Homemade Mother's Day Gifts Kids Of All Ages Can Make

Got kids? With Mother's Day just around the corner, you might be looking for a unique craft your children can create and give to mom, grandmother or aunt. By completing any of the crafts listed below, you and your children can spend time together while learning a new skill and making a memorable gift. These crafts also use supplies you likely already have on hand. All you need is some creativity and time set aside to finish the project, and you're ready to go.

Materials needed:

• four sheets of construction paper in different pastel colors
• a pencil 
• scissors
• one paper plate
• one hole puncher
• one ribbon or sturdy string measuring about 12 inches
• glue
• embellishments like glitter or sequins (optional)

This wreath features your children's handprints arranged in a colorful wreath that can be hung on the door. It's also a lasting memento of the size of your children's hands. When you're finished, keep the wreath in a shirt box. It makes a nice presentation and it also doubles as a keepsake box so mom can reuse the wreath in the future.

To start, cut out the base of the paper plate for your children. Then make one hole in the paper plate and thread your string or ribbon through it, tying a knot so it makes a loop. Next, trace your children's hands on the construction paper; trace their hands on every color for a bright assortment. You want to have enough handprints to cover the wreath, and you can always arrange the handprints in layers along the paper plate. After cutting out the handprints, keep your plate with the curved side up and glue each cut-out hand on it. To create a fun look, arrange the hands in a variety of different ways, with some pointing up and others pointing down or to the sides. Let it dry, then add sequins or glitter, if desired. You can personalize this wreath by including your children's names and the date the wreath was made.

Materials needed:

• sturdy construction paper or cardstock
• stamp ink in any color
• colored pencils
• ribbon or string
• hole puncher

If mom is a bookworm, have your school-age children make a bookmark that is literally as unique as their fingerprints. This project lets your children stretch their imagination while also creating a fun, unique gift.

To create the bookmark, you or your children can cut the cardstock so it measures 2.5 inches by seven inches. Next, have your children create a design on the bookmark using their fingerprints; for instance, they can spell out 'Mom' with their fingertips or create a rainbow using a multitude of colors. Use colored pencils to add extra details, like your children's names or a special message to mom. After the ink dries, punch a hole at the top of one end of the bookmark, string the yarn or ribbon through it and tie it.

Materials needed:

• copies of favorite pictures printed on photo-quality paper
• adhesive magnetic strips
• scissors or precision knife
• glue
• embellishments like glitter or sequins (optional)

What busy mom wouldn't appreciate having a few magnets on the fridge to keep school reports, recipes and soccer schedules in one place? With this project, older children can create customized magnets that can't be found in the store. Using copies of pictures from your family's latest vacation or last year's holiday photo, have your teens create memorable and personalized magnets that mom is sure to love.

You and your children can spend time together selecting pictures to use as magnets; just make sure to select pictures with vibrant colors, so they will make a nice contrast on the refrigerator. After selecting pictures, make copies of the originals and make sure the photos are no bigger than four inches by six inches, as you don't want the magnet to take up too much space. Next, have your children cut and trim excess portions of the picture. If your children want to get a precise cut, have them use the precision knife. Encourage them to use glue to attach fun embellishments, like sequins or glitter. After the glue dries, peel off the adhesive from the magnetic strip and attach it to the back of the picture.