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Ages 6–8Whimsical
Irish Theme Dinner
A delightful journey to the Emerald Isle — comfort, folklore, and art.
Embark on a delightful journey to Ireland with this Irish-themed dinner for kids ages 6-8! This dinner will introduce your children to the comforting and hearty flavors of Irish cuisine while they explore Ireland's rich cultural history, traditional music, and famous landmarks. Alongside the meal, the kids will learn about iconic Irish artists and folklore and create their own masterpieces inspired by them. It's a perfect way to combine delicious food with art and culture. Each night, your kids will explore a different element of Irish culture and history, while engaging in hands-on activities.
Take breaks when needed according to the attention span of your children and your own. When this endeavor becomes a chore, the positive aspects of learning are lost. The point is to bond and learn surprising things from, and with, your family.
Gather Your Supplies
The Provisions
Props
- Art supplies (crayons, markers, watercolor paints)
- Small canvas or paper for mini paintings
- Printouts of famous Irish artists and their works (Jack B. Yeats, Louis le Brocquy, Paul Henry)
- Aprons (or old T-shirts) to wear while painting
- Frames (or paper borders) to display artwork
- Music playlist with traditional Irish music or lively folk songs
- Fun fact sheets about Irish artists, landmarks, and symbols (Cliffs of Moher, shamrocks)
- DIY "potato plate" to serve the food
Recipes & Food
- Yeats' Emerald Isle Shepherd's Pie (individual pies with lamb or beef and mashed potato)
- Le Brocquy's Celtic Salad (greens, potatoes, and veggies in Irish flag colors)
- Paul Henry's Irish Stew (beef, carrots, potatoes, and parsnips)
- Shamrock Scones (shaped like shamrocks with clotted cream or jam)
- Leprechaun's Golden Coins (chocolate gold coins)
- Irish Potatoes (mashed potato "clouds" or mini baked potato bites)
Language & Music
- Play traditional Irish music, including fiddlers or folk songs like "Danny Boy" or "The Wild Rover"
- Learn Irish words: "céad míle fáilte" (a hundred thousand welcomes), "sláinte" (cheers), "práta" (potato), "dún" (fort)
- Discuss Ireland's famous art movements, the Celtic tradition, and how these have influenced art and architecture in Ireland
Peripherals
- Mini art stations for kids to create artwork inspired by Irish landscapes or symbols (Cliffs of Moher, Celtic patterns)
- Fun fact sheets about famous Irish artists and folklore about leprechauns, shamrocks, and the Irish countryside
- Ireland-themed puzzles or games (a puzzle of Irish landmarks or a "guess the artist" card game)
Your Week of Wonder
The Five-Day Itinerary
1
Monday
Introduction to Irish Art & Planning
- Start your Irish-themed week by introducing the kids to famous Irish artists like Jack B. Yeats, Louis le Brocquy, and Paul Henry. Share fun facts about how their works depict Irish landscapes, history, and folklore.
- Activity: Have the kids create their own version of a Celtic landscape painting, using vibrant greens and blues to reflect the beauty of Ireland's countryside.
- Dinner: Prepare Yeats' Emerald Isle Shepherd's Pie, letting the kids help create their own personalized shepherd's pies. They can choose the filling and top it with mashed potatoes to create a "landscape" on their plate.
2
Tuesday
Exploring Celtic Art & Colors
- Dive deeper into the Celtic influence on Irish art. Introduce Louis le Brocquy's abstract art that reflects the inner workings of the Irish psyche and the colors of the Irish countryside.
- Activity: Have the kids create their own abstract art piece inspired by Celtic symbols or a fun pattern using vibrant colors.
- Dinner: Prepare Le Brocquy's Celtic Salad with ingredients arranged in colors that represent the Irish flag (green, white, and orange). Let the kids help assemble the salad with veggies and potatoes.
3
Wednesday
The Heartiness of Irish Stew
- Focus on the traditional flavors of Irish cuisine, particularly the hearty Irish stew, which is a staple in Irish households.
- Activity: Have the kids draw or paint a picture of an Irish village or landscape, featuring rolling green hills and cottages, to celebrate the heart of the Irish countryside.
- Dinner: Prepare Paul Henry's Irish Stew, and let the kids help by adding ingredients like carrots, potatoes, and parsnips to the pot. They can help stir and serve this comforting dish.
4
Thursday
Shamrock Scones & Irish Folk Fun
- Explore the magic of Ireland's folklore with fun symbols like shamrocks and leprechauns. Introduce the kids to the magic behind these symbols and the celebration of St. Patrick's Day.
- Activity: Have the kids decorate their own scones with shamrock shapes using icing or green food coloring, bringing the Irish spirit to the table.
- Dinner: Enjoy Shamrock Scones with clotted cream and jam, allowing the kids to help cut out the shamrock shapes and top the scones for a delicious treat.
5
Friday
Final Irish Dinner Celebration!
- Celebrate your Irish culinary and artistic journey with a grand dinner! Let the kids dress up like little leprechauns or wear aprons as they prepare the final meal.
- Menu: Yeats' Emerald Isle Shepherd's Pie, Le Brocquy's Celtic Salad, Paul Henry's Irish Stew, Shamrock Scones, Leprechaun's Golden Coins, and Irish Potatoes.
- Display the kids' artwork from the week around the room, play traditional Irish folk music, and use the DIY "potato plate" to serve the meal. Let the kids help assemble the shepherd's pie and shape the Shamrock Scones.
