Fairy Garden in a Bottle

Fairy Garden in a Bottle - DIY Terrarium Craft for Kids

Let's get our hands dirty while learning about biology and recycling! Build an entire little ecosystem inside a recycled bottle and decorate it with your own fairy house. This project combines science learning with creative crafting as kids discover how plants grow in contained environments. Perfect for teaching sustainability, biology, and gardening skills while creating magical miniature worlds that fairies would love to visit!

20-40 minutes Ages 3-12 2 steps may need help

About This Project

A 20–40 minutes craft for ages 3–12, using supplies you likely already have — Drill, Seeds, and Vice.

GlueStick supports kids from setup to cleanup. After they choose a project, we guide them through gathering the supplies, making it, and cleaning up when they're done. We'll even help them share it safely with trusted family and friends.

Ad-free and kid-safe library — designed by a mom who wants kids to explore and create independently.

This project is perfect for:
Project Tags
garden recycling center greenhouse recycled materials upcycling fairy seed starting earth day indoor outdoor castle plant science fine motor skills spatial planning spring family project
  1. 1

    Find Supplies

    Do you have everything you need?
    Create a free GlueStick account to track supplies and see if you have what you need at a glance. Leave your kids tips about where supplies are stored in your household so they can set up and clean up their creative spaces independently.
    00:00
    A cartoon of Drill
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Seeds
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Vice
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Sharpie Markers
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Cotton Rope
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Soil
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Utility Knives
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Plastic Bottles
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Modeling Clay
    You have: unknown
    A cartoon of Water
    You have: unknown
  2. 2

    Make Fairy Garden in a Bottle

    Your creative buddy says:
    "I can't wait to make a project with you!"

    Step 1: Cut the bottles

    SHARP! Grown-up required
    First, wash out the soda bottles, then use a Permanent Marker to make your cut lines. You will need to cut the TOP off one bottle, about 3/4 inch (or 2 cm) from the curve of the bottle. Cutting the bottles should be done by a grown up. This bottle is your reservoir, where the water will be stored. The top is the lid of the Soda Bottle Green House. Next, you’ll need to mark and cut the second bottle. Draw a line about half an inch — or 1 cm — above the bottle’s hip (that’s the bottom curve). This is the planter, the bottom is scrap.

    Step 2: Thread the wick

    SHARP! Grown-up required
    Next, you’ll need an adult to put a hole in one of the bottle caps. Use the vice grips to hold the cap and a drill to put a hole in the cap. Soak a 6-10" piece of cotton rope or a candle wick in water. This wick will draw water up from the reservoir into soil. Then, thread the cotton rope to act as a wick through the cap. Put the bottle cap back on the bottle.

    Step 3: Assemble

    Pour water into the reservoir, the place the planter–wicks down–into the reservoir. Add soil to the planter, making sure the wicks are in the middle of the dirt, and not up against the sides of the bottle.

    Step 4: Make your fairy house

    Using modeling clay, make a fairy house, fairy gardener, and any other decorations you want for inside your bottle. Let them dry well before putting them in the wet soil.

    Step 5: Plant seeds

    Plant your seeds! Follow the instructions on your seed packet for the proper seed depth and water requirements. Place your soda bottle greenhouse in a sunny spot and watch it grow.
  3. 3

    Clean up

    Put things away so your space is tidy for next time.

    Tidy up our space

    Put away our supplies

    Check off each supply when it is put away — and any clean-up tips underneath are done too. You might find a fun surprise!

    • A cartoon of Seeds
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Sharpie Markers
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Cotton Rope
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Soil
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Plastic Bottles
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Modeling Clay
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Seal leftover modeling clay in an air-tight container so it does not dry out.
    • A cartoon of Water
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Drill
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Vice
      Where they belong:
    • A cartoon of Utility Knives
      Where they belong:
      • — Don't forget! Close the blade on your utility knife or replace its safety cap.

    Update what we have left

    Did we run out of anything while making this project? Update our supply cupboard so that we know exactly what we have for next time.
    Create a free account to manage your cupboard

    This project could unlock 3 creative buddies. Sign in to unlock them.

  4. 4

    Save

    Your creative buddy says:
    "What a fabulous project!"

    Create a free account to save your digital masterpiece to the Art Gallery.

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About the Author

STL Motherhood

I’m a boy mom, crafter and former reporter who loves taking my kids to superhero movies. Join me for a mix of traditional kid crafts, STEM fun and 3D printing.

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