March Books & Activities for Kids: St. Patrick’s Day & Seasonal Fun!
I just love the month of March. We spent the winter in the Northeast for the first time as a family and while I miss seeing the flowers blooming across the roadsides in Texas, getting that first day of sun and warmth is a phenomena feeling. March is a month of transition—from winter’s chill to the first signs of spring. It’s also a time filled with wonder, from rainbows after spring showers to the playful traditions of St. Patrick’s Day.
This year I’m particularly excited about St. Patrick’s day as my 6-year old is now old enough to learn a bit of her Irish heritage. While my 2.5 year old will really enjoy the magic and wonder of trying to catch a leprechaun and building her first suncatcher rainbow. If you’re looking for a fun way to bring the magic of March into your homeschool, you’re in the right place! I’ll share our favorites that we’re doing and looking forward to doing the rest of this month.
I’ve gathered 20 fantastic books and engaging hands-on activities to spark curiosity and learning this month. Plus, I have a FREE printable pack below filled with easy-to-prep activities that will bring the season to life. Hopefully you’re a late planner like me
🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Picture Books
Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato by Tomie dePaola – A fun Irish folktale about luck and laziness.
How to Catch a Leprechaun by Adam Wallace – A playful story about setting leprechaun traps.
The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day by Natasha Wing – A rhyming tale filled with holiday traditions.
The Story of St. Patrick’s Day by Patricia A. Pingry – A simple introduction to the history of the holiday.
That’s What Leprechauns Do by Eve Bunting – A mischievous story about what leprechauns really do!
The Secret Life of Leprechauns by Luna James – A whimsical look at the secret world of leprechauns and their tiny tricks.
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover! by Lucille Colandro – A silly, cumulative rhyming story perfect for little learners.
Ten Lucky Leprechauns by Kathryn Heling – A counting book filled with bright illustrations and rhyming fun.
The St. Patrick’s Day Shillelagh by Janet Nolan – A touching story about an Irish family’s history and traditions.
Lucky O’ Leprechaun by Jana Dillon – A lively tale of a leprechaun’s adventure and clever tricks.
Fiona’s Luck by Teresa Bateman – A beautifully illustrated Irish folktale about outsmarting a greedy leprechaun king.
How to Build a Leprechaun Trap: The Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day STEM Activity Book by Larissa Juliano – A hands-on book filled with fun STEM-based leprechaun trap ideas.
How to Trap a Leprechaun (Magical Creatures and Crafts) by Sue Fliess – A creative mix of storytelling and hands-on fun with simple crafts and traps.
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🍀 St. Patrick’s Day Early Readers & Chapter Books
St. Patrick’s Day by Gail Gibbons – A nonfiction introduction to St. Patrick’s Day, perfect for young readers.
Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland by Tomie dePaola – A beautifully illustrated book telling the life story of St. Patrick.
Leprechaun in Late Winter (Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #15) by Mary Pope Osborne – Jack and Annie travel to Ireland and meet a girl who will grow up to become a famous storyteller.
Leprechauns and Irish Folklore: A Nonfiction Companion to Magic Tree House Merlin Mission #15 by Mary Pope Osborne – A fact-filled companion book about Irish legends and traditions.
Leprechauns Don’t Play Basketball (The Adventures of the Bailey School Kids, #4) by Debbie Dadey – A fun mystery where the Bailey School Kids suspect their new coach might be a leprechaun!
My Weird School Special: The Leprechaun Is Finally Gone by Dan Gutman – A silly and engaging story about a tricky leprechaun and a school full of chaos.
Zeke Zooter and the Eye of Balor by Bruce Jacobs – A thrilling chapter book blending Irish mythology and adventure in an action-packed quest.
🌱 15 Hands-On Activities for March
Pairing books with hands-on activities is the best way to make learning stick! Here are 15 engaging activities—broken down into nature-based, life skills, and motor skills—that will help bring the magic of March to life.
🌿 5 Nature-Based Activities
Rainbow Nature Hunt – Go on a nature walk and collect items for each color of the rainbow.
Sprouting Clover Experiment – Grow clover in a jar to watch roots and leaves develop.
Rainwater Collection – Set up a simple rain gauge and track rainfall throughout the month.
Bird Watching & Nesting – Observe birds returning in spring and create a nesting materials station.
Garden Starter Pots – Plant herb seeds in small pots and discuss plant life cycles.
🏡 5 Life Skills Activities
Bake Irish Soda Bread – A simple, kid-friendly baking project to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day.
Handwashing & Hygiene Science – Demonstrate germ spread with glitter or food dye.
Basic Sewing with Felt Rainbows – Practice beginner stitches to create a shamrock decoration.
Setting Up a Spring Cleaning Routine – Teach sorting, organizing, and tidying techniques.
Making Homemade Butter – Shake heavy cream in a jar to create homemade butter for fresh bread.
🏃♂️ 5 Gross & Fine Motor Skill Activities
Leprechaun Gold Coin Scavenger Hunt – Hide gold coins and give clues to practice problem-solving.
Rainbow Threading Activity – Use colored pasta or beads to thread a rainbow pattern.
Jump Over the Rainbow Game – Set up colorful floor markers for jumping challenges.
Pot of Gold Spoon Race – Balance a gold-painted rock on a spoon for a fun race.
Torn Paper Shamrock Craft – Tear green paper and glue it into shamrock shapes for fine motor work.
Want even more easy, seasonal activities? I’ve put together 20+ pages of printable activities that make March learning simple and fun!
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Final Thoughts
March is a wonderful time to bring seasonal learning into your homeschool with books, nature exploration, and hands-on activities. Whether you’re celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, welcoming spring, or just looking for fun ways to engage your little learners, these ideas will help you create a joyful and meaningful month.
What are your favorite books and activities for March? Let’s chat in the comments!