This March, we get to enjoy TWO Holidays! Here are some adorable Easter & St. Patrick’s Day crafts for kiddos to make as a family. The templates mentioned below are available on CraftingaFunLife.com.

Paper Bag Shamrock Craft

Supplies:

• Paint (different shades of green)
• Recycled brown shopping bag
• Fiber fill or shredded paper
• Scissors
• Shamrock template
• Foam brush
• Stapler
• Glitter (optional)

Directions:

1. Download, print and cut the shamrock template. You can also draw your own shamrock if you prefer.
2. Trace two copies of the shamrock on the brown paper bag.
3. Cut out your paper bag shamrocks. If you have small children, make sure they are using safety scissors.
4. Paint one of the paper bag shamrocks. This will be the front side of your craft. Adding glitter is optional.
5. Staple the sides of the paper bag shamrocks. Work your way around the edge, stapling a half inch apart. Leave some space at the top and possibly the sides.
6. Finally, stuff your paper shamrock with fiber fill, then staple it until it’s completely sealed. If you are not a fan of using a stapler for this project, use a hole punch and yarn instead. You could also use double-sided tape.

Puffy Paint Rainbow and Pot of Gold Craft

 Supplies:

• Craft sticks
• Liquid white glue
• Glitter (optional)
• White cardstock
• Foam shamrock
• Foam shaving cream
• Bowls (7)
• Paintbrushes
  • Paper gold coin confetti (I purchased mine at Target but you can also use plain gold confetti)
    • Food coloring
    • Foam cauldron (I purchased mine at the Dollar Tree)

Directions:

1. Mix equal parts of liquid white glue and foam shaving cream together and divide equally into seven bowls.
2. Into one of the bowls, add red food coloring, mixing the color with the glue and the cream.
3. Repeat with five of the bowls, using one of the other colors—orange, yellow, green, blue and purple—in each bowl. Leave one bowl’s contents white.
4. Glue the foam cauldron to the bottom left of the white cardstock.
5. Attach the foam shamrock to the cauldron. Mine was a sticker so I didn’t have to use glue.
6. Now it’s time to start painting your rainbow. Dip your paintbrush in the red DIY puffy paint, then make an arch from the foam cauldron. Repeat until you have used all the colors of the rainbow.
7. Paint white puffy paint at the end of the rainbow to create a fluffy white cloud. You can add glitter to your cloud or leave it plain.
8. Finally, add your gold confetti above the foam cauldron to make gold coins. Allow the puffy paint to dry before touching the fluffy texture.

Easter Egg Suncatcher

 Supplies:

• Colorful tissue paper
• Scissors
• White cardstock
• Pencil
• Clear contact paper
• Chunky glitter (optional)
• Easter egg template
  • Double-sided tape

Directions:

1. Cut the tissue paper into small pieces. If you’re not comfortable with your child using scissors, let them tear the tissue paper by hand.
2. Cut a piece of contact paper that is larger than the Easter egg, then peel off the backing. Carefully place your egg outline on top of the contact paper.
3. Cover the inside of the Easter egg with the tissue paper pieces. Once finished, your child has the option to add chunky glitter.
4. Carefully peel off the back of another contact paper and place it on top of the egg, sticky side down. Smooth it out to get rid of any creases or bubbles.
5. Finally, cut out the Easter egg suncatcher. Use double-sided tape to stick to a window or sliding glass door.

Yarn Wrapped Carrot Craft

Supplies:

• Recycled cardboard
• Orange yarn
• Tape
• Green foil cardstock
• Scissors
• Clear tacky glue (optional)
• Carrot template

Directions:

1. Download, print and cut out the FREE carrot template. If you have a cutting machine like a Cricut, search for a carrot image to cut.
2. Next, trace the root of the carrot on recycled cardboard and cut it out.
3. Tape the beginning of your orange yarn to the back of your carrot. Now, wrap the carrot with the orange yarn until it’s completely covered.
4. Finally, trace the carrot leaf on the green foil cardstock. Cut it out. Tape or glue it to the back of the carrot.

Originally published in the March 2024 issue of Tampa Bay Parenting Magazine