St Patrick’s Day Books for Kids (Preschool & Elementary)

Every March, I like to swap out our usual bedtime reads for a few holiday-themed stories, and St Patrick’s Day books for kids are always a hit in our house.

Some are silly (anything with a leprechaun gets instant laughs), while others quietly teach a bit of Irish history without feeling like a lesson.

I’ve picked these based on what actually kept my son engaged, not just what looks cute on the shelves.

Whether you’re reading with a preschooler, planning a classroom storytime, or just want something festive for the week, this list includes books that kids genuinely enjoy coming back to.

Collage of St Patrick’s Day children’s books including Peppa Pig, Pete the Cat, Berenstain Bears, and leprechaun stories

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Favorite St Patrick’s Day Reads for Different Ages

Most of these lean toward silly leprechaun stories, with a few calmer books mixed in that explain Irish traditions without turning it into a lesson.

Some work best for toddlers who like short board books, others are better once kids can sit through a longer picture book. I usually just pick what fits their mood that week.

These are the ones that actually get reread, not the kind that disappear after one night.

If you want a quick add-on activity, the St Patrick’s Day bookmarks to color pair nicely with storytime.

How to Catch a Leprechaun

This is the one we reach for when kids want something silly but still a bit interactive. The rhymes move quickly, and the trap ideas are simple enough that kids can actually copy them. After reading it, my son usually wanted to sketch his own leprechaun traps or build one with whatever was lying around. It works especially well if you want a story that leads naturally into an activity.

Liam the Leprechaun Loves to Fart

There’s no subtlety here, it’s bathroom humor from start to finish. If your child finds fart jokes hilarious, this will land immediately. My son laughed the whole way through, and on days when we just wanted a goofy story with no lesson attached, that was enough. It’s not for everyone, but it knows exactly what it is.

When you have finished reading this use our free if I were a leprechaun writing activity.

The Berenstain Bears’ St. Patrick’s Day

This is a comfortable, familiar pick for younger kids who already know the Berenstain Bears. It explains St. Patrick’s Day traditions in a simple way without turning it into a history lesson. I found it worked best for preschoolers who like gentle stories and recognizable characters.

Patrick: Patron Saint of Ireland

This is a more informative pick and works best for slightly older kids who enjoy real stories. It’s great if you want to go beyond leprechauns and talk about who St Patrick actually was. I’d use this one during homeschool or classroom lessons rather than bedtime reading.

The Night Before St. Patrick’s Day

If your kids like The Night Before style books, this will feel familiar. The rhyme keeps them engaged, and the leprechaun trap storyline makes it interactive. It’s a fun lead-in if you’re planning a trap activity or themed day.

Peppa Pig: Peppa Loves St. Patrick’s Day

If you’ve got a Peppa fan, this one’s an easy win. It sticks to the familiar format kids already love, which makes it comforting and predictable in a good way. This worked well for us when my son was younger and wanted something short he could mostly “read” along with.

Pete the Cat: The Great Leprechaun Chase:

Pete the Cat books are always reliable for early elementary, and this one keeps that same laid-back vibe. I like it for kids who enjoy adventure stories without anything too intense. The teamwork angle is subtle but a nice bonus.

Ninja Life Hacks St. Patrick’s Day Race

This one is good if your child likes books with a message built in. The race storyline keeps it moving, but the bigger focus is on perseverance and handling challenges. It’s a nice option for classrooms or homeschool when you want something with a gentle life lesson.

A Fine St. Patrick’s Day

This is more of a story about community than the holiday itself, which I actually liked. It opens up conversations about cooperation and compromise in a way kids can understand. Better for kindergarten and up, especially if you’re working on social skills.

Celebrating St. Patrick’s Day

This feels more like a mini activity book than a story. It’s useful if you want background info plus hands-on ideas in one place. I’d use this alongside other lessons rather than as a standalone read-aloud.

