Leprechaun Hat Pit Trap -- We're Over These Mischievous Leprechauns!

This year the leprechaun infestation in our house is out of control! I know these little guys will be gone after St. Patrick's Day. But until then, they are causing mischief all over the house!  Green toilet water, trails of shamrock confetti, green milk, and even St. Patty's stickers on all low surfaces that the little creatures can reach.  I've had it!  So Curly Girl and I  made our own Leprechaun Trap!

Our hope is that the leprechauns will not be able to resist the gold coin, climb the ladder to get it, step on the false top, and fall into the pit. 

I found this idea on and attribute it to Spoonful.com.

Leprechauns have big egos, so a giant version of their own hat is irresistible to them. Once they step on the false top, you'll have caught your own pet leprechaun.

You'll need:

Cylinder Oatmeal Container

Green, Yellow, and Black Felt

Glue

Twigs

Gold Coin

Oatmeal Clay (oatmeal, flour, water)

The hat is a recycled cylinder oatmeal container wrapped with green felt secured with Elmer's School Glue. To make the trap, we cut a hole in the lid, then cunningly concealed it with a circle of green felt that will give way when the leprechaun steps on it.

Leprechauns love to break rules. The sign telling them NOT to climb the ladder is sure to lure them in.

Natural materials make these woodland creatures feel at home. The ladder is made from twigs we found in the yard held together with glue.  Climbing to get to something higher is sure to entice the wee adventurers.

So that the top doesn't give way too soon, use a lightweight bait, such as a gold coin.  Leprechauns can't resist cold coins!

What to do with the oatmeal that came out of the container?  Make Oatmeal Clay and make a rock for the base of the warning sign.  1 cup oatmeal, 2/3 cup flour, 1/2 cup water and green food coloring.

Crafting Gone Bad Warning -- I somehow made it to 47 years old not knowing food coloring doesn't wash off. So I'm so glad we ran out of time for Curly Girl to make the rock, otherwise she would have gone to daycare today green as the Hulk.  The other kids would be all 'What's up with the green kid?'  Dodged that bullet!  I, however, will be the one to galavant around today with green hands!

Good luck trapping your leprechauns!  I'm finding from my research online that very few leprechauns are actually trapped.  Despite powerful bait like Lucky Charms cereal, gold coins, and doll shoes (leprechauns are cobblers by trade), most hopeful leprechaun trappers have caught only chocolate gold coins and candy bars, accompanied by notes taunting them with "Good try," or "Can't catch me!" They really are wiley.

As everyone knows, leprechauns hoard pots of gold, and if caught, must reveal the treasure's location to their captor.  So wish us luck!!