Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids: Easy DIY Gift Ideas

Moms and mother figures should be celebrated every day of the year for their hard work and unwavering love. With only one day to make it all about them, why not go all out with a handmade gift straight from the heart? 

Yes, store-bought presents are always lovely, but nothing compares to the charm of a gift made by the little ones, with the effort, creativity, and time it takes to bring something special for mom to life.

Mother’s Day can be a great opportunity for Au Pairs to help kids with a fun, hands-on activity that results in a unique surprise. Plus, tapping into their creative sides and crafting something together builds excitement and connectedness and gives kids a sense of pride in what they create. 

With a little guidance and a few simple supplies, Au Pairs can help turn an afternoon of crafting into a meaningful moment that moms and Host Families will treasure forever. Here are some easy and original Mother’s Day crafts for kids of all ages. 

Easy Mother’s Day Crafts for Younger Kids Ages 3-6

Small toddlers will probably need more help from Au Pairs than older kids, but with a little patience and creativity, they can still make something truly special. These simple Mother’s Day art projects require minimal materials and supervision, making them perfect for little hands to create heartfelt gifts with a personal touch.

Handprint Flower Bouquet

Materials:

• Colored construction paper
• Washable paint
• Scissors
• Green pipe cleaners or straws
• Glue or tape

Instructions:

1. Paint the child’s hand with washable paint and press it onto construction paper to create the handprint flowers. Let them dry.
2. Cut out the handprints, leaving a little space around the edges.
3. Use glue or tape to attach a green pipe cleaner or straw to the bottom of each handprint for the stems. 
4. Arrange the flowers into a bouquet and secure them with glue or tape.
5. Wrap the bouquet with tissue paper or tie a ribbon to finish it.

Bonus Tip: Instead of cutting out the handprints, leave them on the paper and have kids draw stems and leaves with crayons or markers to make a bouquet without scissors.

Paper Plate Heart Wreath

Materials:

• A paper plate
• Construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Ribbon or yarn for hanging

Instructions:

1. Cut out the center of a paper plate to create a ring shape.
2. Fold construction paper in half to cut out hearts in different sizes and colors.
3. Work together to glue the hearts around the plate to create a wreath.
4. Attach a ribbon or yarn loop to the top so it’s easy to hang.

Bonus Tip: Before gluing the hearts down, let kids write little messages or draw pictures on them for Mom. 

Creative Mother’s Day Art Projects for Older Kids Ages 7-12

Older kids are often more involved and excited to share their creative ideas, which means this is an excellent age for more detailed, hands-on projects. Here are a few Mother’s Day crafts for kids ages 7-12 that let them experiment with colors, textures, and techniques. 

Mother’s Day Card with Pop-Up Heart

Materials:

• Colored cardstock or construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Markers, crayons, or stickers for decoration

Instructions:

1. Fold a piece of cardstock in half to make a card.
2. Cut out a heart from another piece of paper and fold it in half.
3. Make two small cuts along the fold (about half an inch long) near the center.
4. Fold the small tab created by the cuts inward and crease it well.
5. Open the heart back up and apply glue to the folded tabs. Stick it inside the card so that the heart pops up when the card is opened.
6. Decorate the front and inside with drawings, stickers, or a cute handwritten message.

Bonus Tip: Instead of a single heart, try layering different-sized hearts to create a 3D effect or write a sweet message inside the pop-up heart for an extra surprise.

Painted Mason Jar Vase

Materials:

• A clean mason jar
• Acrylic paint
• Paint brushes or sponges
• Ribbon or twine
• Fresh or artificial flowers

Instructions:

1. Choose a paint color and coat the outside of the mason jar. Let it dry completely.
2. Use a smaller brush or sponge to add designs like polka dots, hearts, flowers, or stripes.
3. Once dry, tie a ribbon or twine around the mouth of the jar.
4. Fill the jar with fresh or artificial flowers.

Bonus Tip: You can use chalk paint for a matte effect and let kids write a message or draw a design with the chalk once the paint is dry.

Last-Minute Mother’s Day Crafts: Quick and Easy

Because it’s the thought that matters most, not how much time you spend, here are some simple crafts that can be made in 30 minutes or less. Perfect for anyone short on time, they still feel special and personal while being easy enough to pull together at the last minute.

Handprint Butterfly Card

Materials:

• Colored construction paper
• Scissors
• Glue stick
• Markers or crayons

Instructions:

1. Fold a piece of construction paper in half to make a card.
2. Trace both of the child’s hands on a different sheet of colored paper and cut them out.
3. Cut out an oval shape for the butterfly’s body and glue it to the center of the card.
4. Attach the handprints on either side of the body to create wings.
5. Use markers or crayons to draw details like antennae, patterns on the wings, and a special message inside the card.

Bonus Tip: Add a personal touch by letting kids decorate the wings with stickers, glitter, or fingerprints for extra color and texture.

