Pot of Gold Activity and “How to Catch a Leprechaun” Book Review

by Haley Bono

If you want to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day with a fun book, you cannot go wrong with “How to Catch a Leprechaun” by Adam Wallace. The story shows the many kids and all the ways they try to catch a leprechaun, except the clever leprechaun is always a little too quick for any of their traps.

According to folklore, these elusive creatures hoard gold at the end of rainbows, and if caught, will grant you three wishes. These stories have become an integrated part of celebrating Saint Patrick's Day.

This is a great book to help children develop problem solving skills, and encourages them to think outside the box. As each of the kids in this story devise new and interesting ways to catch the leprechaun (including robots!), your little ones can imagine and create their own leprechaun traps.

There is a wonderful read aloud of this book on youtube if you click here. This is also a very popular book, and can probably be found at your local bookstore, or library, especially around Saint Patrick's Day. You can also purchase the book here on Amazon.

Leprechauns love gold! In this fun activity, your little ones can make a shiny pot of gold, and use it in their very own leprechaun trap.

Supplies:

Free Pot of Gold Template (there will be a download at the end of the post), something to color with, scissors, glue.

Directions:

1. Color the template.
2. Cut along the solid lines of the box and coins. Do not cut the dotted lines, those are for folding.
3. Fold along the dotted lines, and where the glue tabs are attached.
4. SPlace a small amount of glue on glue tabs and then fold into a box, attaching the glue tabs on the inside. Allow time for the glue to dry.
5. Place the coins inside the box, and now you have your very own pot of gold.

Different Variations:

• Create a leprechaun trap: We all know leprechauns love gold. Using the pot of gold as bait, let your little one’s create their very own leprechaun trap. You can even slip a few gold coins from the pot during the night, and leave behind a treat, or maybe a note from the “leprechaun” who managed to escape.
• More than gold: Using the blank template, let your children draw or write what is most important to them. There are a lot of things in life that are more important than gold or money. Discuss what is most important to your child.
• Add a little math: After I did this activity with my toddler, he enjoyed counting the coins. We would count the coins in the box, and every time he took one out, I asked, “How many coins are left?” To add math for an older child, assign the coins different amounts (like pennies, dimes, quarters) and add those amounts instead.