Plant a Fairy Garden--and Other Cute Ideas

 Gardening and imagination...sounds like a plan to relax and enjoy the summertime with your kids.

HGTV Family Gardening Club

http://www.hgtv.com/gardening-club/package/index.html 

This is unbelievably adorable. Thumbelina would be pleased.

Create a magical miniature container garden that will enthrall your kids. In this make-believe landscape, pint-sized plants become huge trees, small pebbles make a stone path and tiny woodland sprites are as close as your imagination

http://www.hgtv.com/gardening/how-to-create-a-fairy-garden-in-a-container/index.html 

This next site keeps it simple, too.

4 Fun Kids Summer Gardening Projects

http://www.chocolatecakemoments.com/2011/seasonal-family-fun-ideas/summer-family-activities/4-fun-kids-summer-gardening-projects/ 

Now some stories! You can hit the library, check for online books, or maybe buy a book or two.

Let's start with Thumbelina, since we just created a vacation home for her in the backyard (or deck, or patio, kitchen window or balcony.)

Thumbelina

 Originally written by Hans Christian Andersen, so it is complicated and stressfull. Other versions are cute.

There is an online site to download books and even join or start a book club--great for summer, for little kids, big kids, and parents.

http://www.thereadingroom.com/home