Leprechaun On a Shelf?: Having Fun During COVID-19

Leprechaun On a Shelf?: Having Fun During COVID-19

I'm sure you know Elf On a Shelf, but doesn't a Leprechaun make more sense?  They're always getting into mischief.  And during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic, we could all use a little luck of the Irish.  So, here are some things you can expect if you have a Leprechaun in your home.  Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig dhuit!

1) Set a Leprechaun Trap - You need to catch a Leprechaun to start.  Here's a place for some suggestions: https://www.thebestideasforkids.com/leprechaun-traps/ 

2) What Does Your Leprechaun Look Like? - You may find one online.  Maybe you have one already.  Or, take a cue from Flat Stanley and create your own Leprechaun: https://blog.reallygoodstuff.com/make-it-a-flat-stanley-summer/

3) Quarantine - Put the Leprechaun in a bubble before he joins your bubble.  It could be a 2-liter, food canister, or any other clear container.  And make sure he wears a mask and washes his hands.

4) Have Your Favorite Irish Foods - It doesn't get more Irish than corned beef and cabbage: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/16310/corned-beef-and-cabbage-i/.  But, there's more than just that.  Try making soda bread, oysters, Irish stew, colcannon and champ, boxty, smoked salmon, black and white pudding, coddle, and/or barmbrack.  

5) Hide and Seek - Where is the Leprechaun this morning?  Sleeping in a sock drawer?  Eating your cereal?  Whoever finds the Leprechaun should get a small prize, like small candy.

6) Playing a Board Game - After a long day of cobbling shoes, even Leprechauns need a break.  See what game he selects for this week's game night.  Some suggestions at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2021/02/board-game-night-having-fun-during.html

7) Exercising - If your Leprechaun is like mine, he has a bit of a gut on him.  Too much good food and drink at home, I guess.  So, let him announce to the family what today's household exercise will be.  Here are some ideas: https://morningchores.com/fun-family-exercises/.  Also, I will be building a ninja course in my backyard now...

8) Drive-In - Set up your tablet, projector, phone, or TV somewhere different like the patio or garage.  Lay out a blanket with snacks.  And watch an Irish movie like: My Left Foot, The Young Offenders, Cardboard Gangsters, Darby O'Gill and the Little People, The Irish Pub, The Crying Game, The Snapper, Once, Brooklyn, In the Name of the Father, The Guard, Sing Street, Bloody Sunday, Frank, The Quiet Man, The Commitments, The Secret of Kells, Philomena, The Magdalene Sisters, In America, and The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

Be cautious if your Leprechaun chooses something from the Leprechaun film series...: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leprechaun_(film_series)

9) Practical Jokes - Leprechaun's love a good prank.  So, here's some ideas of what you can expect: https://mashable.com/article/easy-pranks/

10) Pot O' Candy - You've been tolerant and patient with the Leprechaun.  For that kindness, Leprechauns are known to leave treats behind.  Something he probably learned from the Easter Bunny.

More St. Patrick's Day Activities at: https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/2021/03/new-st-patricks-day-traditions-having.html

AND DON'T FORGET TO HAVE FUN! And, please feel free to contact if you have any questions or suggestions!

More Having Fun During COVID-19

https://mikekraus.blogspot.com/p/covid-19coronavirus-resources.html

Health and Safety Considerations for gathering:
1) No indoor activities
2) No sharing bathrooms
3) Wash hands before and after gathering. Don't touch your face.
4) Bring your own food, snacks, drinks, and utensils.
5) Do not attend if you have asthma, heart disease, diabetes, overweight, have/survived cancer, or 50+ year old.
6) Do not attend if you have or have had Coronavirus or showing symptoms (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html).
7) Wear a mask and practice social distancing (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prevent-getting-sick/social-distancing.html)
8) Limit attendance. Check local health department for guidelines and restrictions.
9) Talk with everyone about comfort levels. Expect and allow non-participation and last minute cancellations.

Mike Kraus was born on the industrial shoreline of Muskegon, Michigan. After earning his Fine Arts Degree from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, he attended Grand Valley State University for his graduate degree. From there, he gained varied experiences from the Chicago Architecture Foundation, Art Institute of Chicago, Hauenstein Center For Presidential Studies, Lollypop Farm Humane Society, and the Children's Memorial Foundation. And every place he worked, he had his sketchbook with him and found ways to be actively creative. In 2014, Kraus became a full-time artist by establishing Mike Kraus Art. Since then, he has sold hundreds of paintings that are displayed in nearly every state and dozens of countries. Currently, Kraus lives in Rochester, New York with his beautiful wife and goofy dog.

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