St. Patrick’s Day ideas for kids
By Jody Halsted
Young St. Patrick’s Day revelers (Flickr: jpmpinmontreal)
You’ve likely heard that “Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day,” but beyond your local parade there doesn’t seem to be much going on that you can take the kids to. Or is there?
Like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, a bit of craic (pronounced ‘crack’) can often be found, if only you look for it.
Here are some St. Patrick’s Day activities to look for – or create at home.
Traditional irish breakfast (Courtesy Jody Halsted)
Begin the day with “The Full Irish”. Not for the faint of heart, an Irish breakfast is meant to power you through the day. A hearty meal consisting of eggs, black and white pudding (sausage), rashers (similar to Canadian bacon), beans, and a tomato slice will give you plenty of energy for the fun day ahead.
Check your local diners or Irish pubs for Irish breakfast specials. No pubs? Make your own! Search your area for a British or Irish food store to buy everything you need. No local store? No problem- you can order an Irish breakfast basket online from Food Ireland.
Or enjoy another Irish meal. If you’re not a big breakfast eater or just not sure about those puddings, you’ll likely find plenty of restaurants serving up some traditional and not-so-traditional Irish meals. Bangers & mash, fish & chips, corned beef & cabbage, and Shepherd’s Pie are all palate pleasers.
If you enjoy creating your own meals, you’ll be able to find nearly everything you need to create a tasty Irish dinner at your local grocery. Incredible Irish food recipes abound on Pinterest – you’ll find everything from traditional Dublin Coddle and Colcannon to the not-so-traditional Shamrock Shake and Green Velvet Cupcake.
Enjoy Some Irish Music. The soul and stories of Ireland can be traced through her music. And though a night at a pub isn’t likely with the kids in tow, you may find that a traditional band is performing in the afternoon at a family-friendly venue.
Your local library or community center may be hosting a local group of musicians for a family-friendly performance. Or a local pub may be hosting an informal afternoon session that allows children. No live music available? Utilize internet radio stations like I {heart} Radio, Pandora, and Spotify, which have ‘Irish Stations’ for the holiday.
Irish dancers (Flickr: Mike)
Look for Irish Dancers. You don’t have to wait for Riverdance to see Irish dancers. Many communities across the country are home to Irish dance schools. And, being the mom of two Irish dancers, I can guarantee you that they are out in the community performing during the St. Patrick’s ‘season’.
Check online for Irish dance schools in your area. Most will have a website, Facebook page, or phone number to contact. Inquire about public performances your family can attend. No local dance schools? You’ll find loads of Irish dance videos on YouTube. You can even learn to do a few steps yourself!
(MORE: Look for more great vacation tips and ideas for your next family getaway.)
Learn About Irish Culture. Ireland is a land of myth and magic, giants and fairies, pookas and banshees. Many of the traditions we celebrate, like carving pumpkins at Halloween, have their roots deep in the Irish soil.
Look to Irish heritage groups or your local library for special events or demonstrations. No luck? The internet is filled with information! You’ll find loads of Irish crafts for kids on Pinterest. You can learn a bit of the Irish language for “Start Practicing Irish Gaelic Day” with Bitesize Irish Gaelic. Or you can take a virtual trip around Ireland with the interactive map at Ireland Family Vacations.
May the luck of the Irish be with you as you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day! Sláinte!
Jody Halsted of FamilyRambling.com contributed this to MiniTime.
