St Patricks' Day: Invitations to play and Sensory Recipes
Updated: Mar 11
St Patrick's Day is March 17th-below are some ideas you can set up during the week.
St. Patrick's Day Sensory Play
Age: Birth to 3 years
Materials:
Green dyed rice
Green pompoms
Shamrock shapes (paper or felt)
Textured green fabrics
Various scoops and tweezers
Large, shallow play tray
Instructions:
Dye rice green using food coloring and let it dry.
Spread the green dyed rice in a large, shallow tray.
Add green pompoms, shamrock shapes, and pieces of textured green fabrics to the tray.
Introduce scoops and tweezers for children to manipulate the materials.
Encourage the children to explore the tray's contents with their hands, identifying the different textures and objects.
EYLF Outcome: 1.1 Children feel safe, secure, and supported. 4.1 Children develop a growth mindset and learning dispositions such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity.
VEYLDF Outcome: Identity-Children feel safe, secure, and supported. Learning-Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity.
Analysis of Learning: Through engaging with the sensory play tray, children explore and learn about different textures and shapes, fostering their sensory development and fine motor skills. This activity supports their curiosity and creativity while providing a safe and supportive environment to explore new materials.
Theorist Link: Piaget’s theory of sensory-motor development highlights the importance of sensory play in understanding the world. Through tactile experiences, children build knowledge and connect with their environment.
Extension Ideas:
Add green scented playdough for children to mold and explore.
Introduce storybooks about St. Patrick's Day to connect the play with cultural knowledge.
Create a green-themed outdoor scavenger hunt for natural objects to extend learning into the natural environment.
Leprechaun's Gold Hunt
Age: Birth to 3 years
Materials:
Green and gold coloured pom poms
Small black pots (can be small plastic cauldrons or cups)
Gold coins (plastic or chocolate coins)
Green shredded paper or fabric
Tweezers and scoops
Large play tray or sandbox
Instructions:
Fill the play tray or sandbox with green shredded paper or fabric to create a 'grass-like' base.
Hide gold coins and green and gold pom poms within the 'grass'.
Place small black pots around the play area.
Show the children how to use the tweezers and scoops to search for and collect the hidden gold coins and pom poms.
Encourage the children to place their found treasures into the black pots, creating their own pot of gold.
EYLF Outcome: 4.1 Children develop a growth mindset and learning dispositions such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity. 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes.
VEYLDF Outcome: Learning-Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity. Communication-Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes.
Analysis of Learning: This activity fosters fine motor skill development and sensory exploration through the tactile experience of searching and sorting through different textures. It also encourages imagination and cooperative play as children embark on a treasure hunt, sharing discoveries and working together.
Theorist Link: Vygotsky's theory emphasises the importance of social interaction in learning. This activity promotes social interaction and collaborative play, which are key to cognitive development.
Extension Ideas:
Create a story time session with books about leprechauns and St. Patrick's Day to enrich the cultural understanding.
Introduce a simple craft activity where children can decorate their pots of gold or make their own leprechaun hats.
For outdoor play, set up a larger scale gold hunt around the play area with clues or maps for children to follow.
Rainbow Rice Road
Age: Birth to 3 Years
Materials:
Rainbow dyed rice (colours of the rainbow)
Large shallow tray
Small toy cars or trucks
Pots of gold (can be small black pots or containers)
Green construction paper or fabric (to create 'hills')
Scoops and funnels
Instructions:
Dye rice in the colors of the rainbow and let it dry. Arrange the colored rice in the large shallow tray to create a rainbow pattern.
Create 'hills' by shaping green construction paper or fabric and placing them around the tray.
Scatter pots of gold at various points along the rainbow road.
Provide small toy cars or trucks for the children to drive along the rainbow rice roads.
Place scoops and funnels for children to fill and pour rice, encouraging fine motor skills and sensory exploration.
EYLF Outcome: 4.1 Children develop a growth mindset and learning dispositions such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity. 5.3 Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media.
VEYLDF Outcome: Learning-Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity. Communication-Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media.
Analysis of Learning: This activity engages children in sensory play that stimulates their visual, tactile, and kinesthetic senses. Driving the cars along the rainbow rice roads allows for imaginative play and develops fine motor skills, while the sorting and scooping of rice enhance cognitive skills through playful learning.
