UNTIL RECENTLY, I didn’t realize trapping mischievous leprechauns on St. Patrick’s Day was a thing. But apparently it has been and this grandma needs to catch up with that trend.
On Saturday, my eldest daughter texted a photo of the leprechaun trap my grandchildren, Izzy and Isaac, created from Magna-Tiles, an empty tissue box, a plastic pot and something else I may have missed. They drew fake coins on paper to decorate the tiles, put fake coins in the pot and were good to go. Isaac is expecting the leprechaun to give them gold. Good luck with that one, grandson.
All of this leprechaun talk got me thinking about Lucky Charms cereal. So I hit the cereal aisle of a local grocery store. There it was. On sale. Lucky me. Buy three 26.1-ounce General Mills Lucky Charms Giant Size boxes for $14.97, a savings of $2. All I could think was, “I’m sure glad I don’t have to buy cereal for kids.”
I looked at the boxes and, to my surprise, found all the trappings of constructing a leprechaun trap on the back of the large size box. I also found information about the magic held within each mini marshmallow shape. I noted that the shapes have changed since I was a kid. No unicorns back in the 1960s. Shapes have been updated, too. I wonder if the marshmallows taste the same. Chalky. Not all that good in my opinion, but none-the-less magical.
Leprechauns are, after all, magical, sans the name “Lucky” for the Lucky Charms cereal rep. I learned more about these two-foot tall men from the book, Leprechauns in the “Curious About” series by Mankato, Minnesota-based publisher Amicus Publishing. It was a quick read with charming illustrations and photos.
The book confirmed that leprechauns are, indeed, shoemakers, mischief makers and introverts who prefer to avoid human contact. And, yes, they are wealthy, preferring gold to 401Ks; wear green, including their signature hats; and hail from Ireland.
So my suggestion to any would-be leprechaun trappers: Book a flight to the Emerald Isle. Or buy some Lucky Charms cereal to bait your traps.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone!
© Copyright 2024 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
welcome aboard the leprechaun train! this is a tradition that kids love, we usually do it at school, but also with the grannies at home when they were little, any way you celebrate, the kids will be thrilled. one prank the leprechauns sometimes do, when they want to kick it up a notch, is that they somehow turn the toilet water green! this is a source of great squeals of delight and they sometimes keep doing it during a day or a one time only event. I always remind the children that they are the st. Patrick’s fairies and not scary, just real mischief makers. leprechauns have a very important job in the fairy world, they are cobblers, and make all the shoes for the fairies, including the shoes that help them to fly and dance. so happy for you all. p.s. I agree that lucky charms do not taste the same as they used to
Thanks for schooling me in all things leprechaun. I figured you celebrated. I’ll have to mention the green toilet bowl water to my daughter.
They will kick it up a notch for next year 🍀
We shall see.
What joy to read this posting today. I have such fond memories making leperchaun traps in the classroom. We even had contests and it always amazed with children’s creative talents and sincerity these traps would work. . Just to let you know we have found Lucky Charms cereal was the best bait to use.
Wishing you the joy the day.
Thanks for sharing about your school day leprechaun trapping. I’m sure the kids loved it. Joy to you also, Sue!
lucky it all was successful
I bet most kids are successful in trapping leprechauns or in finding a bit of “gold.”
yes indeed as parental support really moves the projects along
That’s key, parental enthusiasm for trapping leprechauns. 🙂
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you.
We’re going to get a shamrock shake and check out St. Patrick’s church. 😉
That sounded like a wonderful way to spend the day. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on St. Patrick.
Happy St. Patty’s day! Love your grandbabies creative trap. 🍀
A belated St. Patrick’s Day to you also, Rose. My “grandbabies” are nearly eight and five, growing up way too quickly.
Inquiring minds want to know if the trap was successful. :-)
Yes, yes, yes! They caught a leprechaun and found two quarters in the pot.
Lucky them!
Not quite a pot of gold, but money none-the-less. 🙂
There is nothing better than MAGIC! I hope to never out grow the need for magic either. There is just something about anticipating, believing, wishing, etc. to hold onto as well as look forward too. To see kids in action and play as well as adults getting into the spirit. All FUN!!! Happy Day – Enjoy
You have such a playful spirit, such a joyful attitude. About everything. I love that about you.
I giggled when I read about the Leprechaun. My daughter never did this with her kids, or should I say her kids never did this. But last night I received a photo from my son with 2 traps built by Scar and Lew, I have yet to here if they caught the little guy 🙂
So fun to hear that Scar and Lew set a leprechaun trap.