How to Catch a Leprechaun Printable | Free PDF & SVG
Are you ready for some St. Patrick’s magic and mischief? Welcome to this ultimate craft: the free how to catch a Leprechaun printable. If you’re looking for a fun way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, you’ve come to the right place! Leprechauns are magical little guys often rumored to guard a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow, and every year on this special day, kids of all ages love to devise a clever trap in hopes of capturing one. A sneaky little leprechaun can be quite the challenge to outsmart, but with a few craft supplies, plenty of creativity, and your own trap, you might just coax that elusive leprechaun into revealing his secrets.
In this blog post, I’m excited to share a free printable, including a PDF file and an SVG version, so you can create a custom leprechaun trap kit in no time. Gather some green construction paper, chocolate coins, and maybe some popsicle sticks, and get ready for a fun activity!
Why Build a DIY Leprechaun Trap?
One of the best ways to celebrate Saint Patrick’s day is by designing your own leprechaun trap. Creating a DIY leprechaun trap is a great way to engage small children in critical thinking and build their fine motor skills. Whether you use cereal boxes, pipe cleaners, or a fancy leprechaun trap kit (like this one *wink*), the possibilities are endless. The concept is simple: lure the sneaky leprechaun with shiny things like chocolate coins or a pot of gold drawn on green construction paper, then wait for him to step onto a secret trap door that will gently enclose him. This free printable leprechaun trap makes is easy to decorate with custom colors and charms.
In this how to catch a leprechaun printable tutorial, you’ll discover there are many different ways to construct the best way to lure a pesky leprechaun. Some people prefer an easy leprechaun trap made from simple supplies like paper rolls, hot glue, and a small box, while others go all out by adding a rainbow slide and cotton ball clouds for extra flair. If you want to boost the sneaky leprechaun’s attention, place chocolate coins or Lucky Charms near the entrance.
This time of year is perfect for introducing St. Patrick’s day crafts to kids of all ages, since they’re already excited about st. patrick’s festivities. You can also add a pot of gold sign made from green paper to spark the imagination of small children. Whether you’re building a homemade trap in a classroom or at home, you’ll find it’s a great way to encourage creativity and have some fun while learning!
Gathering Supplies for Your Leprechaun Trap Project
To start, you will need to download the free PDF printable for hand cutting or the SVG file for machine cutting. To access these you will find them in my free community vault under Design Numbers #172 & #173. Please sign up for my newsletter below for the free password. To learn how to download my SVG files please read this blog post.
Find more St Patricks Day SVGs here and a 3D Leprechaun Hat project here!
Materials and Tools
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Printable:
- – Cardstock Paper – preferably something a little thicker like 65 lb printer paper
- – Coloring tools – markers, crayons, etc
- – Glue – glue stick and hot glue is preferred
- – Scissors
- – Paper straw or popsicle stick
SVG:
- – Cutting machine – Cricut, Silhouette, or Juliet
- – Cardstock paper – I am using 65 lb textured card
- – Optional: A printer to print the leprechaun
- – Glue: Craft glue and hot glue
- – Paper straw or popsicle stick
Step-by-Step Instructions for an Easy Leprechaun Trap
Printable Leprechaun Trap:
Color your pieces
Take your time and have so much fun making this coloring page your own!
Cut out the pieces:
Carefully cut out each piece on the solid lines. Then fold on the dotted lines.
Glue the sides
The flaps on the sides of the long piece will be glue to both of the pot sides to create a 3D pot of gold.
Attach the top flap
This flap piece should be attached to the side at the top and be able to flap up and down to trap your leprechaun inside.
Attach the handle on top
This smaller rectangle will reach across and attach to the sides with glue.
Attach the paper straw
This is to keep the arrow and sign from flopping over. Hot glue this to the back. Then attach the arrow and the ‘free gold’ sign to the top.
Place your ladder & leprechaun
I did not attach mine on with glue, but you can definitely do so! You are ready to trap your leprechaun!
SVG Cutting Machine:
Cricut Design Space Set Up
Make sure to resize the whole file, if you choose to. Then ungroup. Attach the dash lines to the two pieces with the paper clip button.
If you want to, flatten the leprechaun for a print then cut version.
I cut everything out on the medium cardstock settings.
Assembly is the same as the printable version:
Fold the pieces
Glue the sides
The flaps on the sides of the long piece will be glue to both of the pot sides to create a 3D pot of gold.
Attach the top flap
This flap piece should be attached to the side at the top and be able to flap up and down to trap your leprechaun inside.
Attach the handle on top
This smaller rectangle will reach across and attach to the sides with glue.
Make Your Sign
I cut mine out with a gold foil paper and I love the way it looks!
Attach the paper straw
This is to keep the arrow and sign from flopping over. Hot glue this to the back. Then attach the arrow and the ‘free gold’ sign to the top.
Place your ladder & leprechaun
This is such a fun cutting machine project that you can do with your kids or students.
Incorporating Educational Elements
For educators, how to catch a leprechaun printable activities can be woven into lesson plans that encourage independent work, social studies connections, or creative writing prompts. You can even integrate knowledge of simple machines by adding a lever or pulley system to your trap design. This st. Patrick’s day crafts project also accommodates 1st grade or 2nd grade students, providing a fun way to explore imaginative play while slipping in an educational twist. Whether you’re in a classroom or homeschooling, this st. Patrick’s day printable offers a perfect opportunity for a hands-on learning experience that appeals to kids of all ages.
Adding Final Touches for the Best Results
Once you’ve downloaded the how to catch a leprechaun printable and assembled the main components, consider a few final touches. Pipe cleaners can be bent into arches for a rainbow path, while cotton ball clouds add whimsical flair. If you’re aiming for the best results, make sure your pot of gold or shiny things (like chocolate coins) are easily visible—leprechauns can’t resist glittering bait! A small sign that says “happy St. Patrick’s day” is another fun addition, extending a cheeky welcome to these magical little guys. Remember, the goal is to create a puzzle the leprechaun just can’t ignore. For an extra challenge, encourage kids to use critical thinking in planning how the secret trap door will snap shut. By giving children ownership of the process, you’re sure to see tons of St. Patrick’s day fun and excitement all around.
Share the Joy of Leprechaun-Trapping
With each leprechaun trap project, children learn valuable skills like problem-solving, fine motor skills, and a touch of social studies when you discuss Irish folklore. More than anything, it’s about having fun and embracing the playful spirit of the season. Whether you manage to capture that elusive leprechaun or simply create a cherished memory, these homemade leprechaun traps will brighten any day. May your pot of gold overflow with creativity, and here’s wishing you good luck in outsmarting that pesky leprechaun!
