These Mother's Day Crafts Make for the Sweetest Gifts from Kids
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Mother's Day is almost here—time to make a special craft just for Mom! Raid your craft closet and save yourself a trip to the store by whipping up one of these cute, affordable, and easy projects. If one of her favorite Mother’s Day activities is taking on a fun project with the kids, that's even better because these easy Mother’s Day crafts are sure to fit the bill. Whether you are looking for a sweet arts and crafts project for a preschooler or a spring DIY project the whole family can do together, such as a spring wreath, we've got you covered with loads of fun and heartfelt ideas.
New additions to our Mother’s Day crafts collection for 2024 include useful household items, like a hand-painted “flower power” flower pot and dishtowels stamped with the kids’ handprints or found objects (think flower-shaped cookie cutters or paperclips). We also tell you how to create simple DIY paper flowers to fill paper cones or bud vases. Or, if you have a cutting garden or wildflower garden, you can simply snip fresh blooms for a charming hanging mason jar bouquet.
Mom will love her painted-with-love bangle bracelet, too, and wear it everywhere she goes. Plus, we have a super-easy trick for creating the most elegant rose-themed stationery. Looking for more ideas for Mother's Day gifts? Bake Mom a cake, or—the all-time classic and perennial favorite—serve her breakfast in bed.
Little hands will love cutting and gluing these paper flowers that Mom will cherish for years to come.
To make: Cut flower petals and centers from bright pastel and white paper. Use hot glue or a glue stick to glue petals together, forming flower shapes. Glue centers on top. Glue green paper straws to the back of each flower for a stem. Shape a piece of brown craft paper into a cone, using tape to hold it together. Tie a rickrack bow around the cone and add a paper tag. Insert flowers into cone.
Hand-painted flowers add color and help elevate a hardware store terra-cotta pot. Fill with a fern or other favorite plant for a gift Mom can enjoy for years to come.
To make: Use acrylic paint pens to draw and paint flowers on a terra-cotta pot. When dry fill with a fern or an herb.
Printed Dishtowels
Kids will have fun searching around the house for objects to stamp on dishtowels or napkins that Mom can use on special occasions.
To make: Spread a thin layer of fabric paint, or an acrylic paint mixed with a fabric fixative, on a paper plate. Dip found objects, such as flower-shaped cookie cutters and oversized paper clips, in paint and stamp on dishtowels.
Painted Wooden Bracelets
When Mom heads out to a fancy dinner party wearing her hand-painted bracelets, we can guarantee the kids will be grinning ear to ear seeing their crafty work going out for a night on the town.
To make: Use acrylic paint or paint pens to paint designs on wooden bracelets. Finish with a layer of Mod Podge if desired.
Surprise mom as soon as she opens her door in the morning with a beautiful flower arrangement hung from the bedroom doorknob.
To make: Snugly tie a length of ribbon around the threads of a mason jar (you can add a few dabs of hot glue for added hold, if desired). Fill the jar with water and flowers. Hang around a doorknob.
Handprint Kitchen Towels
While flowers are great Mom will find so much joy in using practical gifts, like handprint dishtowels, everyday.
To make: Sew or use fusible bonding web to attach ribbon to the bottom of a flour sack dishtowel. Spread a thin layer of fabric paint, or an acrylic paint mixed with a fabric fixative on a paper plate. Have kids press their hands into the paint and then onto the towel. Iron to fix the paint per the manufacturer's packaging instructions.
Coffee Filter Poppies
Mom can hold onto the fleeting beauty of poppies this season and into the next with these DIY flowers made from dyed coffee filters. Tip: Make these outside as dye can be quite messy and get into and onto unexpected things.
To make: Dip paper coffee filters in Cherry Red Rit Dye. Lay flat on a cooling rack fitted in a rimmed baking sheet or hang over a drying line. When dry, kink and fold the filters so they have a little movement. Use a dab of hot glue or a glue stick to glue the centers of two filters together to create petal layers. Cut a 6-inch piece of black pipe cleaner and roll into a flat circle; use hot glue to glue to the center of the poppy. Twist three green pipe cleaners together; use hot glue to glue to the back of the poppy. Arrange poppies in bud vases.
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Celery Print Cards
A lot of moms love flowers and these celery prints give the impression of a perennial favorite, roses. Choose a classic rose color like yellow or pink, or simply take inspiration from spring and go with blue or green. Either way Mom will be smitten with her DIY flower card.
To make: Cut 2 to 3 inches off the bottom of a head of celery. Pat the cut end dry with a paper towel. Press the cut end on a stamp pad and then onto a blank note card, tapping the root side to help make an even print. When dry, add a sweet greeting.
