Mother’s Day is quickly approaching, and it’s the perfect time to teach our little ones to celebrate their moms. It makes sense for little kids to do homemade gifts. After all, they don’t have money of their own. Yet, homemade toddler and preschool gifts are often not things that end up in our treasured-memories stash. Are there things little ones can make that moms could really want and use? Let’s look at a few gifts that are meaningful and usable, but they still let our kids take part in the fun. Here are some ideas for a meaningful Mother’s Day gift little ones can make – with a little help, of course.
Parents have been receiving macaroni art for decades. But there really are options for useful and heartfelt gifts from kids.
What makes a gift meaningful?
Quite often, the best gifts aren’t expensive or elaborate—they’re personal. They consider what the gift receiver really enjoys. So when we’re helping a toddler or preschooler create a gift, let’s think about what makes it personal.
Of course, a toddler or preschooler gift is going to have that little person touch. Things like scribbles and handprints show that our kids really did put a little piece of themselves into it.
Yet, while we want that personal child-like touch, it would be great if this gift could be usable. A usable gift allows a mom to see that personal touch regularly. That is so much better than sticking it into a memory box. It’s a daily reminder of the care, effort, and love that their child put into this gift. It’s a meaningful Mother’s Day gift.
Let’s get on to the gift ideas!
Meaningful Mother’s Day gift ideas for little ones
Handprint Flower Pot
Get a small terracotta plant pot, some tempura paint (or whatever paint you want to use), and some paint brushes. An actual plant and some soil would make it even better.
Let your child stamp their handprint on the pot or decorate it with paint, or both. Then work together to put the soil and plant into it, after it dries, of course.
This allows a child to be creative on their own level, yet it’s useful, and plants are beautiful. A meaningful Mother’s Day gift that can be used and seen and loved.
I Love Mommy Mini Book
This fun little book can be precious and hilarious at the same time. Gather some paper, crayons or colored pencils, and a stapler or a hole punch with some ribbon to tie it together. You could use full size paper, or fold the paper into a booklet form.
Ask your little one why they love their Mommy, and then write down their answers. Add one reason per page. And then let your child draw a picture or a design for each page. Don’t forget the cover!
This fun toddler/preschooler craft holds meaning. It will be a joy for Mom to read through, and it will be something to hold onto always.
Tray art for that breakfast in bed
Planning on a special breakfast in bed for Mother’s Day? Have your little one make a meaningful Mother’s Day gift with the tray. You’ll need a wooden or plastic tray and some paint or markers.
Let your child decorate the tray with paint or markers. Then work together to plan a breakfast that mom would really love. And think about what parts of that food prep your little one could help with. And if you need a little extra time to make a nice breakfast without your toddler’s help, let them watch some educational, ad-free shows at My Signing Time. They can have fun AND learn, and you can prepare a nice breakfast. We all win.
This gift is personal and pampering. That’s a meaningful Mother’s Day gift.
Painted canvas
You’ll need a paint canvas from a craft store, paint brushes, and any kind of washable paint (tempura, acrylic, whatever). Then just let your little one paint freely. Once they are happy with their painting, you could be done. Or you could let it dry, and then use a permanent marker to write a message or stencil a shape or even to freeform draw a shape over the painting.
Even the most abstract blobs of paint can be pretty on canvas and worthy of hanging in a special spot. Again, something meaningful and usable.
Expectations for crafting with a young child
While these ideas really are so simple, crafting with a toddler can be a challenge. Be sure to choose a time when your toddler is not tired and not hungry. Make sure you’re ready to go so that you can keep it short. Always expect a mess and be OK with it. Maybe use a smock or a junky shirt and have some wet wipes ready.
And if you can fit it in, try to get some pictures of the process. Those will be precious memories for your entire family.
So, if you’re looking for something your little one can make for Mother’s Day, see if one of these heartfelt creations would work. And while you’re at it, check out the Creativity section of our free Signing Time Dictionary for some signs to learn as you create. Even the colors would be a great place to start!
Moms, forward this along as needed! And Happy Mother’s Day from the Signing Time family!