Theorist Link: Froebel’s theory of play emphasizes the importance of creative play and exploration for young children’s learning and development. This sensory invitation supports children's exploration and manipulation of materials, fostering their creativity and understanding of the world.
Extension Ideas:
Introduce storytelling by creating tales about the journey over the rainbow or adventures to find the pots of gold.
Provide materials for children to make their own rainbow or gold coins, integrating art into sensory play.
Expand the play area to include a water play section, where children can wash their treasures or experiment with floating and sinking.
Shamrock Splash
Age: Birth to 3 Years
Materials:
Large water tray or sensory bin
Water dyed green with non-toxic paint or food coloring
Floating shamrock shapes (can be made from foam or waterproof materials)
Gold coins (plastic)
Water scoops and cups
Funnel
Small nets or strainers
Instructions:
Fill the water tray or sensory bin with water and dye it green.
Scatter floating shamrock shapes and gold coins throughout the water.
Provide children with water scoops, cups, funnels, and small nets.
Invite the children to scoop, pour, and catch the shamrocks and coins, exploring the properties of water and objects that float and sink.
Encourage children to use the strainers or nets to 'fish' for shamrocks and coins, enhancing their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
EYLF Outcome: 3.2 Children become strong in their physical learning and wellbeing. 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes.
VEYLDF Outcome: Wellbeing-Children become strong in their social, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Communication-Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes.
Analysis of Learning: Shamrock Splash provides an engaging sensory experience that supports physical development and understanding of scientific concepts like buoyancy. The activity encourages exploration, experimentation, and collaborative play, fostering a sense of curiosity and discovery.
Theorist Link: Jean Piaget’s theory of sensory-motor development emphasizes the importance of sensory experiences in the early years. This water play activity supports sensory exploration and cognitive development as children learn through interaction with their environment.
Extension Ideas:
Introduce a story time that includes tales or information about St. Patrick's Day, focusing on themes of luck and shamrocks.
Provide materials for children to create their own shamrocks or decorate gold coins, integrating art with sensory play.
Extend the activity to include a science experiment that explores sinking and floating, using various objects to see what else might float or sink in the water.
We have learning story pages to document your learning click here...
Lucky Leprechaun Garden
Age: Birth to 3 Years
Materials:
Large sensory bin or tray
Green lentils or split peas (to create 'grass')
Small garden tools (shovels, rakes, watering cans)
Plastic or silk shamrocks
Small pots or cauldrons
Gold coins (plastic)
Small figurines of leprechauns or animals
Green and gold glitter (optional for a magical touch)
Instructions:
Fill the sensory bin or tray with green lentils or split peas to mimic a lush, green garden.
Scatter plastic or silk shamrocks throughout the 'garden' to add to the theme.
Hide gold coins and small pots or cauldrons in the lentils for the children to find.
Introduce small garden tools for the children to dig, plant, and water their garden.
Place small leprechaun or animal figurines around the garden for imaginative play.
Sprinkle some green and gold glitter sparingly for a magical effect.
EYLF Outcome: 2.4 Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment. 4.1 Children develop a growth mindset and learning dispositions such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity.
VEYLDF Outcome: Community-Children become socially responsible and show respect for the environment. Learning-Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity.
Analysis of Learning: The Lucky Leprechaun Garden invites children to explore and learn about nature and the environment in a playful setting. Digging and planting enhance fine motor skills, while searching for hidden treasures fosters problem-solving abilities and persistence.
Theorist Link: Maria Montessori's emphasis on sensory-based learning and real-world applications aligns with this activity, encouraging children to explore, manipulate, and learn from their environment.
Extension Ideas:
Create a story time around leprechauns, gardens, and nature to enrich the thematic learning.
Introduce real plants or seeds for the children to plant and take care of, extending the sensory experience to real-world gardening.
Set up a water play area nearby for children to 'water' their garden, incorporating elements of care and responsibility for living things.
St. Patrick's Day Sparkling Playdough
Age: Birth to 3 Years
Materials:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tablespoons cream of tartar
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups boiling water
Green food coloring
Gold and green glitter
Optional: peppermint essential oil for scent
Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, salt, and cream of tartar.
Add green food coloring to the boiling water until you achieve the desired shade of green. Then add the colored water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients.
Stir until a dough forms. Once cool enough to handle but still warm, knead the dough on a floured surface until smooth.
Sprinkle gold and green glitter onto the dough and knead again to distribute the glitter evenly.
