Materials
- White coffee filters (basket style works best)
- Washable markers (classic Crayola work great)
- Spray bottle filled with water
- Paper towels or tray (to catch excess water)
- Leprechaun hat template (printable available at the end of this post)
- White cardstock or construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue stick or school glue
- Cotton balls (for clouds – optional)
- Glitter (optional)
- Black marker (optional, for adding a face)
Instructions
Step 1: Cut the Rainbow Shape
Flatten a coffee filter and cut it into a rainbow arch shape by cutting it in half, then cutting a "u" shape in the middle to make a rainbow arch.Step 2: Color the Coffee Filter
Use washable markers to draw rainbow stripes across the filter. Encourage kids to press firmly and fill in lots of white space for the best blending effect.Step 3: Spray with Water
Place the colored filter on paper towels or a tray. Lightly spray with water until damp (not soaking). Watch the colors spread and mix together! Allow the coffee filter to dry completely. This usually takes a few hours, or you can speed it up by placing it near a sunny window.Step 4: Decorate the Leprechaun Hat
Print and cut out the leprechaun hat template. Let kids decorate it with markers, glitter, or even sequins.Step 5: Assemble
Glue the leprechaun hat onto the top of the rainbow.(Optional): Add Clouds or a Face: Glue cotton balls to the bottom corners for fluffy clouds. You can also draw a simple leprechaun face under the hat for extra personality.
Notes
Helpful Tips
- Don’t oversaturate the filter — too much water can cause colors to blend into brown.
- Use washable markers only (permanent markers won’t spread the same way).
- Place a baking sheet underneath for easy cleanup.
- If working with a group, label each child’s coffee filter before spraying.
- Let kids experiment with different color orders to explore new blends.