Fairies are fascinating creatures, especially for children!
The mythical beings are often featured in fairy tales and fables, sparking wonder and imagination in kids of all ages.
As your toddler becomes interested in fairies, they will likely have a lot of questions. In addition to supplying them with fun fairy-themed toys, you can learn about fairies together.
There are countless books and online articles about fairies, and we have compiled some of the most asked questions below.
Keep reading to learn all about fairies and share the magical world of fairies with your child!
What Are Fairies?
Fairies are mythical creatures, but for young children they could not be more real. If your child spots a fairy in a movie or reads about them in a book, they are likely to wonder what these creatures are.
There are a lot of descriptions of fairies available today, from supernatural spirits to descendants of angels.
However, the most popular representation of fairies is as magical creatures that appear human.
While fairies may have human-like features, they are very small.
Tinkerbell is a popular example for storybook fairies that look like people but are no bigger than the palm of your hand.
These creatures are magical with a wide range of powers and typically enjoy mischief or trickery.
Throughout history and folk tales, there are hundreds of types of fairies with different descriptions.
Where Did Fairies Originally Come From?
It is difficult to determine exactly where the idea of fairies came from because the name was used throughout history to reference a variety of magical creatures.
The earliest known writings about fairies are from 12th-century England and a writer named Gervase of Tilbury.
His stories talked about unexplained natural phenomenon that he saw on his travels, included moral lessons, and described enchanted places inhabited by spirits.
How Are Fairies Born?
J.M. Barrie, the author of Peter Pan (See summary on goodreads.com), wrote perhaps the loveliest description of how fairies are born.
He said that when a baby laughed for the very first time, the laugh split into thousands of pieces.
Each of the pieces went “skipping about,” and fairies began.
He also said that every time a new baby laughs for the first time, a fairy is born.
And because babies are always being born and laughing, there will always be new fairies born.
Other stories about fairy births include tales of humans that wander into fairylands and are turned into fairies by magic.
Other stories tell of fairies born to humans that later learn of their true, magical nature.
There are even stories about fairies that hatch or are made from magic.
What Do Fairies Look Like?
There are hundreds of types of fairies, and they all look unique!
The most common stories about fairies describe them as human-like, resembling children or adults. They are often described as beautiful.
Fairies can be any race or tribe, and they can be any size.
Their skin can be almost any color, and it may even have a shine or glow about it.
In popular culture, fairies are often depicted as having beautiful, thin wings with which they fly.
Their hair is often thick and flowing, ranging in color by fairy and type.
They love to adorn themselves with flowers or other symbols of nature, and you will often spot female fairies wearing crowns made of flowers and plants.
How Tall Are Fairies?
Fairies are very small, although they can change their height.
If a fairy prefers to live among humans, it can magically make itself taller so that it more closely resembles a human.
However, in most legends and folktales, fairies are considerably smaller than people.
Legends say that fairies can be as short as one inch when they are born and grow to be eight inches tall over time. The most common height for fairies is about three inches.
It is also believed that fairies can grow taller in areas where more humans believe in them and their magic.
Where Do Fairies Live?
Fairies live in a variety of homes depending on their region.
Some prefer the woodlands, creating communities and nests among the trees. Others like to build entire kingdoms underground, in lakes, or within hills.
Grass and stone circles are considered magical settings, and fairies flock to the natural magic of these places.
Because fairies are small, their homes are small as well.
Fairies are said to live in nooks and crannies scattered around the world, including tree stumps, bushes, and gardens.
Fairy gardens and fairy homes are popular among children and adults alike. Your family can create a tiny home for fairies and place it outside for them to find and enjoy.
What Languages Do Fairies Speak?
Fairies can be found all over the world, and they often speak the common language of their home country or region.
For example, a fairy in the Highlands would speak Gaelic, and a fairy in England would speak English.
By knowing the local language, fairies can communicate with humans when needed.
Tales of fairies often describe fairy languages which are unique to the creatures. Some fairies use musical tones to speak, never saying any words.
Others use simple languages and rely on body language or sign language to communicate.
In some tales, fairies are even able to use telepathy, and speak directly into one another’s minds using words and images.
What Are Fairies Known For?
In modern day, fairies are known for magic. They grant wishes, help young children fly, and communicate with animals.
Throughout history, fairies have been known to help humans in a variety of situations. Whether a child is sad or an adult is struggling with money, fairies often have compassion and intervene.
Older tales of fairies describe creatures that loved mischief. Most fairies were not bad, and they simply preferred to play harmless tricks or games.
Common fairy pranks include tangling hair or snatching shiny objects when humans are not looking.
What Do Fairies Eat?
Milk, cream, and honey are considered favorite foods for fairies.
Fairies love anything sweet, and often search out sugar, berries, or candy. Some fairies may even try to snatch a few bites of cake or bite into a muffin or bread.
Butter and fruit are also common meals for fairies. Honeydew melon, nuts, and squashed berries are popular forest finds for fairies searching for food.
