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Build a Fairy House (or Dino House) Outside with the Kids!

Boost your child’s creativity and problem solving skills by encouraging them to look at the world in a whole new way…through miniature eyes!

Want to pull the kids away from the electronics and encourage more pretend play?

Easy. Inspire your kids to expand their imaginations by heading outside in the backyard and looking at the world through a smaller set of eyes.

What You’ll Need:

  1. Small toys (dinosaurs and fairies work well!)
  2. Natural materials – sticks, stones, leaves, etc.
  3. An old basket or other junk material (or Goodwill finds)
  4. A glue gun

Bring your child outside and scout out a mysterious place — like a small bush, or shade tree. Then encourage them to look at that object as if they were the size of their toy. For example, with my daughters, I would say, “If I were a fairy, I’d build a hammock right THERE.” and then point at a small bush branch.

Then encourage them to finish the statement for themselves. Where would they build a garage for their car? How would they get water for their dinosaur?

Then gather up a bunch of materials, plug in your glue gun, and start crafting a “home” for your child’s dinosaur or fairy. Ask them questions to encourage problem solving:

  1. Where would the dinosaur sleep?
  2. What type of food would she eat?
  3. Can we make a table for her to eat at?
  4. What can we use to make that table?

The more questions you ask, the more excited your child will get as he starts visualizing and finding creative “solutions” for his little friend. When you’re finished, you can leave the house outside for later, or bring it inside to use it again.

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Build a Fairy House (or Dino House) Outside with the Kids! added by:

Heather Taylor

I'm the Chief Encouragement Officer over at MightyMoms.club -- Giving young parents encouragement and awesome tips to thrive in those difficult first years of parenting!

Last Edited by:

Nathan

This is Nathans about.

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Categories:
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Crafts
  • Moods:
  • Creative
  • Make Something Creative
  • Moods

Want to pull the kids away from the electronics and encourage more pretend play?

Easy. Inspire your kids to expand their imaginations by heading outside in the backyard and looking at the world through a smaller set of eyes.

What You’ll Need:

  1. Small toys (dinosaurs and fairies work well!)
  2. Natural materials – sticks, stones, leaves, etc.
  3. An old basket or other junk material (or Goodwill finds)
  4. A glue gun

Bring your child outside and scout out a mysterious place — like a small bush, or shade tree. Then encourage them to look at that object as if they were the size of their toy. For example, with my daughters, I would say, “If I were a fairy, I’d build a hammock right THERE.” and then point at a small bush branch.

Then encourage them to finish the statement for themselves. Where would they build a garage for their car? How would they get water for their dinosaur?

Then gather up a bunch of materials, plug in your glue gun, and start crafting a “home” for your child’s dinosaur or fairy. Ask them questions to encourage problem solving:

  1. Where would the dinosaur sleep?
  2. What type of food would she eat?
  3. Can we make a table for her to eat at?
  4. What can we use to make that table?

The more questions you ask, the more excited your child will get as he starts visualizing and finding creative “solutions” for his little friend. When you’re finished, you can leave the house outside for later, or bring it inside to use it again.

Add videos of this activity

Videos help others preview the activity. Upload videos to help inspire others

Upload video
    There are currently no videos

Add images of this activity

Images help others preview the activity. images videos to help inspire others

Upload image
Categories:
  • Architecture
  • Art
  • Crafts
  • Moods:
  • Creative
  • Make Something Creative
  • Moods

Build a Fairy House (or Dino House) Outside with the Kids! added by:

Heather Taylor

I'm the Chief Encouragement Officer over at MightyMoms.club -- Giving young parents encouragement and awesome tips to thrive in those difficult first years of parenting!

Last Edited by:

Nathan

This is Nathans about.

Edit Activity

Help improve this activity by making an edit, adding details or images and videos

Create New Activity

Become an ExploreLife.Today contributor! Help inspire people from around the world discover an activity to do.

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Additional Details:

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Price

0.00

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Time of the day

Afternoon, Day, Evening, Morning

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Duration

15 to 60 hours

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Date Start

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Date End

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Season

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Hours

  • MON: -
  • TUE: -
  • WED: -
  • THU: -
  • FRI: -
  • SAT: -
  • SUN: -
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Children

YES

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Family

YES

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Adults

NO

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Indoor

NO

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Outdoor

YES

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At Home

YES

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Glue Gun

Glue Gun

A handheld electronic device that melts wax and allows you to place the wax in specific locations. The wax dries quickly, allowing you to move on faster.

Pinecone

Perfect for all sorts of art and craft projects. Can be found around pine trees or buy them at a craft store.

Twigs

Perfect for all sorts of art and craft projects. Can be found around trees or buy them at a craft store.

Leaves

Use leaves in art and craft projects. They can be founds around trees or you can buy them pre-packaged from craft stores.

Add Optional Resources

Add resources & materials that are not required but can help improve the enjoyment of this activity

Basket

Use a basket to carry your things, pack a picnic or use to make an art / craft display.

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