how to catch a leprechaun

First, find a box... It has to be a decent size and pretty sturdy to hold one of those little tricky, green fellows. Cut a door in the front, just large enough for the little man to weasel his way in.

Then start coloring.... you can color or paint papers of different colors to glue on the box. Leprechauns even like stickers.

Or go straight for the box itself. It is wise, though, to use primarily green and yellow. Leprechauns will appreciate it. 

 

Use glue or tape to secure those artistic creations to your box.

Then get to work on making your trick coins. You've got to have plenty of bait to lure those greedy leprechauns into your trap!

This part takes fine skill and technique...

But keep at it, and you'll get it. And once you do, fill up a pot with your silver coins and put it inside your box.

You may need to take a break and organize some cups...

Or cry over your demolished bracket...

But don't let your March Madness failures get you down. There's still much to be done. Next, setup a pulley and a rope,

With one end attached to the door and leading up through the pulley,...

wrap a portion of the rope around a trusty weight and thread the other end of your rope through a small hole at the top of your box.

Secure a small coin to the end of the string inside the box, so when the little greedy man climbs inside the box and grabs the coin, the rope will pull the weight down, causing the rope to roll along the pulley and to pull the door closed.

And you'll have him!

He must then first leave you golden coins before he will be able to use his magical powers to escape.

 

And if you're lucky and you've done it right.... you may just wake up to a pot of gold.