Sometimes the weather changes and changes often, in which case I thought I’d show you how to make a small world mobile fairy garden for indoor and outdoor use. Children just love fairy gardens because there are no rules to constructing them, they ignite creativity and are so great for imaginative play. Fairy gardens are also wonderfully open-ended that play can last for hours.
If you’ve been a subscriber for awhile, you know that I have a real soft spot for fairy gardens. You might have seen my previous outdoor fairy garden. My favourite online fairy garden store is without doubt Garden Sparkle, as they have a wide (and stunning) range of fairies, animals, houses and accessories, both for decorative and rough and tumble play.
How to make a small world mobile fairy garden for indoor and outdoor use.
To make a small world fairy garden that is suitable for indoor and outdoors, you will need –
- Tray or platter
- Felt or coloured card
- Fairy figurines and accessories
Possum (4 years old) absolutely loved the idea of a mobile fairy garden. The thought that she could make a fairy garden outdoors and then transport it inside at any time, without the need to deconstruct what she’d created, was very appealing. Possum was also excited by the idea of housing it in her bedroom at night so the fairies could dance around he whilst she slept.
Possum and I bonded over placing all the lovely Garden Sparkle pieces onto the tray and creating a small world of magic. The pieces we used included an AMAZING solar powered house, decorative moss, coloured stones, mushrooms, magical gateway, fence, stepping stones, climbing ladder, fairies and more. Of course as we played with the fairy pieces outdoors, we noticed our play extend beyond the tray, which was lovely too.
So what is small world play and why is it important for children?
Small world play is about creating a scene that a child can play with using miniature figurines and other small accessories. These can be used to act out real or imaginary stories. As you can appreciate, this is wonderful for children’s learning and development as they are building on their language skills, creativity and more. Adding Sensory elements, like the use of moss or natural treasures found around the garden, can also enhance and provide a child with a richer play experience too.
With a mobile fairy garden, it’s so very easy to move play from outdoors to indoors. The tray we used had handles too so that made transporting everything very easy and the fairy pieces are rather light that it wasn’t a problem for Possum to carry.
Of course it wasn’t long before play resumed indoors and Possum donned her favourite fairy costume. Her sister Boo (19 months) was also wanting to get in on the small world play experience, which I had no problems with as I’d removed all small parts that could be considered a choking hazard for her.
And another little something that will warm your heart, Garden Sparkle now stock these stunning solar powered fairy houses. These are just so magical and ensures a child’s belief in fairies last long after their play experience. This one lives in Possum’s room and because it’s solar powered it offers a comforting and warm glow that makes it really feel like there is a fairy home and not far away. Precious.
So as you can see, fairy garden play is so wonderful for boys and girls of all ages to enjoy, especially with lovely pieces like what we have. I encourage you to start building on a set today.
Competition now closed. x
COMPETITION ENTRY is now CLOSED. Visit the Garden Sparkle online store if you wish to make any future purchases. Thank you to everyone who entered.
Kate says
What a great idea to use felt!
I love the Garden Sparkle site… we’d buy the tiny mushrooms and the rainbow gems because not only are they great for imaginative play but they are also great for loose parts play and we love both those kinds of activities!
Kate says
Oh ABSOLUTELY Kate! Thank you kindly for your entry.
kate jennings says
Oh my, these fairy gardens are so charming! And what a clever idea to make them transportable inside and out – genius! I know if my kids had them they would definitely want to play with them indoors too so love the idea of such a simple way to move the set up without dismantling.
If I got to choose two items for my kiddos, I couldn’t go past the super delightful Woodland Way house – a cute little base for our fairyland! And then the mini fairyland family to be its residents. Would provide so many hours of imaginative fun!
Kate says
Now fairy play can happen anywhere! My children have really loved it Kate.
