St Patricks Day Decorations for Daycare
Transforming a daycare into a festive haven for St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t just bring joy to children but also makes learning fun and interactive. This guide walks you through creative decoration ideas inspired by the images, offering practical advice, material lists, and instructions for crafting these cheerful setups at home.
1. Window Decals Featuring St. Patrick’s Day Animals and Symbols
Bring whimsy to your daycare with adorable decals of animals like bears, foxes, and deer wearing leprechaun hats, surrounded by pots of gold, shamrocks, and rainbows. These cheerful designs create a magical Irish forest vibe.
- Materials Needed: Pre-made St. Patrick’s Day decals, cleaning wipes for windows.
- Instructions:
- Clean the windows to ensure the decals stick well.
- Arrange the decals in a balanced composition, using larger ones as focal points.
- Add clovers and gold coin decals to fill gaps.
Tip: Incorporate small lights behind the window for a glowing effect at night.
2. Fun Rainbow and Leprechaun Window Stickers
Add personality to your daycare’s windows with colorful leprechauns, mushrooms, and rainbows. Phrases like “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” or “Feeling Lucky” spark smiles and create an authentic Irish atmosphere.
- Materials Needed: Vinyl window stickers, scissors, optional glitter stickers.
- Instructions:
- Apply a rainbow decal at the top for a central theme.
- Arrange smaller elements like leprechauns and mushrooms around it.
- Include shamrocks and “Feeling Lucky” stickers to tie it all together.
Tip: Pair the window with a rainbow-colored curtain for a complementary background.
3. Rainbow-Themed Dessert Table
Turn snack time into a festive treat with a rainbow-inspired dessert table. The backdrop includes a DIY rainbow made of crepe paper and a pot of gold.
- Materials Needed: Crepe paper (various colors), black cardstock, gold foil paper, tape, small treats (candies, cupcakes).
- Instructions:
- Cut and tape crepe paper strips into a rainbow shape.
- Create a pot from black cardstock and glue gold foil coins on top.
- Arrange desserts on the table with green tablecloths for added flair.
Tip: Add green drinks like apple juice or lime soda for an extra festive touch.
4. Gold Coin Slime Activity for Kids
Engage children with a slime-making activity that features gold coins and glitter. This sensory play is both fun and educational.
- Materials Needed: Clear glue, gold glitter, green dye, plastic gold coins, mixing bowls.
- Instructions:
- Mix glue, glitter, and dye in a bowl.
- Add plastic coins to the mixture.
- Distribute the slime among kids for them to play with.
Tip: Lay down a green tablecloth to contain the mess and make cleanup easier.
5. Craft Stations with Leprechaun Hats and Rainbows
A craft station lets kids create leprechaun hats, rainbows, and other themed crafts. It’s perfect for enhancing creativity.
- Materials Needed: Green paper, markers, glue, glitter, rainbow cutouts.
- Instructions:
- Set up individual craft kits for each child.
- Demonstrate how to fold paper into hats or glue rainbow strips.
- Encourage kids to personalize their crafts with glitter.
Tip: Display the crafts in a gallery wall to celebrate their creations.
6. Leprechaun Traps as DIY Projects
Let kids design their own leprechaun traps using cardboard, markers, and other colorful decorations. These traps are as playful as they are decorative.
- Materials Needed: Shoe boxes, construction paper, markers, mini rainbows, gold stickers.
- Instructions:
- Provide kids with materials and a basic trap design.
- Help them add elements like rainbows and “Free Gold” signs.
- Set up the traps around the daycare for a fun scavenger hunt.
Tip: Incorporate storytelling by reading a leprechaun book alongside the activity.
7. Outdoor St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Pin-the-Hat Game
Host a parade where kids can dress as leprechauns, complete with hats and orange beards. Add a “Pin the Hat on the Leprechaun” game for extra fun.
- Materials Needed: Green hats, orange felt, blindfold, leprechaun cutouts.
- Instructions:
- Guide kids in creating costumes using felt and hats.
- Draw or print a large leprechaun figure for the game.
- Blindfold participants and let them try to pin the hat.
Tip: Offer small prizes like chocolate coins for winners.
8. Miniature Rainbow and Pot of Gold Decoration
Create a tabletop centerpiece with a rainbow arching into a pot of gold, perfect for adding a magical touch.
