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Make a Fairy Garden For Your Kid's
Party
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by: Patricia B. Jensen
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This project is a truly unique kid's party activity,
combining fun, fantasy, and learning. Kids love getting their hands dirty
and learning how things grow. They will also love the idea of making a
magical garden place for a fairy to live.
A miniature garden takes little space and can rest on a tabletop.
Maintenance requires only a light misting from time to time and watching
for fairies to come to call. Just kidding about that last part, but you
never know...
Start by collecting various containers such as woven baskets, large shallow
bowls or deep dish clay saucers (like a birdbath), or even discarded bureau
drawers. Check yard sales for innovative ideas and inexpensive
materials.
Next, supply potting soil and a selection of small plants that will reach
under a foot when fully grown. Dwarf zinnias, marigolds, violets, ivy,
baby's tears and sprigs of vinca are all good choices. There are many types
of mosses that will work nicely too, fitting into corners and small areas
easily to add texture and interest. A variety of low-growing herbs such as
thyme and rosemary lend aroma to the mix as well.
Start by lining your garden container with heavy duty plastic, fill to
within an inch of the top with potting soil then kids are ready to
landscape the top. Let them choose their favorite diminutive plants,
interspersing them with various materials to add charm and character to the
fairy garden.
For example, turn a colorful plant pot on its side and submerge it halfway
in the soil to serve as a proper fairy dwelling. Add dollhouse sized
furniture to set in the garden, popsicle sticks to construct a fairy fence,
or small flat rocks to make a wonderful stepping stone path.
A small mirror symbolizing water making a faux gazing pool. The round flat
glass beads used in vases make nice accent pieces too. Tiny garden
accessories like terra cotta pots and shovels give your garden a "lived-in"
look.
Fairy gardens needn't be for little girls only. Boys can make a miniature
dinosaur den using many of the same materials. Herbs, moss and other green
plants can make a forest or wooded area in which small plastic dinosaurs
return from extinction to live another day. Soil mounded to one side forms
a volcano, spilling red aquarium stone lava.
A construction site garden is another option for boys. Tiny rocks, stick
logs, and craft stick lumber can be stacked up waiting for the big rigs to
move them. Small toy bulldozers and cranes can be scattered about, among
the plantings.
These whimsical gardens can go wherever your child's imagination takes
them. You provide the materials, they supply the ideas and creativity.
Planting and maintaining a miniature garden teaches kids about plants,
caring for living things, and most all the fun of gardening.
Copyright 2005: Kids Party Paradise All Rights Reserved
About the Author:
Patricia B. Jensen is a mother
of three and kids' party enthusiast. She is the webmaster and owner of
Kids-Party-Paradise.com - a complete resource for
kids' party ideas including invitations, cakes, decorations, games,
costumes, favors, and food.
For all the latest party news, read her Kids' Party Blog.
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