Mother's Day can be filled with fun crafts, activities and learning about one another and our families. Mother's Day can also provide sadness or anxiety for some students who have family structures without a mother present. One of the ways I always liked to ensure all students and family structures were included in my classroom Mother's Day activities was to have students make or discuss a special woman in their life. It could be mom, a grandmother, aunt, godmother, or special friend that is in the students life. That way each child can honor someone important in their life and it creates an avenue for fun conversations with students about the important people in their lives.
Below you will see some of my favorite activities I've done with students as well as some resources from my store and others. I have included some more Mother's day read alouds. Some were also posted with my May favorites but there are a few new books sprinkled throughout. Enjoy some Mother's day activities whether in the classroom or at home.
Mother's Day Read Alouds
All Moms by Sarah Kate Ellis
Moms come in all different shapes, sizes, vocations, relationships, experiences , hobbies, and so many other things. A celebration of Moms and how special they are no matter their shapes, sizes, or colors. This book shows a diverse array of moms, mother figures and how they interact with children. They are shown working or being at home, marching for rights and making lemonade but all in all it shows moms being moms and loving their children no matter their size shape or color. This book has warm illustrations showing diverse people, settings and family structures and includes celebrating ALL family structures including grandparents as main caretakers, two fathers, two mothers, one parent, or one of each. It's a great celebration of motherhood and gardens that care for their beloved children!
My Mom has X-Ray Vision by Angela Mcallister
Matthew's mom is just like any other mom except she has a special power! X-Ray Vision!!!! Matthew wonders how she could always know what he's doing and what he is up to? She knows when his is behaving poorly or doing something he shouldn't be doing like jumping on his bed or using pots and pans outside. So Matthew decides to test his theory that his mom is a superhero and can see through everything.
Love Makes a Family by Sophie Beer
A story of love and family, Love Makes a Family explores the special ways love shows up in our lives and no matter what our families look like or don't look like there is love. Love is like baking a special cake or lending a helping hand. Love is reading one more book or page together. Families of all different structures are shown being a family and sharing love with one another from early morning wake-ups to story times and kisses before bed there are no bounds when it comes to love no matter if a child has a mom and a dad, two moms, two dads, one parent, or lives with grandparents, aunts, uncles, or trusted adults. There is love and that is what makes a family. Read this great book for Mother's days to explore the many family structures and that Mother's day is a celebration of not just moms but any trusted women in a child's life.
Grandma's Purse by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
When Grandma comes to visit she brings so many things with her like warm hugs, sweet treats and in the case of Grandma's Purse, she brings her Purse. Grandma's Purse has so many things inside and you never know what you'll find. You may find fancy jewelry, tokens from around the world, or something special just for granddaughters. Grandma's purse is pure magic. This book embodies the special times that visits from grandma and time with grandmothers and granddaughters brings.
Stella Brings the Family by Miriam B Schiffer
A modern and diverse family story about Stella and the Mother's Day celebration her class was going to have. But Stella had a problem, she didn't have a mom, she had two dads. So what should she do? They are the people who help her with homework and tuck her in at night. Since Stella does not have a mom to invite to the party she has to think about what she should do and finds a unique solution to make sure she has her special people with her at the celebration too in a loving story of love, acceptance and family.
My Fairy Stepmother by Marni Prince
A children's book focused on the loving caring stepmother who helps her stepdaughter find her courage. Amelia's stepmom has a special secret. She helps Amelia when she is having trouble sleeping or doing homework. Her family is blended together and she is empowered by her Stepmother and the courage she helps her find. A great story that turns that Cinderella story on its head to show blended families are beautiful.
Mother's Day Activities
Love Jars - Using a recycled glass jar (pickle jar, olive jar, etc.) take the labels off and wash out for a clean jar. Have child decorate Jar labeling it the love jar. Children then write things they love about the special person in their life on strips of paper and fold them up to put them in the jar. An easy yet great gift for Mom's and other special adults in students lives.
5 Reasons I love you Flap Book- Children cut and color the flap book and put it together to create a fun design of flapping through the reasons they love their someone special. Students write and draw on each flap something they love about their person. Click here to grab your flap books!
Flower and Pot Painting- This is a classic but is always a good bet for special women in students lives. Have students decorate pots and plant flowers and a plant in it.
Loving You Bouquet- Students create a paper bouquet with reasons and ways the love their special person. Students write, cut, color, and paste this sweet project together that brings Moms and special adults in students life some joy to see the fun things they write and hear so many ways that these adults are loved. Click here to get your Loving You Bouquet!
I hope you enjoyed some of the books and activities for Mother's day. By no means is this an exhaustive list but just some that I have enjoyed using over the years. As you work towards the end of your school year I send you all the positive vibes to get through the next month or so. Have fun with your class and enjoy making some beautiful Mother's Day crafts for Mom!
Happy Almost Mother's Day!
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