“If I had the influence with the good fairy, who is supposed to preside over the christening of all children, I should ask that her gift to each child in the world be a sense of wonder so indestructible that it would last throughout life.” ~Rachel Carson

Are fairies real? I’ll let you decide, but the magic of the imagination is alive in the outdoors. I believe that the outdoors is one of the best places to spark ones sense of wonder and foster it into adulthood. We recently built fairy houses and gnome homes at Woodland Mound and I was so inspired by the creativity and imagination on exhibit. Children and adults alike spent hours building fanciful homes for fairies, gnomes, insects and small animals. The excitement, pride and discovery were so infectious I thought I would share a few tips for building your own fairy house or gnome home.

1. Pick a safe, protected spot for your house. Maybe between exposed tree roots, tucked into bushes or against a rock.
2. Natural materials are best. Stones make a strong foundation, twigs make great walls and leaves can become a roof. Pinecones make great shingles for your roof or even a chimney. Seeds add great accents and décor. They can even become food for small animals.
3. Fairy house and gnome homes can be built almost anywhere, even in your backyard.

To read more about Fairy House construction look for several books in Nature’s Niche Gift Shops including my favorite, Fairy Houses by Tracy Kane.

Janice Milanovich, Naturalist