The Greatest (Garden) Show on Earth

We love outdoor movies. JoyMaster Lisa hosts them and the set-up has grown over the last decade. What started with a projector and a sheet has become an annual summer tradition. Opening night is a BBQ double feature with a kid movie starting at 6pm and the grown-up film starting at 8:30pm. The Outdoor video Magic Garden has a laminated movie screen to celebrate the fun from opening night. The solar-powered lights create a really cool view at dusk (see the picture gallery) and really do resemble our movie nights. Don’t forget the popcorn.

Make the Magic Garden

Design
  • What movie should we have on the screen?
  • What treats should be there?
  • Who should watch the movie?
  • Should we laminate our family members to watch, too?
  • Should we place a red carpet?
Create
  1. Place the solar powered lights
  2. Make the outdoor movie screen (see below)
  3. Add seats for the movie-goers
  4. Make the projector
  5. Grab your favorite characters for the red carpet
  6. Lights, Camera, Action!
Connect
  • Would you like to watch movies outside?
  • What is your favorite movie?
  • Who is your favorite character from a movie? What makes this character special?
  • Who is your favorite hero from a movie?
Plants We Used
  • Hosta
  • Ornamental
  • Strawberry
  • Creeping Thyme
Materials
  • Blocks
  • Logs/chairs
  • DIY Screen (see below)
  • DIY Projector
  • Fairies/Movie goers
  • Solar Lights
Magic Basket
A Magic Basket, is a collection of extra fun that kids can take into their Magic Gardens. It can be bark, rocks, pinecones and toys - the sky is the limit. For this garden, here are a few other ideas:
  • Candy
  • Popcorn bowls
  • Critters to watch the movie
  • A stage so fairies/movie-goers can act out the movie
  • Extra chair for movie-going friends

Make the Outdoor Movie Screen

MATERIALS: Printed mini movie poster, wire (we used a plant label holder) and a laminator…or you could use a plastic bag.

1Print Mini Movie Poster: The internet is a great place to find a movie poster. Print it at home or print it at a copy center – color is best for this project.

2Laminate: Cut it to the right size and laminate so all the edges are sealed, keeps water out. Copy centers can laminate too if you don’t have one. Plastic of any kind will help protect the movie screen.

3Attach Stakes: Attach wire or small sticks with packing tape to the back of the image – this allows it to stand on its own.

Make More Magic