Party Prep
Throwing a fête for Mom? Have the kids get involved with the party decor. They will certainly enjoy creating a pretty bunting by simply attaching vintage hankies to a string with mini clothespins. They can also help ferry items for a lemonade station, which we've set up on an antique French garden stand, but you can use a buffet table or even a cooler.
Felt Flower Wreath
Help mom make the front door welcoming to guests with a fun and colorful felt and leaf flower wreath.
To make: Make or buy felt flowers and leaves. Hot-glue flowers and leaves to a grapevine wreath form and hang with a length of ribbon.
Tart Tin Coasters
Give moms sips a pretty place to park with fluted mini-tart tins.
To make: Remove the bottoms from the tins and trace the outline on fabric. Cut out and adhere the fabric to the bottom discs using glossy, water-resistant Mod Podge. Allow to dry completely, then replace in the tart rings.
Hand-Penned Garden Stakes
For the mom who loves to spend time with her hands in the soil these DIY garden stakes will make her heart sing. Kids will love writing the veggie names and maybe even drawing a cute picture of the fruits and vegetables.
To make: Drill a small hole in the wood handles and tie hand-penned wooden tags through the holes with twine. Insert the pointy tips into the soil so the markers stand upright. *Coat wood with clear varnish to protect the handwriting from the elements.
Coffee Filter Flowers
Kids will love crafting these flowering candy dishes with an item you probably already have in your house: coffee filters.
To make: Submerge regular-size white coffee filters (you’ll need four to six for each flower) in a watered-down Rit Dye solution (here, Petal Pink); dry completely. Cut into flower shapes of various sizes, and stack largest to smallest. Attach at centers with craft glue. Glue a papier-mâché or store-bought candy cup to center of each. Fill with candy.
Flower Brooch Wreath
Shiny, sparkly, and made from jewelry = a wreath that mom is guaranteed to love!
To make: Wrap a small wire wreath form in white ribbon. Attach brooches using pin backings. Add a small bow made from sparkly ribbon, if desired
Dip-Dyed Baskets
Mom can store candy, keys, or whatever she pleases in this cute and simple to craft dip-dyed basket.
To make: Dip the top quarter of a cotton basket in desired color of fabric dye. When dry, fill with moss and candy.
Egg Carton Wreath
Turn the common paper egg carton into flowers, then attach them to a wreath form to create the perfect gift for the mom who loves all things flowers.
To make: Cut individual egg cups from paper egg cartons. Notch and cut decorative edges with scissors. Dye or paint cups desired colors. Attach cups and craft paper leaves to a painted craft ring with hot-glue.
Stitched Paper Cards
Show Mom the love with a hand-cut and stitched card. Start by cutting a shape (try a flower or an animal shape) from medium to thick craft paper. Punch holes along the border with a small hole punch. Stitch, using embroidery floss, thin twine, or yarn. Add additional flare like a pipe cleaner stem and a pretty vintage button.
Fabric-Covered Paper Weight
Make Mom’s desk pretty with a personalized paperweight. Start by cutting fabric into strips. Adhere to a small rock (2 to 3 inches) with glossy Mod Podge. Cut an initial, or “M” for "Mom," and a heart from felt and adhere to the top of the rock. Allow to dry completely.
Flower Petal Change Bowl
We know moms love all things organization, so what’s better than a handmade bowl that she can use to corral loose change. To create your sculpture, use Sculpey (or another oven-baked clay) to form a large flower petal. Form a smaller petal and press it into the center of the larger petal. Place plastic beads in bottom of the bowl. Bake, per package instructions, to melt plastic and harden clay.
Papier-Mâché Vases
These papier-mâché vases are ideal for gifting mom some of her favorite candy or a beautiful bouquet.
To make: Blow up one large and one medium-size balloon. Papier mâché each with white craft paper, leaving bottom quarter to third uncovered and edges rough. Let dry. Pop balloons, and remove. Set a vase inside each, and fill with water and flowers.
Pom-pom Bouquet
Kids can make Mom an evergreen yarn bouquet to symbolize their everlasting love.
To make: Start by placing a green pipe cleaner parallel with the tines of a fork so that it extends 3 inches above the tines. Wrap yarn perpendicularly around all the tines, including the pipe cleaner, to cover the tines completely. Next, fold the 3-inch section of pipe cleaner down over the yarn, and slide everything off the fork. Twist the two ends of pipe cleaner together at the base of the yarn to secure the center of the pom-pom; continue wrapping the pipe cleaner ends together to form a stem. Carefully cut the yarn loops and trim any scraggly ends. Repeat as desired to make more flowers. Wrap stems together with a length of ribbon.
Mossy Nest Wreath
Mom will love adorning the front door with this special DIY wreath that's crafted from mini tart tins, moss, and faux quail eggs. Assign a teen or adult to man the hot glue gun, while little hands can place the decorations.
