Mother's Day Crafts for Kids (With Printable Cards)

A handmade gift is often the one that gets kept for years. These Mother's Day crafts are simple enough for little ones to do mostly by themselves, and meaningful enough to treasure. They also work for grandmothers, aunts, stepmothers and any special grown-up in a child's life.

When is Mother's Day?

It depends on where you live. In the USA, Canada, Australia and many other countries, Mother's Day is on the second Sunday in May. In the UK and Ireland, Mothering Sunday falls in March, three weeks before Easter Sunday. Check your calendar and start crafting a week or two early.

Cards

1. Coloring card. Our greeting cards fold in half and have space for a message. See homemade cards for more.
2. Handprint flower card. Paint your child's hand, press it on a card and add a stem and leaves. The fingers become petals.
3. Fingerprint heart card. Make a heart from lots of colorful fingerprints.
4. "All about my mum" card. Children finish sentences: "My mum is great at…", "Her favorite food is…", "I love it when she…"
5. Pop-up flower card. Fold a strip of paper into a spring and glue a paper flower on top inside the card.

Gifts

1. Coupon book. Staple small pages together with promises such as "Breakfast in bed," "One big hug," "I'll tidy my room" or "A song just for you."
2. Flower bouquet. Color and cut out flowers from our nature pages, tape them to green pipe cleaners or straws and tie them with ribbon.
3. Handprint salt dough keepsake. Press a hand into salt dough, bake slowly and paint. Write the year on the back.
4. Painted plant pot. Paint a terracotta pot and plant a flower or herb in it.
5. Framed art. Color a mandala or a flower page and put it in a simple frame.
6. Photo frame. Decorate a card frame with buttons, stickers or pasta and add a family photo.
7. Bookmark. Color a long strip, laminate it with contact paper and add a ribbon.

Mother's Day activities

• Breakfast in bed. Simple ideas: toast with jam, fruit salad, yogurt and a drawing on the tray.
• Interview. Children ask their mum questions and write down her answers.
• Pamper session. A hand massage, painted nails or a foot soak.
• Picnic or walk somewhere she loves.
• Family photo. Take a picture together and print it.

Words for the card

Some children like help with what to write. Ideas:

• "Thank you for…"
• "My favorite thing we do together is…"
• "You are the best at…"
• "I love you more than…"

Younger children can trace their message using our name tracing tool (type the words you want to trace).

Ideas by age

Toddlers (2–3): handprint cards, fingerprint hearts and sticker cards. A grown-up writes the message.

Preschoolers (3–5): flower bouquets, coupon books with pictures and painted pots.

School age (6–9): "all about my mum" cards, pop-up cards, framed art and breakfast in bed.

Tweens (10+): cook a meal, make a photo book, write a letter or plan a special day out.

For children who don't have a mum at home

Mother's Day can be hard for some children. Encourage them to make something for any special adult: a grandparent, an aunt, a foster carer, a teacher or a family friend. Some children may want to make something in memory of someone. Follow their lead and be gentle.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Leaving it to the last minute. Start a week early so there's no stress.
• Doing too much for them. Mum will love the wonky, child-made version.
• Forgetting to date it. Write the date and child's age on the back of every craft.

Frequently asked questions

What's the easiest Mother's Day gift for a toddler?

A handprint card or painted flower. Both need very little help and become treasured keepsakes.

How can kids make a gift without spending money?

Coupon books, homemade cards, colored bouquets and breakfast in bed are all free.

How can a dad or other grown-up help kids prepare?

Set aside time a few days before, gather supplies and let the children lead. Keep the plan a surprise.

A coupon book template

Staple six small pages together and fill them in:

1. One breakfast in bed (served with a smile)
2. One big hug (redeemable any time)
3. One tidy bedroom (without being asked)
4. One movie night (Mum chooses the film)
5. One lie-in (I'll play quietly)
6. One special song (sung just for you)

Children can decorate each page and design a cover that says "Coupons for Mum."

What's a good Mother's Day craft for school-age kids?

A framed mandala, a painted plant pot with a flower, or an "all about my mum" card.

What can kids cook for Mother's Day breakfast?

Toast with jam, a fruit salad, yogurt with berries, cereal or pancakes (with grown-up help).