Shamrock Place Setting

Shamrocks bring families the luck of the Irish on St. Patrick's Day or any day. Serve shepherd's pie and other Irish delicacies with this festive table setting!

1. Find out about the history of the shamrock. Why is it so important to the Irish people? Use these plant leaves as a theme to make placemats and napkin rings.

2. Placemat: Mark a sheet of green construction paper into 6 matching blocks using a straight edge and Crayola® Colored Pencils.

3. Using Crayola Scissors, cut out three white construction paper rectangles that are the same size as the six green blocks. With Crayola Glue Sticks attach the white pieces onto the green paper to create an alternating green and white pattern.

4. On white construction paper, draw a shamrock to fit into one of your blocks. Cut it out and use it as a pattern to trace and cut out six more shamrocks.

5. Use your imagination to design unique patterns for each of the seven shamrocks with your colored pencils. Use traditional Irish sayings or other symbols of Ireland, for example.

6. Glue six of your finished shamrocks onto the placemat blocks. If you prefer, ask an adult to help cover the placemat with clear plastic adhesive so it can be wiped clean after use.

7. Napkin holder: Cut a piece of recycled cardboard gift-wrap tube as tall as your finger. Decorate your napkin ring with Crayola Washable Markers. Glue the seventh shamrock to the front. Put a Hallmark napkin and utensils inside.

Adult supervision is required for any arts & crafts project.

Recycled Cardboard Tubes—Use paper towel tubes, gift-wrap tubes, or long cardboard tubes that can be cut to any length. Health professionals caution against using recycled toilet paper tubes for arts & crafts projects because of the potential fecal contamination.

Scissors—ATTENTION: The cutting edges of scissors are sharp and care should be taken whenever cutting or handling. Blunt-tip scissors should be used only by children 4 years and older. Pointed-tip scissors should be used only by children 6 years and older.

Bonnie Bagpipes

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Crafts

crayola supplies

• Colored Pencils
• Markers
• Glue Sticks
• Blunt-Tip Scissors

household supplies

• recycled cardboard roll from Hallmark gift wrap
• construction paper (dark and white)
• clear plastic adhesive (such as Con-Tact® paper) (optional)

"My children made a set for their Irish grandparents, complete with Gaelic names. My folks know their heritage lives on!"
Bonnie O., parent of ages 8 and 10.

"We turned these sideways to create wall hangings. Kids are really curious about Ireland's folklore and music."
Mike C., after-school club volunteer.

Do you know that there is no such thing as a shamrock plant? The word shamrock comes from the Irish word seamrog, meaning little clover. In Ireland, the plant most often referred to as shamrock is the white clover.