by Carrie Hulce

Created on: March 20, 2007   Last Updated: April 12, 2007

Does sibling rivalry run deep in your home? Time to pull out a new/old favorite. Leprechaun Traps, in most schools today, the elementary children get to have fun with their teachers trying to create the best trap possible. Why not expand on this idea at home.

First off gather up some items that you don't mind the kids using for their traps, boxes, storage containers, sticks, string, cloth, what ever you might have stashed around your home that will come in handy for your children.

Some additional supplies that you will need for this contest, either some gold paint, paint brushes and some rocks or even some plastic gold coins (these can be found at party supply stores) You are now probably wondering what the gold coins are for or rather the gold paint and rocks. Leprechauns love gold, we have to have something to tempt them into the traps.

After you have gotten all the supplies together, you might want to set up some basic rules of the game. For example, the children are not allowed to see what kind of trap their siblings have created until you call times up.

The fun begins for the parents at bed time. Let the kids know that the Leprechauns won't be around until after they are asleep, thus, giving you ample time to be sneaky.

Grab those small stuffed animals to throw into the trap with a few candy treats, don't forget to take the gold. That way the kiddos will think that the Leprechauns ran off with their gold. After setting off the trap, you can add to this, mess up the kids' rooms a bit. Or use some washable green paint, create little foot prints around the room. There are a couple of paint manufacturers out there that work great.

Another twist that you can add to this, make the kids work together to create a trap, have them put the trap in the living room or some other place where all of the family may walk through.

My kids always loved to battle each other for the best trap, but in the end they all won because they would get a special candy treat.

Learn more about this author, Carrie Hulce.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.