To make: Wrap a wire wreath form in ribbon and loop an additional piece around the top for hanging. Attach tart tins, moss, and faux eggs with hot-glue.
Painted Mason Jar Lantern
Give the gift of light and love with this simply decorated glass jar.
To make: Paint stripes on the inside of a mason or other glass jar with acrylic paint. Once dry, place a battery-operated tea light in the jar. Screw on lid and embellish with a piece of colorful twine or ribbon.
RELATED: Clever Ways to Use Mason Jars in Your Backyard
Fabric Tulips
This bouquet, made from fabric scraps, is a gift mom can enjoy year after year.
Rope Mirror
We love the way Mom looks and she will too when she catches a glance of herself in this stylish rope mirror. This is a great project for a crafty and detail-oriented teen, or for an adult and child to tackle together.
To make: Cover frame of a mirror with 1/2- to 3/4-inch manila rope, braiding one section for a decorative effect and adhering rope with hot-glue. Add a decorative band to center of top and sides with thin sisal rope.
Photo Coasters
Mom will enjoy her morning cup of tea even more when she looks down and sees her child's smiling face. Start by printing a photo (either in black & white or color) on card stock paper that is 1/4-inch smaller than a glazed white tile. Brush the back of the photo with glossy Mod Podge and place on the tile, making sure it’s centered. Brush the top of the photo with Mod Podge to seal. Allow to dry completely.
Pillow Sham
Even kids learning to sew can help with this one. Attach a handkerchief to one side of a solid-colored pillowcase using embroidery thread and a whipstitch.
Lavender Pouches
Cut a 2-by-4-inch rectangle from a handkerchief or piece of fabric. Fold in half crosswise with the pattern facing inward. Stitch two sides closed; turn pouch right-side out. Fill with dried lavender. Hand-stitch opening closed.
Coin Purse
Lay a handkerchief flat with one pointed end at the top. Fold the bottom point up so that it rests in the center of the fabric. Pull the left and right points toward the center, overlapping them slightly. Tack down sides that overlap the bottom triangle using fusible webbing. Sew on a small snap to hold the top flap closed. Add a decorative button on top, if desired.
Craft Stick Picture Frame
Once the kids have picked out their favorite photo with Mom, they can proudly display it against a handmade frame. The brighter, the better!
Get the tutorial at A Few Shortcuts.
Handprint Apron
A simple, easy craft can go a long way. This apron takes little time to put together, but will bring a smile to Mom's face every time she wears it.
Get the tutorial at The Craft Patch.
Mother's Day Crown
The family queen deserves her own festive holiday headgear to commemorate the special holiday, but up the sentimental factor by having little ones construct their own. No matter how the finished product turns out, she'll never want to take it off come Mother's Day.
Get the tutorial at Design Improvised.
Upside-Down Flower Pots
Handcrafted stems rival real flowers any day. Make Mom smile with a mini garden of DIY potted plants.
Get the tutorial at The Inspiration Edit.
Tin Can Planters
Mom will have the most loved-up garden on the block thanks to these personalized planters. Little ones can decorate the cans however they please with alphabet stickers.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.
Black Glue Heart Art
Put a creative spin on Mother's Day heart motifs with a fun checkerboard pattern.
Get the tutorial at Red Ted Art.
Origami Heart Bookmarks
For every gripping page-turner, she'll have a place to mark her spot and a loving little reminder of the thoughtful kids behind these bookmarks.
Get the tutorial at That Kids Craft Site.
Milk Carton Bird Feeder
For the nature-loving mom, encourage more birds in the backyard with this easy Mother's Day craft for kids.
Get the tutorial at Happiness Is Homemade.
Painted Pasta Necklace
Pasta necklaces have earned a rep as a staple Mother's Day craft from kids, but a pretty painted rendition makes the DIY jewelry feel so much more de rigueur.
Get the tutorial at Picklebums.
Thumbprint Coffee Mug
Let kids leave their mark on a morning must-have that Mom will get plenty of use out of.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.
Food-Stamped Tea Towels
Finally—an excuse for kids to play with their food. Use lemons, potato slices, and a bit of paint to create the decorative "stamps."
Get the tutorial at Down Home Inspiration.
Handprint Flower Pot
This craft gives Mom the best of both worlds—her favorite flowers and a photo of her favorite little human, all in a personalized pot.
Get the tutorial at All Things Mamma.
Family Cootie Catcher
The little ones can color their own mom-friendly cootie catcher, which features interior prompts like "give a compliment to your mom" or "give your mom a big hug."
Get the tutorial at Bren Did.
Mini Pipe Cleaner Pots
No green thumb needed for Mom to enjoy this adorable garden craft. Instead, let the kids get creative with pipe cleaner petals.
