Moms. No one else really has a more important job on the planet than they do. I mean, here’s the basic job description:
Which is why we definitely want to make sure to show them some love! Even though it’s important to make moms feel appreciated every day, it’s always nice to make them feel extra loved on Mother’s Day. As elementary teachers, we get to play a special role in helping kids create those memorable keepsakes that many moms will hang on to and look back on. When their children grow older and possibly go through an unruly teenager phase, they just may need something to look back on fondly!
Every spring I do a “Morning with Mom” Mother’s Day celebration. My students’ moms come to spend the morning with us in the classroom. I have the kids serve their moms some breakfast treats and serenade them with a couple of sweet songs. We also spoil them with handmade gifts.
When it comes to Mother’s Day presents, I’ve always felt that nothing really beats having the kids write about their moms. Kids come up with the sweetest (and often the funniest) things to say. No craft or store-bought item has the same sentimental value as the words that they come up with on their own.
That’s why for one of the gifts, I have the kids write and illustrate a booklet all about their mothers. I don’t know any mom who doesn’t love the song “You Are My Sunshine” so this theme is sure to warm their hearts!
On the first page, the kids draw and color a portrait of their mom.
The next page is for them fill in fun facts about their mom (their guesses on height/weight never get old).
They also make their best guesses about their mom’s favorite things. Unsurprisingly, coffee always seems to be a popular answer for favorite drink!
There are additional pages for them to respond to writing prompts about their mom and illustrate pictures for each.
It makes me so happy getting to watch my students read their writing to their moms as they sit on their laps at our Mother’s Day celebration. You can literally feel the love in the room.
If written words from the kids are an invaluable Mother’s Day gift, photographs are a close second. What mom doesn’t love a memorable photo of her son or daughter?
To go along with the theme of the booklet, I take photos of the kids holding a sign that says “You Are My Sunshine.” They make their own picture frames and we put the photo inside the frame.
I’ve had moms of past students with younger siblings tell me that they still have the frame on their fridge, desk at work, etc. It’s just too cute not to save!
Our students come from all different kinds of family backgrounds and I never want a student to feel left out, so I also have inclusive gifts for those special mother figures in children’s lives. The book has identical pages for a stepmom, grandma, nana, or aunt.
In past years, I’ve also used a similar book and photo frame, but with a ladybug theme. The book and photo frame say, “My Mom is a Special Lady.”
If you’d like to have your students create either of these themed gifts for their moms this year, go to any of the links below to find them in my shop. You can bundle and save when adding on the inclusive gifts for stepmom, grandma, & aunt, or everything is also available separately.
“You Are My Sunshine” theme:
Mother’s Day “You Are My Sunshine” Book and Picture Frame Craft
Stepmom, Grandma, & Aunt Inclusive Mother’s Day Gift: Sunshine Book and Frame
Mother’s Day Gifts for Mom, Stepmom, Grandma, Aunt: “You Are My Sunshine” Bundle
“My Mom is a Special Lady” theme:
Mother’s Day Ladybug Book and Picture Frame Craft
Stepmom, Grandmother, & Aunt Gift for Mother’s Day: Ladybug Book and Picture Frame
Mother’s Day Ladybug Book and Picture Frame Bundle
All of the above resources can also be found by searching “Mother’s Day” in my TPT store.
What are your favorite Mother’s Day gift ideas? Do you have any student writing or photo keepsakes that you like to do each year?
Whether you’re a mom yourself or just have wonderful moms in your life, I hope you have fun celebrating Mother’s Day this year!
Katie says
This is so cute! I love this idea! Mom’s must love these gifts when they come home. But my favorite part is where the student wrote “My mom weighs three of me pounds” Too funny!
BC says
This is soooo cute!
Brooke says
Darling project for Mother’s Day. I love the lady/ladybug theme!
Ally says
What a cute idea! I bet all the mothers who come into your class absolutely love it!
andrea says
AWWW! This is so sweet. Perfect Grandmother gift too:) Thanks for passing it on!
Virginia says
Mother’s Day is a great day to show your appreciation
Virginia says
Thanks for sharing excellent ideas made with love for someone you love. What a creative post.
Victor Step says
This is a great idea, I am sure my mother would love something handmade with care. Thanks for sharing!
Divita says
How Cute! thanks for sharing the idea!
Arleene says
You just brought back memories from last mother’s day. My son did those exact pages for me. I was blown away by his answers lol. Kids are too funny and smart.
Akamatra says
Aww this is so sweet! My daughter is 21 months and I hope someday she will want to make me something for mom’s day!
Tina Hogan Grant says
What a really cute and creative idea. Gifts like these are what mom’s treasure the most.
holly says
This is an awesome craft idea. This is perfect for moms. I am definitely going to give this a try.
Essi says
I’m not a mother yet, but my sister is and I think this activity would be great to do with my 5 yr old nephew. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ophelia T says
These are great gift ideas for Mother’s day. They are so cute and creative. Thanks for sharing.
passportofawanderwoman says
Truly mom does the work of 20 for free. Such a cute post. And such cute and funny answers!!
Minakshi Bajpai says
What a cute idea!I am sure my mother would love something handmade. Thanks for sharing
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
This ladybug booklet and photo is indeed the perfect gift for moms this mothers day– it is so cute. Can I just say that I love the looks of your blog? Super duper cute as well.
Suja aka Sindhuja Kumar says
Awww, these are some lovely ideas. I totally love the idea of hearing answers from children’s mind. Not to mention the photo frame looks super cute.
Melanie Frost says
My favorite mothers day gifts are the ones my kid makes himself. I love these little pages. It really shows how well your kid knows you. I hope I get something like this from my son this year.
Jocelyn says
What a cute idea! The booklet is absolutely darling!
Rachel says
Awww such a lovely idea! How cute. Bet lots of mummies would like this!
Julie Plagens says
I’m so glad you have your kids make crafts for their mom. I just found a book mark my daughter made when she was little. She’s in college now. I put the book mark in my bible. I see it all the time now. It is priceless to me. It becomes more treasured every year.
Thanks for taking the time to honor moms with a special day for them.
Brooke says
Love this! I wonder what my son thinks I weigh?! Haha!
Felicia Life says
This is so cute and your first photo with the synonyms is funny! Add “ATM machine, ” “Chauffer,” “Bodyguard,” Bouncer,” “Coach,” “Professional Juggler of all things” to that 🙂
Nik says
Simple yet elegant. Thanks for the ideas. Mom’s birthday is ahead, will make one sure.
Yuli says
This is adorable!! Thanks for the cute ideas!
Planet Doiron says
This is such a cute and engaging resource.