charms, and gold coins (bonus if you get chocolate gold coins!). With a little luck of the Irish, someone is bound to find that pot of gold.

Make Your Own St. Patrick's Day Cards

Create some festive cards together that contain sweet Irish blessings and send them out to family, friends, and neighbours. If someone special lives close by, have them drop off some green carnations with their cards. It's always fun to make someone smile.