Charm Your Kids with these Enchanting Movies

Are you ready to have a magical movie night curled up on the sofa with your little ones? That’s the charm I want to recreate this St. Patrick’s Day. It’s a special day. A celebration steeped in tradition and festivity. What better way to honor it than by introducing kids to the whimsical world of St. Patrick’s Day movies? The beauty of these family movie nights lies in their simplicity — a few clicks, a bowl of popcorn, and you’re transported to Ireland through tales of adventure, laughter, and leprechauns. With a trove of kid-friendly Irish movies, from animated adventures to heartwarming romantic comedies, we’re spoiled for choice. Whether it’s the legend of the Leprechaun or a dance along the Irish countryside, these films promise to be as enchanting as the holiday itself. 

Each year, we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th. But many people only drink green beer and eat corned beef and cabbage. On your quest to teach your children, you will want to include the history of St Patrick’s day. Furthermore include both the true story, and some fun surrounding this holiday.

Key Takeaways:

• Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with ease: Transform any ordinary evening into something extraordinary with St. Patrick’s Day movies for kids.   
• A wide selection for all: Choose from a variety of kid-friendly, Irish-themed movies to enchant the whole family.  
• Create lasting memories: Make St. Patrick’s Day memorable with family-friendly films, sparking joy and festive spirit. 

Why Celebrate with The Best St Patrick’s Day Movies for Kids?

Why do we gravitate towards celebrating with movies, especially on days like St. Patrick’s Day? For me, it’s about weaving those moments of togetherness into the fabric of our hectic lives. Imagine settling in with your loved ones for a family movie night, the glow of the screen illuminating excited faces. There’s something magical about sharing Irish-themed, kid-friendly films that transport us to worlds filled with leprechaun legends and animated adventures. But it’s not just about the movies themselves; it’s the entire experience. Pairing festive films like Leap Year or The Luck of the Irish with green snacks or Irish-themed treats elevates these moments, making them unforgettable. This simple yet profound act helps create cherished holiday memories with our kids, showing them the joy of celebration through the stories and lessons learned on screen. 

But don’t just select movies that celebrate pagan traditions or Celtic mythology. Make sure to choose some films that highlight St. Patrick and who he was.

Choosing the Right Movie

Selecting the perfect St. Patrick’s Day movie for our upcoming family movie night feels like a magical quest in itself. Sure, we’re setting out for an evening filled with Irish adventures and leprechaun chases. However, it’s not just about the green and gold. It’s about finding something that resonates with each little heart in our living room fort.

First off, I always check the ratings to ensure they’re kid-friendly. You’d be surprised how a seemingly innocent tale can veer off into less-than-suitable territory for young viewers. Then, I dive into the plot summaries. I want to know if Leap Year will spark dreams of Dublin adventures or if The Luck of the Irish will teach them the value of heritage and honesty. And it’s not just about the folklore.

The options vary from animated adventures like Riverdance to the heartwarming comedic antics in other Irish movies, catering to my kids’ diverse tastes. By narrowing down our choices together, we turn the movie selection into the first adventure of the night. 

However, when selecting movies for children, you need to be aware of the fact that horror movies are in all genres. For example, the 1993 film entitled Leprechaun (rated R) is a horror film that features an evil leprechaun, and this is the stuff nightmares are made of! But don’t despair, there are family picks ahead.

Picks for St Patrick’s Day Movies

• Darby O’Gill and the Little People (G): This movie tops my list of best St. Patrick’s Day movies. This delightful Disney film stars Sean Connery. This has all the components of a great St. Patrick’s Day film, including leprechauns and magical creatures, the proverbial pot of gold, and Irish accents. While it won’t tell the story of the original St. Patrick, it is suitable for families.
• Leap Year (PG): Starring Amy Adams, this kid-friendly romantic comedy is based on an Irish leap year legend, taking you on a whimsical trip to Dublin. Perfect for a love-filled St. Patrick’s Day movie night. 
• The Luck of the Irish (G): This Disney Channel original movie features an adventure where a young boy (Ryan Merriman) unravels his heritage and battles to reclaim his lucky charm from a thieving Leprechaun. A fantastic pick for teaching kids about bravery and their roots in a fun setting. 
• The Secret of Kells (Not Rated): Also known as Brendan and the Secret of Kells. This unrated film features the voice of Irish actor Brendan Gleeson.
• The Secret of Roan Inish (PG): This great film is rated PG and tells the story of a young girl named Fiona who lives with her grandparents in a small fishing village. She wants to learn more about her family’s ancestry.  
• Far and Away (PG-13): Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman star in this film about young Irish immigrants who flee Ireland in the late 1800s. From Boston, they head westward and attempt to make it to Oklahoma. This is the only film on my list with a PG-13 rating.
• Finian’s Rainbow (G): Fred Astaire stars in this musical comedy directed by Francis Ford Coppola. 
• Luck (G): This Apple TV animated film has all the elements that we think about when we talk about good luck or bad luck and it comes packaged with a cute story with great animation.
• Riverdance: The Animated Adventure (Unrated): Dive into a spectacular world of fantasy and tradition with this animated tale. It’s a celebration of Irish culture through dance, making it a captivating watch for St. Patrick’s Day. 

Movies about St. Patrick

St. Patrick: The Irish Legend (G): This film from 2000 is a historical drama about the life of St. Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland. He is now the Patron Saint of Ireland.

St. Patrick: Apostle of Ireland: 2004 Documentary about the life of St. Patrick.

