20 Outdoor Fairy Garden Ideas for Kids (2024)

These easy Fairy garden ideas and fairy activities are sure to inspire kids of all ages to dig, plant, grow and engage in imaginative play!

Fairy gardens are the perfect way to connect your child with so many learning & sensory concepts and they are easy to create in your backyard, kitchen or classroom!

We have ours in our outdoor flower garden but today’s set of activities include ideas for both indoor and outdoor fairy set-ups!

I hope you find inspiration and enjoy planning your own mini garden play area!

It’s no secret that I love getting kids involved in gardening activites!

Gardening is great for so many reasons — the nature connection, learning where your food comes from, studying the science of plants and it’s just a good idea to dig in the dirt when you’re a child 😉

Pair that with the imaginative play of fairies — which inspire storytelling, building vocabulary, creative play and of course, reading books — and you have an activity that your kids will turn to again and again this Spring and Summer.

You’ll find a number of creative ideas below including tips for outdoor gardens, fairy crafts, indoor & outdoor play activities and affiliate links for some of our favorite books and items to pair with your fairy garden!

Outdoor Fairy Garden Ideas

Introduce a few STEM ideas in this || Edventures with Kids

Books about Outdoor Fairy Activities

One of the biggest draws for an outdoor fairy garden is turning it into a play & reading area.

Taking books outside is such a great way to encourage literacy & spend an afternoon — just grab a picnic blanket or large beach towel along with some books and fun snacks!

We enjoy bringing a minature tea set outdoors with tiny food items such as slices of cheese sticks, mini crackers, blueberries (because they’re already the right size 😉 and other small items to eat.

You can also set up a Fairy Tent Canopy around your reading area too! (helps keep away the bugs 😉

A few of our favorite fairy books:

One of the best is How to Find Flower Fairies which reveals the secret places where fairies live!

Magical Secret Garden is an adorable pop-up fairy book with such detailed illustrations!

And A Fairy Friend is another beautifully illustrated book, cute story & lots to see on each page.

Or just grab a stack of your favorite nature books because fairies love nature too!

Fairy Garden Crafts & Activities for Kids

Try these DIY crafts and activities for kids too — many can be added to your garden.

Fairy Garden Rocks || Peace but not Quiet

How to Make Fairy Furniture || Adventure in a Box

Recycled Milk Bottle Fairy Garden || The Gingerbread House

DIY Mini Leaf Envelopes & Letters for Fairies || Mother Natured

How to Create a Fairy Busy Bag || Little World Big Adventures

Pinecone Craft – Fairies || Red Ted Art

Mason Jar Fairy House Craft || Easy Peasy and Fun

Acorn Bells || Fireflies & Mudpies

More Garden Ideas for Kids:

DIY Garden Sundial

23 Free Printable Garden Activities

30 Gardening Activities for Kids

20 Outdoor Fairy Garden Ideas for Kids (2024)

FAQs

What is a DIY fairy garden? ›

Essentially, fairy gardens—also called enchanted gardens—are minuscule plots that include live plants, flowers, mushrooms, tiny statues, darling trinkets, and other mini accessories such as furniture, fountains, or swings. They're constructed indoors or out, and you don't need to spend a lot of money to create one.

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How to make a fairy world? ›

Creating an Enchanting Fairy Garden: A Magical Miniature World

Choose Your Container: The first step in creating a fairy garden is selecting a container. ...
Select Your Plants: ...
Create a Fairy Path: ...
Consider a Theme: ...
Add Miniature Accessories: ...
Create Levels and Layers: ...
Pay Attention to Scale: ...
Maintain Your Fairy Garden:

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Sep 21, 2023

What are the rules for fairy gardens? ›

RULES OF THUMB

Don't use iron or nickel in the fairy garden as they will repel your fairies.
Fairies appreciate when you recycle, compost and garden organically.
Perfect playmates for fairies are fireflies, ladybugs and butterflies.
Fairies have an affection for honey, sugar and sweet cakes.

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How do I attract fairies to my fairy garden? ›

Rocks—fairies are attracted to all kinds of shiny stones like agate, quartz, or crystal. Use them to decorate your garden and give the little ones a place to sit. Shiny things—fairies love to look at their reflection, so include shiny things like a mirror or a dish of water in your garden design.

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Which two things do most fairy gardens have? ›

“The basic elements of a fairy garden are miniature plants, fairies and their friends [like dogs, cats and ducks] and accessories,” says Bawden-Davis. “Accessories run the gamut, from tiny watering pails to little rakes and hoes to birdbaths, benches, gazebos and gazing globes.

Do fairy gardens like sun or shade? ›

Choosing a Location

Finding the perfect spot for your outdoor fairy garden requires a little thought. You'll want a spot that does not get direct sunlight. Being a mile high here in Colorado, the summer sun fades just about everything.

How do you make a secret fairy garden? ›

Gathering supplies for your fairy garden is like going on a treasure hunt! You'll need a container to hold your magical world, some potting soil to keep your plants happy, and of course, lots of cute accessories to bring it all together. Don't forget to add a sprinkle of fairy dust for that extra touch of magic!

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How do you make a whimsical garden? ›

Start by repurposing everyday items into charming garden features. Old teacups become whimsical planters, while vintage ladders serve as enchanting trellises. Embrace your artistic side by painting rocks with vibrant colors or crafting DIY fairy houses to nestle among the greenery.

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How to make a succulent fairy garden? ›

Fill your container with a potting mix formulated for cacti and succulents. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to completely dry out before watering again. Take care not to wet the leaves of your succulents. Place your miniature, succulent fairy garden in an area that receives plenty of sunlight.

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How to plant a fairy garden? ›

Planting

Fill your pot/container with potting mix and plant your plants. I prefer to plant the tallest plant (miniature tree) towards the back of the pot, shrubs to the side and ground cover at the front. TIP: You might like to play around with the arrangement of your plants while they are still in their pots.

How do you make a sensory garden for kids? ›

Introduce textures into the fabric of the garden - add variety to wall surfaces, path surfaces, sculptures, seats, tables. Think about materials for new features and consider adding objects to existing ones. Add temporary materials - bark mulch, leaves, straw - to add variety to materials to sit, walk, lie on.

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What does a fairy garden need? ›

All you need for an indoor fairy garden is a pot or planter, some small plants, garden or potting soil and whimsical accessories. Fairy gardens are also ideal for outdoor nooks, flower beds and borders, outdoor containers and even children's wagons, carts or wheelbarrows.

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