20 Easy Mother’s Day Crafts for Toddlers to Make

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. The Developmental Power of Crafting
3. Keepsakes that Capture Time: Handprint and Footprint Crafts
4. Functional Gifts for Daily Use
5. Cards Toddlers Can Actually Make
6. Nature-Inspired Crafts
7. Educational and "Smart Screen Time" Integration
8. More Creative Ideas for Little Hands
9. Making the Most of the Experience
10. Choosing the Best Support for Your Child
11. FAQ
12. Conclusion

Introduction

Have you ever looked at a tiny, paint-smudged handprint on a piece of construction paper and felt your heart swell? There is something undeniably magical about a handmade gift from a child. While a store-bought bouquet is lovely, a "bouquet" made of a toddler’s fingerprints carries a weight of love that no price tag can match. At Speech Blubs, we believe that these moments of creative expression are more than just messy fun—they are vital building blocks for communication, confidence, and connection.

In this post, we will explore 20 delightful and manageable Mother’s Day crafts designed specifically for toddlers. We’ll cover everything from classic handprint keepsakes to functional gifts like custom mugs and magnets. Beyond the "how-to," we’ll discuss how these activities support your child’s development and how you can use these joyful moments to foster a love for communication. Our mission is to empower children to speak their minds and hearts, and often, that journey starts with a simple bottle of glue and a heart full of love. By the end of this article, you’ll have a toolkit of ideas to make this Mother’s Day unforgettable while supporting your child’s growing skills.

The Developmental Power of Crafting

Before we dive into the glitter and glue, it’s worth noting why we advocate so strongly for these activities. Crafting is a multisensory experience. When a toddler squishes playdough, peels a sticker, or holds a thick paintbrush, they are working on fine motor skills that are foundational for everything from writing to the precise mouth movements needed for speech.

At Speech Blubs, our founders created the tools they wished they had growing up with speech challenges. We understand that learning happens best through play. Just as our app uses "smart screen time" to encourage children to imitate their peers through video modeling, crafting allows children to observe, imitate, and then express their own unique ideas. This process of "see and do" is a powerful way to build cognitive pathways.

If you are ever unsure where your child stands in their developmental journey, we recommend taking our quick 3-minute preliminary screener. It consists of 9 simple questions and provides an immediate assessment and a next-steps plan to help you support your little one’s growth.

Keepsakes that Capture Time: Handprint and Footprint Crafts

There is a reason handprint crafts are a staple for Mother’s Day. Toddlers grow at a lightning pace, and having a physical record of how small they once were is a treasure for any parent.

1. The Classic Handprint Flower Pot

This is a beautiful way to "watch love grow."

• Materials: White cardstock, brown cardstock, washable green paint, various colors of paint for petals, and a yellow pom-pom.
• How-to: Cut a trapezoid shape from the brown cardstock to serve as the "pot." Glue it to the bottom of the white sheet. Have your toddler dip their hand in green paint and press it above the pot—their fingers become the stems! Once dry, use finger paints to create colorful petals at the tip of each finger. Glue the yellow pom-pom in the center of the palm print.
• Why it works: This activity encourages imitation. You can model the "press and lift" motion, which helps with motor planning. For a child who is working on specific sounds, you might say "p-p-p-press" or "u-u-u-up" to narrate the action.

2. Shrinky Dink Handprint Keychains

These are tiny versions of your child’s hand that Mom can carry everywhere.

• Materials: Shrinky Dink paper, gloss acrylic paint, hole punch, keychain rings.
• How-to: Paint your child's hand with gloss acrylic paint and press it onto the Shrinky Dink paper. Cut around the handprint, punch a hole at the top, and bake according to the package instructions. Watch as the handprint magically shrinks!
• Safety Note: This requires adult supervision for the oven portion.

3. Fingerprint Heart Magnets

These little magnets turn the refrigerator into a gallery of love.

• Materials: Clear glass gems, white cardstock, stamp pad, Mod Podge, and small magnets.
• How-to: Have your child make two overlapping fingerprints on the cardstock to form a heart. Glue a glass gem over the heart using Mod Podge. Once dry, cut out the circle and glue a magnet to the back.

4. Salt Dough Handprint Bowl

This is a functional piece of art that can hold rings or keys.

• Materials: 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup water.
• How-to: Mix the ingredients to form a dough. Roll it out and have your child press their hand firmly into it. Cut a circle around the print, place it in an oven-safe bowl to give it a curved shape, and bake at 200°F for 2-3 hours until hard. Once cool, your toddler can paint it.

Functional Gifts for Daily Use

Toddlers love seeing their work being used in "real life." It builds their confidence to see Mom drinking from a mug they decorated.

5. The "Scribble" Heart Mug

Don't worry about perfect drawings; the "scribble" phase is a beautiful developmental milestone.

