My little cousin was wondering "what's the difference between a fairy and a pixie"?

Answer 1

Pix"y, Pix"ie (?), n.; pl. Pixies (#). [For Pucksy, from Puck.]
1. An old English name for a fairy; an elf.
[Written also picksy.]
~ Definition by Webster 1913

Answer 2

Fun question!
Ready for an Un-Disney-fied answer?

Fairies are generally linked to the fey, a celtic myth in origin. The fey live in hills underground (called fairy mounds), legend has it that a ring of mushrooms (known as a fairy circle) will transport any mortal into the mound. Sadly, that is one place a mortal does NOT wish to be. The fey supposedly have a habit of taking mortals as playthings, servants, etc. and any food or drink ingested by a mortal while in the mound traps them there. Often they are supposed to dance under the moon. The fey are also known for the Dark Hunt, when they go out flying the skies with their hounds to steal the souls of those that walk at night.

Pixies are also a a part of the fey. Exception, they're lower in the social ladder.

Disney-fied if your cousin is REALLY young:

Fairies are noble, multi-faceted creatures. They have a habit of bestowing gifts, hence fairy godmothers, and are overall nice little buggers.

Pixies, like Tink, are one-feeling at a time selfish beings. They make it a habit to make trouble and love being mischevious.

Answer 3

Technically, a pixie is a particular kind of fairy.

The word "fairy" covers many types of creatures. Also known as fey, faeries or fair ones, they come in many types from the tall and beautiful "elves" (like the Tuatha de Dannad) to smaller, less noble types (pixies, brownies, and leprechauns) and the downright grotesque (like redcaps and trolls.)

All fey have certain characteristics in common. They cannot abide cold iron--it is deadly to them. They all must honor their given word--but they can be very slippery about how and when they give it. The wood of the rowan, or mountain ash, will repel them; they cannot approach it, and many travelers used to carry walking sticks of such wood, or make their window- and door-sills out of it. Apple was good protection as well.

Some fey can be helpful. Brownies, for instance, are attracted to clean, happy homes and will help to keep them clean, taking care of small chores in return for a daily bowl of milk or hot oatmeal. It was once not unknown for elves to ask human women to nurse their children in return for great wealth--although this often had tragic results, since the woman would have to live with the elves for a year and return to find that a century or more had passed.

Pixies fall into the "generally-mischievous-but-not-really -harmful" category. They are fond of pranks, like hiding car keys or teasing animals, but are not generally malicious, unless they feel they've been insulted in some way.

Answer 4

Fairies are usually gentle, kind creatures that love to dance and sing, in some sense, while pixies tend to be highly mischevious, even bad.

Answer 5

Fairies are usually gentle, kind creatures that love to dance and sing, AND HAVE FUN and hgelp out other mythical creatures. in some sense, while pixies tend to be highly michevious and delivike!!!!!!!!!!..............