A leprechaun bookmark to note your page - how's that for a little bit of Irish fun? Today, I have a super simple paper cut-out craft to share, to help little one's celebrate their Irish heritage and to get ready for Saint Patrick's Day.
February is always a busy time in this neck of the internet woods, with Saint Patrick's Day just around the corner.

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An Irish Craft To Gift and Share
Since we love to make things with an Irish twist, I thought this leprechaun book mark would be a great craft to share.
Plus at the end of the post, you’ll find a free printable template to help cut out the shapes required to assemble this little guy with helpful hands. He marks the page when you slide it under his arms.

The shapes used are pretty simple. Remember to use a safety scissors when little ones are cutting.
I’ve also created a free printable tutorial sheet with step-by-step photo instructions. This is very helpful if you would like to use this activity for home schooling or to teach children how to follow instructions.
Teachers are welcome to use these sheets as a resource in the classroom.

Supplies for a Paper Leprechaun Bookmark
Anyway, let’s get to it and make a leprechaun book mark.
The supplies you need are easily available.
- Card stock in green, orange, pink, yellow and black.
- A pencil
- Glue or glue stick
- Scissors
- Sharpie

Cut Out the Shapes
The first step is to cut out all the pieces using the template.
You’ll find a link for a PDF file at the bottom which you are welcome to print out. This will help you create guidelines for each shape.
Cut out the shapes, then place them on the card paper. Use the colors indicated for each piece. Trace the shapes onto the card stock with a pencil, then cut them out.
The shapes are not too difficult. Circles and an arch shape for the body, a few squares and rectangles for arms. The most difficult shapes are the hands, and little ones may need help with cutting these since they’re so small.
This task is a great way to practice scissor skills.

Glue the Head and Beard, Plus the Arms and Hands
Next it’s time to break out the glue.
Glue the pink circle to the top of the larger orange circle. The lower visible orange piece forms our leprechaun’s beard.
Next, glue the hands to the bottom of the two arm pieces.

Attach the Leprechaun's Head
The leprechaun’s head should be glued to the arched end of the green body piece.
Place it so there is a little bit of the top body arch visible – this will give the impression of shoulders.

Glue the Arms in Place
Now it’s time to place the arms. Remember, these are the key to your bookmark, and the way your leprechaun will help you mark your page.
DO NOT dab glue all along the back of the arms.
You just need a dot at the shoulder to secure the arms. The leprechaun’s hands must remain unattached.
Attach the arms about one third way down and leave a flap at the top.

Make sure you point the arms toward the center of the leprechaun’s body, with the thumbs on the inside. Fold the excess arm piece to the rear and glue it in place. This helps reinforce this crucial piece of the bookmark.
Your little Irish rogue should be taking shape and looking more like a leprechaun which each stroke of the glue stick.

Create the Leprechaun's Face
Now it’s time to break out the sharpie and get artistic.
Add two eyebrow arches and a mouth.
You can add a few cheeky dots in pink if you wish.
Also, glue the nose in place. A slightly different shade of pink to the face hue, looks great.
And remember, you can create leprechauns with brown card, tan or any color you wish for the face.

Assemble the Leprechaun's Hat
To piece the hat together, take the larger yellow square and glue the smaller black square over it right in the center. This creates a buckle.
Next glue the long black stripe in place just above the wider hat rim. Attach the buckle to the center of the black strip on the hat. Or you can place the buckle to one side if you wish. There are no rules. This is your creation.
You can get creative with his hat. It can be black if you wish, with a green belt, or any color you wish.
This craft can also be used to create a gnome book mark by switching up the colors.

And there you have it. A DIY leprechaun book mark, ready to get to work for you, marking your pages.
Printable Template and Tutorial Sheets
Here you’ll find the template you need to help cut out all the shapes you need to make this little Irish man.
You'll find the links through the photos below. You’ll be taken to a PDF file for printing.

The sheets below include step-by-step photographic instructions for this make at home craft.
“Handmade with Love” is the title I give to these old fashioned activities with an Irish twist.

There are two pages in this activity file. Simply click either image and you’ll open up the printable in a new tab.

I hope this craft will be helpful for teachers and homeschooling parents, who might be looking for an easy activity for little ones to practice cutting and gluing skills.
I think this cheeky little fellow is ever so cute, and will plenty of enjoyment to our budding artists.

Happy crafting this Saint Patrick’s Day. You can check out all my leprechaun tricks and pranks if you need a little inspiration for Irish fun and games this year.
Thanks as always for stopping by to check out my recipes and ramblings, with a few crafts thrown in along the way, and of course, all inspired by Ireland.
Here are some other free activity sheets and activities which you might find helpful.
Rainbow Themed Preschool Worksheets
Symbols of Ireland Preschool Activity Sheets
Thanks for following my recipes and ramblings.

Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
- Word Search Fun for Saint Patrick's Day.
- How to Study Abroad in Ireland
- The Irish Rainbow Pot of Gold Legend Plus A Cute Paper Craft
- If I Was A Leprechaun Writing Pack For Kids
- Halloween Counting Sheets For Spooky Learning Fun
- Symbols of Ireland Preschool Activity Worksheets
- Irish Themed Color By Number Pages
- Free Printable Saint Patrick's Day Coloring Pages
Anita Carol Gambrell
Yes! I so ready for Valentines Day & St Patrick’s Day!
Irish American Mom
Hi Anita - A little bit of cheerfulness and holiday vibes are definitely in tall order these days. Thanks for checking out this leprechaun craft.
All the best,
Mairéad