• Materials: White ceramic mug, oil-based Sharpies or porcelain paint pens.
• How-to: Cut a heart shape out of contact paper and stick it to the side of the mug. Let your toddler scribble all over and around the heart. Peel off the contact paper to reveal a perfect white heart surrounded by their colorful art. Bake the mug in the oven (check the pen instructions for temperature) to set the ink.

6. Painted Terracotta Pots

Perfect for a mom who loves gardening or keeping indoor succulents.

• Materials: Small clay pots, acrylic paint, sponges or brushes.
• How-to: Let your toddler go wild with the colors. Sponges are often easier for little hands to grip than brushes. Once dry, you can add a small plant.
• Speech Connection: This is a great time to practice color names. "Do you want the blue paint or the yellow paint?" Offering choices is a foundational strategy we emphasize at Speech Blubs to encourage toddlers to use their words.

7. DIY Hand-Painted Votives

Light up Mom’s evening with these colorful candle holders.

• Materials: Clear glass jars (clean baby food jars work great), tissue paper squares, watered-down glue (or Mod Podge).
• How-to: Have your toddler "paint" the glue onto the jar and stick the colorful tissue paper squares on. This "sticky" sensory experience is often very engaging for young children.

8. Custom Canvas Tote Bag

A practical gift for grocery trips or library visits.

• Materials: Plain canvas tote, fabric paint, and stamps (or potatoes cut in half).
• How-to: Use a cut potato or a sponge to create shapes on the bag. A "cork-printed" flower design is also very easy: use the end of a wine cork to stamp circles in a flower pattern.

Cards Toddlers Can Actually Make

A card is the centerpiece of the Mother's Day tradition. These designs are simplified so that a two or three-year-old can take the lead.

9. 3D Flower Pot Card

This card literally "pops" with love.

• Materials: Construction paper, cupcake liners, buttons, and glue.
• How-to: Fold a piece of paper in half. Glue a cupcake liner to the front—this is the flower! Glue a button in the center. Your toddler can draw a green line for the stem.

10. The "Blowing Kisses" Card

This one is high on the "cute factor" and uses a photo of your child.

• Materials: A photo of your child from the side (profile), cardstock, and paper hearts.
• How-to: Glue the photo to the left side of the card. Glue a string of small paper hearts coming from your child's mouth, making it look like they are blowing kisses to Mom.

11. Fingerprint Bouquet Card

• Materials: Cardstock, paint, and a marker.
• How-to: Draw a few stems gathered with a bow. Have your toddler use their fingers to "stamp" flowers at the top of each stem.

12. "You Are My Sunshine" Card

• Materials: Yellow paint, a paper plate (small), and cardstock.
• How-to: Have your toddler paint the paper plate yellow. Glue it to the card. They can then use their fingers or a marker to draw the sun's rays.

Nature-Inspired Crafts

Combining a walk outside with a craft session is a great way to burn energy and spark curiosity.

13. Nature 3D Card

• Materials: Cardstock, double-sided tape, and "treasures" found outside.
• How-to: Go on a "nature walk" with your toddler. Collect small leaves, flat petals, and interesting grass. Back at home, let them stick their finds onto a piece of cardstock prepared with double-sided tape.

14. Painted Rock Paperweights

• Materials: Smooth stones, acrylic paint.
• How-to: Find a heavy, smooth stone. Let your child paint it with vibrant colors. These make excellent paperweights for a home office.

15. Leaf Print Art

• Materials: Large leaves with prominent veins, paint, paper.
• How-to: Paint the back of a leaf and press it firmly onto the paper. Lift it up to reveal the intricate patterns of nature.

Educational and "Smart Screen Time" Integration

At Speech Blubs, we know that modern parenting is a balancing act. We live in a world of screens, but not all screen time is created equal. While passive viewing of cartoons can be isolating, our app is designed as a collaborative tool. We use video modeling, a scientifically-proven method where children watch other children perform actions or say words. This triggers "mirror neurons" in the brain, making the child much more likely to attempt the sounds themselves.

For example, if your child is working on the "Animal Kingdom" section of our app, they might watch a peer make a "buzz" sound like a bee. You can then transition that digital learning into a physical craft!

• Craft 16: The Fingerprint Bee: After playing with the bee module in Speech Blubs, use yellow paint to make thumbprints on a card, and then draw little wings and stripes. This reinforces the vocabulary and the sound in a joyful, tangible way.

This holistic approach—blending digital "smart screen time" with physical play—is what sets us apart. We aren't just an app; we are a partner in your child's development. Our high rating on the MARS scale and the glowing testimonials from thousands of parents reflect our commitment to effective, joyful learning.

More Creative Ideas for Little Hands

17. Pasta Necklaces

A classic for a reason! It’s great for hand-eye coordination.

