How to create a gnome themed terrarium that kids will love.

Disclosure: This review was compensated as part of the #couchcritics Gnomeo & Juliet campaign on Collective Bias

I have to say that I really have gone a little nutty for gnomes over the past week.  It's all gnomes all the time over here.  Remember the giant card and activity station I made for the twins last week.

Well, I took them to see Gnomeo & Juliet on Valentine's Day.  They LOVED it.  I loved it.  

It's a sweet movie about star-crossed garden gnomes, Gnomeo and Juliet (ala Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet) whose feuding gnome families, (who come to life when humans are not looking – very Toy Story), threaten to keep them apart.  It's the age-old battle of the red hats vs the blue hats, or vice versa, depending on who you speak to.  And let's not forgot those cement bunnies, the sniffer dog mushroom sidekick, and the voice of reason, the lonely flamingo.  A little drama, a lot of love and it's really quite an adorable movie for kids.

There were a couple of moments when I found myself holding my breath and waiting for Marisol's bottom lip to start quivering, and with no trains to be seen for miles I thought for sure Flynn might be bored.  Alas, it was not to be.  To the right of me was Marisol with one hand in her popcorn tub, the other on her beverage and bug-eyed throughout the movie.  To the left of me, Flynn doing more of the same. 

But the suspender thong clad gnome (ala Borat) may have been a wee bit much.  Thankfully 4year olds don't get that reference though.

So with the gnome theme still very much on our minds, we made this adorable terrarium for the kids playroom.

Unable to find an apothecary that was quite large enough I opted for a large hurricane candle holder and then a glass candle plate for the lid.

Items you need to make your own terrarium:

• Glass jar or apothecary
• Clay pellets (available from hydroponic stores)
• Charcoal (aquarium charcoal available at pet stores)
• Potting mix
• Houseplants
• Decorations – rocks, figurines, miniatures etc.

Start by placing a layer of clay pellets across the bottom of the glass container, this is for drainage.  Then add a thin layer of charcoal on top of that, which is to prevent any moist soil from smelling. Cover with about 3-4 inches of potting soil and then you can start decorating, plants first and then adding in your knick-knacks.

I can see myself becoming quite addicted to making terrariums of all shapes and sizes.  I do have quite a lot of jars left over from this project.  Hmm, maybe I need an Easter one too with little bunnies.

Wouldn't this be a fun garden party activity for little ones.  Supply them each with a jam or pasta jar and have them make their own terrarium to take home.

Tip:  I have heard that if the glass starts to fog up a little, take the lid off to let a little of the moisture out.