Mother’s Day is quickly approaching and your kids are itching to DIY that perfect something special. Something she will keep forever, love and cherish and wont say “what is it?” Whether its for you, their grandma, nanny, aunt and any other special women in their lives, here are a bunch of great homemade gift ideas kids can actually make.
Note to Nannies and Dads: these are great activities to do with kids leading up to Mother’s Day.
Click the gift titles for step by step instructions!
1) Painted Bead Bracelets
Create these pretty bracelets with paint, ribbon and small wooden beads! Each bead represents a different child, so kids can personalize their bead and combine them for one great gift from everyone.
2) Heart on Canvas With Fingerprints
Using a small canvas from your local craft store, have each child place a fingerprint in a color paint and then to the canvas. Then, carefully turn each print into a heart. Make sure you date it, so years later she can remember how tiny those itty bitty fingers once were.
3) Paper Flower Bouquet
Surprise Mom with flowers that won’t die!
4) Citrus Peel Soap
Children will need a helping hand with this activity that’s akin to baking, as this project requires melting glycerin and adding special oils and perfumes.
5) Wooden Stool Makeover
Paint a wooden footstool a solid color and, when it dries, have your little ones step lightly in some washable paint. Then, put their footprints on the stool for a present that’s both fun and functional.
6) Fingerprint Doves
We love that this spring bird comes to life with the addition of each child’s tiny fingerprints.
7) Spring Flowers
We love how easy this craft is to make for kids of every age, and that it teaches them the importance of recycling. Mom will never guess these beautiful and bright flowers are made from toilet paper rolls!
8) Mini Succulent Gardens
Dig up some rocks around the yard, grab some soil, and pick out a few of Mom’s favorite succulent cuttings to make her very own mini garden.
9) Clay Pots
These pots are a ton of fun to make and can be decorated with a number of materials. From gemstones to buttons, the personal touches on these pots make them all the more special. Mom can use it to hold anything from keys to pencils.
10) Mother and Baby Bird in Nest
This adorable modeling clay project will result in sighs of “Aww!” from moms. It’s cute and easy to do with young kids.
11) Mother’s Day Monster Bookmarks
One of the most memorable parent-child bonding moments is over bedtime stories. And as kids start to move into chapter books, you always needed a placeholder. Cut the corner off of an envelope and decorate it as you wish.
12) Pallet Plaques
Cut, sand, paint and glue wood together to make Mom a beautiful, simple pallet plaque.
13) Personalized Candles
Candles with the names and artwork of her children make relaxing in the tub even better. All you need to do it carve a fun design in a candle with a toothpick, paint over it, wipe it off with a paper towel, and done!
14) Popsicle Stick Flowers and Flower Box
With a little paint, glue and sticks, you can make a cute flower decoration that requires no watering.
15) Love You to Pieces Picture Frame
Glue and paint puzzle pieces to a picture frame and write a love note to Mom. If you have any puzzles that have been lying around with long-missing pieces, this project is the perfect solution to that problem.
16) Lady Bug Garden Rocks
Remember the “pet rock” craze? Here’s one that actually serves a purpose! All you need is red and black paint and a rock. Put the lady bug rock in Mom’s garden, or turn it into a great paperweight for her desk.
17) Bird House
Decorating a pre-made birdhouse is an easy and fun project for kids. Although it will take some supervision, the aftermath of this birdhouse will be something you’ll marvel at for years to come.
18) Personalized Phone Case
Decorate Mom’s cell phone with this easy tape craft. Pick out different patterns and colors, and then decorate to your heart’s content.
19) Hand Print Bouquet
@trendytreehouse has created flowers that actually last! All you need is a large piece of construction paper and some washable finger paint. Have your kids place their hand prints on the page to create the “flowers.”
20) Mother’s Day Pillow
This makeshift pillow is made of cushioned shelf liner, cotton balls and yarn.
21) Mother’s Day Purse Card
Pamper Mom this Mother’s Day with this pretty purse card. It may not hold much, but it’s sure to be packed with love!
22) Mason Jar Vase
This pretty vase craft is best-suited for older kids. If you have a range of ages, you can have the younger kids add the gemstones to the jar and paint a tag, while the older children tie the ribbon and make the wire handle.
23) Hand Print Canvases
Trace your hand on craft paper, then cut it out and stick it to a canvas. Frame it and hang it in the hallway for Mom to marvel at every time she walks by.
24) Painted Paper Bouquets
These are pretty hand-painted flowers that kids make from coffee filters. It’s something they can give to any woman in their life, and something they can make no matter their age.
25) Hand Print Flower Tote
This tote is the perfect gift for the mom who always has too much to carry. All it involves is a canvas tote bag, paints and a pair (or two!) of willing hands. Once it’s done, Mom’s got a fun, personalized tote bag!
26) Hand Print Aprons
All you’ll need is a plain-colored apron and some paint and your kids can start getting messy.
27) Mother’s Day Matchbox Locket
What mom doesn’t love a little jewelry for Mother’s Day? The best part about this necklace though is that it will cost you virtually nothing.
Jennifer Eberhart is a freelance writer in New York City.