By Sarah Lyons

Each holiday brings the opportunity to participate in unique celebrations with your kids, and St. Patrick’s Day has no shortage of fun festivities. Whether you are Irish or just love celebrating the holiday, try these fun and educational ways to bring some leprechaun luck to your home.

Eat green. Celebrate the day by feasting on all things green. For breakfast, read Dr. Seuss’ Green Eggs and Ham and cook up the Seussian meal for your brood, or dye your pancakes green just for fun. For lunch, serve a buffet of broccoli, celery, salad greens, guacamole, and grapes. Wash it all down with some green juice. Who knows? Maybe it will be your lucky day, and your child will try some new foods.

Bait a leprechaun. The night of March 16, have your kids use a box or laundry basket to set a leprechaun trap. Put gold “coins” inside the box or basket to attract your leprechaun. But remember, leprechauns are very sneaky and do not like to be seen. In the morning, your children may awaken to see that the leprechaun has taken their gold coins and left them a small gift or treat.

Paint a rainbow. Kids can use watercolors or finger paint to create their own bow. Vanilla pudding mixed with food coloring makes for fun and edible finger paint. Put food coloring in cups of water; let kids mix the colors to see what new hues they can create.

Explore Irish culture. Go to the library and check out books or movies about Ireland and the history of St. Patrick’s Day. Watch a video of an Irish dance performance on YouTube and have the family try some of the dance moves. For the crafty, paint or draw an Irish flag or a four-leaf clover. If you are lucky enough to be Irish, make a family tree and discuss your heritage.

Sarah Lyons is a freelance writer and mom of six, including two-year-old triplets.