St. Patrick’s Day Don’t Eat Pete Game – Fun Printable Leprechaun Activity for Kids
- Jessie
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
All art projects & crafts require adult supervision. This post may contain affiliate links. Read our full disclosure policy.
Looking for a quick and silly St. Patrick’s Day activity for kids that requires almost no setup but guarantees lots of laughter? The St. Patrick’s Day Don’t Eat Pete Game is the perfect choice! This fun printable twist on the classic classroom game replaces Pete with nine unique leprechauns, each with their own personality and mischievous charm. Kids love the suspense, the silliness, and the excitement of trying not to accidentally pick the “forbidden” leprechaun.
If you’ve never played Don’t Eat Pete, it’s a simple game that has been entertaining kids for generations. It’s perfect for classrooms, family gatherings, or holiday parties because it requires very little preparation and works well for groups of different ages. This St. Patrick’s Day version adds a festive touch with cheerful leprechaun characters that fit perfectly with the spirit of the holiday.
To play, start by printing the Don’t Eat Pete Leprechaun Game Board, which features nine different leprechauns arranged in a grid. Place a small treat or snack—such as cereal pieces, chocolate candies, or marshmallows—on top of each leprechaun. Next, ask one player to leave the room or cover their eyes while the rest of the group secretly chooses one of the leprechauns to be “Don’t Eat Pete.”
Once the secret leprechaun has been chosen, the player returns to the room and begins selecting treats from the board one at a time. Each time they pick a snack, they get to eat it—until they choose the leprechaun that has been secretly designated as Don’t Eat Pete. As soon as they touch that square, the rest of the group shouts “DON’T EAT PETE!” and the turn ends. The player keeps the treats they collected, and then the next player gets a turn while a new leprechaun is secretly chosen.
What makes this St. Patrick’s Day printable game so fun is the suspense. Kids carefully watch each other’s reactions while trying to guess which leprechaun might be the unlucky one. The anticipation builds with every snack that’s chosen, and the burst of laughter when everyone shouts “Don’t Eat Pete!” makes the game unforgettable.
If you’re planning a St. Patrick’s Day celebration, this game pairs perfectly with other St. Patrick’s Day crafts and activities for kids. On the blog, you’ll find lots of festive projects like Leprechaun Paper Bag Puppets, St. Patrick’s Day Agamographs, Leprechaun Emotions Spinners, and colorful St. Patrick’s Day Coloring Pages. These creative activities are great for keeping kids engaged and excited throughout the holiday.
One of the best things about this Leprechaun Don’t Eat Pete Game is how flexible it is. It works well for classroom parties, homeschool groups, family game nights, or even a quick activity before dinner. You can swap out the snacks for different treats, coins, or even small toys depending on the age group. Younger kids love the excitement, while older kids enjoy trying to outsmart their friends.
The printable design also makes it easy to reuse year after year. Simply print the game board again whenever you’re ready for another round of leprechaun fun. With nine silly leprechaun characters on the board, kids will enjoy spotting their favorites and trying to avoid the unlucky one each time they play.
How To Download St. Patrick’s Day Don’t Eat Pete Game:
How to download the printable Don't Eat Pete? Simply sign up to become a member of Artsy Kids Zone to gain access to our exclusive downloads. The best part is that memberships are completely FREE! Not only will you gain access to this game, but you'll also unlock a treasure trove of Artsy Kids Zone downloads. By signing up, you are agreeing to receive emails from Artsy Kids Zone with updates, new craft ideas, and special offers. It’s a great way to stay inspired and keep your little ones engaged with fun, creative activities!
***These printables are intended for personal and school use exclusively. Unauthorized copying, uploading, republishing, distributing or alteration of these files in any manner is strictly prohibited. If you plan to showcase these printables, please ensure to include a link back to artsykidszone.com.
And if you enjoyed this activity, be sure to explore everything Artsy Kids Zone has to offer. The blog is packed with creative projects for kids, from Fire-Breathing Dragon Craft and Lion Origami Templates to Paper Dino Feet that kids can actually wear and whimsical 3D Fairy Paper Dolls. With crafts for every season, holiday, and imagination, there’s always something new and exciting for kids to create.
Comments