By Lauren Schiavone
Hometown Weekly Staff
Children gathered after school at the Pfaff center for “Leprechaun Magic.” The tradition involves crafting, playing, and trying to catch a leprechaun for Saint Patrick’s Day. Instructor Miss Ana led children through leprechaun lore in honor of the holiday. Having a little fun with the tale, the research lent itself to an afternoon full of St. Paddy’s tricks.
“We try to bring the magic of leprechauns by wearing green and playing games. We set up a leprechaun trap in hopes that they visit. We have prizes for the kids.” Miss Ana explained the magical time. She let the children know that the best way to trick a leprechaun is by disguising a trap as a green leprechaun hat. Kids soon went to work and turned green foam cylinders into colorful, eye-catching hats. Complete with gold coins, shiny shamrocks, and “free gold” signs, what leprechaun could resist? Incorporating more silly schemes Miss Ana creatively rebranded skittles as rainbow seeds. Kids taste-tested them and surmised which ones they’d enjoy the most.
Taking a break from crafting, the kids then played a game. The objective involved kids sneaking past leprechauns and taking only one piece of gold from under their hats. Running and tagging allowed kids to get their energy out and soon refocus on their crafts and coloring pages. When asked how many leprechauns they were going to catch, answers ranged from two to 101. Children were determined to craft the perfect leprechaun trap. One girl surmised with the weather, “I think leprechauns ski!” Guesses regarding where the tricksters might show up was half the fun. Kids brought their leprechaun traps, and a couple of rainbow seeds, home after the event wrapped up. “Leprechaun Magic” was a proven hit once again!
