St. Patrick’s Day Gratitude Activity: A Fun Way to Focus on the Positives

I’ll be honest—my Irish roots are pretty minimal (I’m about 5%, which means my kids are even less), but that doesn’t stop me from fully embracing St. Patrick’s Day. And no, it’s not just about the green clothes and shamrock-shaped treats (though those are a solid bonus).

For me, this time of year is the perfect excuse to pause and reflect on what’s going well in life. It’s way too easy to focus on what’s frustrating, overwhelming, or just plain hard. But when we take a second to acknowledge the good stuff? That’s where the magic happens.

The Power of Positive Thinking (Yes, It’s a Real Thing)

Research shows that focusing on gratitude and positive thinking isn’t just some feel-good fluff—it actually helps. Studies have found that people who regularly practice gratitude have lower stress levels, better moods, and even stronger relationships. And this applies to kids, too! When children take time to reflect on what they’re thankful for, they tend to be more optimistic, resilient, and even sleep better. That’s one of the reasons we’ve made it part of our bedtime routine—each night, we share the best part of our day. It’s a simple habit, but it helps us end the day on a positive note.

So, why not use St. Patrick’s Day as a little nudge to shift our focus to what we’re lucky to have?

Shamrocks, Gold Coins, and a Whole Lot of Gratitude

One of my favorite traditions—both at home and in my 3rd-grade classroom—is filling out shamrocks or gold coins with things we feel lucky for. We write them down and display them, and suddenly, there’s this bright, happy reminder of all the good things in our lives. It’s simple, it’s fun, and honestly, it lifts the mood for everyone who sees it.

To make it super easy, I created a FREE printable pack that has:

Solid green shamrocks with and without sentence starters
Green outlined shamrocks with and without sentence starters
Plain shamrocks with and without sentence starters
Gold coins with and without sentence starters
A fun little leprechaun, pot of gold, and rainbow for some seasonal flair
“Feeling Lucky!” title for your display

You can keep it casual (a quick note on a shamrock), make it part of a classroom or family tradition, or even turn it into a daily gratitude challenge. No rules—just a way to pause and appreciate what we’ve got.

Give It a Try!

If this sounds like something you’d love to try, grab the free printable and have fun with it! Print it out, fill in the shamrocks, and put them up somewhere as a happy little reminder of all the good things in life. Want the complete set with the pot of gold rainbow writing activity and the nonfiction reading comprehension bundle? Grab it in my Etsy store -> St. Patrick’s Day Bundle!

However you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, I hope it brings you a little luck, a little joy, and maybe even a reminder that there’s already so much to be grateful for.