St. Patrick’s Day Icebreakers
1. Rainbow Coin Toss
Rainbow Coin Toss is a fun St. Patrick’s Day activity, perfect for office gatherings. Participants aim to toss coins into rainbow-colored pots, each representing different levels of difficulty or rewards. Prepare the pots and the trophies beforehand or assign someone in your team to be in charge of that. It’s a playful challenge that ties into St. Patrick’s Day folklore with a touch of friendly competition.
- Time estimate: 30 minutes - 1 hour
- Budget: Free
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 20 participants
- Great for: Team-building and boosting focus.
2. Lucky Anon Letters
To organize Lucky Anon Letters, create a space where employees can drop their letters, like a box or a virtual collection point, and ensure everyone knows the rules: write a positive or uplifting message without revealing their identity. At the end of the event, letters are randomly distributed, and everyone can enjoy reading what their peers have written for them. The best part? This activity can take place in-person or virtually.
- Time estimate: 1 hour
- Budget: Free
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Groups of any size
- Great for: Fostering positivity and team connection.
3. Charmed Numbers
Charmed Numbers is a luck-based game that adds an element of excitement to your St. Patrick's Day celebration. In this game, participants draw numbers from a hat, with one predetermined lucky number that wins a prize. As everyone eagerly waits for their turn to draw, the anticipation builds. This game is simple, engaging, and full of surprises, making it an ideal activity for bringing employees together.
- Time estimate: 30 minutes - 1 hour
- Budget: Free
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Groups of any size
- Great for: Encouraging friendly competition and team bonding.
4. Who Has the Gold Coin?
In this exciting and secretive game, one person (the "Leprechaun") tries to guess which player is secretly holding a gold coin. Players sit in a circle, and the leprechaun must figure out who has the coin by observing subtle clues. It’s an engaging way to enhance collaboration and communication within the team.
- Time estimate: 15-20 minutes
- Budget: From $1 (golden coin price)
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 10 participants
- Great for: Team-building, enhancing communication, problem-solving
5. St. Patrick’s Day Word Jumble
St. Patrick’s Day Word Jumble is an entertaining game where participants are given scrambled letters that form words related to the Irish holiday. The goal is for players to unscramble the letters within a set time limit. It’s a great activity for boosting problem-solving skills and quick thinking, whilst learning new words used in the Irish vocabulary.
- Time estimate: 20-30 minutes
- Budget: Free
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 10 participants
- Great for: Team-building, boosting creativity, enhancing communication.
6. St. Patrick’s Day This or That
St. Patrick’s Day This or That is an interactive icebreaker game that lets your team weigh in on all things Irish! Players are given a series of choices, such as "Guinness or Irish Coffee?" or "Corned Beef or Shepherd’s Pie?". The goal is to pick one option, and after a few rounds, you can tally up the most popular answers to see which preferences align.
- Time estimate: 15-30 minutes
- Budget: Free
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Any size
- Great for: Team-building, boosting morale, sparking conversation.
St. Patrick’s Top Team-Building Activities
7. Shamrock Scavenger Hunt
Organize a Shamrock Scavenger Hunt: prepare a list of St. Patrick’s Day-themed items or clues, hide them creatively around the space, and divide participants into teams to race against time finding them. The best part? You get to do this activity in a nearby park, providing your team with quality time outside of the office.
- Time estimate: 30 minutes–1 hour
- Budget: Free
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 30 participants
- Great for: Enhancing communication, teamwork, and creative thinking.
8. Going Green Theme Party
Start by setting a dress code that encourages employees to wear green outfits or accessories. Decorate the space with sustainable decorations, such as reusable green banners, potted plants, and energy-efficient LED lighting. Serve green-themed snacks and drinks and incorporate activities like a recycled crafting station or a trivia game about Irish culture. Donate to a green charity as part of the celebration.
- Time estimate: 1–2 hours
- Budget: $100-$150 dollars (decorations)
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Groups of any size
- Great for: Boosting morale, promoting sustainability, and fostering team bonding.
