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