St. Patrick's Day Family Fun Ideas
A St. Patrick's day party the entire family can enjoy!

With a few Irish genes and a New England upbringing, St. Patrick's day
has always been a festive time for me. I've such fond memories of
St. Paddy's Day parades, green attire, festive food and a little luck of
the Irish on March 17th. Although my kids have even less Irish heritage
than I, over the years I've tried to keep the tradition alive. We've made Leprechaun traps, shamrock crafts, lots of green food and maybe a little
bit of blarney to top it all off!
Here are just a few St. Patrick's day ideas get help you create your own family traditions with crafts, Irish movies, fun treats and more....
After all, on March 17th...everyone's is a little bit Irish!

St. Patrick's Day Family Meal

Begin the festivities early, by making shamrock napkin rings.
Using glue dots or a quick-drying craft glue stick, will ensure
the napkin rings are dry in time for dinner. Click here for instructions >>

Now you can dress up the table with a white table cloth. Scatter any of these items to make a festive table; paper shamrock's that the kids have created, green sequins or curling ribbon, gold wrapped chocolate coins or kisses or Lucky Charms cereal.
Add some green carnations or a a four leaf clover plant as a centerpiece.

Your children can even make the flower centerpiece the day before as well. Simply place white carnations or daisies in water with several drops of
green food color added. Like magic, the next day the flowers will be green!

I'm too busy for all of this, what else can I do?
A special table, or a meal that's taken all day to prepare, is not what makes a memorable family celebration. If your time is short, a few days before the 17th,  buy a package of green paper plates and napkins, lemon-lime soda, green maraschino cherries and Lucky Charms cereal. On the 17th grab some dinner on the way home. Serve dinner with green cherry topped soda.
For dessert, bake a batch of cake mix cupcakes with the kids and top them with Lucky Charms cereal.
St. Patrick's Day paper goods and decorations >>

The Main Course
Of course corned beef , cabbage, potatoes and soda bread are the traditional St. Patrick's' day fare. However, in our house it's never been a favorite with the kids. We usually serve shepherds pie or pot roast and potatoes for dinner. Serve sparkling cider or seltzer water mixed with kiwi fruit syrup. For dessert make shamrock sugar cookies, or cupcakes. Mom and Dad can treat themselves to a green
beer and an after dinner Irish coffee.



Lucky Lime Drinks
Put one, or two small scoops of lime sherbet in a clear glass ice cream cup, or beer mug. Pour 7-Up over the sherbet. Add a dollop of whipped cream, green sugar sprinkles and a green maraschino cherry!

Irish Mint Float
Drop two scoops of mint chocolate chip ice cream into a glass beer mug. Pour milk over the top add a drop or two of green food coloring. Top with whipped cream and green sugar sprinkles.

Peppermint Candy Shake
You'll Need:
2 1/2  cups vanilla ice cream
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup Peppermint Pattie bars, or Junior Mints cut into pieces
Blender
Directions:
Place candy pieces and place into the freezer for 15 minutes.
Combine all ingredients in the blender and blend on medium speed for 30 seconds. Stir with a spoon and blend for 30 more seconds. Repeat until desired consistency is reached.
For a thicker shake, place blended milkshake into freezer for a few minutes.
Top with whipped cream and more mint candy pieces on top.