This fun relay race combines two very important symbols of Saint Patrick’s Day: rainbows and shamrocks. Children will have fun digging through their own shamrock field and racing to form their own shamrock rainbow.

Materials

  • Colored construction paper
  • Scissors
  • Marker

Object

Children will sift and search through a colorful clover field to be the first team to complete a full rainbow.

Preparation

1. Cut out two shamrocks for each color of the rainbow: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and violet. To save time, you can just cut out squares or diamonds.

2. Using a marker, write the name of the color that matches that piece of paper.

3. Cut out two more sets of shamrocks/squares but leave them blank.

Introduction

What are the two biggest symbols we associate with Saint Patrick’s Day? Rainbows and shamrocks.

Both of these symbols represent special things in our faith. Let’s look at the rainbow today. Each color in the rainbow characterizes the different natures of God:

Show one of the pages from the craft and have everyone say the attributes with you:

– Red is for his righteousness.

– Orange is for his joy.

– Yellow is his presence with every girl and boy.

– Green is for his mercy;

– Blue is his love.

– Violet is for his always watching from above!

Instructions

1. Choose two students to go first.

2. Spread all of the shamrocks on one half of the learning table with the numbered sides down, and be sure to mix them up.

3. When you say “Go!” the two chosen students will race to the table in search of the labeled shamrocks.

4. Once they find a labeled shamrock, they will place it on the other side of the table.

5. Once all shamrocks are found, the students will arrange them in red, orange, yellow, blue, green, purple order.

6. The first student to correctly organize their complete rainbow wins.

7. Repeat with different students.

Closing

When you see a rainbow, think of the different colors being placed there by God to remind us of who he is. When we are struggling, let’s shut our eyes and think of the rainbow and know that God is aware of our struggles and wants to help us in every way.