What do you think?
Rate this book
Magical Miniature Worlds: 18 Terrarium Projects for Kids to Make and Grow
Ever wanted to make a terrarium but didn't know where to start? Join terrarium expert Ben Newell and learn how to create your own tiny world.
Terrariums are miniature gardens that can be grown in anything from fish tanks to spice jars. Ben Newell takes you clearly through every step of creating your own terrarium, from picking a container to creating a landscape to choosing the right plants. Once you've mastered the basics then you can let your imagination run wild. Why not build a prehistoric jungle complete with dinosaurs? Or a delicate fairy garden? Maybe even an alien world? With 18 different projects to inspire you, you'll be filling your shelves in no time. As well as building terrariums, you'll discover how they work, including all about friendly soil creatures and the water cycle. By learning some of the science behind terrariums, you'll make sure that yours thrives.
There's no escaping that terrariums are cool and Hello Tiny World For Kids is the perfect gift to get kids excited about their very own green space.
Terrariums are miniature gardens that can be grown in anything from fish tanks to spice jars. Ben Newell takes you clearly through every step of creating your own terrarium, from picking a container to creating a landscape to choosing the right plants. Once you've mastered the basics then you can let your imagination run wild. Why not build a prehistoric jungle complete with dinosaurs? Or a delicate fairy garden? Maybe even an alien world? With 18 different projects to inspire you, you'll be filling your shelves in no time. As well as building terrariums, you'll discover how they work, including all about friendly soil creatures and the water cycle. By learning some of the science behind terrariums, you'll make sure that yours thrives.
There's no escaping that terrariums are cool and Hello Tiny World For Kids is the perfect gift to get kids excited about their very own green space.
72 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2025
1 person is currently reading
16 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 7, 2025
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
Magical Miniature Worlds is a fun, kid-friendly full of terrarium projects with tutorials by Ben Newell. Due out 1st July from Penguin Random House on their DK imprint, it's 72 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
The layout is appealing and unfussy - easy to understand and accessible. It's full of very colorful photos and graphics and step by step tutorials showing with supplies and themes which will appeal to young-at-heart (the prehistoric terrarium with dinosaur figurines and paleo-plants is amazing and cool).
The introduction covers some of the benefits of making a terrarium, selecting plants, and caring for them. The first chapters include a good introduction to selecting a container, preparing the terrarium and selecting planting substrate and other ingredients, plant selection and maintenance and aftercare.
The bulk of the book is taken up with 18 specific project tutorials (including succulent terrarium, aquarium, carnivorous planting, and more). Each of the tutorials includes a materials list with items in a bullet list, a description, and step by step tutorials with photos. They are all very attractive and appealing and the photos are clear and easy to follow. Most of the plants have both the common and botanical (Latin) names listed for clarity.
This would make a superlative choice for a family with kids or home study unit, schoolroom or library activity, makers groups and similar.
Five stars. This is also a great choice for a kid-friendly family activity.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Magical Miniature Worlds is a fun, kid-friendly full of terrarium projects with tutorials by Ben Newell. Due out 1st July from Penguin Random House on their DK imprint, it's 72 pages and will be available in hardcover and ebook formats.
The layout is appealing and unfussy - easy to understand and accessible. It's full of very colorful photos and graphics and step by step tutorials showing with supplies and themes which will appeal to young-at-heart (the prehistoric terrarium with dinosaur figurines and paleo-plants is amazing and cool).
The introduction covers some of the benefits of making a terrarium, selecting plants, and caring for them. The first chapters include a good introduction to selecting a container, preparing the terrarium and selecting planting substrate and other ingredients, plant selection and maintenance and aftercare.
The bulk of the book is taken up with 18 specific project tutorials (including succulent terrarium, aquarium, carnivorous planting, and more). Each of the tutorials includes a materials list with items in a bullet list, a description, and step by step tutorials with photos. They are all very attractive and appealing and the photos are clear and easy to follow. Most of the plants have both the common and botanical (Latin) names listed for clarity.
This would make a superlative choice for a family with kids or home study unit, schoolroom or library activity, makers groups and similar.
Five stars. This is also a great choice for a kid-friendly family activity.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
June 27, 2025
I had been following Ben’s Instagram videos for quite a while. They were always so fun and relaxing to watch. When I was approved for the e-ARC, courtesy of NetGalley, I was surprised to find this was his book. I knew him by face, not by name.