For a sensory boost, add a few drops of peppermint essential oil and knead it into the dough.
Store the playdough in an airtight container to keep it soft and playable.
EYLF Outcome: 3.2 Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing. 5.3 Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media.
VEYLDF Outcome: Wellbeing-Children take increasing responsibility for their own health and physical wellbeing. Communication-Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media.
Analysis of Learning: Making and playing with St. Patrick's Day Sparkling Playdough allows children to explore textures and colors, enhancing their sensory experiences and fine motor skills. The process of kneading and manipulating the dough supports muscle development in the hands and fingers, essential for writing skills.
Theorist Link: Jean Piaget's theory on sensory-motor development highlights the importance of sensory play in understanding the world. This activity encourages children to learn through their senses, promoting cognitive development.
Extension Ideas:
Introduce themed cookie cutters (e.g., shamrocks, pots of gold) for shaping the playdough.
Set up a playdough station with different tools and objects for creating textures and patterns.
Encourage children to create their own St. Patrick's Day stories with the playdough figures they make, fostering imagination and language skills.
Emerald Isle Exploration
Age Range: 3-5 years
Materials:
Large, shallow tray or bin
Green colored rice or pasta
Shamrock cutouts (can be made from green felt or paper)
Small plastic gold coins
Green, orange, and white pompoms
Small tweezers or scoops
Miniature pots or containers
Instructions:
Fill the tray or bin with green colored rice or pasta to represent the Emerald Isle.
Scatter shamrock cutouts, gold coins, and pompoms throughout the rice.
Place miniature pots or containers within the tray for the children to fill with their treasures.
Provide tweezers or scoops for children to practice fine motor skills by picking up and sorting items.
QKLG Outcome: Building positive dispositions towards learning - as children engage in this sensory play, they show curiosity and enthusiasm, which are key dispositions towards learning.
VEYLDF Outcome: Children are confident and involved learners - through this activity, children develop skills in problem-solving, experimentation, and inquiry as they explore and manipulate the different elements within the sensory bin.
Analysis of Learning: Through the Emerald Isle Exploration activity, children enhance their fine motor skills by scooping, grasping, and sorting various objects. This hands-on experience also fosters imagination and creativity as they engage in open-ended play, exploring the textures and colors of the materials.
Extension Ideas:
Storytelling with Props: Use the sensory bin as a backdrop for storytelling. Encourage children to create stories about leprechauns, shamrocks, or adventures on the Emerald Isle, using the items in the bin as props.
Colour Sorting Game: Introduce a color sorting game using the green, orange, and white pompoms. Provide children with colored containers to sort the pompoms into, enhancing their color recognition and sorting skills.
Pot o' Gold Counting Game
Age Range: 3-5 years
Materials:
Small black pots (can be plant pots or plastic cups painted black)
Plastic gold coins or yellow pom-poms
Rainbow-colored paper or fabric strips
Number cards (1-10)
Large, shallow tray or a designated play area
Instructions:
Place the small black pots at one end of the tray or play area.
Across from the pots, lay out the rainbow-colored paper or fabric strips to create a vibrant, inviting space.
Scatter the gold coins or yellow pom-poms around the rainbow.
Place the number cards next to the pots.
Children pick a number card, then count out the corresponding number of gold coins or pom-poms to fill their pot with 'gold'.
QKLG Outcome: Exploring numeracy in personally meaningful ways - Children will engage in counting and number recognition in a playful and relevant context, enhancing their understanding of numeracy through hands-on activity.
VEYLDF Outcome: Children are confident and involved learners - This activity encourages children to use problem-solving skills and engage in inquiry as they count and sort the coins, fostering their development as involved learners.
Analysis of Learning: This sensory and manipulative play also promotes fine motor skill development as children pick up and place the coins or pom-poms into the pots.
Extension Ideas:
Rainbow Color Sorting: Introduce a color sorting component with colored pom-poms or objects, where children can sort items onto the corresponding color on the rainbow, enhancing their color recognition and sorting skills.
Story Creation: Encourage children to create their own stories about finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow, fostering imagination and verbal skills.
We have learning story pages to document your learning click here...
