St. Patrick’s Day is approaching, and that implies we should start capturing a sly leprechaun! These easy leprechaun trap ideas will not only get the children in a festive mood but will also engage them in some pretty fun leprechaun crafts.
Regardless of whether you desire simple St. Patrick’s Day crafts or intend to indulge in not-so-serious leprechaun prank ideas, the selection of kids’ leprechaun traps covers all from super easy to “wow, we really went for it.” So, quickly assemble your craft supplies and let’s start trapping!
1. Rainbow Box Trap
This colorful leprechaun trap is as pretty as it is clever!
Materials:
- Small cardboard box
- Construction paper (rainbow colors)
- Craft sticks or cardboard strips
- Glue and scissors
- Chocolate coins or yellow pom-poms
- Markers
Instructions:
- Using construction paper strips or pipe cleaners, make a large rainbow that stretches across the box’s sides and covers it with bright colors.
- Place your “pot of gold” (chocolate coins or yellow pom-poms) inside the box where the leprechaun can spot it.
- Make the leprechaun’s way into the box using a craft sticks small ladder.
- Here’s the trick: make sure there’s NO way out once he climbs in! Remove the ladder once he’s inside, or design the box so the exit is hidden behind decorations.
2. Gold Bait Jar Trap
This easy leprechaun trap uses a clear jar so kids can see if they caught anything!
Materials:
- Clear jar or plastic container
- Green glitter
- Shamrock stickers
- Craft sticks
- Gold coins (chocolate or plastic)
- Green construction paper or tissue paper
Instructions:
- Enhance the outer appearance of your jar with shamrock labels and green sparkles.
- Drop shiny gold coins at the bottom of the jar.
- Create a popsicle-stick ladder positioned on one side of the jar.
- Cut a piece of green paper just slightly smaller than the jar opening and place it loosely on top—when the leprechaun steps on it to grab the gold, he’ll fall right in!
3. Hat Trap
One of the classic leprechaun trap ideas that never gets old!
Materials:
- Green St. Patrick’s Day hat (or make one from green construction paper and tape)
- Craft stick or pencil
- String or yarn
- Gold coins
- Green marker
Instructions:
- If making a hat, roll green construction paper into a cone and add a paper brim.
- Place gold coins underneath the propped-up hat.
- Prop one side of the hat up with a craft stick tied to a piece of yarn.
- When the leprechaun goes for the gold, give the yarn a tug (or let gravity do its thing) and the hat falls, trapping him inside!
4. Lucky Ladder Trap
This leprechaun craft looks innocent but leads straight to capture!
Materials:
- Craft sticks or popsicle sticks
- Small cardboard box
- Gold glitter or confetti
- Hot glue gun (adult supervision)
- Gold coins or yellow paper
- Green paint or markers
Instructions:
- Create a popsicle-stick ladder positioned on one side of the box.
- Decorate a small box using green paint and shamrocks.
- Create a “gold path” at the top of the ladder using gold paper or painted gold footprints that lead directly into the box.
- Fill the box with glitter or confetti for a magical surprise when you check your trap!
5. The Shoe Box Pitfall Trap
A hidden hole covered with tissue paper—step and fall!
Materials:
- Shoebox with lid
- Tissue paper
- Scissors
- Glitter
- Gold coins
Instructions:
- Set the trap—leprechaun steps on tissue and falls through
- Cut a large hole in the shoebox lid
- Cover hole with tissue paper
- Sprinkle glitter on top to disguise it
- Place gold coins inside box as bait
6. Shamrock Maze Trap
Perfect for kids who love puzzles—this leprechaun art project doubles as a trap!
Materials:
- Shoebox
- Green construction paper
- Cardboard strips
- Shamrock stickers or cutouts
- Glitter
- Gold coins
- Glue
Instructions:
- Remove the lid from a shoebox and set it aside.
- Cut cardboard strips to create maze walls inside the box.
- Glue the walls in place to form a winding path.
- Decorate everything with shamrocks, green paper, and lots of glitter.
- Place gold coins at the center of the maze where the leprechaun will get stuck trying to find his way out!
7. Box-in-a-Box Trap
This double-decker trap is one of the more elaborate leprechaun traps ideas for kids, but so worth it!
Materials:
- Two boxes (one small, one larger)
- Construction paper
- Markers
- Gold coins
- Small signs (cardboard pieces)
- Stickers and glitter
Instructions:
- Decorate both boxes with St. Patrick’s Day designs.
