When we hear “fairy garden,” many people picture flowers, fairies, fairy houses and 'girly' things. But these little outdoor play spaces don’t have to be limited to that. With a few changes, they can be just as exciting for boys who love dinosaurs, dragons, or pirates. I’ve gathered a few ideas that are simple enough for toddlers and young kids to enjoy, with parents helping out for certain steps 🙂
A Dinosaur Garden
Instead of fairies, add toy dinosaurs to a shallow container or patch of soil. Use hardy plants like succulents or ferns to create a prehistoric look. Add sand, pebbles, or even a small “watering hole” made with blue stones. Kids can move the dinosaurs around, build caves from rocks, and pretend their dinos are roaming in the wild.
Materials: shallow container or garden patch, soil, succulents, plastic dinosaurs, rocks, sand, blue pebbles.
Knights and Dragons Garden
For children who like medieval adventures, a mini castle scene works well. A toy castle, birdhouse painted like one, or even a small cardboard model can be the centerpiece. Place knight figures around it and add a dragon or two. Moss, stones, and a small “moat” of blue glass beads can complete the look.
Materials: toy or DIY castle, knight and dragon figures, moss or groundcover plants, stones, blue beads for water.
Pirate Treasure Garden
Turn a wagon or shallow box into a sandy island. Add a few small plants for greenery, seashells for decoration, and pirate toys with a treasure chest. Mark an “X” in the sand for buried treasure and, if possible, add a small lagoon with blue glass pebbles and water. Kids will enjoy digging, hiding treasure, and setting up pirate adventures.
Materials: shallow container with sand, small tropical plants, pirate toys, treasure chest or box, seashells, blue glass pebbles.
Space Adventure Garden
For children interested in rockets and aliens, a pot filled with gravel and unusual-looking plants can become a “moon base.” Add astronaut or alien figures, shiny rocks as asteroids, and glow-in-the-dark stickers or paint for night-time effect.
Materials: container with soil and gravel, succulents or air plants, astronaut and alien toys, and glow-in-the-dark decorations.
Tips for Parents
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Use durable toys and outdoor-safe materials.
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Keep small parts away from toddlers who still put things in their mouths.
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Expect the garden to get messy during play, and treat it as part of the fun.
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Involve children in simple steps like pouring soil or placing figures.
Fairy gardens don’t have to be only about fairies. By swapping in dinosaurs, knights, pirates, or astronauts, these little outdoor spaces can match whatever your child is most interested in.
Have you ever tried a fairy garden with your kids or grandkids? I’d love to see what themes you’ve come up with—please share your photos or ideas in the comments!
Happy crafting!
Lizzy
