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Arts and Crafts are wonderful for kids with autism because they work on fine motor skills, sequencing of steps, and give kids a tangible object to show off. There is nothing quite like having a physical item at the end of an activity to demonstrate what you’ve done! And if they can be centered around a holiday, all the better! St. Patrick’s Day is a great time to do crafts with your kids with autism.
Children with Autism, particularly the lower functioning ones, can often miss out on holidays like St. Patrick’s Day. Parades and parties can be too loud, and a lot of them might not be ready for an environment like that.
You can however bring some St. Patrick’s Day fun to their interventions, homeschool, or class time, to let them experience the holiday in a more accessible fashion.
In this post, we’re going to cover some simple St. Patrick’s Day Crafts you can do with kids with autism.
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Clover
This one is pretty simple and fun!
For this one, you’ll need
- Green Construction Paper
- Black Sharpie
- Scissor (adaptive if applicable)
- Glitter Glue (optional)
- Tape (Double-sided or enough to fold over)
Draw the outline of a Clover on some green construction paper. Have your student practice their cutting and cut out the clover.
Decorate it with glitter glue along the edges or write their name in the middle if able. Don’t be afraid to try hand over hand if it’s challenging. You can also write their name in the sharpie and have them go over it with the glitter glue if that is easier.
As a fun extension, make a bunch of clovers, most three-leaf and a few four-leaf, and tape them to the wall. Ask your kiddos to work on their scanning abilities by finding all the four-leaf clovers for good luck!
(Look at that! Game and Craft in One!)
Paper Chain Necklace
I know, I talk about paper chains a lot, but I love them! They’re so simple, since you only have to cut in a straight line, and they make such good decorations.
You can hang them up somewhere your student can see them every day, and be reminded of how they made that thing. Or in this case, they can wear it or give it away as a gift. It’s like an instant proud feeling for them!
For this one, you’ll need
- Construction Paper (All Green, or Green, White and Orange for the Irish Flag)
- Pencil
- Scissors (adaptive if applicable)
- Tape or Stapler
First, cut the construction paper in half length-wise. You don’t want the chain links to be so big because this is a necklace.
Draw lines that can be cut into little strips, and have your kids do the cutting to get the fine motor skill practice.
Tape or staple the first strip into a circle, and thread the next strip through it, and tape it so the two are interlocked.
Repeat this, alternating colors if needed. Once the necklace is big enough to fit over your student’s head use the last strip to interlock the two ends.
Take breaks as needed. Depending on your student’s stamina they might need more than one day for this one.
Clover Headbands
Who doesn’t love good headwear on St. Patrick’s Day! In terms of St. Patrick’s Day crafts, this one is a ton of fun. Although headbands might be a bit of a misnomer on this one. They’re more like crowns.
For this one, you’ll need:
- Construction Paper (white and green)
- Pencils
- Stapler
- Scissors (adaptive if applicable)
Take the white construction paper and make a strip big enough to fit around your student’s head.
(Note: You might need to use part of a second strip if you make this for an adult, which I recommend, why should the kids get all the fun!?!)
Draw the lines for the strips to cut, and have your student do it for the fine motor skill practice.
Draw the outline for one big clover or three little ones, depending on your kiddo’s stamina and fine motor skill ability.
After your student cuts it out, staple the big one in the center of your headband, or space the little ones out evenly all around the top.
Decorate the white strip for the crown however you like, with names, pretend jewels, or more clovers!
Staple the two ends of the white paper together, and put on your headband! You are the kind of St. Patrick’s day!
Other Fun Things
There is a lot you can do around St. Patrick’s day. If your students can understand historical concepts and are nerds (like me) you can teach them about Irish History. Things like its rebellion from England and the potato famine can be great.
There are also a lot of great coloring pages and picture books if you’re looking for something simpler.
Also, check out this post on Teaching Crossword Puzzles.
Final Thoughts
When you’re integrating arts and crafts into your therapeutic sessions, try to remember it’s about the effort, not the end result. It does not have to look perfect. Something your student made themselves, will mean more to them than something you made while they sat by and watched.
And no matter how it looks in the end, make sure to praise their efforts!
Click here to follow me on Instagram and let me know how your crafting session goes! I’d love to see pics of your St. Patrick’s Day crafts!