Saint Patricks Day Celebrations for Kids

Here in the US, we remember good ol’ St. Patrick by wearing our favorite green clothes and sharing stories about leprechauns and their shining pots of gold. But it isn’t just about the treats and laughs. In Ireland, the holiday is a commemoration of one of Christianity’s most beloved patron saints and a worldwide celebration of Irish culture. It’s about community and friendship. Here we’ll take a look at the many ways our global community celebrates St. Patrick’s Day.

Read below to unlock the luck of the Irish with some awesome activities, and follow us on Pinterest for a constant stream of Saint Patricks day crafts.

A GLOBAL GLANCE AT ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Ireland
First, let’s take a glance at Ireland, the country where it all began. St. Patrick’s Day started as a holy day in Ireland and continues to be a day of respect and meditation among religious households. Family is an important aspect of the celebration. Many people gather for warm, family meals before joining festivals and parades. While Americans feast on corned beef and cabbage, it’s actually much more common to find bacon and roast chicken on Irish tables.

Italy
The city of Florence celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with “Festa Irlandese,” a 10-day celebration of music and food. People gather from all around to feast on Irish dishes like potato soup and smoked salmon.

Denmark
The Danish bring the luck of the Irish to worthwhile charity! Every year, since 2001, a St. Patrick’s Day 3-Legged Charity Races takes place in Copenhagen, raising money for children’s health and education. It’s a day of fun doing a world of good!

Germany
There is a fairly large Irish community in Munich. It isn’t surprising, then, that the city holds one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day parades in all of Europe! The celebration includes a march and an outdoor party featuring dancers and live music.

The West Indies
St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday on this beautiful, small island. In fact, Montserrat is often called the “Emerald Island of the Caribbean.” Its landscape is reminiscent of coastal Ireland and many of its people have ancestors from Ireland. Consider it a little piece of luck floating an ocean away.

RECIPE: ST. PATRICK’S DAY MASHED POTATOES

Ingredients
• 6 medium potatoes
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/2 – 3/4 tablespoon salt (to taste)
• A hint of pepper
• Extra: Try adding onion, garlic, and herbs for extra flavor!
Steps
1. Peel and cube your potatoes.
2. Boil the potato cubes in water until tender (about 20-25 minutes).
3. Drain the cubes.
4. Add your milk, butter, salt, and pepper. Mash until nice and fluffy.
5. Here comes the fun part: add green food coloring to your mashed potatoes, stir thoroughly, and treat the family with a leprechaun surprise.