Backyard Fairy Garden Storytelling

The sky is pure blue with a few wispy clouds traveling across from time to time.  The temperature is a perfect 73 degrees.  And, my kids are having an afternoon of pure imagination and storytelling thanks to mother nature and a few trinkets grandma threw together in a box.  We have been busily building a backyard fairy garden.

Now, at the first mention of a fairy garden, you might not think that this could in any way relate to literacy.  But, it packs a literacy punch!

It started when my kids decided they wanted to build a fairy garden.  They quickly began to think like architects armed with large chart paper, crayons, and markers.  Grand plans were in the making.

Next, it was time to head to the flower nursery and load up with some beautiful flowers.  There was lots of talk about fairy gardens being miniature and our accumulation of flowers being a bit much for the project.  But, Mommy got two planters full of bright annuals out of the leftovers.  The nursery trip was full of language activity.  Lots of vocabulary was introduced as we learned the names of flowers and learned about the best-growing conditions.

While at the nursery, we met grandma who bestowed a box of trinkets just begging to be in the fairy world.

One more stop at the Dollar Tree for some blue glass pieces for ponds and streams and a couple of bags of rocks for trails.

My idea was to give the kids two containers so they could each create their own miniature world. However, the boys had other ideas.  1.  They wanted to work together on a bigger fairy paradise.  2. They didn’t want to be confined to a container.  Instead, they claimed a larger spot under the shady Japanese Maple tree.  So much for those sun-loving annuals we just bought!

They boys worked for over two hours building, collaborating and talking.  Creativity was at a 10 as they brainstormed uses for each treasure.  A tea holder became a hammock.  Glass spiral ornaments connected with a piece of trimmer cord became a grand entryway

As we speak, they are digging a well for the fairies.  A little something the picked up from listening to Little House on the Prairie when Pa and Mr. Scott dug a well on the prairie.  Hopefully, their Daddy won’t mind the digging.

It’s been two days and the ideas and stories haven’t stopped.  They still have more plans for their fairy world and lots of stories waiting to be told and even written.

Yep, they even brought their journals out to record all the stories.

If you are looking for a creative, hands-on, outdoor, and literacy-rich activity, fill a box with “stuff”, hand it to the kids and let their imaginations flourish.  Backyard fairy garden storytelling is the way to go!

For more backyard ideas, check out these ideas from my friends.

Backyard Rules Free Printable Art | Sunny Day Family

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