Mid-March can be quite cold in many parts of the country, so bundle up and bring blankets under which to sit. It doesn’t hurt to bring a Thermos of hot cocoa, either (consider flavoring it with a minty syrup). Shamrock shakes and green smoothies are more options for green, kid-friendly beverages to enjoy! Encourage your child to entice the leprechaun with gold (rocks painted yellow?) and leave a trail of glitter or shamrocks to prove that the magical little man came by. You can make basic boxed cake and dye the frosting green, or take it to the next level by making green cake pops. Since rainbows play a role in St. Patrick’s Day, how about making some rainbow candies? We’ve got recipes for marshmallow clouds, rainbow fudge, and rainbow cookies. Other green desserts to consider: sweet green popcorn, pistachio cake, shamrock pretzels, and mint chocolate bark. And just so you know… authentic Irish desserts aren’t nearly as sweet—or as green—as the treats we tend to indulge in in America. Some of our favorite recipes for St. Patrick’s Day include an Irish stew and a potato and cabbage dish called colcannon. Set the mood by playing some Irish music in the background. One suggestion is A Fine St. Patrick’s Day by Susan Wojciechowski. It’s a charming tale with a 6-year-old heroine, and it teaches a good lesson in the end.
