Editor's Note: I'm excited to introduce Genny Upton, a former teacher and mom to two preschoolers in Cary. Her In Lieu of Preschool blog is a great resource for activities and more for preschoolers. She'll offer crafts here on Go Ask Mom about once a month. Take it away Genny!

The three-leafed shamrock is the traditional symbol worn on St. Patrick’s Day.

Teach your child about shamrocks and the holiday by getting creative with these three simple crafts that use materials you probably have on hand!

Heart Shamrocks

Materials:

• green paper
• paper for display
• child-safe scissors
• glue stick

Directions:

Cut three hearts out of green paper. To see a Montessori-inspired way to have your child cut out the hearts, see this post. My 4-year-old son LOVES this activity because he’s able to draw and cut the hearts out entirely on his own!

Use a glue stick to attach the hearts to a separate piece of paper. The points of the hearts should all touch in the center so that the total shape resembles a shamrock.

Cut a stem for the shamrock from a piece of the scrap green paper. Glue it onto the bottom of the shamrock. I drew a stem for my son to cut out.

Handprint Shamrocks

Materials:

• washable green paint
• foam paint brush (optional)
• paper

Directions:

Paint the child’s palm with washable green paint. I use a foam brush. Position the child’s hand onto the paper and press down. Try to lift straight up. Repeat 2 times to create a shamrock shape. Have your child finger-paint a stem on the shamrock.

Shamrock Field of Fingerprints

Materials:

• green stamp pad or washable green paint
• paper
• green colored pencil/marker, or a thin paintbrush

Directions:

Press a pointer finger onto the stamp pad or lightly into the paint. Make 3 finger prints on the paper in a shamrock shape. Use a green colored pencil/marker, or thin paintbrush to add stems to the shamrocks.

Although these ideas are very simple, you can take them from refrigerator display crafts to art worthy of being framed just by making some creative choices. Use scrapbook paper. Add green glitter. Cut the hearts from paper that has been finger-painted green. Print a festive message on the paper before you begin or add one afterwards. You could also use these ideas to make St. Patrick’s Day greeting cards for friends or relatives.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Genny is a former Wake County Public School System elementary and reading teacher, who is now a stay-at-home mom of two preschoolers in Cary. Read more on her blog In Lieu of Preschool and Facebook page.