- Materials Needed: Rainbow foam sheets, mini black pot, gold coins, glue, small ladder.
- Instructions:
- Cut foam sheets into rainbow arches and glue them together.
- Attach the rainbow to a black pot filled with gold coins.
- Add a miniature ladder to make it interactive.
Tip: Place the centerpiece on the daycare’s main table to draw attention.
9. St. Patrick’s Day Tree with Clover Decorations
Reinvent a Christmas tree into a St. Patrick’s Day tree with green shamrocks, gold garlands, and a leprechaun hat topper.
- Materials Needed: Artificial tree, green paper shamrocks, gold tinsel, adhesive tape.
- Instructions:
- Decorate the tree with shamrocks and tinsel.
- Place a leprechaun hat at the top as the centerpiece.
- Add mini lights for a sparkling effect.
Tip: Encourage kids to make their own ornaments for the tree.
10. Reading Corner with St. Patrick’s Day Books
Set up a cozy reading nook with books like How to Catch a Leprechaun. Decorate the corner with shamrocks, gold coins, and rainbows.
- Materials Needed: Books, green cushions, gold coins, rainbow cutouts.
- Instructions:
- Arrange books on a small shelf or table.
- Add cushions and decorations to make the space inviting.
- Organize storytime sessions to spark kids’ imaginations.
Tip: Use fairy lights to give the corner a magical glow.
11: Engaging Leprechaun-Themed Hats for Group Fun
Celebrate the joy of St. Patrick’s Day by having kids create leprechaun-themed hats to wear together. This activity is interactive and ensures every child feels part of the festivities. Bright green hats with gold buckles are the perfect way to blend fun with creativity.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Green construction paper
- Black and gold craft paper
- Scissors and glue
- Stickers (optional for decoration)
- Instructions:
- Cut a circular band from the green paper to fit the child’s head.
- Shape a hat brim and crown from the remaining paper.
- Attach the gold buckle and black band to the hat.
- Let kids customize their hats with stickers or drawings.
Practical Tip: Add name tags to each hat for organization, especially in a group setting.
12: Lucky Charm Treat Bags with Personal Messages
Creating personalized treat bags filled with cereal charms or candies is a fantastic way to add a sweet touch to your daycare’s celebration. These treats bring smiles and double as take-home gifts.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Clear treat bags
- Lucky Charms cereal
- Printable “You’re My Lucky Charm” labels
- Stapler or string
- Instructions:
- Fill the treat bags with cereal or candy.
- Print and cut out labels.
- Secure the labels on the bags with a stapler or string.
Practical Tip: Arrange the bags on a display table for a more organized and festive look.
13: Shamrock-Topped Dessert Towers
Create a dessert centerpiece with waffles and pastel marshmallows, topped with a shamrock decoration. This charming display blends tasty treats with festive decor.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Waffles or pancakes
- Marshmallows
- Wooden skewers
- Green felt or paper
- Instructions:
- Stack waffles on a dessert stand.
- Secure marshmallows between layers with skewers.
- Top with a shamrock cutout for the perfect finish.
Practical Tip: Add green sprinkles or whipped cream for extra flair.
14: Magical St. Patrick’s Day Tree Display
Transform your daycare space with a magical tree filled with shamrock garlands, Irish flags, and children’s artwork. This setup is an interactive way to display creativity and celebrate the holiday.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Fake or real tree branches
- Construction paper for shamrocks and flags
- Clips or string
- Coloring supplies for artwork
- Instructions:
- Decorate branches with shamrocks and flags.
- Clip or hang children’s artwork.
- Add fairy lights for a magical touch.
Practical Tip: Position the tree near a window for natural light enhancement.
15: Rainbow-Themed Reading Nook for Kids
Create a cozy reading space with rainbow-colored books and a “Lucky” banner. This colorful area encourages literacy while staying on theme.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Rainbow-colored books
- Green shamrock cutouts
- Glitter for the banner
- Small plants or decorations
- Instructions:
- Organize books by color to mimic a rainbow.
- String the shamrocks and letters together to make the banner.
- Add decorative elements to personalize the space.
Practical Tip: Rotate books weekly to maintain interest and variety.
16: Edible Rainbow Craft for Creative Snacking
Let kids make rainbows with cereal rings and cotton candy clouds. This fun and edible activity will keep little hands busy and bellies happy.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Colorful cereal loops
- Cotton candy
- String or skewers
- Instructions:
- Thread cereal loops onto strings or skewers.
