Celebrating All Things Irish on St. Patrick’s Day

Both my husband and I have Irish ancestry, so our family celebrates some fun Irish traditions on March 17 such as eating corned beef and cabbage for dinner, drinking Irish whiskey or a pint of Guinness, making Irish soda bread, looking for shamrocks, and wearing green (even though historically blue is associated with St. Patrick’s Day). When our kids were younger, we also set leprechaun traps, turned the toilet water green, and left green in the snow.

Visit Dublin (California)

Since St. Patty’s Day is on a Sunday this year, perhaps you are looking for a fun way to celebrate with the whole family. Try exploring Dublin, California in the East Bay! This town goes all out every year and hosts a two day St. Patrick’s Day celebration including a 5K, parade, and festival.  If you are thinking bigger maybe it’s time to plan a family trip to Ireland.

If you will be closer to home, try some of our favorite recipes and crafts to celebrate because aren’t we all Irish on St. Patrick’s Day?

Recipes

Layered Reuben Salad | Looking to get more green into your meal?  This layered Reuben salad is a great way to use some of the leftover corned beef.  

Irish Soda Bread | If you love baking and like to get the kids involved, give this Irish Soda Bread recipe a try. It might be a chance for you to use that springform pan you don’t use that often.

Crafts

St. Patrick’s Day Slime (for those of you brave enough) | Who doesn’t love a good slime recipe? This link is to a really creative site that also lets the kids “science” the heck out of slime.

Fun Shamrock Crafts | Looking for a fun craft for the little ones who love painting? The first two on this page show you how to use egg cartons to make shamrocks or how to stamp shamrocks using marshmallows.

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way –

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

~Author Unknown