9. Irish Cooking Class
In this hands-on activity, participants can learn to cook traditional Irish dishes, like soda bread, shepherd’s pie, Irish stew, or barmbrack. A cooking class is a great way to bond over food, share tips, and learn a new skill together. The best part? You get to taste your creations!
- Time estimate: 1-2 hours
- Budget: $90/pp
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 20 participants
- Great for: Team-building, creativity, and collaboration.
10. Irish Dance Class
Get your team moving with a fun and interactive Irish dance class, where everyone can learn basic steps to popular Irish dances like the jig, the reel, the treble, and the cross-step. It’s an engaging way to promote team bonding and learn a new skill while staying active.
- Time estimate: 45 minutes - 1 hour
- Budget: From $25/pp
- Accessibility: No
- Group size: Up to 15 participants
- Great for: Team-building, learning new skills, and enhancing communication.
11. St. Paddy’s Day Mixology Class
Get your team involved in crafting traditional Irish cocktails and learning the art of mixology with a St. Paddy’s Day twist! In this class, employees can try their hand at making drinks like Irish coffee, Pot O’Gold, Irish Maid, and Gaelic Grasshopper. A professional mixologist will walk everyone through the steps, teaching the techniques and ingredients that make these drinks special. The best part is that participants get to taste their creations at the end!
- Time estimate: 1-2 hours
- Budget: From $20/pp
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 15 participants
- Great for: Enhancing teamwork and learning new skills.
Relaxing St. Patrick’s Activities
12. Shamrock Movie Party
Host a movie marathon featuring classic Irish films or St. Patrick’s Day-themed movies. Plan ahead and assign someone to take care of snacks and drinks. You could watch anything from The Quiet Man to Leprechaun, creating a cozy atmosphere where everyone can unwind together while celebrating the Irish holiday.
- Time estimate: 2-3 hours
- Budget: Free
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Groups of any size
- Great for: Boosting morale and team-building.
13. Beer or Whiskey Tasting
Organize a tasting event featuring a selection of Irish beers or whiskeys. This activity can be an excellent way to explore Irish culture and bond with your team at the same time. Head to an Irish pub in your city or collect the drinks beforehand and organize the whole event in your office. Make sure to offer non-alcoholic options for everyone!
- Time estimate: 1-2 hours
- Budget: From $20/pp
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 20 participants
- Great for: Boosting morale, social interaction, and team-building.
14. St. Patrick’s Day Potluck Lunch
A St. Patrick’s Day potluck lunch brings together traditional Irish comfort foods for your team to enjoy. Ask employees to contribute dishes like Shepherd’s pie, potato soup, beef stew, colcannon (mashed potatoes with cabbage), and oysters for a delicious meal. Not only does this event encourage participation, but it’s also an excellent way for team members to share their cooking talents and enjoy a variety of flavors..
- Time estimate: 1-2 hours (depending on meal prep and eating)
- Budget: From $30/pp
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 30 participants
- Great for: Building relationships and strengthening company culture.
15. Rainbow Paint and Sip
This creative and relaxing activity lets your team explore their artistic side while enjoying a drink or two. During the St. Patrick’s Day-themed paint and sip, employees can paint rainbow designs or leprechaun hats while sipping on their favorite beverage. The class is led by an instructor who will guide everyone through creating their own masterpiece. It’s a great opportunity to unwind in a non-competitive environment.
- Time estimate: 2 hours
- Budget: From $30/pp
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 20 participants
- Great for: Boosting creativity, team bonding, and relaxation.
16. Festive Costume Contest
A festive costume contest is a fantastic activity to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in a relaxed manner. Employees can dress up in their most creative St. Paddy's-themed outfits, from leprechauns to rainbows, shamrocks, or even pots of gold! You can organize a contest with different categories such as “Most Creative”, “Most Cheerful”, or “Best Group Costume”, and award prizes to the winners.
- Time estimate: 1 hour
- Budget: Free - $50/pp (depending on the costume)
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Groups of any size
- Great for: Boosting creativity and team bonding.
