With the cooler weather we are enjoying spending a whole lot more time outdoors as a family. Which is a good thing because our garden really needs some attention! We recently spent some time revamping the fairy garden (which I will share next week) and one thing we wanted to add to the space was a bird bath. So we decided to make one ourselves from a terracotta pot. This was the perfect family project to involve my kindergartener in – quick and easy to complete, purposeful and pretty.
And here’s how we did it…
You will need:
- One terracotta pot – ours is glazed and was on special for under $10 at our local hardware store
- One terracotta pot base – slightly larger than your pot
- Coloured fairy stones in the colours of your choice
- Adhesive (not shown) – you’ll need a rubber cement style adhesive that is waterproof. Ask at your hardware store.
To make:
Decide on your design (or take a chance and go completely free form) and glue your stones into place on the inside of the pot base. We chose to glue our stones in alternating circles of contrasting blue. Except for the outer circle which has an alternating light blue/dark blue pattern.
I squeezed a spot of glue onto the pot base and then Immy pushed the stone into position.
Finally, upend your pot and glue your planter base onto it. Leave to dry according to the directions for your adhesive. Then add a little water and place into your garden. Remember to give your bird bath a hose out and refill regularly.
Do you involve your children in the garden? What sorts of chores or projects do they help out with?
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Christie Burnett is a teacher, presenter, writer and the mother of two. She created Childhood 101 as a place for teachers and parents to access engaging, high quality learning ideas.
I love this idea! Do you find you get a lot of mosquitos?
Hi Donna, thank you for your comment. The pot base is quite shallow and we just add a little water at a time, refreshing it really regularly with the hose so we haven’t had any problems with mosquitoes so far.
I love this Christie…I have been wanting one in the garden for awhile but was trying to think how I could make it unique…this is perfect. I’d love to incorporate it into my backyard family day care space but do you think it would be classed as a water hazard? Your colours are beautiful…what a fun family project, my girls have been helping me with the seed planting and weeding lately.
I am not sure what the rules are with regards to water hazards, Jode. We literally put less than a centimetres water in the bath, refilling it with the watering can every day or so.
I wonder can you use hot glue instead of the rubber cement?
I am not sure how hot glue would go, Sara, given the porous nature of the terracotta.
Awesome idea…. we live in an apartment but I stil want to try this.
I think this could also work well on a balcony or verandah, Veena.
I’m excited to see your fairy garden!
LOVE this!! Can you tell me if you attached the base to the terracotta pot? I could see my preschoolers wanting to lift the base off. I’ve also seen one that had 3 pots. The bottom one upside down, the next one on top of it right-side up, the top one upside down, and then the base.
We did glue the base to the pot, yes 🙂
This is such a creative way to get children interested in the garden! It is something that they can be proud of as they watch the birds in it! Thanks for sharing. Will do the same:)
You think E6000 adhesive would work?
Can you us a plastic saucer in lies of the terra cotta?