Make Your Own Small Wonder for the Trail

Can’t make our workshops at Westwood Hills Nature Center, but still want to be a part of the Trail? You can!

Watch the video to learn how to make your own small wonder. Then click the link below to sign up to be part of the Trail exhibit!

Meander along the trails at the Westwood Hills Nature Center in St. Louis Park from July 8–27, 2024 and experience the magic of nature alongside some extraordinary and enchanting community-made Small Wonders built into tree hollows, atop tree stumps, nestled amid stones and moss, or along the path. These are tiny dwellings for fairies, elves, gnomes, and perhaps a few trolls.

Magic comes to Westwood Hills Nature Center! For the fourth exciting year, Friends of the Arts offers workshops for the Trail of Small Wonders. And for the first time ever, our local fairy and gnome experts offer a one-day camp at the nature center.

Workshops: Thurs, June 20th, 6-9pm (FULL) / Sun, June 23rd, 1-4pm (FULL) / Sun, June 30th, 1-4pm
Create a miniature home for a fairy, elf, gnome or other woodland creature that needs a cozy habitat. Our gnome and fairy experts will give ideas and help participants to build their own small wonder using provided tools and supplies that include a terracotta pot or basket, a handmade ceramic magical door, and other natural materials.
Your architectural wonder can be included in the Trail of Small Wonders, a public art installation on view at the Westwood Hills Nature Center July 8th through July 28th. 

Camp: Wed, July 3rd, 9am - 2:30pm, grades 1-5 (FULL)
Go on an adventure with local fairy and gnome experts! Explore the magical woods and waters of the nature center and collect natural materials to build your very own miniature creation for the Trail of Small Wonders, a free public art installation on view at the nature center July 8th through July 28th. 

Participants in both the workshops and the camp are invited to the free Opening Day Festival for the Trail of Small Wonders: Monday, July 8th. Come join us to celebrate with performers, make-and-take art stations, and more!

Do you want to have YOUR small wonder as part of the Trail? Sign up sheet coming soon!

If you made your small wonder at one of the workshops at WHNC -- all the materials used at the workshop are acceptable and safe to be displayed on the Trail.

If you are making your small wonder on your own -- we will send you a guidebook with the materials allowed / not allowed at the WHNC, and also a video to help you make your own small wonder!

The workshops kick off the public exhibition at the Westwood Hills Nature Center that includes an exciting free opening-day festival and grand unveiling of the Trail of Small Wonders, Monday, July 8 from 4:30 to 8 pm.  Enjoy stilt walkers, music and dance performances, face painting, story tellers, hands-on art stations, magic, and puppet shows.

The pathway of small wonders, which is paved and ADA accessible, begins around the side of the interpretive center building. The installation is free and open to all; no appointment is necessary.

The Nature Center is located at 8300 W Franklin Ave., St. Louis Park, MN 55426. The trails are open every day from sunrise to sunset. The Interpretive Center building is open Monday through Friday, 8am-4:30pm and Saturday and Sunday, 12-5pm. For more information on the Nature Center, see their website.

Come as your favorite woodland creature. Hope to see you there!

2021 Workshop

Thanks to all of our 20 workshop participants who joined us on Sunday, June 13 2021 to build a fairy house!

2022 workshops

We were able to expand to two workshops with 40 participants in 2022. Thanks to all who participated!