Fairy Garden The BEST Gardening With Kids Hack
I have LOVED having a fairy garden for the past 3 years. Seriously, it’s the best hack for gardening with kids, but more of that at the bottom if you are interested. Fairy gardens can be as grand or budget friendly as you like. I personally got all the fairy garden figures at the dollar store. Some of the figures have broken a little, but that is to be expected with kids, and since they were only a dollar it is not a big deal to me. I have also found nice fairy garden supplies at local garden nurseries, hobby lobby, or make them your own!
Where Do People Put Fairy Gardens
Fairy Gardens can be integrated in your own landscape, in a pot, integrated into a tree or tree stump, or an indoor fairy garden. This next summer I plan on having a fairy and herb garden in the parking strip in front of our house. Whatever space you have, make it more fun with fairy gardens!
What Plants Should I Use?
The sky’s the limit to what plants to plant, but you will want to take in consideration the space you are planting. You will want to consider the maintenance of the plant and how large it will get. One last thing to help you decide what to plant is where your fairy garden will be located. Whether your fairy garden is indoor, planted in full shade, or full sun will help you decide what the best plants are.
For our fairy garden picked the type of plant and let her choose what colors she wanted… of course always pink. I picked plants that are easy to maintain, will grow despite the abuse of children, and wouldn’t grow tall, but spread throughout the pot.
- Petunias (pink)
- Marigolds (orange)
- Sweet alyssum (purple)
The petunias were the best because they trailed over the pot. My daughter would also pick every single flower off those plants and within a week or two they would be full of blooming flowers again.
How Do You Start a Fairy Garden?
To start a fairy garden
- Decide the location: A pot, landscape, tree or tree stump, or indoor pot
- Purchase or make figures: Amazon, dollar store, hobby lobby, etc.
- Purchase your plants: Petunias, marigolds, and sweet alyssum have worked well for us.
- Lay out where you want everything and plant your plants: The best part!
- Water your fairy garden and enjoy all summer long!
What Is The Point?
For most people the fairy garden is decorations and for enjoyment. Our garden did give us a lot of joy, but it was also VERY helpful for me. When I was working outside in my garden, I couldn’t handle the strength of a toddler (seriously, how are they so strong?) I would ask my daughter if they wanted to water, weed, or play with their garden. They would skip to their fairy garden and be proud to have a garden of their own. Whenever they wanted to pick my flowers, I would tell them they couldn’t pick my flowers, but they could pick all the flowers in their garden if they wanted to. I put their garden by their outside toys so it was just enough distraction to work on their garden and then play with their toys. 10/10 recommend having a fairy garden for kids. Besides, it’s just fun, and if it gets destroyed who cares. You can do it again next year.
What Belongs In a Fairy Garden
This can be as simple or elaborate as you like. We have added to our garden bridges, tiny homes, little fairies, fairies on swings, little animal figures, and pathways to name a few. I have also seen ponds, lights, and mini vegetable gardens.
What Are The Rules?
No rules at all! I sky’s the limit. I have included some ideas to help you get started below.
Fairy Garden Ideas
Fairy gardens and kids- To make my figures even more worth their money, I brought them inside during the winter and my daughters used them to play with their kinetic sand. An old toy becomes brand new! Make the activity even more fun with the book How to Catch a Garden Fairy a Mythical Adventure Through Nature by Andy Elkerton. It will make the fairy garden come alive and spark more imagination.
Dinosaur Garden- I have seen some ideas to have a dinosaur garden. I haven’t done it, but thought it was a fun idea to share.
Tree stump- Why not make an eyesore into something beautiful! Put mini doors in the stump, little stick paths, and figurines around the stump to make it look intentional. Before you know it you can have your own fairy community.
Indoor – Don’t have outside space? Bring the garden inside. Use a short but wide pot and fill it with indoor plants and fairies. This would be so cute in a little girls room, if they are mature enough to take care of it.
Herb- I have plans to do this next year in our parking strip to have a dual purpose area. We live next to a school so lots of people walk by, I think it would be fun for me and brighten the passersby with a cute little garden. Subscribe to my newsletter for the results!
Read More Gardening Post!
Simple Cut Flower Garden Layout Plans for Small Spaces
Fragrant Garden, All You Need to Know to Grow!
How to Start a Cut Flower Garden for Beginners- Top 5 Flowers
Grow a Sunflower Garden at Home!
As always
Grow flowers to heal your soul,
Beth