Leprechaun's Letter Hunt
Age Range: 3-5 years
Materials:
Alphabet letters (can be magnetic letters, cards, or printed letters)
Green construction paper or cardstock
Small pots or containers (to serve as "leprechaun pots")
Gold coins (real or plastic) or yellow pom-poms
Optional: Leprechaun hats or decorations to enhance the theme
Instructions:
Cut the green construction paper or cardstock into shamrock shapes and write different letters of the alphabet on them. If you have pre-made alphabet letters, you can skip this step.
Hide the shamrock letters or alphabet letters around the play area, making sure some are in plain sight and others are more hidden.
Place the small pots or containers at one end of the play area, with a few gold coins or yellow pom-poms inside each to attract attention.
Invite the children to go on a "Leprechaun's Letter Hunt" to find as many shamrock letters as they can. Explain that each letter they find will help lead them to the leprechaun's treasure.
Once a child finds a letter, they can exchange it for a gold coin or pom-pom to put in their pot.
QKLG Outcome: Communicating - Exploring and expanding language.
VEYLDF Outcome: COMMUNICATION - Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes.
Analysis of Learning: Through the Leprechaun's Letter Hunt, children develop their language skills by identifying and naming letters. This activity also encourages social interaction as they engage with peers and educators during the hunt.
Extension Ideas:
Word Formation: For older children, challenge them to find letters that can be combined to form simple words, enhancing their literacy skills.
Colour Sorting: Incorporate coloured shamrocks and have children sort the letters by shamrock color, promoting recognition of colours and sorting skills.
St. Patrick's Day Reggio-inspired Shadow Play
Age Range: 3-5 years
Materials:
A bright light source (e.g., a lamp or flashlight)
Translucent green, gold, and rainbow colored materials (such as colored cellophane or acrylic sheets)
St. Patrick's themed shapes (shamrocks, pots of gold, leprechauns) cut out from cardstock
A white sheet or a blank wall
Tape or stands to hold shapes up
Instructions:
Set up the light source to face the white sheet or wall, creating a blank canvas for the shadows.
Use the St. Patrick's themed shapes and translucent materials to create a variety of shadows on the sheet or wall. You can tape the shapes to stands or hold them by hand.
Encourage the children to experiment with the materials, moving them closer or further from the light to see how it changes the size and intensity of the shadows.
Discuss with the children the different colors they see through the materials and how they can overlay them to create new colors or effects.
Guide the children to create a story or scene using the shapes and their shadows, promoting creative storytelling and imagination.
QKLG Outcome: Exploring and expanding language - As children engage in storytelling and describe their shadow scenes, they develop their language skills and vocabulary.
VEYLDF Outcome: Children are effective communicators - This activity supports children's ability to express ideas and make meaning using a range of media, including light and shadows, fostering creativity and communication skills.
Analysis of Learning: This activity engages children in creative play through the manipulation of light and shadows, encouraging them to explore concepts of color, size, and storytelling. It also enhances their language development as they describe and share their shadow creations with peers.
Extension Ideas:
Introduce different textured materials and observe how they affect the shadow's appearance.
Combine this activity with a discussion about the sun, light, and how shadows work, incorporating basic scientific concepts into the play.
Lucky Green Playdough
Age Range: 3-5 years
Materials:
Homemade or store-bought playdough dyed green
Gold coins (plastic or chocolate wrapped in gold foil)
Small plastic shamrocks or shamrock cookie cutters
Rolling pins and other playdough tools
Small pots or containers (to serve as pots of gold)
Instructions:
Provide each child with a portion of green playdough, representing the lush landscapes of Ireland and the iconic green associated with St. Patrick's Day.
Scatter gold coins and plastic shamrocks around the play area for children to find and embed into their playdough creations.
Introduce shamrock cookie cutters and playdough tools for children to shape and decorate their playdough, encouraging creativity and fine motor skill development.
Use small pots or containers for children to collect their gold coins and shamrock treasures, fostering a sense of discovery and achievement.
QKLG Outcome: Building positive dispositions towards learning - This activity encourages exploration, creativity, and imaginative play, enhancing children's learning experience.
VEYLDF Outcome: Children are confident and involved learners - Engaging with the playdough and accessories fosters curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Analysis of Learning: Engaging in the Lucky Green Playdough activity supports children's fine motor skills development and creativity. It also provides a sensory-rich experience that encourages exploration and learning about St. Patrick's Day in an interactive manner.
Extension Ideas:
Introduce a storytelling element by encouraging children to create their own St. Patrick's Day tales with their playdough creations.
