Over the years, I’ve done various kinds of magical project with the kids. From setting up play scenes in an underbed storage container, makeing paddle pop stick doors to stick on trees, adding a miniature tyre rope swing for toys to a tree, setting up a little fairy scene using a fairy door, shells and stones, and making a twig ladder.
Since my kids were in primary school (quite a long time ago now!) there has been an explosion of cool items you can create a fairy garden outside for the kids. They are so sweet, and it’s the sort of project where you can start small and just add to them as you go along.
For example, you can check out Fairy Gardening Australia, who have a huge range of adorable supplies. Take a look at these cute lamps!
Many places have kits to help you get started. For exmple, Garden Sparkle has a sweet bunny and swing kit.
One of my favourite products are the bridges you can buy. They are so adorable! And I can imagine kids just loving playing with them. Earth Fairy is another place to look at for fairy garden products.
Then, of course, you need the fairies and other figures. My kids often used toy fairies or dolls they already had, but there are some beautiful fairies of all kinds available these days. My Little Fairy Garden have a beautiful range, including Australian animals too.
I don’t think you need a fairy home to get started, but some of the shelters from My Fairy Garden are so sweet.
You can even combine some of these types of products with your own creations, such as a Pebble Fairy House (which I made with the kids), a fairy house version using bark, or use toilet rolls and patty cases.
Places like Big W and Kmart have some fairy garden products too, but I find they aren’t quite as sweet. Kmart has a sweet fairy garden kit for only $12 and if you’re looking for something inside, Big W has a sweet indoor fairy garden kit.
How to make a fairy garden
If you want to make a fairy garden with you kids, here are step-by-step instructions:
- Choose a Location: Select a suitable spot in your backyard where you can create the fairy garden. It could be a corner, a small patch of land, or even a container if you have limited space.
- Gather Materials: Collect the necessary materials for your fairy garden, including:
- A shallow container or a designated area in the ground
- Potting soil
- Small plants or flowers
- Decorative rocks or pebbles
- Miniature fairy figurines, furniture, or accessories
- Moss or other ground cover
- Decorative items like shells, small stones, or twigs
- Plan the Design: Encourage your kids to use their imagination and plan the design of the fairy garden. Discuss where they would like to place the plants, fairy houses, and other elements. Sketching out the design on paper can be helpful.
- Prepare the Area: If you’re using a container, ensure it has drainage holes. If creating the garden in the ground, clear the area of any weeds or debris. Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any large rocks or roots.
- Add Soil and Plants: Fill the container or prepare the designated area with potting soil. Help your kids to plant the selected small plants or flowers in the desired spots. Consider using colorful and low-maintenance plants suitable for the local climate.
- Create a Pathway: Lay out a pathway using decorative rocks, pebbles, or small stones. You can also add cute things like twigs, sticks and bridges. This can be a winding path or a straight one leading to the fairy houses or other focal points.
- Decorate and Accessorise: Now comes the fun part! Let your kids decorate the fairy garden with miniature fairy houses, furniture, and other accessories. They can arrange the items creatively, placing them near the plants, pathway, or hidden among the foliage. Incorporate natural materials like twigs, shells, or small stones to enhance the magical atmosphere.
- Add Ground Cover: Spread moss or other ground cover around the plants and accessories. This will give the garden a lush and enchanting appearance. You can also add small decorations like tiny mushrooms or colorful flowers made from craft materials.
- Water and Maintain: Water the fairy garden gently, taking care not to disturb the arrangements. Ensure the plants receive adequate sunlight and water as required. Regularly check for any maintenance needs, such as pruning or replacing dried-out plants.
- Encourage Imagination: Once the fairy garden is complete, encourage your kids to use their imagination and play in the enchanted space. They can create stories, move the fairy figurines around, and interact with the magical world they’ve created.