- Place the smaller decorated box inside the larger one.
- Create a tempting path in the outer box with gold coin “breadcrumbs.”
- Make the inner box the actual trap—once he’s in, he’s stuck!
- Add fun signs like “This Way to Gold!” or “Free Treasure” to lure him in.
8. Green Slime Trap
Kids LOVE this messy leprechaun mischief idea (so make sure you’re okay with a little cleanup!).
Materials:
- Bowl or shallow container
- Green slime (store-bought or homemade)
- Gold coins
- Green food coloring (if making your own slime)
- Plastic tablecloth for easy cleanup
Instructions:
- Fill a bowl with green slime or green-tinted water (keep this supervised for younger kids).
- Drop gold coins into the slime so they’re partially visible.
- The sticky, gooey mess will slow the leprechaun down when he reaches for the treasure!
- Place the bowl inside a larger box or on a plastic tablecloth for easier cleanup.
9. Staircase to Nowhere Trap
A fake staircase leading to treasure—but it’s really a trap!
Materials:
- 20-30 craft sticks
- Shoebox
- Hot glue gun (adult supervision)
- Green paint or markers
- Gold coins
- Green construction paper
- Shamrock stickers
- Glitter (optional)
Instructions:
- Glue craft sticks into a 5-7 step staircase
- Paint green and add shamrock stickers
- Position stairs leading over box edge—top step ends at the edge so the leprechaun falls in
- Place gold coins at the TOP as bait
- Line box bottom with green paper and soft cotton/tissue for landing
- Optional: Leave last step loose so it wobbles and triggers the fall
- Add a “Climb for Gold!” sign
10. Mirror Trick Trap
Leprechauns are known to be vain, so use that to your advantage!
Materials:
- Small box
- Aluminum foil
- Construction paper (rainbow colors)
- Gold coins
- Glue and tape
Instructions:
- Line the inside of a small box completely with aluminum foil to create reflective surfaces.
- Create a rainbow entrance using colorful construction paper arched over the opening.
- Place gold coins inside the shiny box.
- Leprechauns get so confused by all the reflections while chasing the gold that they can’t find their way back out!
11. Glow-in-the-Dark Trap
This magical leprechaun trap idea is perfect for kids who love a little nighttime mystery!
Materials:
- Glow-in-the-dark stickers or paint
- Small box or container
- Gold coins
- Black construction paper
- Glue
Instructions:
- Decorate a box with glow-in-the-dark stickers in shamrock and rainbow shapes.
- Paint gold coins or the inside of the box with glow paint.
- Hide the gold inside the decorated box.
- Place the trap in a dark corner or closet—leprechauns love sneaking around at night!
- In the morning, turn off the lights to see if the glowing trap caught anything!
12. Cereal Box Treasure Chest Trap
Transform a cereal box into an irresistible treasure chest—this easy leprechaun trap is perfect for preschoolers and older kids alike!
Materials:
- Empty cereal box
- Brown paint or construction paper
- Gold and black markers or paint
- Gold coins (chocolate or plastic)
- Craft sticks
- String
- Glue and tape
- Optional: foam stickers, jewel stickers
Instructions:
- You can also add a simple “lock” made from craft sticks on the front for extra security.
- Cut the cereal box in half lengthwise to create a chest shape (the box will open like a treasure chest).
- Cover the outside with brown construction paper or paint it brown to look like wood.
- Add black lines with a marker to create “wood plank” details.
- Decorate with gold paint or markers to add fancy “metal” corners and a keyhole.
- Fill the inside with gold coins and jewel stickers for extra sparkle.
- Prop the lid open with a craft stick attached to string—when the leprechaun goes for the treasure, the lid snaps shut!
Tips for Leprechaun Trap Success
- Set your trap the night before St. Patrick’s Day for maximum magic!
- Leave “evidence” in the morning: even if you didn’t catch the leprechaun, leave behind green footprints, scattered gold coins, or a tiny thank-you note to keep the magic alive.
- Add leprechaun mischief: tip over chairs, leave green water in the toilet, or find “gold coins” in silly places around the house.
- Make it a tradition: these easy St Patrick Day crafts become even more special when you do them year after year.
Loved these leprechaun crafts? Check out these other21 easy and creative leprechaun trap ideas, St. Patrick’s Day painted rock ideas, and explore these 12 easy leprechaun crafts for preschoolers!
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