St. Patrick’s Day is known as an Irish holiday celebrated on March 17th annually. The iconic shamrock is the symbol of the lucky day and we are here to show you how to create a shamrock out of paper. It’s surprisingly easy and cheap! This is such a fine motor activity/spring kid’s craft, suitable for toddlers, preschoolers, kindergarteners, and even older kids. It is a wonderful homeschool, daycare, and kid spring activity that involves minimal supplies that many can afford. I easy and cheap dollar store, paper crafts like these.
To make my easy St. Patrick’s day preschool craft, you’ll need two different shades of green cardstock, scissors, a ruler, hot glue and a hot glue gun, and string or jute twine. It doesn’t take too much talent and if you can fold paper, then you can easily make this spring craft.
Shamrock History
St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, has gained a lot of popularity in the United States and the three-leaf clover, a type of trefoil plant, has been considered the unofficial flower of Ireland for centuries as shamrocks grow wild all over the beautiful green country. According to Time’s article, Irish legend says that Saint Patrick used the shamrock as an educational symbol to explain the Holy Trinity to nonbelievers as he converted the Irish to Christianity in the fourth century. In case you’re wondering if a shamrock has three of four leaves, there’s your answer! The trinity indicates three leaves. A four-leaf clover is a rare gem and if you are fortunate enough to find one, you should consider yourself quite lucky!
This folklore solidified in the public conscience in the centuries following St. Patrick’s death, which is presumed to have occurred on March 17. Around the 17th century, Mike Cronin, a historian, professor, and academic director of Boston College’s program in Dublin, reported that the shamrock’s importance began to converge with the religious celebration of the saint’s feast day: Those living in poverty still wanted to look nice at church, and luckily for them, an appropriate adornment was growing on the ground outside their homes. Eventually, the tradition of sporting a shamrock continued to catch on.
Moreover, Irish botanist and cleric Caleb Threlkeld wrote a treatise on Ireland’s native plants in 1726 that described the shamrock as the country’s national symbol, and explained its significance in the holiday. Threlkeld wrote: “This Plant is worn by the People in their Hats upon the 17. Day of March yearly, (which is called St. Patrick’s Day).” Further, he explained that, “It being a Current Tradition, that by this Three Leafed Grass, he emblematically set forth to them the Mystery of the Holy Trinity.” (The author continues to describe the “debauchery” and “excess in liquor” that was partaken in on that sacred day.)
My Roots
I’ve never been to Ireland, but I have Irish roots and both my parents are about half Irish, making me about half Irish. In fact, I did an ancestry test and most of my heritage comes from northern Europe and Ireland. Ireland looks absolutely beautiful and green, with large rock cliffs, and gorgeous countrysides. One day, I’ll have to go explore my roots by traveling over there. For now, I’ll wear green on March 17 and make as many shamrock crafts as I possibly can!
How to make the easiest Folded Paper Shamrock
STEP 1: Cut four 1.5-inch x 12-inch strips of green cardstock. One strip will be the stem.
STEP 2: Use scissors to cut three 1.5-inch x 8-inch strips of the other green cardstock. These will be the smaller inner pieces of each shamrock leaf.
STEP 3: Fold the three longer and three inner pieces in half. Use your fingers to fold the ends together, forming a heart shape. Place hot glue where the two ends meet and be very careful not to burn your fingers. If your hot glue gun uses a low and high setting, use the low setting as it’s just paper. You can also use school glue if you’re making these with kids, or in a classroom setting. Refer to the post for photo references.
STEP 4: Once all the pieces are glued together to form heart shapes, glue the smaller inner pieces to the inside of the larger outer pieces as shown in the post.
STEP 5: Bend the top of the stem, about 3 inches from the top so that the top shamrock leaf can easily rest on top. Glue the other two leaves upside down, directly touching the bottom of the top leaf. Use string, green yarn, or jute twine to hang the paper shamrock, or leave as is.
STEP 6: If you make this craft, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
More spring crafts you’ll love!
Leprechaun Kid – Easy St. Patrick’s Day Craft
Rainbow Pot O’ Gold—Easy St. Patrick’s Day Kid’s Craft
Easy Toddler and Kid Easter Crafts
Final Thoughts
Finally, if you make this Folded Paper Shamrock craft, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this craft a rating! I love to hear from everyone who makes this craft and always try my best to respond to all comments.
If you do make this paper shamrock craft, don’t forget to tag #elisemccollister on Instagram! It makes me so happy to see your craft photos!
Folded Paper Shamrock
Equipment
Materials
Instructions
- Cut four 1.5-inch x 12-inch strips of green cardstock. One strip will be the stem.
- Cut three 1.5-inch x 8-inch strips of the other green-shaded cardstock. These will be the smaller inner pieces of each shamrock leaf.
- Fold the three longer and three inner pieces in half. Use your fingers to fold the ends together, forming a heart shape. Place hot glue where the two ends meet and be very careful not to burn your fingers. If your hot glue gun uses a low and high setting, use the low setting as it’s just paper. You can also use school glue if you’re making these with kids, or in a classroom setting. Refer to the post for photo references.
- Once all the pieces are glued together to form heart shapes, glue the smaller inner pieces to the inside of the larger outer pieces as shown in the post.
- Bend the top of the stem, about 3 inches from the top so that the top shamrock leaf can easily rest on top. Glue the other two leaves upside down, directly touching the bottom of the top leaf. Use string, green yarn, or twine to hang the paper shamrock, or leave as is.
- If you make this, don’t forget to leave a rating and comment!
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