Thoughtful, easy to make and lovingly created by little hands, these Mother's Day gifts are sure to become cherished treasures for years to come.

Mother’s Day can be a very sentimental occasion for moms of all kinds: birth moms, grandmothers, step moms, foster mothers, adoptive moms and other important women in a child’s life. Handcrafted gifts from children are often the most treasured mementos that moms receive and here are some simple ideas even the youngest kids can create.

Hand Print Flowers

Trace the child’s hand onto four different colours of construction paper. Help the child cut out each individual hand. At the base of each hand print, roll the paper vertically with the fingers pointing up and tape the hand onto the end of a straw with magic tape. Fan out the fingers to make the hand look like a flower. Tie a ribbon around the four stems to give a spring bouquet as a gift or place them in a vase. This is also a really cute spring-themed craft to do with a group of preschoolers.

Necklace Pendant

Purchase shrink art plastic sheets in either a kit or individually from a craft supply store. Let the child draw a unique picture using pencil crayons on the rough side of the plastic sheets. Cut the design out and punch a hole in the top of the design using a hole punch. Place on a baking sheet with coloured side up and bake in a 325 degree oven for 1-4 minutes, until the pendant shrinks, curls and flattens out. When cool, thread a piece of leather or hemp string through the hole to make a unique necklace.

Napkin Rings

Cut toilet paper rolls or paper towel rolls into 1 1/4 inch wide rings by slightly squishing the roll and cutting with sharp scissors. Using white glue have the child decorate each napkin ring with a variety of materials such as plastic beads, dried beans, seeds, sequins, small buttons, dried flowers, ribbon and lace. Once dry, place the napkin rings in a small basket or box for storing and gift giving.

Candle Holder

Help the child mold a small amount of modeling clay into a circle or heart shape, with an indent in the middle to hold a tea light. Depending on the type of clay used, the child can make the candle holder smooth by rubbing a bit of water into the clay. Once the clay is in the desired shape, help the child engrave her initials and date on the underside of the candle. Let the child decorate the outside of the candle holder by gently pushing dried flowers or glass beads into the clay. Let the candle holder dry on waxed paper for a few days and put a scented tea light in the indent of the candle before giving to mom as a gift.

These easy to make crafts can also be given as gifts for Father’s Day, Grandparent’s Day, Christmas and they would also be thoughtful gifts for teachers.