Thank you for your entry. The Woodland Way house is absolutely precious. ๐
Lauren says
WOW! These fairy products are just beautiful! Perfect for my 3 year old. Small world play is such a briliant way to encourage their little imaginations! I’d have to go for the starter kit because there are so many lovely things I couldn’t choose – so I love that it’s decided for me ๐
And OH MY HEART the little toadstood table set it adorbs! These little bits and pieces would be perfect for Miss M’s dolls house, or in a tray like you’ve demonstrated here Kate. What an awesome competition – thanks for promoting such a fab business ๐
Kate says
Oh Lauren you’ve certainly spotted some gorgeous products. The toadstool table is certainly super cute.
Thanks for your entry Lauren. ๐
Kelly says
Such a great idea to have it on a tray that can be brought in and out! If we were lucky enough to win, we would get the small bits and pieces. The lamps, mailbox, pebbles and so on. This way my daughter (who happens to be fairy mad) would be able to create her own special fairy garden in her own way. Magical!
Kate says
That sounds absolutely wonderful Kelly. Thank you for your entry.
Stacey says
Your fairy garden is so cute! I love the idea of it being portable, allowing kids to still enjoy playing inside when the weather is bad out. The little people in our house would love the Hobbit House and then the wizard and some dragons to go with it.
Kate says
I couldn’t resist popping over to the Garden Sparkle website and checking out your two selections Stacey. A-DORABLE! Thank you so kindly for entering. Good luck. ๐
Danya says
Oh my goodness, you have no idea how much my kids would love this!! And I adore your tray as an indoor / outdoor suggestion, it would be so handy. Garden Sparkle have such an amazing range – choosing JUST two pieces is incredibly difficult! I think one of the solar fairy houses would be so magical. I especially love the Lilac Solar Blossum House. And the little fairy swing to go along beside it, so the fairies can play… Oh, it all makes my heart melt!
Kate says
Oh Danya, I love the pieces you’ve picked. They are so adorable. My little girl LOVES her solar powered house and she can’t believe the fairies live in there and have the lights on when she’s sleeping. Seriously cute. Thanks for your entry.
Kate & Karin says
In the still of the middle of the night
The fairies come out to play and delight
One hundred dollars will share
Their charm with kids in my care
And give joy and wonder and help excite.
We do respite for kids with special needs and have a fairy garden with a variety of villages – gnomes, fairies, teddies, charming tails mice and spooky. But it is not accessible to all, We’d love to set up a mobile tray with the fairytale mushroom house and the fairy garden starter kit and share the magic even more.
Kate says
Hi girls. Thank you for your creative poem and what wonderful, amazing people you are. I can imagine that some special ones in your care would enjoys these pieces. Thank you for your entry! ๐
Naomi Keenan says
What a stunning site and business! My almost 3-year-old daughter has such a wonderful imagination and I’m super keen to continue to encourage this. These sets look like a wonderful new way to introduce small world play and fire her creative streak.
So hard to choose only two things, but I think the Purple Sparkle Tree House for my glitter and purple mad daughter would be a lovely place to start. And then the mini Fairyland Family looks perfect for her little hands and big imagination.
Kate says
Hi Naomi. Lovely to have you pop over and enter the competition. Welcome. Thank you so kindly for your comments. I absolutely love the pieces you picked. Oh that Purple Sparkle Tree House!!! Gorgeous. Thanks for entering. ๐
Kylie says
Oh gosh! It’s so hard to choose, but Master 3 loves dragons, so the sleeping dragon would be a must and the mini bbq as it is just like Daddy’s weber! it’s always hard to keep these things so that both kids can play, but Miss 5 would love those bits too!
Kate says
Oh I love your choices Kylie! I love that you picked the mini BBQ because of the weber you have at home. Yes, absolutely. Fairy play is so fabulous for children of all ages. Thanks for your entry! ๐
Anna @ Kids Play Space says
OK – what a dreamy store!!! (and I LOVE fairy gardens!)
