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These awesome leprechaun trap ideas make the perfect St. Patrick’s Day crafts. It’s a fun tradition that kids love every year and maybe this time they’ll even catch that tricky leprechaun!
Originally published March 2016 – Updated February 2023
Leprechaun Trap Ideas
With a last name like O’Driscoll, St. Patrick’s Day is a pretty big deal in my family! My hubby is very proud of his Irish heritage and it has definitely rubbed off on me. Plus, it’s a great excuse to make our favorite leprechaun hat cookies!
As much as we love St. Patrick’s Day desserts though, it’s more about the homemade leprechaun traps! My youngest LOVES trying to catch the little guy and this may just be our year!
Get a personalized letter from your leprechaun! Customize it with your child’s name for a fun St. Patrick’s Day surprise!
How Do You Make A Trap For A Leprechaun
There’s really no right or wrong way for kids to make their trap. The end goal is to catch the leprechaun but you can do it with an elaborate setup or something quick and easy. If you’re making your own trap, here are a few craft supplies you may find useful…
- Gold coins
- Green construction Paper
- Colored construction paper
- Green craft foam
- Popsicle sticks
- Gold glitter
- Hot glue gun
- Hot glue sticks
- Craft glue sticks
Don’t have time to gather supplies? You can order a leprechaun trap kit direct from Amazon (because what CAN’T you order from Amazon, right?).
What do you do when you catch a leprechaun?
There are all kinds of tips online for what to do if you’re lucky enough to catch a leprechaun. However, the one that’s most important is that you can’t take your eyes off him, even for a second. They are very fast and even more sneaky so the second you look away, he’ll be long gone!
What does a leprechaun leave in a trap?
Leprechauns are VERY good at escaping from traps but they do sometimes leave a little something behind. You might find chocolate coins or jewels. It could also be something as simple as free printables. These St. Patrick’s Day coloring pages and What Is Your Leprechaun Name printable are always fun ideas for the kids too!
Our favorite is this cute leprechaun letter for the kids. It’s a fun way to let them know that their leprechaun was there and just barely escaped!
Ready to try to catch one of the little guys? Check out this list and choose your favorite easy leprechaun trap idea!
St. Patrick’s Day Books For Kids:
- How To Catch A Leprechaun by Andy Wallace
- The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing
- That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting
Have your kids ever made their own leprechaun trap? Did they manage to catch one?
We make leprechaun traps each year 🙂 Pinning your cute collection.
Thanks for sharing! I think we’re going to need to start that tradition too…it looks like so much fun! xoxo
So cute – pinned!!! 🙂
Thanks Jessica! xoxo
omg these traps are really easy and cute!!
That’s why I love them so much! When I’m doing crafts with the kids, I want them to be as easy as possible (and cute too, of course) 🙂
Hey, thanks for posting this! My daughter came home from kindergarten with homework to make a Leprechaun trap this weekend. At least the teacher was honest enough to call it a “family project”. 😉
What do you do—if anything—to show evidence that a leprechaun was there? I’d love some ideas.
Sometimes our leprechaun takes the gold and leaves chocolate coins behind as a treat. We can usually see where he runs off to because he’ll leave a little trail of glitter. Other times he can be mischievous and leaves a mess behind with a silly note. Hope you catch the little guy 😉
i like your trap it is fun
THanks 🙂
good ideas
Thanks so much! Leprechaun traps are always fun!
Which one is easier?
Hi! I would say the Toilet Paper Roll Trap or the Cereal Box Trap are probably easiest. Good luck…hope you catch that leprechaun!
how do you catch a leprechaun???!!!
You have to build a leprechaun trap 🙂
My dad wouldn’t let me do one cuz we don’t have the supplies can you please send me one next year next Saint Patrick’s Day
Hi Caroline! So sorry you didn’t get to make a trap this year. However, the great thing about leprechaun traps is that you can get creative and use everyday things you find around the house. Look for small boxes, string, popsicle sticks, grass from your Easter basket…the possibilities are endless! I’ll bet you catch that leprechaun next year!!! 🙂