Get the tutorial at Plum Crazy.
Fingerprint Heart
Few tots can pass up a good old finger painting session. Help them cut out the heart shape, then let their little paint-soaked fingerprints do the decorating.
Get the tutorial at The Best Ideas for Kids.
Hyacinth Flower Card
Because Mom's gift would be nowhere near complete without a handmade card.
Get the tutorial at I Heart Crafty Things.
Abstract Felt Art
Since's Mom's worthy of her own work of art, make Mother's Day all the more special with a modern abstract creation. A few colorful felt shapes will do just the trick.
Get the tutorial at The House That Lars Built.
Fingerprint Magnets
There's no shortage of thumbprint creations your kids can come up with to wow Mom—not to mention they'll look incredible hanging from the fridge.
Get the tutorial at Rhythms of Play.
No-Sew Felt Flowers
Did you forget arrange for Mother's Day flowers delivery this year? Don't worry—these felt flowers are just as pretty and will last forever.
Get the tutorial at Mommy Moment.
DIY Marble Dipped Mugs
Let kids make a little bit of a mess with these coffee mugs. As beautiful as the marbling looks, it's actually incredibly easy to create.
Get the tutorial at The Sweetest Occasion.
Yarn-Wrapped Cardboard Letters
The design and color opportunities are endless with these yarn letters. This is a great craft if you have multiple children—each kid can create his or her own letter or word.
Get the tutorial at Art Bar.
DIY Coloring Page Bracelets
Take a page (literally) from your kid's coloring book to create these beautiful bangles.
Get the tutorial at Persia Love.
Framed Pressed Flowers
Flatten real flowers—or even weeds!—from your garden to make a one-of-a-kind Mother's Day craft. It will look especially beautiful hanging near a window with the sunlight shining through.
Get the tutorial at Lily Ardor.
Pasta Noodle Calla Lilies
After baking a beautiful Mother's Day cake, kids can make and place these "lilies" on top for a delicate spring-themed dessert.
Get the tutorial at Handmade Charlotte.
Handprint Clay Jewelry Dish
A fun and functional twist on the traditional handprint Mother's Day art, Mom will think of her thoughtful little ones every time she puts her baubles in this homemade jewelry dish.
Get the tutorial at Simple as That.
Rainbow Heart Wreath
Show your fun-loving mom how much you love her with a colorful, heart-shaped wreath fitted with a festive pom-pom.
Get the tutorial at Hello, Wonderful.
Mason Jar Votive
Remind Mom she's the light of everyone's life with a mason jar votive. Kids can get creative and paint the inside however they please and a battery-operated "candle" is safe for them to handle.
Get the tutorial at I Heart Arts n Crafts.
Easy Striped Vase
Kids can apply painter's tape in any design they want to make a pretty painted vase for Mom.
Get the tutorial at Blooming Homestead.
Watermelon Print Napkins
All it takes is a sponge and paint to make these pretty napkins you can use on Mother's Day.
Get the tutorial at The Sweetest Occasion.
Card with Sun Catcher
Most moms receive cards on Mother's Day, but this one has a hidden surprise: The heart in the center can be removed and doubles as a sun catcher.
Get the tutorial at Learning and Exploring Through Play.
Painted Ladybug Mug
"There’s something utterly cute and cheerful about a ladybug craft," blogger Amanda writes, and she proves just that with this hand-painted ladybug mug. Morning coffee just got better!
Get the tutorial at Crafts by Amanda.
Flower Photo Craft
Mom will adore having a "garden" of her kids, who will love painting the little flower pot.
Get the tutorial at Made With Happy.
Printable Mother's Day Book
This precious book can be printed for free online, where you can choose 12 blank frames and 10 prompts for your child to fill out. He or she will complete sentences like, "My favorite memory of Mom is..." or "My mom makes me feel..." and illustrate the book with drawings throughout. The end result: a truly priceless Mother's Day gift.
Get the tutorial at Hello, Wonderful.
Handprint Oven Mitt
This craft couldn't be simpler, but preserving their little handprint on an oven mitt makes for a special gift she'll cherish for years.
Get the tutorial at The Idea Room.
Paper Scraps Greeting Cards
Use old pieces of scrapbook paper, wrapping paper, or card stock and have the kids draw flowers of all shapes and sizes. The cut-out shapes look absolutely darling on Mother's Day cards.
Get the tutorial at Mama Is Dreaming.
Pressed Flower Bookmarks
Go on a walk with the kids to collect small flowers and leaves, which you'll then dry and press onto light brown card stock. These precious floral bookmarks make a beautiful gift for Mom, and the kids will love making them, too.
Get the tutorial at Buggy And Buddy.
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