Around 33 million people in the United States claim Irish ancestry, which makes St. Patrick’s Day one of the most celebrated holidays of the year. The day is filled with Irish food, music, and traditions that bring people together.
You don’t need Irish roots to join the celebration. St. Patrick’s Day has become a time for everyone to relax, enjoy good company, and have fun. Families often look for kid-friendly party ideas, while adults may plan a night filled with green drinks and lively entertainment. No matter how you celebrate, it’s all about creating memories and sharing the spirit of the holiday. May the luck of the Irish be with you!
Kid-Friendly St. Patrick’s Day Party Ideas
Here are a few ideas to create a fun, entertaining and kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day party.
Dress Up in Green
Now’s the opportunity for your kids to wear green clothes and dress up like leprechauns. Graphic T-shirts are also a staple of St. Patrick’s Day, from the classic “Kiss Me, I’m Irish” to toddler apparel that reads” “Part Irish, All Trouble.” It’s a great holiday for face painting, as well, with shamrocks and rainbows popular choices to paint on the kids’ cheeks.
Eat Green Food
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with festive green food that everyone will enjoy. Make pancakes, cookies, cupcakes, or popcorn and add a touch of green coloring for instant holiday fun. Pour green milk at breakfast or surprise the kids with a themed snack board filled with shamrock-inspired treats. If you want something simple, a box of Lucky Charms adds a playful twist. Chicago colors its river green every year for the holiday, so bring that same excitement into your kitchen with bright and creative foods.
Games and Inflatables
Bounce houses are always a hit with younger children and give them a safe place to jump, play, and burn off energy. If you’re planning for older kids, there are plenty of options to keep them busy too. Giant slides, obstacle courses, and thrill rides bring the excitement and can keep them entertained for hours. Mixing activities for different age groups ensures everyone at your event has something fun to enjoy.
Teach Irish Music and History
Set the mood with Irish music that fits your crowd. For an upbeat party playlist, try The Cranberries, U2, The Pogues, or Dropkick Murphys. If you prefer traditional sounds, the Irish Rovers or Celtic Woman are always favorites. Ireland has also given us classics like “The Unicorn Song,” which is perfect background music for a kids’ celebration. To make the day even more meaningful, share a few stories about St. Patrick and Irish immigrants in America. The mix of music and history adds both fun and culture to your party.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
A staple of many kid-friendly St. Patrick’s Day party ideas is to load up everyone in the car and go downtown for the St. Patrick’s Day parade. They will hear plenty to Irish music and see traditional dress.
Carnival Games
Challenge the adults with some competitive carnival games. These days, that means everything from racing games controlled through HD video goggles and inflatable snooker to old-fashioned favorites such as the Hi Striker Bell Ringer. Or you can go big with Giant Jenga, Giant Chess and Giant Dominoes.
Special Food and Drinks
Many people think of corned beef and cabbage as a dish to serve on St. Patrick’s Day, and that’s fine. But it’s also mostly an American invention. If you want to “wow” your friends with a true Irish meal, consider making
- Lemony salt-roasted fingerling potatoes
- Irish brown bread
- Steak and Guinness pie
- Shepherd’s pie
- Skillet-roasted lamb loins
- Rhubarb tart
Learn Irish History
If you’ve got some people with Irish ancestry, they might enjoy learning Irish history through a trivia game at an adult only St. Patty’s Day party. History.com has an entire page of Irish history where you can find some ideas for questions.
To get you started, St. Patrick’s Day is named after Saint Patrick, who was brought to Ireland as a slave from Roman Britain when he was 17. He escaped but later returned to convert Ireland to Christianity, building schools, churches and monasteries.
Legend has it that he drove the snakes from Ireland and explained the Holy Trinity to locals by using the three-leafed clover.
He died March 17, 461. Centuries later, Irish immigrants to the U.S. turned St. Patrick’s Day into a secular event that celebrates Irish food, drink and culture. Its popularity has now spread through Irish expatriate communities around the world.
