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This is definitely targeted at creating that bit of magic for the whole family in the garden. We could all do with some couldn't we? Think
The Secret Garden; perhaps even watch the movie and make it a whole ritual. Get the whole family involved and think -
How can we make our garden really magical so it can be enjoyed long term beyond COVID-19. A place where kids can let their imagination run free, where teenagers would love to have a backyard party and for adults to fall into the lull of relaxing and enjoying an inner child moment.
Something small and easy comes to mind straight up.
A Fairy Garden in a pot, and a
Fairy Doorway. Which little girl wouldn't love that, and perhaps the young males would come to the party if you add a few elves in there. To be honest, it could appeal to adults as well. Each child can have their own to cultivate and take care of and fill with their favourite miniature items.
If there aren't enough little toys at home,
Op-shops like
Red Cross, the
Salvos,
Sacred Heart Mission,
Hunter Gatherer and
Vinnies Shops come to mind for that cheaper option of buying miniature things to put in the fairy garden. Just locate a store near you. If you have easily cultivated plants like cacti around the garden, even better still. You don't need to go out and buy any. Perhaps each child could have a different garden.
One with herbs, one with cacti, one with ferns and so on. You can go
as elaborate or as simple as you'd like. Same goes for the
Fairy Doorways. Several simple popsicle sticks can be made magical with a bit of colour, glue and attachments. Even bark off a tree can be transformed into a rustic fairy door. Each child making and decorating their own door to attach to a tree or a small corner close to the floor at home or in their bedrooms is bound to be magical for them.
For the rest of the garden, think hammock swings or magical swings with artificial flowers cascading off the chains, a little tree house, which kid doesn't love a cubby house, or a mini glamping tent, an arbor/archway leading through to a magical secret garden, fairy lights draped everywhere, hanging baskets filled with magical cascading plants and so on. You get the idea.
If not, check out the
100 magical secret garden ideas and
creative garden swing ideas on YouTube. They're great images for inspiration, but of course, the challenge would be to make it happen with what you have on hand, perhaps repurposing and recycling; giving old items a new lease of life. Repurposing things from a yard sale or op shop; like plants in a wheelbarrow, or an old trampoline made into a swing bed and so on. Challenge those creative juices to flow, plus it's a good way to lead the way in sustainability and being environmentally thoughtful.
On the not so pretty side, building a
worm farm is pretty magical too. Kids are generally into creepy crawlies and will no doubt
love to be involved and watch how it all evolves. The same goes for
composting and
how to keep it going. If you're feeling energetic, perhaps a raised bed of homegrown vegetables so the kids can experience the birth of the food that arrives on their plate and all the components involved, getting it there.
If not the whole garden, a lovely pergola decked out with magical components would definitely fit the bill. Made special enough, you could have a wedding under it. Without the magic, it would just be gardening. Perhaps you can draw inspiration from this
crazy conglomeration. Just bring on the magic. Here are a few more ideas for isolation a)
Garden Ideas b)
Time in Nature &
60 more things you can do in self-isolation.
