Adorable St. Patrick's Day Leprechaun Traps You'll Wish You Could Live In

The Pinterest-ification of holidays is often a topic of ridicule, but sometimes the ideas people come up with are so cute it’s impossible not to get caught up in the festivities and fun. Such is the case with leprechaun traps. The basic idea behind a leprechaun trap is pretty simple: you set a trap with your kids to catch a mischievous leprechaun and then he must lead you to his pot of gold.

Sure, the leprechaun never actually shows, but that isn’t really the point. The point is to occupy your kids with a fun craft for 40 minutes and create a few days of anticipation and excitement. When St. Patrick’s Day rolls around, you can even leave your kids a fun surprise in the trap to let them know they almost had him. Most leprechaun traps are easy to make and use items you already have around the house. Here are a few of the cutest DIY leprechaun traps I’ve seen on Pinterest:

1. The Cake Trap

leprechaun-trap-not-martha — Via Not Martha

This trap is my favorite because you get to eat it. The leprechaun climbs the adorable pretzel ladder and then falls through the hole in the middle. Snacks and directions to a pot of gold? That’s what I call multitasking.

2. The Oatmeal Container Hat Trap

leprechaun-trap-love-sweet-love — Via Love Sweet Love

Several variations of the hat trap exist, but this one is my favorite. It entices leprechauns to the top with treats and a sign warning them to stay away. Once they climb up, they fall through a trap door and their pot of gold is yours for the taking.

3. The Leprechaun Hotel

leprechaun-trap-Katherine- Marie — Via Katherine Marie

Make your leprechaun feel welcome with a cardboard box hotel fit for a tiny man whose gold you’re about to steal.

4. The Little Leprechaun House On The Prairie

leprechaun-trap-laughing-and-losing-it — Via Laughing & Losing It

This one is made entirely from recycled materials and it is the cutest thing ever. I’m putting down a deposit and moving in tomorrow.

5. The Cleverly Engineered Cardboard Box Trap

leprechaun-trap-mama-with-ideas — Via Mama With Ideas

This is another clever cardboard box trap and the blogger includes extremely detailed instructions. Be sure to check out the post if you’re worried about your trapping skills and need some clever tips.

6. The Lego Trap

eastcoast-mommy-leprechaun-trap — Via East Coast Mommy

Lego traps are a brilliant idea because almost anyone can make one, provided you’ve got the bricks. Bonus: if you build your trap entirely out of Lego bricks, there’s no glue-y, glittery mess to clean up when you’re done.

7. The Scenic Inn Trap

leprechaun_trap-molly-moo — Via Molly Moo Crafts

Encourage your leprechaun to stop and smell the tulips using this adorable inn. This looks like a great way to repurpose an empty cereal box.

8. The Leprechaun Palace

leprechaun-trap-grey-house-harbor — Via Grey House Harbor

Believe it or not, this leprechaun mansion is made out of an oatmeal box and two toilet paper rolls. Amazing what some spray paint can do, huh? I’m willing to bet this golden palace will fool those pesky leprechauns too.

(Photo: Getty)