I’d buy one of everything! haha! no, if I had to choose, I’d go for one of the gorgeous wooden heart fairy doors and one of the unicorns. The door – because what could be a more exciting imaginative play prompt that a door suggesting a world of little folk in the garden! and the unicorn – because my son has been obsessed with them lately!
Kate says
My oldest is obsessed with unicorns too Anna! She is insisting on a unicorn birthday party at the end of this year. The unicorns on the website are gorgeous, I agree! I have my eye on the fairy doors too. So sweet. Thanks for entering.
Tina Elvins says
I adore the harmony fairy garden kit. Love the little fairy sitting with her feet in the water. Looks so relaxing I can almost imagine being that little fairy myself. I know my daughter would have countless hours spent imagining she herself is among the fairies! Thank-you for such a generous competition, we’ve really only created our basic little fairy garden from things we have found in the shop’s. But this would be the Mercedes of fairy gardens.
Kate says
That’s wonderful Tina. Thank you for entering.
Maree Wood says
My little niece would LOVE this ๐
Kate says
Thanks Maree. Be sure to answer the question so I can consider you for the competition. ๐
LINDA WALLACE says
Oh Garden SPARKLE have some wonderful products, we are totally spoilt. Found it hard but eventually I chose the Woodland Way House and the Fairyland Family. With these I’m sure the kids would soon be delighted. and tottaly engrosed in fairyland.
Kate says
Oh how lovely. That Fairyland Family would be great. Thanks for entering Linda. ๐
Melissa says
I’ve just discovered the fabulous Garden Sparkle!! They really do have divine fairies and accessories!!
I really love your idea for a portable fairy garden, that the children can move themselves, adds to their sense of ownership ๐ We’ll definitely be making one (or two) here! Thank you!!
My little girls love most things that fly, butterflies, ladybirds, dragonflies & bees but most of all fairies!!! So we would choose either the very important Solar Fairy Flying School or the absolutely fabulous Fairy Landing Pad Set.
Kate says
Oh Melissa, I love that your girls love things that fly. How adorable. Thank you for your entry. ๐
Melissa says
๐ I love that they do too ๐ It’s so beautiful to watch them play and dream ๐ ๐
Rebecca says
I would love to be able to purchase a fairies & unicorn starter pack and start building a garden to give the kids at the women’s & children’s hospital. Thankyou Kindly for the opportunity to win, It’s very much appreciated ๐
Kate says
Sounds like a nice idea Rebecca. Thank you for your entry!
Emma Watson says
My daughter and I would buy a fairy garden kit and a unicorn as she is slightly in love and obsessed with unicorns.
Kate says
Sounds like a gorgeous combination Emma. Thank you kindly for your entry. Good luck!
C hilton says
I would buy the Enchanted Tea Party Kit for my daughter to play with and the fairy picnic set as its a gorgeous set
Kate says
You are not wrong C hilton! Thank you for your entry. Best wishes to you. ๐
Carissa says
The fairytale boot house is the sweetest. I’d choose that, but first read my kids the rhyme about the old woman who lived in shoe, to inspire their playing and see how they can reinterpret the story using the show house. I’d pair it with the Isis table setting because eating outside is so Australian. โบ
Kate says
What a lovely idea Carissa. Thank you so much for your entry. That fairy boot house is gorgeous.
Sheila says
I love everything I’ve seen with your fairy gardens they are beautiful ! I have a almost 3 yr old who is high functioning autism , ADHD , and oppositionAl deficit dis order I apoptosis him at birth . Trying to teach pretend has been difficult ! I wouldn’t have any problem spending my $100 worth of gift card . But even if I don’t win the beauties , I still have some great ideas now ! Thank you
Sheila Spradlin
Kate says
Thank you Sheila, you sound like you are a busy lady with an extra busy 3 year old. Garden Sparkle have a great ‘rough and tumble’ range of fairies (as shown in my post here) and other pieces that are great because they don’t break very easily and great for sensory play. Thank you kindly for your entry Sheila. ๐
paula says
What a gorgeous website. My daughter had her pick….the striped gourd fairy house and rainbow unicorn are in the top of her very long wishlist
Kate says
I love that you had your daughter pick Paula. Unicorns are my daughters pick too. Thanks for your entry. ๐
Jeneta@PlumJam says
These are absolutely ADORABLE!!! I would choose the Fairy Dust Merchant (how cute is that roof?!!) and the Wild Mushroom Table Set. And then I’d probably choose another ten items because they are just so tiny and beautiful!
