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Step 1
Research the history of St. Patrick's Day, its origins and how it first got to the area where you live. If you are Irish, start by looking for genealogical connections that will make the holiday even more meaningful for you and your family. Look for stories, jokes and tales related to this day, and make it a family tradition to share a new one every year.
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Step 2
Decide whether you want the family tradition to center around religion or history. If you choose the former, you can start the day by taking the whole family to church and to special celebrations offered by the community afterward. If you want to celebrate Irish tradition, you can concentrate on activities that focus on the history of the holiday.
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Step 3
Get the kids involved in the decorations. Making it a craft day is a great way for children to have fun while learning about the holiday. You can decorate a room, make your own hat or suit, create shamrock necklaces and bracelets or print quizzes and coloring pages for the little ones.
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Step 4
Attend the parade if you have older children. Kids under 10 years of age may not be ready for hours of standing, large crowds and slow traffic, but older ones will probably love it. If you live near one of the major cities that holds large parades, such as Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Chicago and San Francisco, consider taking a road trip to enjoy a full day of activities following the parade.
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Step 5
Dress in matching green outfits. You can go all out with hats and suits, or you can choose something simpler, such as matching bandanas or pins.
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Step 6
Organize a shamrock hunt. If you live near a park, in the countryside or in an area where the weather is warm enough to allow for outdoor excursions, take the family out to hunt for a four-leaf shamrock. Bring along a picnic or some snacks and make a day out of it. Give a St. Patricks Day appropriate prize to the first person to find that lucky shamrock.
