Simple & Affordable Mother’s Day Gifts for Daycare

Mother’s Day is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the moms, grandmas, and caregivers who love, nurture, and guide little ones every day. At daycare, it’s not about spending money—it’s about creating heartfelt keepsakes that make moms smile. With a few low-cost supplies and lots of love, you can help children make meaningful gifts they’ll be proud to give. 

Self care is one of the most important things that moms tend to forget about, treat mom with some of these great self care Mother’s Day gift ideas. Add these to some of the amazing arts and crafts below and it will be a Mother’s Day to remember. 

Here are some easy, affordable ideas that work for all ages.

1.  Handprint or Footprint Art

Cost: Under $5

Supplies: Washable paint, cardstock or canvas, markers

Handprints and footprints make adorable keepsakes that moms cherish forever. Turn them into flowers, butterflies, hearts, or even little animals. Add a short message like “Hands down, you’re the best mom!” and let the kids decorate around it.

2.  “Reasons I Love My Mom” Craft

Cost: Under $3

Supplies: Paper, crayons, markers, glue

For preschoolers and older, help them list or draw a few things they love about their mom (“She gives the best hugs,” “She reads stories”). Mount their responses on colorful paper or fold it into a card. It’s sweet, personal, and guaranteed to melt hearts.

3.  Decorated Flower Pots or Jars

Cost: $1–3 per child

Supplies: Mini clay pots or recycled jars, paint, soil, and flower seeds (or small dollar-store flowers)

Kids can paint or decorate the pots, then plant a flower or herb inside. It’s a gift that keeps growing—and watching their plant sprout gives kids a sense of pride.

4. Fingerprint Bookmarks

Cost: Under $2

Supplies: Cardstock, laminating sheets or packing tape, markers, ink pads

Make little bookmarks using children’s fingerprints to create hearts, ladybugs, or balloons. Add a sweet message like “I’ll always be with you when you read.” Laminate or cover in clear tape to make it durable.

5. Photo Keepsakes

Cost: Varies, $0.20–$1 per photo print

Supplies: Printed photos, construction paper, glue, stickers

Take a photo of each child holding a sign that says “I love you, Mom!” or blowing a kiss. Mount it on decorated cardstock or in a homemade frame. Moms love seeing their child’s face on a special day.

6. DIY Coupons or “Love Tickets”

Cost: Practically free

Supplies: Paper, crayons or markers

Help kids make coupon books with “tickets” for hugs, helping tidy up, reading together, or just quiet time. For little ones, include stickers and simple drawings—Mom will get the message. If you are looking for ideas of what to put on the tickets check out this great article about how to make Mother’s Day special without breaking the bank.

Tips for Success:

• Keep it simple: Kids’ creativity shines best when they aren’t overwhelmed by too many steps.
• Prep ahead: Cut paper, pre-portion paint, and gather materials before crafting starts.
• Personalize: Whenever possible, add the child’s name, age, or a quote to make it a true keepsake.
• Wrap it up: Let the kids decorate gift bags or envelopes to take their gift home—it builds excitement!
• Bake something together like these super simple Mother’s Day Muffins & Loaf! 

Final Thought:

The best gifts come from the heart—and little hands. Mother’s Day crafts at daycare don’t need to be expensive to be meaningful. With a little imagination and a lot of love, these simple projects can become treasures that moms will keep for years.