As our “magical world” project continues this year, we are still super focused on the fairy forest part of that imaginary adventure. The tiny person is so excited about creating the bits and pieces that line the path to her castle and lead the way along the path into the fairy forest, that we found ourselves at a loss for where to put all of our cool creations when the magical world is packed away.

Enter Fairy Bowls.

I was catching up on one of my favorite nature craft blogs – The Magic Onions – and was completely inspired to change up her Winter Solstice Lanterns a bit to roll with our fairy forest theme.

They were very easy and a great way to learn a bit about papier mache, that kids from preschoolers through middle grades could have fun with together. Also, we started out this project with a walk through the nearby park to collect evergreen pieces and other things to add to the bowls. So, we got a two-for-one deal in an outdoor adventure and an imagination-sparking craft afterward.

Here’s what you need:

- Balloons,

- White glue,

- Jute,

- Paint brushes,

- Green, pink and yellow (any color really) tissue paper, and

- Evergreens and acorn tops.

Directions:

1. Go out for a walk to find evergreens and acorn tops. Then spread them out and make sure they are dry.

2. Blow up balloons to the size of bowl you want to make. Cut a length of jute and tie it around the end of the balloon.

3. Cut the green tissue paper into long, thick strips. The other colors into smaller pieces. Then, take the glue and water it down just a little bit to make it easier to spread. Start by wrapping a few pieces of green around the balloon and gluing them down, mix the other colors in, then start layering the green on to make a bowl around the balloon.

4. Once you get through a few layers, start adding in the evergreens and acorns, wrapping the green tissue paper and gluing it down.

5. After you’ve got enough layers, hang the balloon in a window overnight to dry.

6. The next day, take the balloons down and carefully pop the balloon, peeling it out of the bowl. Take the jute off of the top of the balloon.

7. Punch holes in either side of the bowl near the top and string the jute through them.

There you have some lovely, sweet fairy bowls.