Creating a leprechaun trap is a fun and creative project that kids will love, especially around St. Patrick’s Day! Leprechauns can vary in height, but most boxes should be able to capture one—if you’re lucky!
Here are some simple and fun ideas for a Leprechaun trap that use common household items:
1. Cardboard Box Trap
Materials:
- Small cardboard box (shoebox works well)
- Green construction paper or paint
- Glitter or shiny paper (for leprechaun “gold”)
- String or tape
- Scissors
- Markers or stickers for decorating
Instructions:
- Decorate the cardboard box with green paper and glitter to make it look like a magical trap.
- Cut a small hole in the side of the box or on top, just big enough for the leprechaun to sneak through.
- Place some “gold” (glitter, yellow paper, candy gold coins, or even pennies) inside the box to lure the leprechaun in.
- Attach a string to the trap and pull it when the leprechaun steps inside, causing the box to fall over and trap him inside.
2. Plastic Cup and Paper Plate Trap
Materials:
- Plastic or paper cup
- Paper plate
- Green paint or markers
- String or ribbon
- Construction paper (for decorating)
- Glue or tape
Instructions:
- Turn the paper plate upside down and color it green.
- Place a plastic cup in the center of the plate (this will be your “trap”).
- Decorate the cup to make it look like a leprechaun’s treasure chest using markers or stickers.
- Place a small piece of candy or “gold” inside the cup to attract the leprechaun.
- Use string or ribbon to create a tripwire mechanism: tie it to the edge of the plate, and when the leprechaun steps near the trap, tug on the string to flip the plate and trap the cup.
3. Leprechaun Ladder Trap
Materials:
- Popsicle sticks or craft sticks
- Glue
- Green paper or paint
- Small container (such as a plastic jar or cup)
- Cotton balls or fake grass
Instructions:
- Create a ladder by gluing popsicle sticks together, arranging them to form a simple ladder shape.
- Place the ladder against a small container or cup that you want to trap the leprechaun in.
- Decorate the ladder and container with green paper or paint.
- Add cotton balls or fake grass inside the container to make it look like a cozy leprechaun hideout.
- Once the trap is set, the idea is that the leprechaun will climb the ladder, and once he steps inside the container, it will tip over and trap him.
4. Shoebox and Paper Tunnel Trap
Materials:
- Shoebox
- Green construction paper or fabric
- Paper towel roll (for the tunnel)
- Tape or glue
- Stickers, glitter, or small coins (for “gold”)
Instructions:
- Decorate the shoebox with green paper or fabric to make it look like a leprechaun’s home.
- Cut a hole at one end of the shoebox large enough for a paper towel roll to fit inside.
- Cover the paper towel roll with green paper and tape it to one end of the box to create a tunnel.
- Place “gold” (glitter, coins, or stickers) at the entrance of the tunnel.
- When the leprechaun tries to reach the gold, the box will close or tip, trapping him inside!
5. Leprechaun Trap with Plastic Cup and String
Materials:
- Plastic cup (clear or any color)
- String or yarn
- Green paper or stickers
- Small treats or coins (to act as the lure)
Instructions:
- Decorate the plastic cup with green paper or stickers.
- Place the cup upside down on the ground, then tie a piece of string to the edge of the cup.
- Lay out a trail of treats (like chocolate coins or green candies) leading to the cup.
- Hide and hold the other end of the string, so when the leprechaun steps under the cup to grab the treats, you can pull the string and trap the cup over him.
6. Cereal Box and Paper Tunnel
Materials:
- Empty cereal box
- Green construction paper or paint
- Paper towel roll or toilet paper roll (for the tunnel)
- Tape or glue
- Stickers, fake grass, or cotton balls
Instructions:
- Cut the cereal box into a square or rectangle and cover it with green paper or paint.
- Cut a hole in one side of the box and attach the paper towel roll to it, creating a tunnel that leads to the inside of the box.
- Decorate the inside with cotton balls or fake grass to make it look inviting.
- Place some “gold” or candy inside the box to lure the leprechaun into the trap.
7. Paper Cup Trap with Flip Mechanism
Materials:
- Paper cup
- Small wooden stick or straw (for the flip mechanism)
- Tape
- Small treats or “gold” (such as candies or glitter)
Instructions:
- Place the paper cup upside down on a flat surface.
- Tie a string to a small wooden stick or straw, which will act as a lever.
- Attach the string to the cup in such a way that when the lever is pulled, the cup flips and traps anything underneath it.
- Place some “gold” or candy near the cup as bait.
- When the leprechaun goes for the treat, pull the lever to flip the cup and trap him.
These ideas make use of simple household items and provide a great opportunity for creativity and hands-on play. Plus, the traps are fun to design, build, and then “catch” a mischievous leprechaun!
