Build Your Own Shoebox Leprechaun Trap

This shoebox leprechaun trap may be just what you need to get your hands on a pot of gold this Saint Patrick's Day.

Using a shoebox as the base for your trap is a great inexpensive idea. Here you'll find my craft tutorial for this simple project that's perfect for classroom fun or homeschool learning.

Leprechauns get up to all kinds of tricks and pranks in the weeks and days before Saint Patrick's Day. You can join the fun by making your very own trap.

Leprechauns hide their gold at the end of the rainbow, so a pot of gold is a great item for teasing a leprechaun.

This leprechaun trap is a simple idea, and very easy to execute.

You can use it as a basis for your own creative ideas. The sky's the limit. You can decorate your shoe box any way you choose.

Supplies for a Shoebox Leprechaun Trap

Here's all that you'll need to make this trap. At the end of this post you'll find a tutorial that you can print and share with step-by-step photographic instructions.

• Shoebox
• Green cardstock or construction paper
• Straw
• Scissors
• Glue dots or school glue
• Chenille stems in red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple
• 2 large shamrocks (you can purchase these or cut your own)

This list is a basic guideline for supplies. You can use any decorations you have on hand, and let your imagination go to work.

Instructions for a Shoebox Leprechaun Trap

First cut a piece of green paper the size of the shoe box bottom. Glue it in place.

Next cover the outside of the box with green paper and glue the paper in place.

You can choose any color you wish, but since leprechauns are Irish they may really like a green box.

Next it's time to decorate the outside of your shoebox trap.

Rainbow colored chenille straws or pipe cleaners are great for adding a rainbow touch.

Glue the chenille straws in place in the order of the colors of a rainbow.

Next you can fill your shoebox with anything you think your leprechaun might be searching for.

Green glittery items like shamrocks work great, and of course, don't forget to add some gold coins. Leprechauns are always searching for more gold.

Fill a little black pot with golden coins.

Foil covered chocolate coins work great for this project.

Glistening gold is what leprechauns search for, especially coming up to Saint Patrick's Day.

Now is the time to prop open your shoebox trap with a straw.

If you wish you can glue a piece of string between the pot of gold and the straw.

When your leprechaun takes a piece of gold he'll trap himself inside.

I hope you have some fun creating your very own trap for those wily leprechauns this Saint Patricks Day.

These activities are a wonderful way to create a little excitement at school, all the while learning about Irish myths and legend.

You can save and share this tutorial for a shoebox leprechaun trap craft right here.

Happy crafting as you celebrate Irish heritage in the run up to Saint Patrick's Day.