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Irish Children's Games

While many American children might be familiar with games like "Hide and Seek" or "Simon Says," games that have their roots in Ireland will present a new and fun form of entertainment. You can use Irish children's games as a means of gently teaching kids about a small part of Irish culture or as a fitting way to celebrate St. Patrick's day.

Mr. Fox
- Americans might recognize this game as somewhat resembling "Red Light, Green Light." You designate one child as "Mr. Fox" and the other children line up, with their backs against a wall. The child who is "Mr. Fox" stands 10 feet away with his back turned. The children slowly approach him, asking "What time is it Mr. Fox?" and he answers "one o'clock." The children continue to approach asking this same question and receiving this same answer until Mr. Fox yells "dinnertime!" and runs after the children, trying to tag one of them so that child will be the next "Mr. Fox."
Irish Hot Potato
- Instruct children to sit in a circle and give one child a potato. Turn on Irish or Celtic jig music and instruct the child holding the potato to pass it to the person on his right. They must continue passing the potato as quickly as they can, for when the music stops, the person holding the potato is out of the game.
The Letter
- Americans might find this game to be similar to "Duck, Duck Goose." One child holds a crumpled piece of paper behind them (the letter) and the other children sit in a circle with their eyes closed. The child with the letter walks around the circle, while the other children sing with their eyes shut, "I sent a letter to my mother and on the way I dropped it. Some one must have picked it up and put it in their pocket." The child holding the letter then drops it at random behind one of the children. The child who realizes the letter is behind him must jump up and chase the other child back to his seat. Whoever reaches the seat first wins, and the child standing must pick up the letter and try again.
Shamrock Stomp
- The following is a version of "Musical Chairs," perfect for entertaining kids on St. Patrick's Day. Tape three large shamrocks to the floor. Instruct children to stand on them so that a portion of one foot is touching the shamrock. Turn on Irish or Celtic jig music and tell children to dance around the room, but that when the music stops, they must run and touch one of the shamrocks with one of their feet. Remove a shamrock after each round.

Kids Games