FREE Printable: St Patrick’s Day Colouring Sheet

St Patrick’s Day is on the 17th March each year. In Ireland they have the Monday off as a Bank Holiday celebration. St Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and his saints day is one of the most celebrated in the world.

The story goes that St Patrick came to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. Patrick’s efforts against the druids were eventually turned into an allegory in which he drove “snakes” out of Ireland. Ireland never really had any snakes but he’s well known for “driving the snakes out of Ireland” and is often pictured doing so.

St Patrick’s Day usually falls within the Lent period, which is known for fasting and abstinence. Traditionally, St Patrick’s Day was a day off from the Lenten fasting and is known for its boozy celebrations and general excess. St Patrick’s Day is celebrated all over the world and is perhaps the most celebrated Saints Day of all.

St Patrick’s Day is a day of celebration of all things Irish; with parades and festivals all across Ireland and beyond. For me, it’s a great excuse to bake some nice Irish style treats and to do some crafts with my boy. I’ve made this St Patrick’s Day colouring sheet for children to do. It’s free to download, so what are you waiting for?

Download your FREE St Patrick’s Day Colouring Sheet Here!

According to legend, St Patrick used the three-leaved shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity to Irish pagans; which is why the shamrock is one of the most well known symbols of Ireland. The St Patrick’s Day custom of “drowning the shamrock” or “wetting the shamrock” was popular many years ago. At the end of the days celebrations, a shamrock is put into the bottom of a cup, which is then filled with whiskey, beer, or cider. A toast is then drunk to St Patrick, Ireland, or those present.

Sásta Lá Fhéile Pádraig!

If you enjoyed this, you might also like to make this paper shamrock craft.

FREE Printable: St Patrick's Day Colouring Sheet

FREE Printables: St David’s Day Colouring Sheets

St David’s Day is on 1st March and is a day of celebration of both St David’s life and the Welsh people and their culture. St David is the patron saint of Wales and on 1st March it is traditional for Welsh people to wear daffodils or leeks, both of these are the symbols of Wales. The wearing of a daffodil on 1st March, St David’s Day was made popular by the Victorians. In Wales the daffodil is also known as “Peter’s leek” and its Welsh name is “Cenhinen Bedr”.

St David was born in Wales and he founded a Celtic monastic community at Glyn Rhosyn. The monastery was located on the western headland of Pembrokeshire at the site where St David’s Cathedral stands today. The son of an aristocratic family; St David has been credited with many miracles; not least of which was his ability to survive on a diet almost exclusively made up of leeks and water. This is perhaps one of the reasons why leeks are one of the national symbols of Wales.

On this special day, Welsh people celebrate with parades, eisteddfods and meals of leek soup and Welsh lamb. Some people like to dress in traditional Welsh costume; which consists of a long wool skirt, apron, white blouse, woollen shawl and a Welsh hat.

Click here to download your FREE Welsh Dragon colouring sheet.

Click here to download your FREE Daffodil colouring sheet.

If you are marking St David’s Day, I’ve made some FREE colouring printables which your family might enjoy. From a lovely Welsh dragon, to a proud looking daffodil; these free printables will help your family celebrate St David’s Day.

If you enjoyed this post, you might want to try your hand at making this lovely cheery popsicle stick daffodil flower or maybe this egg box dragon. If you enjoy baking, what about this delicious traditional Anglesey Cake?

Dydd Gŵyl Dewi Hapus!

FREE Printables: St David's Day Colouring

FREE Printable: Chinese New Year – Year of the Pig

This year Chinese New Year falls on Tuesday 5th February. Chinese New Year is a glorious, colourful celebration of the New Year, just when I feel the year is at its darkest and gloomiest. This year is the Chinese Year of the Pig.

In Manchester the Chinese New Year celebrations are legendary, with a parade, Chinese crafts exhibition, a big celebration in Albert Square and a fantastic street food market.

2019 is the Chinese Year of the Pig. The Pig is the twelfth of the 12 year cycle of animals which make up the Chinese zodiac in the Chinese calendar. Legend has it that the Pig was the last to arrive when the Jade Emperor called for the great meeting. This is why the pig is the last animal in the zodiac.

To celebrate Chinese New Year and the Year of the Pig I’ve created this colouring sheet for children, or indeed adults. It’s a simple sheet which you can print out on A4 paper. All you need are some felt tips or colouring pencils and it should keep the kids entertained for a little while. If you want to extend the fun, you could also try making a Chinese drum, or some traditional red envelopes for Chinese New Year.Click here to download your FREE Chinese New Year printable!

It’s pretty cute isn’t it? It’s A4 sized, so just print off however many you need. Give the kids a million coloured pencils or felt tips and let them go wild with them. Adults who enjoy colouring in might also like to get in on the action too.

I’d love to know what you’ll be doing to celebrate Chinese New Year, let me know in the comment box below. Gong hei fat choy!