Contributed report
St. Patrick’s Day commemorates its namesake, the patron saint of Ireland who helped spread Christianity across this island nation. While it may have begun as a religious holiday, eventually the fanfare expanded to transform St. Patrick’s Day into a secular celebration spanning the world — reaching Irish diaspora in various countries. In fact, some of the largest St. Patrick’s Day events occur outside of Ireland. In addition to paying homage to St. Patrick, the holiday is largely known for being one big party catering to the over-21 crowd. It’s common to find people raising pints throughout the day on St. Patrick’s Day. However, for those who want children to be a part of the festivities, there are plenty of entertaining ways to incorporate them into any celebration.
Attend a parade
Parades are a common sight come St. Patrick’s Day, and they’re ideal activities for children. If your town or city is hosting a St. Patrick’s Day parade this year, make plans to attend with the children. Follow safety precautions, including remaining socially distant, when necessary, and watch the floats, pipers, colorfully clad characters, and other participants go by.
Get dressed up
Children can have fun dressing up in all sorts of apparel. While green shirts are par for the course, kids also can don rugby or soccer shirts from their favorite Irish teams. Authentic Irish Aran wool sweaters and cardigans, or other traditional clothing, also can be worn. Kids may have fun making masks or hats they can wear as well. St. Patrick’s Day is a fun time for people of all ages. The holiday can be made kid-friendly in a variety of ways.