DIY Leprechaun Trap (A Fun St. Patrick’s Day Craft for Kids)

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If you’ve never built a Leprechaun trap before, consider this your sign to start a new St. Patrick’s Day tradition.

Every year around March, kids all over try their luck at catching a sneaky leprechaun before he can escape with his pot of gold. Spoiler alert: they’re pretty clever… but that doesn’t stop us from trying.

This year we built our trap using bright colors, gold coins, and a rainbow path to lure him in. And while the leprechaun may have escaped again, he did leave behind a little chocolate treasure—which made the whole effort worth it.

This post is sponsored by PLAID crafts and Walmart, thank you for supporting the brands we love!

Why Kids Love Leprechaun Traps

Leprechaun traps are one of those crafts that are less about perfection and more about imagination.

Kids get to:

• Build something creative
• Design their own trap ideas
• Add colorful decorations
• And wake up excited to see if they caught a leprechaun overnight

It’s a fun mix of crafting, storytelling, and a little bit of St. Patrick’s Day magic.

Supplies You’ll Need

Most of these supplies are easy to find at Walmart.

• Small wooden crate (for the trap)
• Round wooden craft discs
• Mod Podge
• Gold glitter
• Apple Barrel multi-surface paint pen pack
• Small canvas
• Glass jar
• Green cereal “charms” (for bait)
• Chocolate coins (for the leprechaun’s “left behind” treasure)

How to Make the Leprechaun Trap

Step 1: Make Gold Coins

Start by turning the wooden craft discs into gold coins.

Brush Mod Podge onto each disc, sprinkle with gold glitter, and allow them to dry. Once dry, use a gold Apple Barrel paint pen to outline the edges for a finished look.

These coins will help lure the leprechaun toward the trap.

Step 2: Decorate the Trap

Next, grab a small wooden crate to act as the trap itself.

Use the colorful Apple Barrel multi-surface paint pens to draw a bright rainbow across the crate. Leprechauns are famously attracted to rainbows, so this is an important part of the plan.

The paint pens make it easy to add vibrant details and designs directly onto the wood.

Step 3: Create the Bait Jar

Decorate a small glass jar using the green paint pen to draw shamrocks.

Fill the jar with colorful cereal “charms” to use as bait. Leprechauns are known to love a little sweet snack.

Step 4: Add a Sign

Use the paint pens to decorate a small canvas sign that says:

“Pot of Gold This Way”

This helps guide the leprechaun straight into the trap.

Step 5: Set the Trap

Place the gold coins and the jar of charms near the crate to attract the leprechaun.

Balance the crate at an angle using the jar so that when the leprechaun goes underneath to grab the treasure… the trap can fall shut.

Now all that’s left to do is wait and see what happens overnight.

Did We Catch the Leprechaun?

Not quite.

When we checked the trap the next morning, the coins were gone, the trap had snapped shut… and the leprechaun had escaped.

But he did leave behind a few chocolate coins as a treat, which felt like a pretty good consolation prize.

A New St. Patrick’s Day Tradition

Whether you catch a leprechaun or not, this craft is such a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with kids.

It’s creative, colorful, and the perfect excuse to spend some time crafting together.

And who knows—maybe next year we’ll finally catch him.

Want More Fun DIY Ideas?

If you’re looking for more easy family crafts, DIY gifts, and creative ideas, be sure to check out the rest of the projects here on Making Frugal Fun.

• St. Patrick’s Day Snack Board
• Free St. Patrick’s Day Printables