Dollar Tree Is Selling the Cutest Minis to Start a Fairy Garden, and I Want Every One

When I was growing up I used to spend a lot of time in the backyard, exploring and activating my imagination in the outdoors. Nowadays I live in New York City and don’t have a backyard, but I still remember the magic of those early years. 

One way to re-create that nostalgic whimsy without a lot of outdoor space is by putting together a fairy garden, which is essentially a display of miniature plants (faux or real) and decor — almost like a fantastical nature-inspired version of a dollhouse. And Dollar Tree has a whole range of cute and affordable options to help you get started on your dream fairy garden today.

Whether you’re making a fairy garden from scratch or simply want to make some tweaks to what you already have, Dollar Tree has a whole slew of charming accessories to choose from. There are mini cobblestone paths, bridges, faux rivers and pools, duck ponds, koi ponds, waterfalls, birdhouses, flower-shaped birdbaths, mushrooms, and butterflies. 

There are also various gnomes (some riding atop snails, others holding wooden “welcome” signs), frogs resting in hammocks, a family of hedgehogs wearing mushrooms as hats (my mom would love that one), various dreamy doors and windows, and, of course, several styles of fairies. And in classic Dollar Tree fashion, each set — for this one you can select one, two, or three pieces, and this one lets you choose one or two pieces — is just $1.50 each.

Although you can obviously use these accessories to create an outdoor fairy garden, you could easily set one up in a planter indoors if you don’t have a yard, or put the pieces around your house to add some playful charm. You could also incorporate them into an art project or give a few as a gift to help your loved ones create a fairy garden of their own.

While Dollar Tree does sell these gems online, the minimum order you can make is 48 sets for $72. Can’t swing that or just don’t live near a Dollar Tree? There are all sorts of fairy garden supplies to be found on Etsy, including this multi-piece set from seller teenytinyplanet. You can choose from 15, 20, 25, or 30 pieces, which range in price from $47 for the 15-piece set to $67 for the 30-piece. 

Each set comes with a “log slice table and chairs,” plus a “grab bag” assortment of accessories such as lily pads, artificial plants, gnomes, ladybugs, tea sets, butterflies, fences, and mini gardening tools. It’s more expensive than Dollar Tree’s options, but you get many pieces at once (which could be helpful for the indecisive folks out there), and you’re supporting an independent artist.