Lauren Margolis
St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all around the world, but who is Saint Patrick and why do we celebrate the holiday?
Saint Patrick is the patron saint and national apostle of Ireland, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland. He lived during the fifth century and died on March 17, which is the day we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
It’s believed that Saint Patrick explained the Holy Trinity using the three leaves of a shamrock, Ireland’s native clover. St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated for over 1,000 years now, and Irish families would typically spend their holiday going to church in the morning and celebrating with a big feast and dancing afterward.
St. Patrick’s Day is known for its parades, but the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was actually held in the United States in 1762. The parade took place in New York City and is still known as one of the most famous St. Patrick’s Day parades each year. Boston is another city known for its parade.
There are family friendly celebrations around the Orlando area where you can get decked out in your best green clothes. Here are some more fun, kid-friendly ways to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day:
1. Make Some St. Patrick’s themed treats: Leprechaun Bait is a fun and tasty treat. Mix goodies like corn Chex, pretzels, Lucky Charms, green M&Ms and melted white chocolate. Then sprinkle some green sanding sugar for an extra festive touch and you have a snack sweet enough to lure over any leprechaun!
2. Learn an Irish dance: Put on some Irish music and introduce the kids to a new form of dance: river dancing. There are many step by step videos on the internet, like this one that teaches you the fun Irish dance.
3. Watch an Irish dance performance: The Raglan Road Irish dancers will be performing at Raglan Road in Disney Springs throughout the Mighty St. Patrick’s Festival. It’s an entertaining way to celebrate the holiday and it’s fun for the whole family!
4. Do St. Patrick’s Day arts and crafts: St. Patrick’s Day is a day of green! Celebrate by getting creative with the kids. You can make green slime, cut out and decorate your own shamrocks, and color a leprechaun using easy printouts like these.
5. Have your own St. Patrick’s Day party: Instead of going out to celebrate, you can make your own celebration at home! Throw a St. Patrick’s Day party that the kids will love. You can make your own green decorations and yummy dishes. Send the kids out in the yard or around the house to find gold that the leprechauns left. Just buy plastic coins or spray paint your own and scatter them all over.
6. Take a green bath: End your St. Patrick’s Day on a high note with a green bath! Your kids will be amazed when they walk in and see the surprise. Dye the bath water green using non-toxic bath dyes for kids, buy a bath bomb, or make your own.
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