17 Fun Ways to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day This Year

matcha-mint milkshakes with shamrocks
Photo: Carson Downing

This March 17, celebrate all St. Patrick's Day has to offer with our fun ideas. We've complied a list of our favorite at-home ideas to help you celebrate the most Irish day of the year, including making green beer, decorating the house, and making your own St. Patrick's Day crafts.

01 of 17

Cook a Traditional Irish Dinner

Veggie Shepherd's Pie
Blaine Moats

For a traditional take on St. Patrick's Day festivities, prepare a classic Irish dinner for your family. Include Irish favorites such as corned beef and cabbage, shepherd's pie, potato soup, and braised greens.

02 of 17

Make Leprechaun Traps

Green top hat made from green paper and
Courtesy of The Suburban Soapbox

Whether you're in need of after-school activities or just in search of a fun Saturday project, making DIY leprechaun traps is one of our favorite St. Patrick's day activities for kids. Pick up a copy of How to Catch a Leprechaun ($10, Barnes & Noble) and then set the kids loose with scissors, paper, markers, and other craft supplies so they can create their own traps.

03 of 17

Make Green Beer for St. Patrick's Day

DIY green beer with various mix-ins
Brie Passano

Whether you love beer on its own or mixed into a special cocktail, St. Patrick's Day marks a popular time to celebrate Irish-made Guinness and other beer-based drinks. This year, try making a homemade batch of green beer rather than going out.

04 of 17

St. Patrick's Day Scavenger Hunt

kid with clover shaped cookies
Liza McCorkle

Get your wee lads and lassies in the St. Patrick's spirit with a simple scavenger hunt. Hide clover stickers throughout the house and have the kids compete to see who can find the most. Reward the winner with a pot of gold—or chocolate gold coins ($12 for 72 coins, Party City). When the game is over, serve shamrock cookies so everyone wins!

05 of 17

Make a St. Patrick's Day Shake

matcha-mint milkshakes with shamrocks
Carson Downing

Mint-flavor shakes are a St. Patrick's Day staple, so make your own at home to celebrate the holiday. Mint ice cream adds the recognizable flavor to the treat. A mini shamrock cookie cutter can help you create the festive topping.

06 of 17

Make Chocolate Leprechaun Bark

Leprechaun Bark
Matthew Clark

According to the National Leprechaun Museum in Dublin, Ireland, if you can catch a leprechaun, he is obliged to tell you where his gold is stashed. But keep a close eye on him—legend has it he's liable to disappear if you look away. Try making chocolate leprechaun bark this year!

07 of 17

Make a Charcuterie Board

You don't have to go to a restaurant or parade to snack on something festive this year. Make your own St. Patrick's Day-inspired charcuterie board at home using the colors of the Irish flag. Use green, white, and orange fruits, veggies, cheeses, and crackers to create the ultimate grazing board for your family or a small gathering.

08 of 17

Make a Clover Craft with the Kids

clover hat
Alexandra Grablewski

Create your own luck with a fun and kid-friendly St. Patrick's Day craft. This easy-to-make shamrock hat comes together with just a paper plate, scissors, and colored markers: Simply trace a shamrock shape in the middle of the plate, then cut around the shape (be sure to keep the base attached) and around the rim of the plate to make the hat.

09 of 17

Decorate a Leprechaun Tree

If you still have your Christmas tree up (or you're already looking for an excuse to bring it back up from the basement), decorate a St. Patrick's Day tree! The kids will love decorating with green ornaments, rainbows, and leprechauns. The bright tree will make your house feel extra festive as you celebrate at home.

10 of 17

Serve a Green Snack

bhg may 2019 cover image with tea sandwiches
Carson Downing

Give your family and friends a color-appropriate St. Patrick's Day snack this year. Looking for a great idea? Try sliced cucumbers or avocados on rye toast.

11 of 17

Wear Green for St. Patrick's Day

smiling woman wearing green hat and boa outdoors
Bob Stefko

St. Patrick's Day tradition holds that if you're not wearing green on March 17, you'll get pinched. Simply add a touch of green to your wardrobe this year as an easy way to show your Irish spirit—even as you work from home.

12 of 17

Enjoy a Green Cocktail (or Mocktail)

Celery Juice
Dera Burreson, Ryan Krull

Be prepared to have a green smile on St. Patrick's Day. Beverages at restaurants, street festivals, and bars are often dyed green in honor of the day—and if you're staying home this year, it's the perfect time to try making your own. Try making a green drink at home.

13 of 17

Create Cute Leprechaun Hats

Leprechaun Cookie Hats
Laura Doss

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with a crunchy cucumber treat designed to look like a leprechaun hat. Cut 1-inch sections of an English cucumber, and lay the pieces flat on a plate, as shown. Trim a cucumber brim for each hat and set it in place. Finish with a sliced cheese band and buckle, attached with dots of hummus or dip.

14 of 17

Make a St. Patrick's Day Dessert

Hidden Clover Cupcakes
Matthew Clark

Looking for a quick and fun St. Patrick's Day idea? Whip up some St. Patrick's Day desserts to drop off with friends, share with the kids, or to enjoy yourself.

15 of 17

Wear a Four-Leaf Clover

hand with red nails holding four leaf clover
Alexandra Pavlova/Getty Images

Legend has it that Saint Patrick used three-leaf clovers to illustrate the concept of the Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit). Four-leaf clovers are rare and are therefore considered lucky. Paint a clover on your face or dress in a clover-print garment to make your day a lucky one.

16 of 17

Give a St. Patrick's Day Treat

Creme de Menthe Brownie Bites
Andy Lyons

Mint chocolate brownies make the perfect St. Patrick's Day snack when topped with a swirl of green frosting. A refillable frosting bag ($5 for 12, Michaels) makes it easy to create perfect designs every time.

17 of 17

Decorate Your Home with Irish-Inspired Decor

Celtic Knot Napkin Ring
Adam Albright

Show off your love for St. Patrick's Day decor by filling your house with all things green. We especially love this shamrock table decor. Look for inexpensive resin plates with clovers. Add a green napkin ring and a green table runner and you're ready to host a St. Patrick's Day feast.

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