- Attach cotton candy at both ends for clouds.
- Serve on a plate with gold-wrapped chocolates.
Practical Tip: Provide small portions to prevent waste or mess.
17: St. Patrick’s Day Bookshelf Display
A themed bookshelf with shamrocks, rainbows, and green books creates a festive yet functional decor piece for your daycare. Incorporate educational elements to align with learning goals.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Books with green or Irish themes
- Shamrock garlands
- Toy leprechauns or rainbows
- Instructions:
- Arrange books to feature St. Patrick’s Day themes.
- Decorate with shamrocks and small toys.
- Add a felt garland for a cohesive look.
Practical Tip: Include books about Irish culture or legends for added educational value.
18: Festive Balloon Arch for Celebratory Photos
A colorful balloon arch with rainbow and green tones is an excellent photo backdrop for daycare parties. Add clovers to enhance the Irish spirit.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Green, white, orange, and rainbow balloons
- Balloon tape
- Shamrock cutouts
- Instructions:
- Inflate balloons and attach them to the balloon tape.
- Add shamrocks as accents.
- Secure the arch near a wall or entrance.
Practical Tip: Include a small table with props like hats or glasses for fun photos.
19: Vibrant Rainbow Mantelpiece Decoration
A vibrant mantelpiece with fabric garlands, shamrocks, and rainbow-themed decor sets the tone for your daycare’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Fabric strips in rainbow colors
- String lights
- Shamrocks and small plants
- Instructions:
- Tie fabric strips onto a string for the garland.
- Add shamrocks and lights for detail.
- Decorate the mantel with small accessories.
Practical Tip: Use LED candles for extra ambiance.
20: Child-Inclusive Handprint Craft Display
Engage kids with a handprint craft that doubles as wall decor. Adding their names to the artwork fosters a sense of pride and belonging.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Paint in various colors
- White paper or canvas
- Shamrock stickers
- Instructions:
- Help kids dip their hands in paint and press onto paper.
- Add shamrock stickers and write their names.
- Display the artwork on walls.
Practical Tip: Use washable paints to minimize cleanup time.
21: Bright Rainbow-Themed Play Area
A cheerful and cozy play area with a rainbow rug and pops of colorful decor creates the perfect environment for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day. This setup is ideal for storytelling, art projects, or just letting kids enjoy their imagination.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Rainbow-patterned rug or DIY painted rug
- Wall decals in dots or shamrocks
- Small furniture and vibrant storage solutions
- Instructions:
- Lay a rainbow rug as the focal point.
- Add colorful wall stickers to match the theme.
- Place low shelves and tables to encourage independent play.
Practical Tip: Incorporate shamrock pillows or plush toys for added festive flair.
22: Leprechaun Photo Booth with Balloon Arch
A whimsical leprechaun photo booth surrounded by a golden and green balloon arch offers an engaging photo opportunity for the kids. This setup brings a professional touch to your daycare’s festivities.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Green, gold, and white balloons
- Leprechaun cutouts or cardboard standees
- Gold foil fringe backdrop
- Instructions:
- Inflate balloons and create an arch with balloon tape.
- Attach the gold foil backdrop to the wall.
- Place the leprechaun standee in front of the setup.
Practical Tip: Add props like hats and glasses for kids to wear during photos.
23: Felt Leprechaun Door Decor
Welcome everyone with a felt leprechaun decoration on the door. This cute and inviting design sets a festive tone before even entering the room.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Green felt
- Scissors and glue
- Shamrock stickers or cutouts
- Instructions:
- Cut felt into the shape of a leprechaun.
- Assemble the pieces using glue.
- Add stickers and place on the door with adhesive strips.
Practical Tip: Include a sign saying “Happy St. Patrick’s Day” to make it more festive.
24: Shamrock Glasses and Costumes
Kids can dress up with shamrock glasses, green skirts, and fun accessories for an interactive celebration. These costumes add to the holiday spirit while encouraging creativity.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Green skirts or fabric
- Plastic shamrock glasses
- Orange yarn for wigs
- Instructions:
- Create wigs by attaching yarn to headbands.
- Provide glasses and skirts for kids to wear.
- Let kids mix and match their accessories.
Practical Tip: Include a mini fashion parade to showcase their outfits.
