There is nothing more important than keeping our children safe in today's society. It has been proven time and time again that by spending quality time with your children, you not only improve the bond between you, but you are also creating a safe haven for them, by being by their side versus leaving them unsupervised where you cannot assist them should an unsafe situation arise.

One of the things most children adore is being outdoors, and communing with nature, so I am suggesting a Fairy House building project to help bring you and your child closer together by experiencing some of natures magic. How many times have you seen your child stop in their tracks to pick up and admire a leaf that has fallen to the ground, as if they had just won the lottery? Think also of your childs adoration for even the tiniest flower. Even a dandelion which appears as a menacing weed to most adults, becomes a treasured prize to a young child. Insects and little critters in the yard are not looked on as pests by our children, but as miniature and fascinating friends. Remember back to when you were a child... close your eyes, and recapture the magic moments you experienced similar to these. Remember when a wishing puff sent your wish on houndreds of tiny spores (and you were certian it would be answered)? The truth is that children are naturally tuned into to nature. Their senses are heightend, and they are not yet jaded by time and circumstance as tends to be the fate of many as they depart their youth.

I would like to introduce you with a chance to re-visit those magical moments that you experienced as a child, by tapping into the excitement that your children still possess regarding nature. In my opinion, building a Fairy house is the perfect opportunity to bond and share the magic of nature with your children. Although I do not believe that there is one right way to build a Fairy house, I would like to humbly offer you some advice that will help get you creating in no time!

Your Fairy house should be built outdoors, in a natural setting, such as your backyard, the forest, or even a park. Involve your child from the beginning, explaining that the Fairy House you are building should be of their own creation, built from their heart. If it is built with care, it is sure to attract the little people in no time. Let your child know that although it is not likely that they will see the Fairy visitors with their eyes, that they will indeed be there. They just need (as you do) to believe! The Fairies may even be watching the building of the house as they are quite curious, and are likely to stay as visitors as long as you maintain the house. If the house falls in disrepair, or shows neglect, the Fairies are sure to leave the house. To please the Fairies even more, leave them a little present. A sparkly polished stone (they love shiny things), or a little seashell with some milk in it and a bit of butter cake or cookies made from fresh ingredients are favorite treats of the Fae, and would certainly help attract them to the house (think of it as house warming gifts). Having some friendly Nature Fairies around is sure to have a positve effect on you.

Gather the materials for your Fairy house with your child. The materials for the house should be all natural, and you should not harm any living thing to retrieve them (i.e. dont, pull leaves of of a tree, use fallen leaves). If your child really wants to add something that is still living to the house (i.e. a flower growing in the grass) make sure they ask the flowers permission to be used as a gift for the Fairies. Thank the flower after it was picked. This helps children to learn respect for all living things. To make a structure, sticks really work out well. They can be staked in the ground to outline the structure creating a back and two side walls. It is nice to leave the front open so you and your child can re-visit and view the house when ever you would like. Long, heavier sticks can be lied across the top as a roof. It is not necessary to secure the roof, unless it is windy. Stringy plant material (perhaps plant frawns pulled into strings) work well for this purpose. It would also be O.K. to use 100% cotton twine from your home, as it is still all natural. Fairies detest plastic, all synthetic materials in general, and iron, so avoid using these things. For the interior of the house, use your imagination, and be inspired by the materials that Mother Nature has provided you with that day. As you gather materials, think to your self... "Would this make a good bed or chair?" For example, a patch of moss makes a perfect "carpet" or bed for the Faeries because it is cushiony and soft. Leaves can be used in many ways. Gather fallen leaves in a variety of shapes and sizes. Use them as blankets on the bed, woven into the top of the roof for texture,and added protection from the elements, or tie them to sticks to create "seats" for chairs, and couches. Stones are great too. Consider the fun the Fairies would have on a see-saw using a stone as a base, with a long peice of bark on top for them to sit on and teeter-totter up and down. If there is one thing Fairies love to do it's play. You can add a swing made of a leaf or bark for the seat, tied to twine for the top of the house. Small pebbles and stone make lovely decorative landscaping accents for your Fairy house. Have your child help you create a winding pebble path leading to the house to help the "little people" feel welcome. You can also use small stones as chairs to compliment a tiny table you create from a leaf top with 4 stick legs. If you find some little flowers (even tiny petals that have fallen to the ground from a flowering tree), use these to delight the Faeries senses by scattering them on the floor of the house, or placing them on the bed.

These are all just suggestions to give you a "feel" for what you and your child might be able to create. You will find that imagination will take flight as you work with the natural materials together, and before you know it, you will be creating differant and unique houses every time. Don't limit your selves to houses either! Using the same principles above, you could make a Fairy playground, obstacle course, or even a ________? You decide!

Fairy magic is pure and beautiful, just like the magic you see shining from your childs eyes when they smile at you. I truly hope that the experience of building Fairy houses with your child provides special memories to be shared between you for a lifetime. Believe!