How to Trap a Leprechaun

This is a fun follow-up if your kids enjoyed any of the leprechaun trap stories. What I like about this one is how it encourages creativity, kids naturally start brainstorming their own trap ideas afterward. It works well as a read-aloud and pairs nicely with a simple craft or building activity.

St. Patrick’s Day

This is a straightforward option if you want facts without too much fluff. It covers the basics clearly, which makes it useful for elementary students who are curious about the history and symbols behind the holiday. I’d use this more for learning time than bedtime.

You will also enjoy our free history of St Patrick's Day printables.

The Secret Life Of Leprechauns

This one feels gentle and imaginative, perfect for younger kids. The idea of seeing what leprechauns do when humans aren’t watching really captured my son’s attention. It’s short, sweet, and works well for preschool storytime.

Fiona’s Luck

This is one of the stronger story-driven picks on the list. Fiona is a great character, and kids tend to root for her as she outsmarts the leprechauns. I like this one for early elementary because it has a clear plot and a nice message about fairness.

The Kids Laugh Challenge – Would You Rather? St Patrick’s Day Edition

This is less of a book and more of a conversation starter. It’s great for road trips, morning time, or just filling a few spare minutes. My son always loved debating the answers, which made it surprisingly engaging.

The Dinosaurs St. Patrick’s Day

If your child loves dinosaurs, this is an easy way to pull them into a holiday theme. The storyline is simple, but that’s what makes it work for younger kids. It’s one we’d reach for when attention spans were short.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Curious George

The tabbed format makes this great for toddlers who like interactive books. Curious George fans will enjoy spotting him in each scene, and it works well as a quick read before nap or bedtime.

The 12 Days of St. Patrick’s Day

This one follows the familiar song structure, which makes it fun to read aloud. It’s a bit longer, so I’d save it for kids who can sit through a full story. We liked using it as a group read.

Lucky the Farting Leprechaun

Another silly pick for kids who love bathroom humor. It’s not for everyone, but if your child finds this stuff hilarious, this will definitely get laughs. Good for breaking up more serious reads.

There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover!

If you already know the “Old Lady” series, you know what to expect. The repetition works well for younger kids, and they’ll start predicting what comes next. A solid choice for preschool.

Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato

This is more of a traditional folktale, so it feels different from the silly leprechaun stories. I like it for older kids who can follow a longer plot. It opens up easy conversations about effort, sharing, and consequences.

That’s What Leprechauns Do

This one leans into playful mischief, which makes it fun for kids who enjoy slightly cheeky characters. It’s lighthearted and easy to read aloud. Better for entertainment than learning, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

Tim O’Toole and the Wee Folk (Picture Puffins)

A classic wish-gone-wrong story that works well for early elementary. Kids usually enjoy guessing what they’d wish for instead. It’s a nice way to sneak in a lesson about thinking before you act.

Finnigan’s Leprechaun Luck

This one feels more like an adventure story than a holiday gimmick. Finnigan’s journey keeps kids engaged, and it has a nice balance of humor and heart. I’d recommend it for kids who enjoy stories with a clear beginning, middle, and end.

Green Shamrocks

A quieter, gentler book compared to the others. It’s sweet and works well for preschoolers, especially if you want something calm before bedtime. The gardening theme is a nice bonus for kids who like nature.

St Patrick’s Day Activities to Try After Reading

If you want to extend storytime without adding prep, these quick activities work well as follow-ups:

St Patrick’s Day bingo – good for small groups or classroom centers
Saint Patrick’s Day coloring sheets – calm transition after a read-aloud
St Patrick’s Day scavenger hunt – gets kids moving while staying on theme
St Patrick’s Day word scramble – light literacy practice
St Patrick’s Day printable placemats – easy table activity for lunch or snack time

Last Updated on 10 February 2026 by Clare Brown

St Patrick’s Day Books for Kids (Preschool & Elementary)

Favorite St Patrick’s Day Reads for Different Ages

St Patrick’s Day Activities to Try After Reading

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