Handmade Photo Frame 

Materials:

• Craft sticks (popsicle sticks) or a small cardboard cutout
• Glue
• Markers, stickers, dried pasta, or paint
• A printed photo
• Ribbon or magnet (optional)

Instructions:

1. Glue four craft sticks together in a square or rectangular shape to create a frame (or cut a frame shape out of cardboard, like a cereal box).
2. Let the kids decorate the frame with markers, stickers, dried pasta, or paint.
3. Cut the printed photo to fit inside the frame and glue it to the back.
4. Optional: Attach a ribbon loop at the top for hanging or add a magnet to the back to display it on the fridge.

Bonus Tip: Have kids write the date or a short message on the frame to make it even more personalized.

Eco-Friendly and Recycled Mother’s Day Craft Ideas

There’s no need to spend money or buy new supplies to make mom a beautiful gift. These quick and easy crafts use recycled and natural materials found in most homes, turning everyday items into something meaningful while being sustainable and good for the planet. 

Egg Carton Flowers

Materials:

• Empty cardboard egg carton
• Scissors
• Paint and paintbrushes
• Green pipe cleaners or straws
• Glue
• Buttons, beads, or pom-poms (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cut apart the egg carton so each section becomes an individual flower cup.
2. Carefully cut the edges into petal shapes.
3. Paint each flower in bright colors and let them dry.
4. Using glue, attach a green pipe cleaner or straw to the bottom as a stem.
5. Glue a button, bead, or pom-pom in a different color to the center to create the middle part of the flower. 

Bonus Tip: Arrange the flowers in a decorated jar or tie them together with ribbon for a bouquet that lasts forever.

Painted Rock Garden Markers

Materials:

• Smooth, flat rocks
• Acrylic paint or paint pens
• Paintbrushes
• Clear sealant (optional)

Instructions:

1. Wash and dry the rocks to remove dirt.
2. Paint each rock in a solid color and let it dry.
3. Write the names of herbs, flowers, or vegetables that Mom has in the garden on each rock using paint pens or a fine brush. For decoration, add small designs like leaves or flowers.
4. Optional: Let the paint dry completely, then seal with a clear coat.

Bonus Tip: Instead of plant names, you can encourage kids to write short messages or draw little pictures to make a personalized set of paperweights for mom.

Upcycled Tin Can Pencil Holder

Materials:

• An empty, clean tin can (label and sharp edges removed)
• Colored paper, fabric scraps, or magazine clippings
• Glue stick or Mod Podge
• Ribbon, buttons, or stickers (optional)

Instructions:

1. Use glue or Mod Podge and a paintbrush to cover the outside of the tin can with colored paper, fabric, or magazine clippings. 
2. Smooth out wrinkles and let it dry completely.
3. Decorate with ribbon, buttons, or stickers.

Bonus Tip: For an extra special touch, kids can fill out the tin can with sweet notes or draw small pictures for Mom. 

Tips for Making Mother’s Day Crafts Special

Since most kids love crafting, anything made with love will make for an extra special Mother’s Day gift. However, adding a few personal touches can make DIY presents even more meaningful. Consider these tips: 

• Include a cute handwritten note: Help kids write a sweet note to place inside a card, on the back of a drawing, or a small tag attached to their gift. A simple “I love you,” or a sentence about what makes mom special can go a long way in making mom feel extra loved that day. 
• Capture the moment: Take a photo of the child in the middle of crafting and print it out to include it with the gift, or let kids decorate a frame and place the picture inside. Years down the road, it’ll be a sweet reminder of the time and love that went into the present.
• Pair it with a homemade treat: A homemade snack makes the gift even more fun and can be a great bonding moment between children and au pairs. Kids can help bake cookies, mix up a batch of muffins, or put together mom’s favorite snack to accompany their craft. 
• Make it an experience: Instead of handing over the craft, turn it into a special moment for the entire family. Kids can surprise Mom with a homemade “spa day” and include a DIY face mask, set up a breakfast-in-bed surprise with a handmade placemat made with popsicle sticks, or create a little “gift presentation” with a song or poem.
• Get creative with wrapping: Even the packaging can be personalized and unique for Mother’s Day. Let kids decorate brown craft paper with doodles, add stickers to a gift bag, or use colorful tissue paper and ribbon to make the presentation as fun as the gift itself.

Cultivating Family Connections with Your Au Pair Through Mother’s Day Crafts

Mother’s Day is the perfect time for kids and their Au Pair to bond over creative projects and create something that will make Mom feel special and appreciated. 

Mother’s Day is recognized in many countries, but how it’s celebrated varies worldwide. Some cultures have special foods, unique gifts, or even different dates dedicated to honoring mothers. So, encouraging your Au Pair to share traditional presents or customs from their home country can turn a simple craft session into an enriching experience for the entire family. 

Families can also ask their Au Pair to teach a craft that’s popular in their culture or share a story about how they celebrated Mother’s Day growing up. This makes the holiday more educational for the child and strengthens the connection between the Au Pair and the Host Family.

Ready to start your cultural exchange journey? Discover the perfect Au Pair match for your family and begin creating unforgettable moments today!