Are you looking for some fun things to do with your family for St. Patrick’s Day this year? Here is a list of fun things to do this Thursday.

Before we get into the fun list, I thought it would be good to go over why we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.

Who is St. Patrick?

“Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and its national apostle.” Surprisingly, Saint Patrick was not born in Ireland. He was born in Roman Britain, and lived through the fifth century. When Saint Patrick was about 16 years old, Ireland started to raid Roman Britain, taking people from Britain to be used as slaves. Saint Patrick was one of those people. At 16 years old, Saint Patrick was kidnapped and taken to be a slave. About 10 years later, Saint Patrick escaped Ireland. Years later, he returned to Ireland and taught people about Christianity. He was well known for teaching people about the Holy Trinity by using a three leaf clover, the shamrock.

How did St. Patrick’s Day celebrations start?

“In the centuries following Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture.” After Saint Patrick’s death, people in Ireland have been celebrating St. Patrick’s Day by observing the Roman Catholic Feast day on March 17.

However, the first parade for St. Patrick’s day was not held in Ireland. It was held in America. In the early 1600s, the very first St. Patrick’s Day parade took place in a Spanish colony, which is now know as St. Augustine, Florida. It was “organized by the Spanish Colony’s Irish vicar Ricardo Artur.”

Years later, a group of homesick Irish soldiers serving in the military organized the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York on March 17. These two parades have sparked the celebration of St. Patrick’s day around the world.

Today, there are several celebrations and parties dedicated to Saint Patrick and those of the Irish heritage.

Fun Family Traditions

These are great traditions to start with your families.

1. Make a shamrock shake – Here is a super easy recipe https://www.sixsistersstuff.com/recipe/copycat-mcdonalds-shamrock-shake-recipe/
2. Play St. Patrick’s Day Bingo
3. Have a costume contest- the best one to dress up like a leprechaun wins!
4. Plan a scavenger hunt – the winner could win a lucky charms treat, or chocolate coins
5. Enjoy a green meal – breakfast, lunch, or dinner, prepare and make a green meal with your family.
6. Plant shamrocks –  these can be planted inside or outside. Whatever works best for your family, and is a great way to spend some time outside.
7. Make an Irish specialty – one idea is this Irish Apple Cake https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a30781773/irish-apple-cake/
8. Watch an Irish movie- some of my favorites growing up were The Luck of The Irish or Darby O’Gill and the Little People.
9. Make a craft – here are some great crafts for kids https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/holidays/g1019/st-patricks-day-crafts/

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!