Step into a world of wonder by designing and building fairy or elf houses & gardens with your family! Begin with a hike to collect anything your heart desires … At the Minnesota Zoo, we believe in the “leave only footprints, take only photos” motto. But we also believe in the countless benefits of nature play and exploration. A general rule is that if you find something already on the ground and can see a lot of it in the space around you, it could make a great nature treasure! 

Spark your child’s innate curiosity, enhance their imagination, and keep them engaged by creating a fairy or elf trail prior to starting your nature walk. Take your time wandering along your trail and exploring as you collect nature treasures. You might even tie ribbons to tree branches, or hide “jewels” along your path- anything that makes the experience more magical! (When you’re done, don’t forget to take any decorative items with you!) Dressing up as your favorite fairy, elf, or other fantastical creature is a great way to add some extra creativity and fun to the adventure! Exchange notes and become pen pals with your new magical friends or write stories of your adventures together! 

Check out this link for some ideas to get started, and remember, the only limit is your own imagination…

The Minnesota Zoo would love to see examples of how you used this activity at home! Please share pictures or comments via email at [email protected], and take less than 5 minutes of time to provide us feedback by completing this short survey.