Legends often tell of fairies that help themselves to a few bites of food from human cupboards. If a cookie or piece of candy goes missing, a fairy may be to blame!
They do not have to eat much at one time because of their small stature, so food stolen by fairies often goes unnoticed.
What Colors Do Fairies Like?
Folktales and fairy tales showcase fairies in all colors, with hair, wings, and skin ranging as wide as the rainbow.
In historical accounts of fairies, green is the most popular color. It is said that fairies love earth tones because they enjoy nature and rely on it for food and shelter.
Brown, red, white, and cream are other common neutral tones that fairies gravitate towards.
However, there are plenty of stories involving fairies that prefer blue, yellow, black, purple, pink, and any other color you can think of. Each fairy is likely to have their own favorite color.
What Do Fairies Like?
Shiny objects have always been a favorite for fairies. Anything that sparkles or shines is likely to attract a fairy.
In fact, fairies have been known to snatch shiny objects and take them home for themselves.
For the most part, they try to choose items that seem to be forgotten. Instead of taking a favorite necklace, they are more likely to grab an old button or a paperclip that’s been left lying around.
What Can Fairies Do?
With so many types of fairies, there is a multitude of things these creatures do.
Some fairies are known for shapeshifting, and appear as humans or animals. Others can heal people, animals and plants with their magic, or help flowers grown.
In some stories, fairies are described as being incredibly strong. Despite their tiny bodies, they can lift heavy objects with superhuman strength.
Older and wiser fairies are considered to have a great deal of knowledge about the world which they pass on to younger generations.
How Long Do Fairies Live?
Fairies live much longer than humans. While people rarely live to 100, fairies are known to live to 1000 or even 1500.
These magical creatures never seem to age past adulthood, and they never get sick!
How Do Fairies Make Fairy Dust?
For some fairies, they perform magic by using fairy dust. This dust can be made with a variety of flower petals and water. With a fairy’s magic, they give power to the potion.
If your child enjoys playing with fairies and fairy toys, you can make your own fairy dust at home.
Simply mix together glitter in their favorite color and non-toxic powder. Pour the mixture into a fun or decorative container and let them throw around their “fairy dust” outside.
What Are Good Names for Fairies?
If your child has a favorite fairy toy or doll, they likely want to give it a name. Fairies can really be named anything!
However, there are some common names throughout history that are popular among fairies. For example, in Celtic legends, Diana, Bran, Morgan, Rhiannon, and Brigit are common fairy names.
Other Types Of Fairies
In addition to the human-like creatures we usually recognize as fairies, there are many other creatures that fall into this category.
Dwarves, elves, gnomes, goblins, leprechauns, and sprites are all considered types of fairies in different folk tales.
What Are Irish Fairies Called?
In Ireland, fairies were feared for much of history. People were even afraid to say the word “fairy” because they did not want to attract attention.
For this reason, Irish folktales about fairies often refer to them as the Little People, the Gentry, or the Neighbors.
What Are Bad Fairies Called?
Neutral fairies are not considered good or bad, and they typically avoid any kind of disputes.
Unseelie (ie unhappy) fairies are not very nice, and they are known for causing trouble.
Fairies in the Seelie court are aligned with the light, and they are considered benevolent and kind.
What Do Tooth Fairies Eat?
There are plenty of stories about the Tooth Fairy eating the teeth she collects from children, but that is likely not the case.
Given the history of fairies, she probably enjoys fruits, milk, and cream just like other fairies. In fact, there are rumors that the Tooth Fairy maintains the healthiest diet she can, sticking with foods that are good for your teeth.
She wants children around the world to do the same, so their teeth can grow healthy and strong.
What Do Tooth Fairies Do With Teeth?
Because teeth are strong and durable, there are a lot of things the Tooth Fairy can do with them.
We may never know for sure, but some legends say that she builds a castle or a kingdom with the teeth.
In some stories, she can grind up teeth to make magical fairy dust, and in other stories she uses the teeth she collects to help dentists make teeth molds for other people.
How To Find Fairies
Fairies can be anywhere, but the most important step to finding them is to believe. Believing in fairies will make you more likely to spot one.
Fairies often love the “tween times,” or the times between night and day. Dusk and dawn are popular times for spotting these magical creatures.
How Do You Attract Fairies?
You and your child can try to attract fairies to your home or garden by leaving out their favorite foods. A bit of cake and a small dish of milk are likely to draw attention from hungry fairies.
Planting flowers is another way to attract fairies because they love nature. You can create a fairy home or fairy garden as well and fill it with small, shiny objects to get their attention.
How To Become Friends With Fairies
If you want to be friends with a fairy, you have to be kind.
Fairies love the world around them, including plants and animals. It is important to always show kindness and generosity to animals and respect nature to stay on a fairy’s good side.
If you spot a fairy, don’t expect anything from them. Simply offer your friendship and enjoy the benefits you get in return!