In backyards and woodlands and other out-of-the-way corners, kids and their families are busy building fairy houses. What’s a fairy house? It’s a very small dwelling that’s big on imagination—and it’s all made from things you can find in nature.
Will fairies really move in? Well, build one and see! Or you could build for another kind of creature. A mouse house, toad abode, cricket cottage, or beetle bungalow would be just as much fun to make. Here is what you do:
Time: 30-60 minutes
Difficulty Level: Easy
Materials
- Natural objects found outdoors: twigs, bark, leaves, stones, pinecones, acorns, moss, flower petals, shells, seed pods
No purchased supplies needed. Everything comes from the ground.
What to Do
- Go on a gathering walk. Collect interesting natural materials. Look for flat bark pieces (walls and roofs), sturdy twigs (frames), large leaves (roofing), small stones (paths and foundations), moss (carpet), and anything else that catches your eye.
- Pick a place. Choose a spot for your fairy house: at the base of a tree, in a garden bed, next to a rock, in a hollow log, or anywhere that feels like a place a tiny creature might live.
- Build away! Lean twigs against a rock or tree trunk for walls. Lay bark or large leaves across the top for a roof. Stack small stones for a path leading to the door.
- Add the details. This is where creativity takes over. Make acorn lanterns, nutshell bathtubs, pebble chairs, moss carpets, flower petal curtains, and pinecone tables. There are no limits.
- Take photos. Time and weather will take a toll on your house, so you may want to take a photo to remember it. Of course, you can always make more—anywhere you go! At the beach, driftwood, shells, and seaweed can become a sandy village. When winter comes along, snow and icicles turn into new building supplies.
For more ideas, check your library or search online to find photos and books about fairy houses. But most important, let your creativity run wild!
