FAIRY STORIES
To start out that fun, I plan on reading to my three and five year old grandchildren, “The Night Fairy” by Laura Amy Schlitz. This is a chapter book with beautiful illustrations. The story is about a night fairy named Flory. When she was three months old, her wings were injured by a bat. She falls into a human’s garden and because of her injury, she can’t fly away. It’s a darling book I know they will enjoy.
Reading chapter books with younger children can also be entertaining. Another fun chapter book to read to older children is “The Fairy Rebel” by Lynne Reid Banks. This is a fun chapter book about a woman who is sad. When she goes to her garden, she meets a fairy and then confesses to that fairy that she really wants a baby. Let’s just say this fairy livens up this women’s life.
If you have younger children, a really enchanting fairy book is “The Faerie’s Gift” by Yanya Robyn Batt. The illustrations are beautiful. In the story, a kind woodcutter helps a faerie that’s in trouble. In return, that faerie gives the woodcutter a very special gift. I loved this story and how the woodcutter uses his gift to help his family.
When you’re done reading this book, ask your child what wish they would ask for if they were given just one wish. My granddaughter said she would wish for a castle. When I asked her why, she said she wanted to play in the castle. Which makes perfect sense to a three year old who loves to pretend she’s a princess.
FAIRY TREATS
When stories are through, doesn’t everyone like a good treat? My grandkids do! We’ll be making fairy dust. My grandchildren helped by stirring the ingredients together. This magical treat is so easy to make and the best part is there is no hot summer baking. Here’s how to make it:
- 1/4 c. powdered sugar
- 1/4 c. granulated sugar
- Red or pink food dye.
- Strawberries, raspberries, grapes or bananas
- Colored toothpicks
With a spoon, mix together the sugars and stir in two to five drop of food gel or food dye until the sugars have speckles of color. Cut up fruit as desired and add colored toothpicks to each piece of fruit. Dip the fruit into the fairy dust.
FAIRY CRAFTS AND ACTIVITIES
Children like helping with craft projects too. So, here’s a simple fairy hammock that you can help a child make:
Supplies needed:
- Leather cord
- Netting about 8″ long
- Twigs (Cut 2 sticks that have a “V” shape. The sticks need to be cut to the same length.) 1 stick that’s for the cradle base.
- Jute
- Scissors
- Super glue
1. Make a slip knot at the end of the leather cording. Attach to the end of the cradle base twig. Pull the end tight.
2. Wrap the leather around the base and the legs, creating an “X” as you wrap.
4. When finished wrapping the leather cord, your hammock base will look like the first photo.
5. Bunch the netting with your fingers and tie it onto both sides of the top portion of the cradle bases.
6. Add a drop of super glue to all the joints and around the netting. Let dry.
7. Once completed, your fairy hammock should look like this:
Other crafts for older children would be to make a fairy cottage like this one, made by using a felt (or even a shrunk sweater sleeve) and a Gerber container:
Take your children or grandchildren on a hike or enjoy a peaceful walk or special event to one of these “fairy” named locations throughout the world:
Alabama: Fairy Alley in Hueytown
Alaska: Fairy Hill, Aleutian Island
California: Fairy Falls or Pixie Woods Amusement Park
Colorado: Fairy Caves, Fairy Gardens and Fairy Hills
Connecticut: Nature Walk with 100 fairy houses and Fairy Lake
Georgia: Fairyland Elementary in the town of Lookout Mountain
Idaho: Fairy Gardens
Illinois: Fairy Festival in South Eljin
Indiana: Enchanted Fairy Trail
Maryland: Faerie Festival
Michigan: Fairy Garden Classes
Minnesota: Fairy Lake in Sauk Centre
Mississippi, Fairy Lane in Vicksburg
Missouri: Fairy Cave Lane in Mark Twain National Forest
Montana: Fairy Lake
Nevada: Fairy Falls and Dry Creek Loop
New Hampshire: Fairy Houses Day
New Jersey: Fairy Lake in Hudson County
New York: Fairy Trail and Fairy House Tour
Ohio: Fairy Lane in Carlisle
Oregon: Fairy Falls
Pennsylvania: Fairy Festival 2015
Tennessee: Fairyland Caverns
Texas: Fairy Homes in Zilker Botanical Gardens
Utah: Fairy Forest and Fairyland Trail in Bryce Canyon National Park
Vermont: Fairy House Festival
Virginia: Fairy Stone State Park
Washington: Fairy Falls and Fairy Bakery
Wisconsin: Fairy Springs Road in Hilbert
International Locations:
Australia: Port Fairy
Canada: Fairyhill, Saskatchewan
China: Fairy Bridge
Jamaica: Fairy Hill
Ireland: Templemore Park Fairy Trail
New Zealand: Fairy Falls
Scotland: Fairy Glen, The Fairy Knoll, Fairy Pools & The Fairy Bridge
Turkey: Fairy Chimneys
Vietnam: Mui Ne Fairy Stream
Go for a drive or take a bike ride down a road with an enchanted name for a list of all 50 states in the United States go HERE.
Watch a movie together. My grandchildren love eating popcorn and watching a movie every Sunday night. To keep with their family tradition, for fairy magic week, we’ll watch “Fairytale, a True Story.” Watch this trailer to check it out:
Lastly, just for kicks, did you know that “A forest in England is banning Fairy Doors“? Read this article to your children and ask them what they think of this news.
I’ve had so much fun putting these fairy themed activities together. Please join me at xoxo Grandma for more summer projects. Most importantly, have fun with the little people in your life this summer! -xoxo Grandma
April says
Fun fairy activities. I used to stuff like this with my kids when they were little. I still have a few years to go until I am blessed with grand kids, but these will definitely be the type of activities I will enjoy doing with my grand kids, fun! 🙂
Gail Akeman says
Thank you for joining the Small victories Sunday linkup. Please join again. Pinned to the group board.
Lorelai @ Life With Lorelai says
What fun! Faerie stories are always great, and I love the activities to go along with the stories. Thanks for sharing at the #HomeMattersParty – we love partying with you! Hope to see you next Friday. 🙂
~Lorelai
Life With Lorelai
Joy Candrian says
Thanks for allowing me to join in your summer fun series! I hope everyone enjoys their summer. Emily enjoy your cute family this summer, you have a lot to be grateful for!
Emily says
thanks for joining Joy, I always love your posts!!