25: Adorable Leprechaun Dress-Up for Toddlers
This playful costume idea features a baby-friendly design, including mini hats, shamrock necklaces, and festive shirts.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Baby-sized leprechaun hats
- Green onesies or shirts
- Glittered shamrock stickers
- Instructions:
- Attach shamrock stickers to shirts or onesies.
- Add a mini hat with elastic for easy wear.
- Complete the look with green necklaces.
Practical Tip: Use non-toxic and baby-safe materials for all elements.
26: Inspirational Door Decoration with a Rainbow
This door decor combines inspiration with a rainbow and shamrock theme. The quote encourages hard work while tying into the holiday.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Black paper
- Rainbow paper strips
- Paper plates for clouds
- Instructions:
- Cover the door with black paper as a base.
- Create a rainbow using paper strips.
- Add white paper plates as clouds.
Practical Tip: Use foam letters for the quote to make it stand out.
27: Hands-On Leprechaun Trap Challenge
Challenge kids to build their own leprechaun traps with this interactive STEM activity. It’s a fun way to combine learning and holiday spirit.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Popsicle sticks
- Green and rainbow-themed decorations
- Small plastic cups
- Instructions:
- Provide kids with materials to design their traps.
- Encourage them to use creativity and teamwork.
- Display their traps as part of the celebration.
Practical Tip: Offer a small prize for the most creative trap.
28: Festive St. Patrick’s Day Mantel Display
A wooden mantel filled with shamrocks, rainbows, and “Lucky Charm” decor adds a warm and welcoming touch to any daycare.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Small wooden signs
- Artificial greenery
- Rainbow figurines
- Instructions:
- Arrange signs and greenery on the mantel.
- Add rainbow figurines and shamrock decorations.
- Use small jars or mugs for added dimension.
Practical Tip: Rotate items to keep the display fresh throughout March.
29: Motivational Rainbow-Themed Door Decor
This bold and colorful door display incorporates a vibrant rainbow and an inspiring message about the connection between hard work and good luck. It’s a perfect way to encourage positivity while celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Black bulletin board paper
- Rainbow-colored paper or felt
- White paper plates
- Gold glitter letters or foam stickers
- Instructions:
- Cover the door with black paper as the base.
- Arrange rainbow strips diagonally across the door.
- Cut white paper plates to form fluffy clouds at the end of the rainbow.
- Add a motivational phrase with glittered letters or foam stickers.
Practical Tip: Laminate the paper elements to make the design last longer if the door is frequently used.
30: Interactive St. Patrick’s Day Craft Table
A craft station featuring shamrocks, rainbows, and glowing green lights encourages kids to explore their creativity. This setup is ideal for hands-on activities like building leprechaun traps or creating their own festive decorations.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Light-up table or LED string lights
- Shamrock cutouts
- Green plastic cups and craft sticks
- Rainbow stickers or small toys
- Instructions:
- Set up a light table or place LED lights under a transparent craft surface.
- Provide shamrock shapes, green cups, and craft materials.
- Encourage kids to design traps, rainbow structures, or shamrock-themed crafts.
Practical Tip: Include a small instruction card or examples to inspire kids’ creations.
31: Rainbow and Pot of Gold Photo Booth
This vibrant photo booth featuring rainbow backdrops and pots of gold is a delightful way to capture the magic of St. Patrick’s Day. With shamrocks scattered across the background and a charming “Lucky” banner overhead, it creates the perfect setup for daycare photo memories.
How to make this at home:
- Materials:
- Plastic or fabric in rainbow colors for the backdrop
- Shamrock cutouts or stickers
- “Lucky” banner
- Plastic cauldrons and gold chocolate coins
- Instructions:
- Hang the rainbow fabric strips vertically on a wall.
- Place shamrock cutouts randomly across the backdrop for a festive look.
- Position plastic cauldrons filled with gold coins at the base.
- Add a “Lucky” banner across the top to complete the setup.
Practical Tip: Use cotton or white fabric at the bottom to mimic clouds and enhance the rainbow effect. Encourage kids to strike creative poses for memorable photos.
Conclusion
Decorating your daycare for St. Patrick’s Day brings joy and creates a memorable experience for kids. From creative window decals to engaging craft stations, each idea is easy to implement and fosters a sense of celebration. Share this article on Pinterest to inspire other daycare providers and parents!