Kate says
I totally understand Jeneta! It would be very hard to stop at only a few pieces. It’s all so adorable. Thanks for your entry. ๐
Molly Klumb says
I can’t wait for my tot to grow a tad bit older so I can play a fairyscape for his imagination to run wild. Until then I’ll be stirring around ideas in my head from the online store.
I would like to purchase the baby sleepy dragon and the mushroom table set both of which can be found in my favorite childhood movies….Alice in Wonderland and The Neverending Story.
Kate says
Oh I love that Molly. Those pieces look to be part of Garden Sparkles ‘rough and tumble’ range and are super strong, less prone to break and great for play with kids. Thanks for your entry. ๐
lyn says
I am a day care educator and i have 4 lovely girls in my car which would adore playing with fairies, i would choose the kits as i would need help to set it up and i think that would be a good way to get the girls to be involved.
Kate says
Oh those kits are so fabulous, I totally agree Lyn. Thank you kindly and I appreciate your entry to the competition. ๐
Valerie says
We’d choose the “tooth fairy school”, for we recently lost our first tooth and will have more to go! My daughter was intrigued about the tooth fairy, and it has sparked a love for all fairies!
Valerie says
My second choice would be the Wonderland theme accessories- as we have our own “Allison Wonderland” pretty much on a daily basis! From mad hatter tea parties to chasing the rabbit games (her little brother likes to be the rabbit.). So I think for selfish reasons, though the children would love it! I’d pick Wonderland to remind me, once they are grown, of all the fun times we had when they were small. Maybe, just maybe, I could hold a piece of today “tomorrow”. โค๏ธ?
Kate says
Oh I just think that’s so gorgeous Valerie. It’s so important to hold on to as many memories as possible. Best of luck. ๐
Kate says
It’s so adorable. ๐
Alicia Bardsley says
Tickled Pink Fairy Garden Kit and a Wonderland tea seat. We (my daughter and I) adore unicorns, pink doors and afternoon tea!
Kate says
Oh I have to say I completely agree Alicia! Gorgeous. Thanks for your entry. ๐
Christina says
Striped Gourd Fairy House and Snow Drop Fairy. My little one has an amazing imagination, she loves to create, explore and play. This would give her hours of unhampered entertainment and I know she’d be over the moon, Thanks for the opportunity <3
Kate says
So wonderful that your child has such an amazing imagination Christina. Best of luck with the competition, thanks for your entry. ๐
Lucia Saal says
We would choose the Tickled Pink Fairy Garden kit because it’s our favourite colour and the Flower Fairy Bench as it’s will add some other colours and keep the flower theme! Thanks, Gem would love this!
Kate says
I would get that fairy just for it’s name ‘Tickled Pick’. So sweet. Thanks for your entry Lucia! ๐
jody buhagiar says
The deluxe Fairy Garden kit,
Love everything about it!
To compliment,
The Fairy Picnic set,
Imagination building
My daughter would get!
Dreams coming true, visits magical
Garden Sparkle, we love you ๐
Kate says
What a cute poem Jody! Thank you kindly and lovely to have your entry.
Kim Maver says
I would choose the Fairies and Unicorn Starter Kit and the Believe Stepping Stones as I can see that they would provide countless hours of imaginative and fun play for the children in my care, the benefits of small world play is limitless and has helped to develop many wonderful friendships among my day care children. There is something so magical about fairy gardens that delight children all around the world.
