I hope you didn’t click over hoping for lucky green leprechauns. 🙂 Did you know that Saint Patrick was actually a missionary? Have you shared with your children about the real Saint Patrick? Today I’m going to share with you a few ideas for doing just that! Of course, having a little fun along the way makes the learning a little more memorable, but our focus won’t be on luck or leprechauns.

According to tradition, Patrick, as a young boy or teen, was sold into slavery. As a slave, his job was shepherding. As a shepherd in the fields, his prayer life blossomed and grew and his life became a witness for us all. What man intended for harm, God used for good. Genesis 50:20. 

Through many events in Patrick’s life, he eventually felt God calling him to return to Ireland and tell people the good news of God.

I encourage you to do a little bit of research, check out a few books from the library on this man and learn more about who he was and why we celebrate him!

Here are 5 of my favorite picture books for sharing Saint Patrick with children:

1. Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie DePaola – if you are familiar with DePaola’s children’s books, this one will look familiar, with his unique illustrations.
2. The Story of Saint Patrick’s Day by Patricia Pingry – this book is great for the younger crowd and shares about Saint Patrick’s Day traditional symbols as well as where the holiday came from, as well as a short narrative on Saint Patrick himself.
3. St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons – Gail Gibbons books are great for homeschoolers! You can pick up this book and do no more lesson planning! 🙂 This book will tell you how the holiday is celebrated as well as some of the legends told about Patrick today.
4. The Story of Saint Patrick by James Janda – another children’s book that tells the story of Patrick.
5. Count Your Way Through Ireland by James Haskins – this book will help your family to learn a little more about Ireland and not just Saint Patrick himself.

In addition to reading some favorite picture books, add one or two of these FUN activities and your kids will definitely remember a lot more about Saint Patrick!

Creative Snack Ideas

• Homemade Shamrock Shakes
• Clover Rice Krispie Treats
• Green Pancakes
• HEALTHY Green Snacks
• Lucky Charm Snack Mix
• Marshmallow Rainbow
• Green Lucky Charm Cupcakes
• Green Food Taste Testing for Picky Eaters
• Healthy Green Smoothie
• Irish Soda Bread

Fun Learning Activities

• Roll a Leprechaun Dice Game
• Gold Cauldron Counting, Shamrock Subtraction and more! 
• Free Ireland Lapbook & Unit Study
• More Free Unit Studies For: Saint Patrick’s Day in the Morning, Patrick Patron Saint of Ireland, and several other Irish/St. Patrick’s Day titles!
• Shamrock Name Game Matching
• Green Daisy Science
• Free Printable St. Patrick Number Puzzle
• Flying Potato
• Play Hot Potato
• How to Make a Celtic Knot

 Arts & Craft Ideas

• Leprechaun Footprints
• Rainbow Handprint w/ Pot of Gold
• Painted Lucky 4 Leaf Clover
• Leprechaun Paper Plate Face
• Pot of Gold with Tissue Paper Square Rainbow
• Eggshell Mosaic Shamrock
• Tissue Paper Rainbows
• Q-Tip Shamrocks with Printable St. Patrick
• Green Ombre Painting DIY
• Flag of Ireland

I hope you and your kids have FUN learning about Saint Patrick and the country of Ireland! I always think kids learn more when it’s fun. 🙂 Enjoy!!

If you’d like to read more of my homeschooling ideas, please take a peek at some of our favorite unit studies!