Tiny things are so intriguing – I was the girl playing with dollhouses way past the typical age! But I think we all find something interesting in dioramas, mini toys, or small baby animals. Terrariums feel the same way. And I find kids love the act of peering inside and seeing a miniature world unfold.

These DIY projects offer a variety of options for bringing live plants into your home. You can choose to gather all of your own materials, or pick out the perfect kit that’s ready for your creative assembly. In the end it doesn’t matter which way you go, if you include your kids in the planning and assembly, they’ll love the end result either way.

And if you’re looking for your own sources for unusual terrarium plants like cacti, succulents, or air plants, try a search on Etsy for terrarium plants. You’ll discover a world of wonder!

Teacup Terrarium
via College Life DIY

This is such a sweet idea, and the instructions are very clear. I’m not sure I’d add Tinkerbell to my teacup, but I’ll leave that up to you – or perhaps your kids will make the choice for you! NOTE: Unfortunately, the site is no longer active.

Sand Art Terrarium
via Kelly Christine

I can’t believe I haven’t seen this combination before. It’s the perfect summer rainy day project for kids. Layering the colors of sand is so mesmerizing, isn’t it?

Terrarium Necklace
via Ecouterre

Perfect for little kids who love to take everything with them in their pockets (like my daughter and her evolving rock collection), this necklace let’s them cherish life right over their hearts.

Children’s Hedgehog & Air Plant Terrarium Kit
via Lovely Terrariums on Etsy

If you’d like to gather all of your supplies in one fell swoop, try this kit on for size. It includes everything you need (plus a hedgehog!) so you get to spend more time creatively arranging the pieces.

DIY Moss Terrarium Kit
via Moss Love Terrariums on Etsy

Soft and furry, I think moss is a fascinating piece of nature. It’s actually pretty easy to grow indoors, too – and your kids will love to “gently” pet it! This kit gives you everything but the container, letting you be the creative house-hunter.

Pictured at top of post: DIY Terrarium Lamps via Autumn Workshop.