Make a trap door in it. Or prop it up with a dowel that you glue to it. [1] X Research source In addition to a shoebox, you could use anything small, such as a clean can, a paper towel roll, a bag, a net, or an old shoe. You could also put honey inside the trap so the leprechaun will get stuck inside the trap. Cut a hole in the top of the shoebox, and cover it with a small piece of felt. You will place your bait on top of the felt. When the leprechaun snatches it, the leprechaun will fall down the hole and into the box.
Put two holes in either side of the cylinder at the top and put a toothpick or other small stick through each end. Tape a perfect circle you make out of construction paper to the skewer. This will make a swinging trap door.
You could also paint it gold. Sprinkle it with glitter and other shiny decorations that will appeal to a leprechaun. Some people paint their leprechaun traps green in honor of the leprechauns’ native Ireland. Decorate the trap with Irish symbols the leprechaun will like. Four-leaf clovers and rainbows may attract the leprechaun.
Try an earring. Gold coins are said to make good bait for leprechauns. You can buy gold foil covered chocolate coins at candy stores. As for food and drink, leprechauns like whiskey and dandelion tea. They live in the wild, so they eat nuts and mushrooms. [2] X Research source Put the box in a corner and wait for the leprechaun to take the bait. Time your trap right. Folklore holds that leprechauns are very active the night before St. Patrick’s Day (March 17). Go looking for secluded spots around the yard. Leprechauns like to use rocky places, caves, holes and other hidden areas to live and make their shoes.
A trail of green or gold glitter may be spotted leading into and out of the trap. Perhaps a leprechaun would leave a trail of Lucky Charms cereal if you really want to get creative. [3] X Research source The leprechaun might turn a nearby cup of milk green with green food coloring or leave tiny footprints around. [4] X Research source A leprechaun is no taller than 2 feet (0. 6 m) 6 inches (75cm),[5] X Research source so his feet are smaller than most human footprints.
Give 3 to 5 kids a gold coin and a gold sash. Tell them they are the leprechauns. Name the other students “the Shamrocks. ” Play tag, and when a leprechaun is tagged, he or she must give up the gold coin. Whoever gets the most gold coins wins. Play again with new leprechauns to give everyone a chance to win.
Have your children follow the footprints to the next clue. Leave a leprechaun item, like a pipe, small hat, coin, rainbow or shoe at each station. Place riddles at each station that they have to solve before moving on. Make a pot of gold filled with chocolate coins at the end as the treasure. Leave a note from the leprechaun teasing the kids to catch him next year.
For example, there was a man named Seamus from County Mayo who wanted to be the richest man on a tropical island. But he found himself alone on the island and ended up using his third wish to return to Ireland. Leprechauns will trick you by twisting the mind. They are smart and will try to confuse you into making the wrong wishes. Don’t trust them because they are devious.
Leprechauns are connected to gold. It’s believed they watch the golden treasure left by Danish people who invaded Ireland more than 1,000 years ago. So if you catch one, according to legend, the leprechaun will have to tell you where the gold is hidden because he is compelled to tell the truth by fairy law. Look the leprechaun in the eye. According to Irish folklore, fairy law holds that Leprechauns must also be courteous. But if you look away from it, the leprechaun is freed from these rules and likely to vanish.
Leprechauns are male. They are said to be friends of the robin. They like to drink alcohol, which is one reason some leprechauns are evil. But they are generally harmless, if a bit mischievous. There is nothing to fear. They are old-fashioned and a bit shabby. They don’t like conformity so if you catch one it will probably have something like a green jacket and red pants. They wear tall hats and have shoes with big buckles on them.
A large 600-year-old oak tree grows in this meadow and legend holds that leprechauns saved the oak from the English Tudors. You can see this grove online, where a fairy watch webcam is trained on it at all times. [11] X Research source
They love music and might be heard playing the fiddle or the Irish harp, especially at night. The other sound they make is a “tap, tap” sound that occurs when they are working on shoes.
Leinster leprechauns like honey and aren’t dressed too flamboyantly. The Ulster leprechauns are poets and healers. They wear pointed shoes. The Munster leprechaun has legendary drinking habits. The Meath leprechaun is known for his diplomacy. He is also known for his chattiness. [12] X Research source The Connaught leprechaun is serious and industrious. They are the most secretive. There is a small leprechaun garden in Portland, Oregon in the United States. [13] X Research source
