Flowers are lovely. And it’s rare that chocolates won’t be welcomed (and gobbled up in seconds – if only to avoid the kids getting their first…)
But here’s what I, and most moms, love the best: cards, crafts and gifts handmade by their little ones.
There’s something about a tiny handprint pressed into salt dough, or a wobbly written card that a shop-bought gift can’t come close to!
These are the things that end up framed on walls, tucked into keepsake boxes, and pulled out years later and cooed and ahhed over.
Here are some gorgeous, yet easy, keepsake Mother’s Day crafts that will be treasured forever. Not just admired for a day and then stuffed in the trash when no one’s looking…
Handpicked by me, a mom of 4 delightful kiddos, I’ve pulled together the most keepsake-worthy ideas from across the site, from this Mother’s Day DIY gifts post, our toddler-friendly Mother’s Day crafts and our roundup of handprint crafts for mom.
Whether you’re making something with a baby, toddler, preschooler or older kids, there’s something here for every age. And for Grandma too — because she deserves a keepsake just as much as Mom does!
Let’s get crafting.
Adorable Mother’s Day Keepsakes For Tiny Tots
If you have a baby or young toddler joining your crafting session, these adorable Mother’s Day keepsakes for tiny tots are perfect — simple enough for the littlest hands, and sweet enough for Mom to treasure forever!
Fingerprint Heart Canvas
This one is easy enough for the very littlest toddlers — even 2-year-olds can get involved!
Use contact adhesive or painters tape to create a stencil. Then let those tiny fingerprints get to work! Remove the tape or adhsive to reveal the perfectly shaed heart.
The ideal keepsake Mother’s Day craft for 2-year-olds.
Head over to Red Ted Art / Messy Little Monster for instructions
Heart Handprint Canvas
Paint your little one’s hand pink or red, press it onto a white canvas, and you’ve got something Mom will hang on her wall for a lifetime. Siblings can do it together – just don’t forget to add the date. Isn’t it gorgeous?
Jump over to Burlap and Blue for instructions
Garden Stepping Stone
For a hand or footprint that will last into the next century and beyond — press your little one’s hands into concrete and create a stepping stone for the garden. Add letter stamps for a message from the kids and Mom has a garden keepsake she’ll never part with. There’s also a ready-made kit version if you want a simpler option!
Head over to Fluxing Well for instructions
Salt Dough Keepsake Mother’s Day Crafts
Salt dough is one of those crafting magic tricks — simple ingredients, but the results last for years (decades, even!). I still have salt dough decorations my little brother made at preschool. If you’re after a cute keepsake for Mother’s Day that will genuinely stand the test of time, salt dough is the way to go.
You can find our tried and tested salt dough recipe here.
Salt Dough Heart Footprint Keepsake
Two little footprints pressed into a heart shape with a beautiful message — honestly, I’d be over the moon to receive this one. It’s one of my personal favourites!
Simple, permanent, and utterly adorable. A perfect keepsake Mother’s Day craft for babies and toddlers.
Head over to Red Ted Art for instructions
Salt Dough Handprint Bowl
Not just a pretty keepsake — this one has a purpose too! A sweet little bowl, perfect for rings, trinkets or keys on Mom’s dresser. Make sure to use her favourite colours to make it extra special. A craft that’s as practical as it is precious.
Visit Messy Little Monster for instructions
Salt Dough Handprint Ornament
Another sweet salt dough handprint ornament with a slightly different design, this one can be hung up year after year. Both big and little kids will love making one for Mom or Grandma. Add the year and it make it a beautiful annual tradition.
Visit The Happy Housewife for instructions
Nature-Printed Salt Dough Decorations
Toddlers will have so much fun collecting their favourite leaves and flowers from the garden to press into salt dough. The result is a delightful nature-inspired decoration that’s perfect for moms and Grandmas who love the outdoors. A truly one-of-a-kind keepsake.
Head over to Growing Family for instructions
Salt Dough Handprint Frame
A salt dough frame with your little one’s handprint and a favourite photo tucked inside — it doesn’t get more keepsake-worthy than this. Use our salt dough recipe here and follow the step-by-step instructions below. Mom or Grandma will treasure this one for years to come.
Head over to Messy Little Monster for instructions
Functional Keepsake Mother’s Day Gifts
These are the gifts Mom will actually use — and every time she does, she’ll think of the little hands that made them. The best of both worlds: practical AND precious.
Mother’s Day Handprint Serving Tray
A personalised serving tray decorated with handprints and a heartfelt message — Mom will love using it for breakfast in bed or simply keeping it on display for everyone to admire. A practical keepsake that’ll remind her of this special day every time she uses it.
