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Leprechaun Trap Testing Agency

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Grades K-245-60 minSource: Creative Dad Company

Kids define what makes a trap successful, then build and test a trigger mechanism to catch a sneaky leprechaun. It's a favorite spring project that mixes engineering with a little luck.

Budget levels

Materials list coming soon to members

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change. As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Quick Start

Digital downloads only. $0 to buy. Printing is noted separately.

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one class period, one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one class period on a single day.

Scale back: Fit it into a shorter period, use fewer effects, or run a demo instead of a build.

Scale up: Add one extra effect, or spread the share-out across another day.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Full Experience

Up to $25 per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day.

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one school day.

Scale back: Fit the build into one period with fewer effects.

Scale up: Spread the work across days, or add more effects.

Total Transformation

The bigger kit, priced per class (class of about 30, 6 groups).

Materials list coming soon.

Student time: one day (one session, one-day event).

Teacher prep / build-ahead: separate from student time.

Scale it

The default plan is one session, a one-day event.

Scale back: Shorten the event, or run a demo for a smaller audience.

Scale up: Spread the build and the event across days, or invite a bigger audience.

Choose your version

Every level teaches the same core idea — pick the one that fits your time, budget, and energy today.

Student time: 35 min, one class periodTeacher prep / build-ahead: 8 min$0 to buy. Printing noted separately.One table or a small area of floor spaceBeginner-friendly

Setup

Gather shoeboxes, string, craft sticks and clear a small work surface. Read the Leprechaun Trap Testing Agency mission aloud, then place the supplies where children can choose and compare them safely.

Activity

  1. Define what would count as a successful trap and predict what kind of trigger mechanism could catch a leprechaun.
  2. Build a trap using a shoebox, string, and craft sticks with a working trigger.
  3. Test the trap and discover it springs too early or not at all, then adjust the trigger's sensitivity.
  4. Demonstrate the finished trap successfully catching a toy leprechaun for the class.

Ambiance video

Ambiance video coming soon from Creative Dad Studio

Done when: Children complete the core mission and the finished trap successfully catching a toy leprechaun for the class.

Materials

A shoebox, craft sticks, string, tape, a small toy or coin as bait

Shown for the Quick Start version — switch tabs above to see what changes.

Materials links go to Amazon. Prices are estimates and may change.

As an Amazon Associate, Creative Dad Company earns from qualifying purchases.

Steps

  1. Define what would count as a successful trap and predict what kind of trigger mechanism could catch a leprechaun.
  2. Build a trap using a shoebox, string, and craft sticks with a working trigger.
  3. Test the trap and discover it springs too early or not at all, then adjust the trigger's sensitivity.
  4. Demonstrate the finished trap successfully catching a toy leprechaun for the class.

Standards mapped

  • NGSS · K-2-ETS1-1

    Ask questions, make observations, and gather information about a situation people want to change to define a simple problem that can be solved through development of a new or improved object or tool.