Other Irish Films to Consider:

• The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns (TV-PG): In a TV Mini-Series that stars Randy Quaid and Whoopi Goldberg, an American spends his holiday in Ireland, where he meets leprechauns and fairies.
• Dancing at Lughnasa (PG): Story of five unmarried sisters living in rural Ireland during the summer of 1936. This film stars Meryl Streep, who is the oldest sister. 
• Very Unlucky Leprechaun (PG): Molly and her father inherit a house in Ireland. Misfortune Manor is said to bring misfortune to all its residents.
• Wearing the Green: A Documentary on St. Patrick’s Day: A 2017 film that highlights the traditions and customs of this holiday.
• The Quiet Man: An American boxer visits the small Irish village where he was born and falls in love with a fiesty redhead. Starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara.

Creating the Perfect Movie Night Atmosphere

Years ago, I learned that the secret sauce to a memorable family movie night lies in the atmosphere. Imagine you’re planning to watch some of the best St. Patrick’s Day movies for kids, films brimming with adventures, mythical creatures, and Irish charm. To elevate the experience from just another night in front of the TV to something magical, consider making it a surprise. Picture the kids’ faces lighting up as they walk into a living room transformed into a Celtic wonderland, with green decorations and Irish-themed snacks laid out. Or better yet, involve them in the preparations. There’s something special about crafting decorations and preparing snacks together that adds an extra layer of excitement to the evening. 

Don’t forget the importance of comfortable seating. Whether it’s a nest of blankets and pillows on the floor or a couch lined with plush throws, ensure everyone has a cozy spot to settle into. With movies like Darby O’Gill, Leap Year, The Luck of the Irish, and Riverdance: The Animated Adventure, you’re all set for a night of family-friendly films that are not just about entertainment but about creating lasting holiday memories. This approach to a family movie night promises not just a fun viewing experience but an immersive adventure into the heart of Irish tradition, folklore and festivity. 

Snack Ideas

• Shamrock Sandwiches: Use a cookie cutter to shape sandwiches into shamrocks. Fill them with your kids’ favorite fillings for a festive and easy snack. 
• Leprechaun Popcorn: Mix popcorn with green candies and chocolate coins for a sweet and salty treat. Watching your kids’ eyes light up at this colorful creation is priceless. 
• Emerald Veggie Platter: Arrange green veggies like broccoli, cucumbers, and bell peppers on a platter. Serve with a side of ranch for dipping. It’s a fun way to get your kids to eat their greens!
• Lucky Clover Cookies: Bake sugar cookies and use green frosting to decorate them with a four-leaf clover. Involve your kids in the decorating process for a fun afternoon activity. 
• Lucky Charm Krispy Treats: Instead of using Rice Krispies, substitute Lucky Charms and make a treat that’s magically delicious.
• Green Smoothies: Blend up a healthy and delicious green smoothie with spinach, banana, and apple juice. It’s a sneaky way to include more fruits and vegetables in your kids’ diet. 

Learning Opportunities

The magic of St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just in the wearing of green or hunting for four-leaf clovers; it extends into the wonder-filled world of movies tailored for this enchanting holiday. As we sit down with our kids, each movie—be it a thrilling adventure with leprechauns or a heartwarming animated journey through Irish folklore—serves not just as entertainment but as a vibrant educational tool. It’s a delightful way to introduce our little ones to the rich tapestry of Irish culture and legends. From the animated leaps of Riverdance to the charming escapades in The Luck of the Irish, these stories brim with lessons on courage, friendship, and the value of adventure. 

After the movie ends, the screen goes dark, but our living room is alive with conversation. We discuss the bravery of characters, the legends that have traversed through Irish history, and even our own family stories. These post-movie discussions are golden opportunities for bonding, offering insights into values and cultures. I find myself guiding but also learning, as we use these narratives as a gentle, informal educational tool. It’s a reminder that every story has its lessons. Every legend has its truth. And every movie night the potential to be so much more than just watching a screen. 

Additionally, we do crafts:

• Rainbow with Pot of Gold
• Rainbow Color Wheel Spinner
• St. Patrick’s Day Chalk Pastel Clovers
• Shamrock Suncatcher

And the Adventure Continues…

The magic doesn’t have to end when the credits roll on your favorite St. Patrick’s Day movies. In fact, that delightful evening spent with your kids, cozied up with bowls of green popcorn and wrapped in the glow of tales about leprechauns, animated adventures, and heartwarming stories of Dublin can be just the beginning. As we bid farewell to the Luck of the Irish and their enchanting legends, I find myself thinking about the infinite possibilities that lie in our family movie nights. 

Imagine turning these special occasions into a worldly adventure, where from the comfort of our living room, we can explore different cultures and celebrate various holidays through the lens of cinema. There are plenty of online resources available to find out more about Ireland, St. Patrick’s Day, and the legends surrounding this holiday.

The beauty of these cinematic journeys lies not only in the diverse characters and landscapes we encounter but also in the cherished moments spent with our family. Each movie night becomes a bridge to understanding. It is also an opportunity to foster holiday memories that extend beyond the confines of our own traditions. After all, isn’t the true adventure in life about the connections we forge and the memories we create together?

So, let the credits of St. Patrick’s Day roll, but don’t let the adventure end there. Extend the invitation to travel the globe through stories. Furthermore, celebrate the myriad of cultures and festivities our world has to offer. And do it, all from the best seats in the house—our home.