The Great Fairy House Challenge

The fairies that reside at Adkins Arboretum need new homes every fall–and you can help!

Create a whimsical fairy house using natural materials and your wild imagination. Your fairy house can be as simple or elaborate as you wish.

The Great Fairy House Challenge (TGFHC) is open to all ages. Houses will be sorted into three categories:

  • houses built by individuals of varying ages (for example, grandparents and grandchildren),
  • houses built by individuals aged 16 and over,
  • and houses built by individuals under age 16.

Fairy houses will be judged, and prizes will be awarded.

Fairy Houses entered in TGFHC will be displayed on the Fairy House Trail, located on the Upland Walk, for visitors to admire and fairies to enjoy. The Fairy House Trail is a self-guided journey through the woods of Adkins. Bring your imagination and explore the Trail at your own pace throughout the entire month of October. Costumes are encouraged!

Direct inquiries about TGFHC to Madison Palmer. Youth Education Director.

Email

Guidelines

  • Use only native plant materials to avoid the introduction of non-native species. Acceptable building materials include: dry native grasses, leaves, sticks, pebbles, shells, bark from a fallen tree, seed pods, acorns, berries, gourds, miniature pumpkins, pinecones, and flowers.
  • Absolutely no glitter is allowed.
  • All fairy houses must appear to be made entirely of natural components. Hot glue, nails, twine, and other man-made items may be used but must be entirely concealed by natural elements. Avoid paper products that will disintegrate in rain, or metal that could rust.
  • Houses must be no larger than 16” deep x 16” wide x 24” high. Please use a sturdy base that will hold up when wet, such as plywood. All fairy house building materials must be secured to the house itself or the base. Decorations must not extend beyond the base. (For example, decorations may not be hung in nearby trees or sprinkled on the ground beyond the base.)
  • Please do not use any items of value. Adkins Arboretum is not responsible for any loss or damage to fairy houses.
  • All fairy house creators must complete the submission form. Click here to access the submission form, or fill out a paper form available in the Visitor’s Center.
  • Completed fairy houses must be dropped off at the Visitor’s Center between Thursday, October 1–Friday, October 9, 2026. Arboretum Staff will place your fairy house on the fairy house trail.
  • Fairyfest is Saturday, October 10, 2026. Please join us for a creator gathering (date TBD) to talk about and celebrate the houses with family, friends, and visitors.
  • Fairy houses must be collected between Sunday, November 1–Monday, November 9, 2026.
  • Adkins Arboretum reserves the right to remove houses from the trail that pose a potential risk to the natural landscape. This includes houses that do not follow the guidelines.

Votes will be tallied on the afternoon of Friday, October 30, 2026. Winners will be notified shortly after.

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