Leprechaun Craft for Kids (with free printable)

Make your own leprechaun with this adorable leprechaun craft for kids!

Leprechauns are mischievous characters from Irish folklore with a lot of ties to luck and magic.

You can make this craft as part of a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, as a craft for an Ireland learning unit, or just for fun!

This craft comes with a free leprechaun printable and is a great activity for preschoolers, kindergarteners, or elementary aged children.

At the bottom of this post you’ll find some interesting facts about the legend of the leprechaun to talk about while you’re making the craft.

Also be sure to check out our pot of gold craft after you make your leprechaun!

Leprechaun Craft for Kids

Materials

• Leprechaun printable (available for download below)
• Tissue paper (orange and green)
• Markers (green, black, yellow, skin tone)
• Scissors
• Glue
• Black fine tipped pen

Instructions

First, download and print out the free leprechaun printable (available for download at the bottom of this post).

Using markers of colored pencils, color the leprechaun’s face and ears skin color, the hat band black, and the buckle yellow.

Next, color the hat and hat rim green.

Cut pieces or orange tissue paper into small squares or rectangles. Cover a strip of the leprechaun’s beard with glue, crinkle pieces of tissue paper and begin sticking them to the beard.

Now it’s time to decorate the shamrock (in the pictures I cut it out first, but realized that it’s actually easier to do before you cut it out, so that’s my recommendation).

Cut out small squares of green tissue paper.

Cover the shamrock in glue, crinkle up the green pieces of tissue paper and stick them to the shamrock until it’s covered. (You can also just color the shamrock for an easier option, but I think the tissue paper gives it a nice textured look that distinguishes it from the hat.)

Cut out the leprechaun, eyes, and shamrock.

Glue the eyes onto the leprechaun’s face.

Use a fine-tipped pen to draw the nose and mouth on the leprechaun.

Glue the shamrock onto the leprechaun’s hat.

And now your adorable little leprechaun craft is finish! Set it up as a decoration for St. Patrick’s Day or as part of your Ireland studies!

Interesting facts about leprechauns for kids

• Leprechauns have been a part of Irish folklore for centuries, and their stories have been passed down through generations, adding a sprinkle of magic to Irish traditions.
• According to Irish folklore, leprechauns are skilled shoemakers, and they are said to make shoes for the fairy folk. Legend has it that you can hear the tapping of their tiny hammers as they work.
• Leprechauns are often depicted as small, mischievous creatures, standing only about two feet tall. Their size helps them sneak around and play tricks on people.
• One of the most famous tales about leprechauns involves a pot of gold. It is said that if you catch a leprechaun, they may grant you three wishes in exchange for their freedom, and they will reveal the location of their hidden pot of gold.
• Leprechauns are often associated with St. Patrick’s Day, a festive Irish celebration. People wear green and sometimes set up traps to catch a leprechaun, hoping to find their pot of gold.
• Leprechauns are believed to possess magical powers, including the ability to disappear, grant wishes, and even control the weather.

Other crafts to try

Shamrock Sponge Painting Craft (free St. Patrick’s Day Card Templates)

Cliffs of Moher 3D Craft for Kids

Celtic Knot Pipe Cleaner Craft