Incorporate a simple Irish music background to enrich the cultural experience and stimulate movement and dance.
St. Patrick's Nature Scavenger Hunt
Age Range: 3-5 years
Materials:
Printable scavenger hunt lists with pictures (include items like green leaves, small stones, sticks, and items that could resemble gold or rainbows)
Small bags or baskets for collecting items
Optional: Binoculars or magnifying glasses for exploring
Green ribbons or markers to tie around or mark "special" items
Instructions:
Begin with a brief explanation of St. Patrick's Day and the significance of the color green, gold, and rainbows in this celebration.
Distribute the scavenger hunt lists to the children, explaining the items they need to find.
Guide the children through a designated outdoor area, encouraging them to look closely at their surroundings to find items on their list.
Use the green ribbons or markers to highlight specific items or areas where children might find interesting things related to St. Patrick's Day (e.g., areas where the light may form natural rainbows, spots that are rich in greenery, etc.).
Once the scavenger hunt is complete, gather the children to share their findings, discussing the items and their relevance to St. Patrick's Day.
QKLG Outcome: Building positive relationships - This activity encourages children to work together and support each other during the scavenger hunt, fostering a sense of community and teamwork.
VEYLDF Outcome: Children are connected with and contribute to their world - Engaging with the outdoor environment enhances children's appreciation for nature and encourages them to observe and interact with the world around them.
Analysis of Learning: Participating in the St. Patrick's Nature Scavenger Hunt allows children to explore their environment, promoting curiosity and observational skills. It also provides an opportunity for social interaction and cooperative play, contributing to their social and emotional development.
Extension Ideas:
Create a craft session using the natural items collected to make a St. Patrick's Day collage or artwork.
Incorporate a simple map reading component to the scavenger hunt, introducing basic navigation skills.
Reggio-inspired Rainbow Light Exploration
Age Range: 3-5 years
Materials:
Transparent prisms or large glass crystals
Colored transparent acrylic sheets or colored cellophane
Glass beads or colored transparent stones
A white sheet or large paper
A sunny outdoor space
Instructions:
Set up the white sheet or paper in a sunny area where it can catch the light.
Position the prisms or glass crystals where they will catch the sunlight and refract it onto the white sheet, creating natural rainbow patterns.
Encourage children to experiment with placing the colored acrylic sheets or cellophane in the path of the sunlight, observing how the colors mix and change the appearance of the light and shadows.
Use the glass beads or stones to create small, colorful light spots on the sheet, demonstrating how light can be both reflected and refracted.
Guide the children in exploring the concepts of light, color mixing, and shadow by asking open-ended questions and encouraging them to manipulate the materials to see the different effects they can create.
QKLG Outcome: Exploring and expanding language - As children describe what they see and experiment with, they expand their vocabulary and language skills related to colors, light, and natural phenomena.
VEYLDF Outcome: Children are confident and involved learners - This activity engages children's natural curiosity and encourages them to explore scientific concepts through play, fostering their confidence and involvement in learning.
Analysis of Learning: The Rainbow Light Exploration activity encourages children to explore scientific concepts such as light refraction and color mixing in a hands-on and engaging way. It supports cognitive development through observation and experimentation, and enhances language skills as children articulate their discoveries and observations.
Extension Ideas:
Introduce a story or book about rainbows or light to complement the activity and deepen the learning experience.
Provide drawing materials so children can create their own rainbow art inspired by their observations and experiments.
We have learning story pages to document your learning and printable bunting click here...
St. Patrick's Day Cultural Exploration
AGE RANGE: 5-8 years
MATERIALS:
Green paint
Paper
Scissors
Glue
Images of Irish landscapes, landmarks, and symbols (e.g., shamrocks, leprechauns, the Irish flag)
Books or stories about St. Patrick's Day
Ingredients for making an Irish dish (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS:
Start by introducing St. Patrick's Day to the children, discussing its origins and how it is celebrated in Ireland and around the world.
Show the children images of Ireland, including landscapes, landmarks, and symbols associated with St. Patrick's Day.
Engage the children in a craft activity, such as making shamrocks from green paper or painting a rainbow with a pot of gold at the end.
Read a story or book about St. Patrick's Day, focusing on themes of culture and tradition.
If possible, prepare an Irish dish together, such as soda bread, to give the children a taste of Irish cuisine.
Discuss the importance of celebrating different cultures and traditions.