• Materials: Large dried pasta (like rigatoni or penne), paint, and yarn.
• How-to: Let your toddler paint the pasta shapes. Once dry, help them thread the yarn through the pasta. This "threading" motion is excellent for developing the pincer grasp.

18. Paper Plate Flower Mask

• Materials: Paper plate, popsicle stick, paint, and construction paper.
• How-to: Cut the center out of a paper plate. Let your child paint the rim. Glue paper "petals" around the edge and a popsicle stick to the bottom. Mom can hold it up to her face for a "flowery" surprise!

19. DIY "Best Mom" Award Trophy

• Materials: Two paper cups, gold paint, and tinfoil.
• How-to: Glue the bottoms of two paper cups together and paint them gold. Your toddler can help wrap "handles" made of tinfoil around the sides.

20. Coffee Filter "Stained Glass" Flowers

• Materials: White coffee filters, washable markers, and a spray bottle with water.
• How-to: Let your child color the coffee filters with markers. Spray them lightly with water and watch the colors bleed together like a tie-dye or stained-glass effect. Once dry, bunch them up in the middle and secure them with a pipe cleaner to make a flower.

Making the Most of the Experience

When crafting with a toddler, the "product" is rarely perfect—and that’s exactly how it should be! The value lies in the process. Here are a few tips to keep the experience positive:

1. Embrace the Mess: Use a tray or a plastic tablecloth. If you aren't worried about the carpet, your child will feel more free to explore.
2. Narrate the Action: "You're using the sticky glue!" "Look at that bright red paint!" This builds vocabulary in real-time.
3. Follow Their Lead: If they want to paint the flower pot purple instead of brown, let them! Creative autonomy builds confidence.
4. Co-Play is Key: These activities are designed for you to do with your child. Your interaction is the most important part of the "learning" that happens.

If your child seems frustrated or struggles with following simple instructions during these activities, it might be a sign that they need a little extra support in their communication skills. You can download Speech Blubs on the App Store or Google Play to see how our peer-led videos can help them find their voice and reduce that frustration.

Choosing the Best Support for Your Child

As a parent, you want to provide every opportunity for your child to succeed. Whether it's through crafting or "smart screen time," the goal is the same: building a foundation for a happy, expressive life.

We offer two main ways to access our full library of over 1,500 activities:

• Monthly Plan: $14.99 per month. This is a great way to test the waters.
• Yearly Plan: $59.99 per year. This is our best value option, breaking down to just $4.99 per month.

When you choose the Yearly plan, you aren't just saving 66%. You also get:

• A 7-day free trial to explore everything we have to offer.
• Access to the Reading Blubs app, helping your child transition from speaking to reading.
• Early access to all new updates and features.
• Priority 24-hour support response time.

The Monthly plan does not include these additional high-value features. We encourage families to start with the Yearly plan to get the most comprehensive support for their child's development. You can create your account and begin your 7-day free trial today on our website.

FAQ

1. What if my toddler just wants to eat the paint? Always use non-toxic, washable "toddler-safe" paints. If your child is in a heavy oral exploration phase, you can make "edible" paint using Greek yogurt and food coloring. This ensures the activity remains safe and stress-free.

2. How can I get my "late talker" engaged in these crafts? Focus on sensory play first. Let them feel the texture of the glue or the coolness of the paint. Use simple, repetitive words to describe what’s happening. If they love animals, try incorporating animal themes into the craft—like making a "moo-cow" handprint—to tap into their existing interests.

3. Are these crafts suitable for a 2-year-old? Absolutely! At age two, the focus should be on the sensory experience and basic motor skills (like "stamping" or "scribbling"). Don't expect a recognizable flower; expect a colorful exploration of "sticky" and "wet."

4. How does Speech Blubs supplement these "real world" activities? Speech Blubs provides the "modeling" that toddlers need to understand how to communicate. By watching other children on the screen, they learn the social and linguistic cues they can then use while crafting with you. It’s a powerful cycle of learning and application.

Conclusion

Mother’s Day is a beautiful opportunity to slow down and connect with your little one. Whether you choose to make a salt dough bowl or a simple fingerprint card, the time you spend together is the greatest gift of all. These activities do more than create keepsakes; they foster a love for communication, build confidence, and create joyful family learning moments.

At Speech Blubs, we are honored to be a part of your parenting journey. Our mission is to provide an immediate, effective, and joyful solution for the 1 in 4 children who need speech support. We believe in the power of "smart screen time" to help children speak their minds and hearts, and we invite you to join our community of over 5 million families.

Ready to see your child blossom? Download the Speech Blubs app today and select the Yearly plan to unlock your 7-day free trial, the Reading Blubs app, and our full suite of developmental tools. For just $4.99 a month (billed annually), you can provide your child with a world of peer-led learning that fits right in your pocket. Happy crafting, and Happy Mother's Day!