17. Irish Happy Hour
An Irish Happy Hour is the ultimate way to wind down after a busy day of St. Patrick’s Day activities. Whether you’re at the office or at a local pub, employees can enjoy drinks like Irish whiskey, beer, or classic cocktails such as the Irish Coffee or the Pot O’Gold. It's an informal event that can be enhanced with themed snacks or music, bringing everyone together to celebrate the holiday in style.
- Time estimate: 1-2 hours
- Budget: $15-$25/pp
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 30 participants
- Great for: Boosting morale, team bonding, and relaxation.
Competitive St. Patrick’s Day Adventures
18. St. Patrick’s Day Trivia
Test your team’s knowledge of St. Patrick’s Day history, traditions, and Irish culture with a trivia competition. Decorate the office, create teams or go head-to-head to see who’s the ultimate St. Patrick’s Day expert! Questions range from “In what country was St. Patrick born?” to “When was the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in the US?”. Give out awards to the winners and complete the experience with Irish snacks and drinks.
- Time estimate: 30-60 minutes
- Budget: Free
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 20 participants
- Great for: Team-building and enhancing communication.
19. Leprechaun Hat Toss
A Leprechaun Hat Toss is a St. Patrick's Day-themed game where participants throw small objects, like bean bags or soft balls, into a series of leprechaun hats. The hats are placed at varying distances for extra challenge. Players take turns tossing the objects into the hats, earning points based on their success. This game is a perfect team-building activity as it encourages friendly competition and teamwork.
- Time estimate: 1 hour
- Budget: $20-$50 (hats and bean bags for the whole team)
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Up to 20 participants
- Great for: Team-building, improving coordination, and entertainment.
20. St. Paddy’s Day Singalong
A St. Paddy’s Day Singalong is a lively way to celebrate the holiday while bonding with your team. Choose a selection of classic Irish songs, such as "Danny Boy", "Whiskey in the Jar", or "The Wild Rover", and get everyone to join in on the fun! Whether it’s in person or virtual, singing together creates a sense of unity within the team. You could even have a mini karaoke competition or offer prizes for the best performances.
- Time estimate: 30-60 minutes
- Budget: Free
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Any size
- Great for: Team bonding, boosting morale, enhancing communication, creativity
Gift Giving Activities
21. Goodie Bags
A St. Patrick's Day goodie bag is an exciting way to add a personal touch to your office celebration. Put together individual bags filled with festive items like green beads, lucky charms cereal, chocolate gold coins, and themed stationery. The green color scheme is essential to enhance the festive feel. You can also include quirky items like St. Patrick’s Day stickers or marshmallows. These goodie bags can be placed on desks to surprise employees as they arrive, setting a celebratory mood for the day.
- Time estimate: 15-30 minutes (for preparation)
- Budget: $5-$10/per bag
- Accessibility: Yes
- Group size: Groups of any size
- Great for: Boosting morale and team bonding.
Why Choose Team-Building Activities to Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?
St. Patrick’s Day is the ideal time to show appreciation for your team, celebrate accomplishments, and embrace a bit of luck and fun.
This festive occasion opens doors to bonding over creative activities, celebrates team spirit, and injects some lightheartedness into your workplace culture. Gather your team for Rainbow Paint and Sip, share a delicious St. Patrick’s Day Potluck Lunch, or dive into a game of Who Has the Gold Coin? – These activities can help strengthen team connections and lift morale.
Games like Festive Costume Contest bring out friendly competition, while Beer or Whiskey Tasting adds an Irish twist to your celebration.
With so many engaging options to choose from, St. Patrick’s Day can be a fantastic way to bring your team together and foster a positive, energized work environment. The best part? These activities are easy to organize and can be customized to fit your team’s size, preferences, and goals. Whether you’re in-person or virtually connected, adding some St. Paddy’s flair to your team-building event will help everyone embrace the luck of the Irish!
Not a fan of St. Patrick’s Day but looking for corporate retreat locations for the month of March? Check out our article with top-notch suggestions for every team’s style!
Reach out to our TeamOut experts and schedule a free call today! Let’s craft an experience your team will never forget!
.png)
