How to Make a Paper Leprechaun With Clover Cutouts
If today's shenanigans include making some paper leprechaun cutouts you'll find creating the "wee person" will brighten up anyone's day. And no self-respecting leprechaun would be seen without his fresh, four-leaf clover for good luck. So gather some glue sticks, dots or paste, along with crayons, paint or markers, and a few pieces of construction paper, poster board or cardboard and fire up your computer. Oh, and may the luck of the Irish be with you.
Instructions
-
-
1
Search the Internet for a leprechaun template you like. Visit websites designed to cater to children such as Crayola.com, KinderArt.com or FamilyFun.com. When searching, use keywords such as leprechauns, holidays or St. Patty's Day.
If you are artistically inclined you might not need a template and can draw the body and clover free-hand. This way, you can make the leprechaun much larger, or smaller, than the template.
-
2
Print out the template of your choice. Be sure your printer is set on "highest quality" printing so that the lines will be clearly marked. Use any weight paper for printing because this is simply a pattern.
-
-
3
Color the template. Do this before cutting as it can be difficult to hold small pieces in place while coloring. Use traditional colors such as green for his suit and hat, black for his belt and boots, red hair and beard, rosy skin, and light green for his clover. Leprechauns also traditionally have light-brown freckles. Or use your imagination and add whatever colors you like for a wildly different look.
-
4
Cut the parts from the paper. If children are "helping" with the craft, give them children's scissors for safety. Handle the template carefully, if there are any delicate lines (such as the clover's stem) they are easily torn with rough handling. Organize the pieces of your leprechaun by laying them out on the table.
-
5
Assemble the pieces placing the legs at the bottom of the body, arms toward the top, head and beard on the top of the body, hat on the head, and place the clover in his hand or in the band on his hat. Be sure you have all the parts where you want them before the next step.
-
6
Glue the parts together using a glue stick or glue dots. If using liquid glue be sure it is completely dry before disturbing. If hanging the leprechaun from the ceiling, make a hole in the top of the hat using a paper punch, and loop string through. Or, glue a small slice of magnet (from magnet printer paper) on the back for decorating the refrigerator.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Using colored paper might obviate the need for coloring materials. Use green paper for the suit, red for the hair, and so on.
A shamrock has three leaves. A clover has four, so if you want clover, check the template to see if it is a four-leaf clover or a three-leaf shamrock.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit dancing leprechaun with shamrocks image by Maria Bell from Fotolia.com
