Mother’s Day is a special holiday where we show love and thanks to the amazing mothers and mother figures in our lives. But do you know how it all began?
How Mother’s Day Got Started
Mother’s Day started because of a woman named Anna Jarvis. In 1908, she wanted to honor her own mother, who had spent her life caring for others and working for good causes. Anna thought all mothers deserved a special day to be celebrated. She worked very hard to make it happen, and in 1914, the President of the United States made Mother’s Day an official holiday!
Today, we celebrate Mother’s Day by giving cards, flowers, hugs, and doing kind things to show how much we care.
Mother’s Day is celebrated in many different ways all over the world!
United States and Canada: People give flowers, cards, and small gifts to their moms. Families often have a nice meal together.
United Kingdom: It’s called Mothering Sunday and is celebrated in March. Children give flowers and homemade cards, and sometimes they bake a special cake called a Simnel cake!
Mexico: Mother’s Day is a big party! Families often gather for music, singing, and delicious food to honor their moms.
Japan: In Japan, children give their mothers red carnations, which symbolize love and respect.
Ethiopia: Mother’s Day is part of a big family festival called Antrosht, with singing, dancing, and sharing special meals.
Australia: Like in the U.S., people give flowers (especially chrysanthemums) and spend time showing appreciation for their mothers.
No matter where you are, it’s a day to say “Thank you” and “I love you” to the wonderful moms, or mother figures, who care for us!
Whether you’re a teacher planning a classroom craft or a parent looking for a surprise at home, here are some great activities to help celebrate Mother’s Day.
Make a Handmade Bouquet Card
- Fold a piece of paper in half.
- Paint the child’s hand with washable paint and press the hand onto the front of a card to create flowers.
- Add stems and leaves with a green marker.
- Inside the card, help the child write or copy:
Happy Mother’s Day! (Happy Parent Day!)
I made this bouquet with my own little hands.
I love you because______
Write a Card from a Printable Selection
Make this Happy Mother’s Day celebration extra special for moms by creating one-of-a-kind handmade cards with your children! Which of the 10 open-ended Mother’s Day Cards will your kids craft for their mom? Make this Mother’s Day memorable! Note: The same 10 cards have been edited for “Mothering Sunday!”
“All About My Mom”
Create a classroom chart with student responses, invite kids to share in small groups, or design a poster answering questions like:
- What is Mom’s favorite food?
- What makes my Mom laugh?
- I love my mom because _______.
- My mom always says _______.
- My favorite thing to do with Mom is _______.
Nature Craft: Painted Rock Hearts and Flower Pots
If weather permits, go outside and gather smooth stones or small terracotta pots. Kids can paint them with loving messages, hearts, or colorful designs.
Suggestion: Add a small plant or seeds to the pot for a gift that keeps growing!
Mother’s Day Performance
In class, or at home, organize a little show:
- A song saying “I love you” for your Mom (i.e., Skidamarink)
- Reciting a short poem.
- A group thank-you note!
Story Time + Writing
Happy Mother’s Day! Develop your child’s reading comprehension skills and practice high-frequency words with these diverse Emergent Readers! Aligned with the Science of Reading, the students may choose to cut, paste, write, draw, and/or color. As a bonus, create one of two Mother’s Day cards. Get started today! Write your own story about your mom!
Mother’s Day Coupons
Have the kids brainstorm helpful or kind things they can do, and then make a coupon to give to mom!
This coupon is good for:
- One BIG Hug.
- Help setting the table.
- Quiet reading time together.
- Doing a chore without being asked.
- A special dance just for you!
- Help with the dishes.
- You get to choose the show we watch together!
Final Thoughts
Mother’s Day is a time to celebrate love, gratitude, and connection — and it doesn’t have to be costly or complicated. Simple activities can create lasting memories and teach children the joy of giving from the heart. It’s also important to be mindful of and accommodate children who have lost a mother or come from diverse family backgrounds.
