If you’ve got a couple of stubborn tree stumps just hanging out in your yard—refusing to decompose but too charming to rip out—you’re not alone. Honestly, they’re like little forgotten tables just waiting to become something. And if you’ve got kids, curious guests, or just a love for outdoor magic, you’ll be happy to know: there’s a whole world of fun you can turn them into.
I used to see tree stumps as “problem spots.” You know, too low for a proper planter, too awkward to mow around. But once I stopped thinking of them as dead space and started seeing them as design potential, everything changed. Now they’re mini stages for fairy gardens, flower displays, and even backyard art.
So whether you’re going for quirky, cozy, playful, or Pinterest-pretty—here are 10 ways to decorate those stumps and turn your family yard into something that feels like a DIY dream (without spending a ton).
Fairy Garden Tree Stump with Tiny Doors and Lights
One of the most magical ways to bring an old stump to life is to turn it into a fairy home—tiny door, twinkle lights, mossy steps and all. Start by attaching a little wooden or resin door at the base (you can find kits online or make your own with popsicle sticks). Wind battery fairy lights or solar-powered string lights around the stump and tuck in moss or pebbles for texture.
For the “landscape,” use mini succulents or low-growing herbs like thyme, and maybe even add a tiny clothesline or mushroom stools. Kids go wild for this and it makes your garden feel straight out of a storybook.
Bonus: It can be seasonal too. Add pinecones and cinnamon sticks in winter, or pastel flowers in spring.
Painted Story Stump for Kids’ Imagination Play
Let the kids go wild (ish) with some outdoor-safe paints and turn your stump into a story prop. You can paint it like a mushroom, a rainbow swirl, a pirate’s treasure marker, or even a donut (we did this once and yes—it looked ridiculous and amazing).
Seal it with a weather-resistant finish so the colors last longer, and maybe rotate the design each season. You could even do a collaborative mural—like a family art corner in your own backyard.
This works great near a play area or tucked under a tree where they already build forts and imagination zones.
Stacked Planter Layers with Ferns and Spillover Flowers
Tree stumps make the best natural pedestals for layered planters. Use the top as a base and add a wide terracotta pot filled with something soft and tumbling—think sweet potato vines, trailing petunias, or creeping jenny.
Then add a few smaller pots around the base (or even attach them to the sides if you’re handy with screws and brackets). Play with height, color, and contrast—ferns, coleus, pansies, or whatever makes your heart (and bees) happy.
It’s like a natural sculpture that’s also low-maintenance and garden-y.
Simple Carved Tree Stump Animal or Face Sculpture
If you’ve got a bit of carving skill (or know someone who does), consider turning that stump into a rustic little creature. Owls and foxes are popular, but even a simple “forest face” with eyes, a nose, and a leafy beard made of vines can make kids giggle and guests smile.
You don’t need to go full chainsaw art unless you want to—some people just carve eyes and let moss do the rest. Add a little roof or hat and suddenly it’s a stump gnome. Weirdly cute and surprisingly charming.
Mosaic Tile Tree Stump Table for Picnics or Play
Want something artistic and functional? Try tiling the top of your stump with broken plates, sea glass, or mosaic tiles. Use tile adhesive and grout made for outdoor use, and create a funky little table you can actually use for backyard snacks or fairy tea parties.
It’s also one of those projects that feels very “together”—you can let each kid or family member add their own tile piece. Plus, when the sun hits the glass just right? It’s kind of magical.
Painted Checkerboard or Tic-Tac-Toe Game Top
If your stump has a flat top, you can easily turn it into a low-key game table. Just grab some weatherproof paint and stencil out a checkerboard or tic-tac-toe grid. Use smooth stones or bottle caps as game pieces and keep a little basket nearby to store them when not in use.
It’s such a sweet little feature for outdoor hangouts, especially if your kids like to challenge each other (or you). And if you’re hosting, guests of all ages love it too. You can even switch up the theme—use hearts and stars instead of Xs and Os or let the kids paint their own tokens.
Succulent Bowl Inset or Carved Planter Top
If you’re up for a bit of DIY, hollow out the center of your stump just a few inches deep and turn it into a living bowl. Succulents are perfect for this—low maintenance, sun-loving, and oh-so-pretty. Add gravel for drainage, layer with soil, and arrange different textures and colors for that trendy little succulent moment.
You can even add driftwood, pebbles, or mini figurines to give it that “found in nature” vibe. It looks especially lovely in more modern or minimalist yards where you want a touch of softness without it feeling overdone.
Mini Tree Stump Library or Book Nook
This one’s a bit niche, but stay with me—if you’ve got a bigger stump or a few grouped together near your porch or patio, turn one into a weather-protected outdoor book nook. Carve out a little shelf or attach a small box, line it with waterproof sealant, and stock it with a few paperbacks or garden-themed reads.
Add a lid, a latch, or even a little curtain and boom—you’ve got your own backyard free library. Kids can grab a story during snack time, and grownups can sneak in a few pages with coffee. Pair with a nearby bench or cushion and it’s honestly dreamy.
Outdoor Tea Party Pedestal for Kids or Guests
Dress your stump like a little outdoor table with a lace cloth or bright fabric wrap, and suddenly it’s a tea party pedestal. This works especially well if you’ve got little chairs, but even grownups love pulling up a crate or stool for some lemonade.
Add a tray with mason jars, tiny floral arrangements, or a pitcher of infused water and it feels like a proper garden gathering—without needing to spend much at all. Even better, it’s completely flexible. One week it’s tea, the next it’s a mud kitchen.
Painted Tree Stump People with Whimsical Faces
Last but definitely not least—let’s get weird and wonderful. If you’ve got multiple stumps or a line of them down the edge of a path or garden bed, consider painting each one with a different face. Think garden gnome energy, or even woodland creatures.
Use bold colors or pastels, add accessories (yes, a little scarf or crown is allowed), and let them become the quirky cast of characters in your backyard. They don’t have to be perfect—they just need personality. And trust me, guests will talk about them.
Final Thoughts
Sometimes, the most overlooked parts of a yard are the ones with the most heart. Tree stumps might start out as obstacles, but they’re actually little opportunities—sitting there, ready to be transformed into something joyful, cozy, or just plain fun. Whether you’re carving, planting, painting, or stacking, there’s something so satisfying about giving a stump a second life. It doesn’t have to be expensive or fussy. Just thoughtful, playful, and a bit personal—like all the best parts of a family yard.