I initially wanted to review this book to come up with fun crafting ideas for my nieces.
Magical Miniatures features 18 detailed and descriptive projects for various types of terrariums. What makes these projects great for little ones is that it also features beautifully photographed images of the completed terrariums. It also describes the beauty of nature through its scientific processes. This is great to inspire children’s growing passion for biology, science, nature, and wildlife.
My favorite, of course, was the spooky house terrarium. The others I enjoyed were the orchid display, just moss, prehistoric world, monster plants, alien landscape, tiny farm, and mindful garden.
Newell’s fun and magical world is sure to instill a sense of adventure for young and old.
I initially wanted to review this book to come up with fun crafting ideas for my nieces.
Magical Miniatures features 18 detailed and descriptive projects for various types of terrariums. What makes these projects great for little ones is that it also features beautifully photographed images of the completed terrariums. It also describes the beauty of nature through its scientific processes. This is great to inspire children’s growing passion for biology, science, nature, and wildlife.
My favorite, of course, was the spooky house terrarium. The others I enjoyed were the orchid display, just moss, prehistoric world, monster plants, alien landscape, tiny farm, and mindful garden.
Newell’s fun and magical world is sure to instill a sense of adventure for young and old.
October 27, 2025
Having had a terrarium in my childhood which I loved and maintained, I was immediately curious about this book by Ben Newell.
Terrific photos accompany easy to understand text describing the different types of terrariums (e.g., terrarium, viparium, etc), plants appropriate for each type of small space, different types of soils, containers, how to maintain them, and then the fun part, picking a type and creating your own.
Newell shows the reader that one can create any number of different kinds of terrariums, using one’s imagination and creativity. The author provides lots of great ideas and tips, as well as how to create fun, lively displays with little figures and other decorations.
I loved the way Newell gives the reader eighteen small projects for each type of terrarium. The finished terrariums are attractive, and easy to accomplish with clear instructions.
I wish I had had a book like this when I was a kid.
Thank you to NetGalley and to DK for this ARC in exchange for my review.
Terrific photos accompany easy to understand text describing the different types of terrariums (e.g., terrarium, viparium, etc), plants appropriate for each type of small space, different types of soils, containers, how to maintain them, and then the fun part, picking a type and creating your own.
Newell shows the reader that one can create any number of different kinds of terrariums, using one’s imagination and creativity. The author provides lots of great ideas and tips, as well as how to create fun, lively displays with little figures and other decorations.
I loved the way Newell gives the reader eighteen small projects for each type of terrarium. The finished terrariums are attractive, and easy to accomplish with clear instructions.
I wish I had had a book like this when I was a kid.
Thank you to NetGalley and to DK for this ARC in exchange for my review.
August 1, 2025
Magical Miniature Worlds by social media influencer Ben Newell shows readers what a terrarium is, what parts it includes, and how they work together to create a miniature world. It includes plenty of diverse projects for kids to try from a prehistoric world to a magical fairy village to an alien landscape and a spooky house. The step-by-step directions are clear and simple, with plenty of pictures. The materials seem fairly cheap and easy to obtain and some items can be upcycled. This book is great for kids or even adults who like plants, science and creativity. Magical Miniature Worlds would be a solid addition to classroom and public libraries.
July 11, 2025
Terrariums are fascinating and such an ever-evolving world of its own. This book brings all the magic of a living terrarium to the reader with the vibrant photos and easy to understand information and instructions on building and caring for a terrarium, *Magical Miniature Worlds* is fun to look through and learn from for kids and adults alike.
Besides being a highly enjoyable family activity, this would make an excellent choice as a unit study (as well as an ongoing living project) for homeschooler.
Thank you to DK Children and NetGalley for the DRC
Besides being a highly enjoyable family activity, this would make an excellent choice as a unit study (as well as an ongoing living project) for homeschooler.
Thank you to DK Children and NetGalley for the DRC
December 29, 2025
So cute and informative! This book is beautifully put together with illustrations, pictures, and minimal text. The text that is there is informative and interesting to read. The projects have a nice variety of ideas for different interests. My kids personally love the Halloween terrarium with the painted ghosts. It gets a smile every time they see it! Even as an adult, I was feeling inspired to do a project after looking at the beautiful terrariums created. by the author. If a kid has any interest in caring for plants, they're probably going to love this book!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews