Fun Friday activities are quick-and-simple ways to explore nature in your own backyard.
THE IDEA: Create a magic fairy potion with items from nature
This charming activity is inspired by my nature-loving friend, Marghanita and her little humbugs. Check out her magical creations; she’s even got a beautiful how-to video if you need a little extra help.
For this activity, you’ll need:
- Glass jars
- Water
- Food coloring (optional)
- Flower petals and other items from nature
- Magic stirring stick
OUR NOTES FROM THE FIELD
Step one is gathering items from nature to put in the fairy potion. We made our potions earlier this summer when we were in Yosemite, so the explorers had an entire forest meadow to stroll through. The big explorer chose flower petals, pinecones and a few small rocks.
Next, we added water to our jars, then some food coloring. This was one of the kids’ favorite parts – watching how the colors mixed and coming up with the perfect combination.
Then came the fun part: adding the nature treasures to the jars. The big explorer opted to go with just rocks, mixing his potion with his magic stick as he dropped each one into the jar.
The little explorer preferred to mix up his creation with a magic pine needle.
When the boys were done making their potions, they set them out to show the forest fairies, who thanked both of them with a small magic gem the following morning.
TAKE-HOME TIPS
This activity is a wonderful way to bring imaginative play and nature together. For best results:
- Enjoy the gathering process. Don’t rush this part – it’s time for kids to connect with nature. Search for the perfect ingredients for the potion and don’t worry if you’ve gathered too much. You can always make more than one potion!
- Add color and scent for fun. Drops of food coloring turn routine potions into something almost otherworldly. Adding petals from scented flowers like jasmine or lavender will make the potions aromatic, too.
MORE IDEAS FOR OUTDOOR FUN
Kids back in school? Don’t forget to include time outdoors as part of your fall routine. A few ideas for the coming week:
- Go on a garden scavenger hunt
- Make your own dinosaur eggs (dirt and sand required!)
- Take a flashlight walk (wearing jammies makes it even more fun!)
- Download a great list of fun outdoor activities for the fall
- Or try one of 50 ways to explore nature in your own backyard
As for us – we’re enjoying one final summer hurrah via a 3-day getaway to San Diego. Don’t worry … I’ll share all of our adventures soon enough! Happy exploring!
@Crystal: The little explorer would LOVE playing with measuring scoops, beakers and eyedroppers. Thanks for sharing the idea!
Oh, I just love this! What a magically fun idea!<br />When I taught preschoolers, we'd make potions outdoors — I'd provide the children with tubs of baking soda, vinegar, sugar, water, etc, and an assortment of measuring scoops, eyedroppers, and plastic beakers and let them experiment. They'd pretend to be scientists. I never thought to suggest fairy potions, and now I'm so
@Suz: I'm so glad to hear that you never outgrow the magic of fairy potions. They're so much fun! 🙂
Hi Debi! Thank you for this post and beautiful reminder of the magic of fairy potions! The photos are very inspirational, too. My teen daughter and I still enjoy making potions and leaving them for woodland creatures. I think this is an activity you never need to outgrow.
@M: The forest fairies were such wonderful friends to our boys — thank you for the inspiration!
Oh Debi, I have been offline all weekend- what a joy to find your boys out making potions. I love how you set them out for the forest fairies-how magical!!! You just made my day!<br />I agree, enjoy the gathering, it is such a fun way for kids to connect with nature.
@Cat: I love it – a monster potion! How fun!<br /><br />@Roy: It's a #playoutdoors "chore"!<br /><br />@Juliet: Great tip. We recently added basil to our garden & I love its fragrance.
Very very important potions. It's worth having a few herbs around the garden too for a beautiful smelling one, just for mum and dad!
One of my weekend chores is going around our backyard, hunting for hidden fairy potions! Under a bush, behind the grill, under the deck – argh! 🙂
My eldest son loves making potions. He and his friend have been concocting a potion to attract a monster and catch him again and again this week.