Head over to Making Manzanita for instructions
“LOVE” Handprint & Footprint Coat Rack
A combination of handprints, footprints and letters spells out “LOVE” on a wooden coat rack — a keepsake that’ll get used every day. Toddlers, preschoolers and older kids can all get involved. I’d absolutely love to have this up in our hallway!
Jump over to The Soccer Mom Blog for instructions
DIY Decorated Apron
A plain apron decorated with colourful pompoms and a handprint for a little extra love in the kitchen! Toddlers will love helping to make this and every time Mom cooks she’ll be reminded of them. You could even make a mini matching one for your little one too — how cute would that be?!
Visit The Craft Patch Blog for instructions
Handprint Tote Bag
Turn a simple tote bag into a cherished keepsake with adorable handprints. Messy play at its most meaningful! Mom will have a bag she’s proud to carry around — a daily reminder of her favourite little people.
Mother’s Day handprint tote inspiration from niftymom on Instagram
Shrinky Dink Keychain
Kids will love tracing, colouring and baking their own design into a sweet miniature keychain for Mom. Small but mighty as far as keepsakes go — and Mom will never lose her keys again! Not all superheroes wear capes but every mother deserves one.
Head over to It’s Always Autumn for instructions
Thumbprint Butterfly & Flower Mug
Toddlers use their finger and thumbprints to create flower and butterfly patterns on a plain ceramic mug. Stunning, unique, and dishwasher safe — Mom can enjoy using it without any fuss. A gift I’d absolutely love to receive! (Hint, hint to anyone reading…)
Visit Mum in the Madhouse for instructions
Handprint Oven Mitt
Every time Mom reaches for the oven she’ll be reminded of this sweet and practical gift. Simply grab some fabric paint and a plain oven mitt in Mom’s favourite colour — it couldn’t be easier!
Oven mitt inspiration from theidearoom on Instagram
Handprint Coasters
A cute and easy keepsake craft that toddlers and preschoolers can make — perfect for Mom’s next cuppa or glass of vino! Simple to do and sweet to receive, these handprint coasters make a lovely little gift that’ll sit on the coffee table for years.
Handprint coasters from dwellinginhappiness on Instagram
Handprint Tea Towel
Every time Mom dries her hands she’ll be reminded of this thoughtful gift. This fun handprint tea towel is so simple to make and so lovely to receive — fabric paint and a plain towel are all you need.
Visit Craft Bits for the towel instructions
Paper Keepsake Mother’s Day Crafts To Frame & Treasure
Sometimes the most treasured keepsakes are the simplest. These paper crafts are easy to make, beautiful to display, and the kind of thing that ends up framed on the wall or tucked into a memory box forever.
Handprint Poem Keepsake
Looking for a a quick last minute Mother’s Day craft at home? Or need something easy to prep for the classroom?
Here’s a simple handprint printable paired with a beautiful poem. Simply print the free template, add those precious handprints, and Mom has something she’ll pull out of the keepsake box for decades. Grandma will love this one too!
Visit Messy Little Monster for the free template and instructions
“You Are My Sunshine” Handprint Card
A timeless classic — this gorgeous “You Are My Sunshine” card uses handprints to form the rays of the sun. With a free printable template it’s easy too, and it’s suitable for kids of all ages. Mom will want to frame this one, guaranteed.
Grab the free template from A Little Pinch of Perfect
Mama Bear & Baby Bear Handprint Card
There’s nothing sweeter than a mama bear and her cub — especially when their handprints create an adorable keepsake card together. A beautiful celebration of that special bond between mom and child, and one she’ll definitely want to keep.
Visit Crafty Kids Play for instructions
Printable Poem Flower Pot
This sweet poem about Mom is sure to pull on her heartstrings. Adding a handprint for the flower transforms it into an unforgettable keepsake — one she’ll genuinely treasure. I’d just love to receive this one. (Another hint, hint to the family!)
Get the free printable from Crafty Morning
Which Keepsake Mother’s Day Craft Will You Make First?
Whether it’s a tiny handprint pressed into salt dough, a heart painted on a canvas, or a wobbly poem written with all the love in the world — every single one of these crafts will mean the world to Mom. These are the gifts that get kept, displayed, and talked about for years.
And the best part? They don’t cost much to make. Just a little time, a little paint, and a whole lot of love from little hands.
For even more inspiration, take a look at these related posts:
- 35 Fun & Creative Mother’s Day DIY Gifts from Kids
- 25 Gorgeous Flower Crafts for Kids
- 45 Super Cute Mother’s Day Crafts for Toddlers & Preschoolers
- 39 Easy Mother’s Day Handprint Crafts, Cards & Gift Ideas
- 25 Adorable Mother’s Day Heart Crafts For Kids To Make
Happy crafting — and Happy Mother’s Day! 💕
