Fun Friday: Create a Fairy Garden

Fun Friday activities are quick-and-simple ways to explore nature in your own backyard.

It’s been nearly a year since the big explorer built a fairy house. But thanks to several visits from the tooth fairy since then, he hasn’t lost his belief in the magical world in which they exist.

When I suggested it might be fun to build a fairy garden in our backyard, he jumped to it. He immediately started drawing a blueprint for the garden, which he called his “fairy city.”

Making a fairy garden can be as simple or elaborate as you want. We started with an old crate and some leftover soil from our wildflower plantings. The big explorer’s blueprint also featured a garden, some rocks, moss, a pool, a resting log and a couple of cars (of course!).

We picked up what we needed from our local Home Depot, then set about creating the fairy garden. Aside from pouring in the dirt, the big explorer created the entire thing himself.

First came the plants, which are trees to the fairies.

Then came the pool, resting log, rock path and moss.

And finally, the cars.

He added a few special touches, like a tiny pinecone to a leaf on one of the trees and some special stones given to him last summer from the forest fairies.

He thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. He’s hoping our backyard fairies will love their garden as much as he does.

Note: Ours is a very simple example of a fairy garden. For more detailed instructions on how to make a fairy garden, head over to the Magic Onions.

Take-Home Tips

• Let the kids take the lead. From concept to execution, this fairy garden was all from the creative mind of the big explorer.

• Help foster a sense of magic. I’ve got a feeling our backyard fairies will be paying the garden a visit. Perhaps leave behind a flower or two to show their appreciation.

More Ideas for Spring Outdoor Fun

• Go on a spring nature scavenger hunt.
• Make a fairy loom.
• Cook up some goop and flower cupcakes.
• Create your own butterfly wings.
• Or check out one of these 32 ideas for spring backyard nature fun. 

And if you live in the Los Angeles area, go see the live butterflies now on display at the Natural History Museum’s Pavilion of Wings. More than 40 different butterfly and moth species will be in this walk-through exhibit from now until September. Open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. $3 for adults, $1 for kids; free to members.

Happy exploring!