Kate says
Thank you Kim and wonderful pieces you have chosen. The Believe Stepping Stones are absolutely precious.
I appreciate your entry. Good luck!
Sacha Pech says
How gorgeous; I have a very imaginative and fairy loving 4yo who would simply adore these (secretly… or not so secretly so would I!).
Fairies and Unicorn starter kit could start us off and then add a Nasturtium Fairy (because he looks just as cheeky as her older brother). I can totally see us all spending cold, wet winter weekend days making magic inside.
Kate says
Thanks Sacha! I love that you have found a little fairy that reminds you of your son. How cute. Thanks for your entry. ๐
Laureneve says
Would put an extra $15 to get the beautiful Woodland kit, it is like something out of an Enid Blighton book, it’s magical and beautiful.
Kate says
You’re absolutely right Laureneve!!! Thanks for your entry. ๐
hayley shaw says
my child would love the buttercup fairy and a wild mushroom table set so I would go with that if I were lucky enough to win
Kate says
Awwwww that Buttercup fairy is gorgeous. Thanks for your entry Hayley. ๐
Tanya Clarke says
So gorgeous! I love these bits and pieces! We’d choose the fairy landing pad to put on our huge backyard tree and a fairy to place nearby.
Kate says
Sounds absolutely perfect Tanya! Thanks for entering. Good Luck! ๐
Vanessa Brown says
I would purchase the Magic fairy kit and picnic fairy kit. I think my daughter and I would have a great time playing with them.
Kate says
They are such fabulous kits. Lots of fun to be had with those.
Thanks so kindly for your entry Vanessa. ๐
Shannon Wotton says
It is nearly impossible to choose just two favourites from Garden Sparkle’s collection of delightful fairies and more! I think I would start with the Fairy Bread Bakery -so cute and colourful – and the Fairy tea party play set to give our Fairies somewhere to sit and eat their Bakery treats. Only problem is that I’m going to need a bigger tray to create our fairy garden on (or perhaps several trays) as we are going to end up with an entire Fairy Village by the time we are done!
Kate says
Oh I hear you Shannon! LOL Love your thinking. Thanks for entering. ๐
Nicole Walton says
I’ve never had a fairy garden but have always wanted one (I’m 34 ;)). The Fairies and Unicorn starter kit would be my ultimate fairy garden. Of course every fairy needs a pet, and sleepy the baby dragon is just adorable and would make the perfect gate keeper to my fairy garden. Beautiful things by the way! I would buy them all if I could!
Nicole Walton says
I am a huge Enid Blyton fan so I still believe there are fairies and gnomes and goblins in the garden ๐
Kate says
So beautiful. Enid Blyton is certainly one of my faves.
Kate says
Completely agree Nicole, Garden Sparkle have such amazing things. Thanks for your entry lovely. ๐
Elisabeth Martins says
Most certainly the “Fairy Garden”,
this idea is amazing.
and everything else fairy related,
the girls are coo-coo about them.
Kate says
Thank you so kindly for your clever poem Elisabeth. Great entry.
Laura Scriven says
Deluxe Fairy Garden Kit,
It’d be a school holiday hit!
I’d add a Fairy Buttercup to stay,
All day she’d play.
Kate says
Oh I love that Deluxe Fairy Kit. It is so awesome. Thank you so much for your entry Laura. ๐
Melissa Kagie says
The fairies and unicorn starter kit would be perfect for Miss 3 as she loves her magical unicorns!
Kate says
I have to say, I adore magical unicorns too Melissa. LOL
Thanks for your entry.
Lynda Taylor says
What a gorgeous idea.
If I could pick 2 things, the first would have to be the Magical Fairy door to start a lovely outdoor fairy garden and the second item would be the fairy window set. This gives the illusion of fairies living in one of our trees and we can build our gardens and paths around it as we go on.
Kate says
Just in the nick of time. Thanks for your entry Lynda. Gorgeous pieces. ๐