MTOP: Children and young people become aware of fairness (2.3) - The activity encourages children to respect and acknowledge the significance of cultural celebrations, promoting fairness and inclusivity.
VEYLDF: Children respond to diversity with respect (Community) - This experience enables children to develop an understanding and respect for cultural diversity by exploring the traditions of St. Patrick's Day.
ANALYSIS OF LEARNING: This activity fosters an appreciation for cultural diversity, encouraging children to explore and respect traditions different from their own. Through craft, storytelling, and cooking, children engage in a hands-on exploration of Irish culture. This promotes cognitive skills such as understanding and reflection, and social skills by participating in shared activities that honor diversity. Linking to Vygotsky's social development theory, the activity emphasizes the importance of social interaction in learning, as children share and discuss their work with peers and adults.
THEORIST LINK: Lev Vygotsky's theory is relevant here, emphasizing the role
of social interactions in cognitive development. Vygotsky argued that community plays a central role in the process of making meaning. Through participating in cultural traditions like St. Patrick's Day, children learn and internalize societal norms and values, which in turn fosters their cognitive and social development. By engaging in discussions, storytelling, and collaborative activities, children enhance their communication skills and build a stronger sense of identity within a community that values cultural diversity.
EXTENSION IDEAS:
Global Culture Day: Expand the exploration to other cultures and traditions by dedicating days to learn about different countries, their significant celebrations, foods, and customs.
Cultural Artifact Box: Create a "cultural artifact box" filled with items or symbols from various cultures, including Ireland, for children to explore and learn from.
Family Heritage Project: Encourage children to research and share stories or traditions from their own families' heritage, highlighting the diversity within the classroom or group.
Visit from a Guest Speaker: Invite someone from the Irish community or with a strong connection to Ireland to talk about their experiences, traditions, and the significance of St. Patrick's Day.
Community Service Project: Connect the theme of St. Patrick's Day with a community service project, such as planting trees or a garden, reflecting the green associated with Ireland and fostering a sense of responsibility towards the environment.
St. Patrick's Day Outdoor Treasure Hunt
AGE RANGE: 5-8 years
MATERIALS:
Treasure map templates
Green, gold, and rainbow colored markers
Small boxes or containers (to serve as treasure chests)
Gold coin chocolates or plastic coins
Shamrock stickers and decorations
Various outdoor play equipment (e.g., cones to mark locations)
Fabric pieces or ribbons in green, gold, and rainbow colors
INSTRUCTIONS:
Begin with a storytelling session about the legend of leprechauns and their hidden pots of gold at the end of rainbows.
Provide each child with a treasure map template and markers to decorate their maps with symbols and colors.
Hide the treasure chests filled with gold coin chocolates and shamrock stickers around the outdoor area prior to the activity.
Use the outdoor play equipment and fabric pieces to mark the general areas where treasures are hidden.
Divide the children into teams and give them their decorated maps to start the treasure hunt.
Encourage teamwork and problem-solving as they follow the maps to find the treasures.
Once all treasures are found, gather the children to share their findings and talk about their adventure.
MTOP: Children and young people develop autonomy, interdependence, resilience, and agency (1.2) - This activity promotes teamwork and problem-solving skills, essential for developing autonomy and resilience.
VEYLDF: Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination, and reflexivity (Learning) - The treasure hunt fosters a range of learning dispositions by engaging children in an imaginative and collaborative outdoor activity.
ANALYSIS OF LEARNING: This outdoor treasure hunt integrates physical activity with cognitive challenges, promoting physical well-being, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. Children engage in an imaginative play that enhances their creativity and curiosity about cultural legends, reinforcing their learning dispositions. The activity also fosters a sense of achievement and resilience as children work together to find the treasures, linking to Erik Erikson's theory of industry versus inferiority, highlighting the importance of fostering competence through collaborative endeavors.
THEORIST LINK: Erik Erikson's theory on psychosocial development, particularly the stage of industry versus inferiority, supports the importance of children feeling capable and productive. Through this group activity, children experience a sense of accomplishment and belonging, which is crucial for their social and emotional development.
EXTENSION IDEAS:
Cultural Exploration: Extend the activity by incorporating facts and stories about Ireland and St. Patrick's Day into the treasure clues, making the hunt an educational journey.
Art and Craft Station: Set up an art station where children can create their own We have learning story pages to document your learning click here...
