A shoebox leprechaun trap that is more than a box on a stick
A shoebox is the right size for a leprechaun trap: deep enough for a catch, light enough to fall, and big enough to hold a sign and a coin. These four builds use the same box in different ways. One is the classic propped drop, one has a trapdoor in the lid, one turns the lid into a rainbow ramp and one is a cottage with a one-way door. All four use tape and card, and each can be tested with a coin.
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6 plans
6 traps fit your filters. Focused on Shoebox plans.
The Classic Shoebox Drop
One box, one stick, one string - the trap every leprechaun story starts with.
The box is balanced on one craft-stick prop. A string tied to the stick runs out from under the box; a tug pulls the stick sideways and the box drops over the bait.
Build it
Turn the shoebox upside down and cut a 1-inch notch in the middle of the front rim. The notch keeps the prop stick from sliding.
Tie one end of a 3-foot string around the middle of a craft stick. Run the string under a chair leg 2 feet away so it pulls straight.
Prop the front edge of the box on the stick. The stick should stand almost upright, with its bottom in the notch and its top under the box rim. The box should feel ready to fall at the lightest tug.
Put a gold coin and a shamrock under the box, a hand's width back from the open edge.
Test it by dropping a coin on the bait: the box should fall and cover the coin. If it sticks, sand the stick or loosen the notch.
One box, one stick, one string - the trap every leprechaun story starts with.
Materials
Shoebox
Craft sticks
string or yarn
tape
a gold coin
The plan
Time
30 minutes
Ages
Ages 3–5, Grades K–2, Grades 3–5
Style
Box and stick
Difficulty
Easy
Bait
gold coin, shamrock confetti, shiny button
Kit
Trap signs, 24 gold coins, Shamrock bait
How it catches a leprechaun
The box is balanced on one craft-stick prop. A string tied to the stick runs out from under the box; a tug pulls the stick sideways and the box drops over the bait.
Steps
Turn the shoebox upside down and cut a 1-inch notch in the middle of the front rim. The notch keeps the prop stick from sliding.
Tie one end of a 3-foot string around the middle of a craft stick. Run the string under a chair leg 2 feet away so it pulls straight.
Prop the front edge of the box on the stick. The stick should stand almost upright, with its bottom in the notch and its top under the box rim. The box should feel ready to fall at the lightest tug.
Put a gold coin and a shamrock under the box, a hand's width back from the open edge.
Test it by dropping a coin on the bait: the box should fall and cover the coin. If it sticks, sand the stick or loosen the notch.
Set it at bedtime and tape the end out of sight.
Sketch your trap
Why a shoebox works
A standard shoebox is about 12 by 7 by 4 inches. That is deep enough that a small toy cannot easily climb out, wide enough for a paper plate roof and light enough for a child to lift. The lid is a free sheet of card for a trapdoor, a ramp or a backboard. The box also takes tape well and can be painted or covered in paper. A boot box works for a bigger trap; a child's shoe box works for a tabletop trap.
Build 1: the classic drop
Turn the box upside down and cut a notch in the front rim. Tie a string to a craft stick and stand the stick in the notch with its top under the box. Put a coin under the box, a hand's width from the edge. Pull the string from 2 feet away. Test with a coin dropped on the bait, then with a toy. If the box does not fall, shorten the stick. This is the fastest build and the one most children can help set.
Build 2: the trapdoor
Cut three sides of a 4-inch square in the lid, leaving the fourth side as a hinge. Tape the hinge on both sides. Tape two straws under the lid as ledges and rest the door on them. Tape a ladder strip up the side to the free edge. Put a coin on the free edge and a few coins inside. Test with a toy: the door should tip and drop it. If the door sags, add a third straw in the middle. If it sticks, trim a little off the edge.
Build 3: the rainbow slide
Tape the lid on the box and cut a 3-inch slot near the front. Tape a piece of card upright at the back as a backboard. Tape a rainbow ramp to the backboard, sloping down to the slot. Tape two card flaps under the slot, hinged at the top. Add a cup collar below. Roll a marble down to test. The marble should push through the flaps and stay in the cup. Adjust the ramp height until it does.
Build 4: the welcome house
Stand the box on its long side and cut a door with one edge left as a hinge. Tape two overlapping card flaps inside the doorway. Fold a paper plate over the top as a roof. Put a coin, a tiny chair and a shamrock inside. Test with a toy: it should push through the flaps and not push back out. Add a 'Free Gold' sign. This build is the best one for a child who wants to decorate.
Cut a lid without ruining it
Score the lid with a craft knife along the line you want, then bend it back and forth until it snaps. Score the hinge line lightly so the card folds without tearing. For a trapdoor, cut three sides and leave the fourth as the hinge. Tape the hinge on both sides for strength. An adult should do the scoring; a child can press the fold and tape the hinge.
Test and fix
Test on a hard floor or table, not carpet. Drop a coin on the bait spot three times. If the box falls before the coin lands, the prop is too loose; stand the stick more upright. If it does not fall, the stick is too tight; sand it or cut a wider notch. If the box lands crooked, add a small weight inside the lid. Write down the change so the child can explain it later.
Questions
How do you make a leprechaun trap out of a shoebox?
Turn the box upside down, prop one edge on a craft stick, tie a string to the stick and put a coin underneath. Pull the string and the box drops. For a harder build, cut a trapdoor in the lid or add a rainbow ramp.
Do you need the lid for a shoebox trap?
The lid is useful but not required. It becomes a trapdoor, a ramp or a backboard. If you use the box upside down, the lid can stay on as the floor of the catch.
What if the shoebox is too light to fall?
Tape a small book or a few coins inside the lid. The weight makes the box fall straight instead of sliding. Test again after adding weight; you may need to loosen the prop.
How do you make a trapdoor in a shoebox?
Cut three sides of a 4-inch square in the lid and leave the fourth as a hinge. Tape the hinge on both sides and rest the free edge on two straws taped underneath. Put the bait on the free edge.
Can you use a boot box or a diaper box?
Yes. A bigger box needs a bigger prop and more weight, and it may be too tall for a tabletop. A boot box works on the floor; a child's shoebox works on a table.
What else can you use instead of a shoebox?
A cereal box, tissue box, paper cup, oatmeal canister or mason jar all work. The picker filters by material, so you can find a plan for whatever is in the recycling bin.