Crafts & Activities
Songs, Finger plays, Nursery Rhymes
Poems for Gift Giving
Recipes
 

Crafts & Activities

Tea for Tea-rific Moms! 
Kids will enjoy surprising Moms on Mother's Day. To make a greeting card, fold a sheet of construction paper in half. Label the front of the card "You are my......".  For the inside, cut a teacup shape out of wallpaper scraps. Glue around the sides of the shape and attach to center of inside card. Make sure there is a pocket for the tea bags to sit!  Above the cup write "cup of tea!"....and below the cup write "Happy Mother's Day!" and have the kids sign their name!  Tuck 2 tea bags into the pocket!!

Mother's Day Magnet 
wooden thread spools (from craft stores)
small dried flowers
glue
yarn or ribbon
magnetic strip (with tape)

Stand spool on flat end...and cut in half from flat end to flat end.  Glue the flower stems in the groove left in the back of the spools.  Tie with yarn or ribbon.  Attach a magnetic strip to the back of each spool.

Bubble Bath Jar 
baby food jar
bath crystals 
ribbon
glue
lace
paper bits
other decorative items

Clean and dry baby food jar.  Decorate outside of jar with lace, paper, gift wrap, or items of your hcoice by glueing on jar.  Decorate lid as well.  Fill jar with bath crystals.  Put lid on tight and tie with ribbon or lace. 

Pop Art 
Fold a lightweight paper plate in half; then unfold.  Draw and color a background scene inside the paper plate; then refold the plate.  Cut two identical slits (about 1") in the fold (in the center of the plate) approximately 1/2 inch apart.  Cut two more identical slits on either side of the center one.  When all tabs have been cut, open the plate and fold the tabs to the inside.  Attach a construction paper flower or figure to each tab to complete the picture. 

Variation:  To turn this project into a Mother's Day Card - Attach a piece of construction paper to the back of the paper plate and decorate!

Mother's Day Flower 
Mom's will cherish these flowers!  To make them, glue a sheet of white paper on to a larger sheet of construction paper.  Paint the child's palm a color chosen by the child and his fingers a different color; then press their hand on to the paper.  When paint is dry, glue construction paper leaves and stem below the flower.  The child can then paste a heart into the center of the flower blossom. Glue a typed or hand written copy of this poem below the flower.  Print the child's name and date on the paper (or have child do it).  You may want to add "Happy Mother's Day" at the top!

A piece of me,
I give to you.
I painted this flower
To say, "I Love You."

The heart is you,
The hand is me.
To show we are friends 
The best there can be.

I hope you will save it
And look back some day
At the flower we shared
On your special day.
 Poem by  Kathleen Lademan

A Votive Candle Holder
Tear different colored tissue paper into pieces.  Cover a baby food far using a painrbrush with diluted glue (add a bit of water) and attach the pieces of tissue paper to the jar.  Sprinkle a few gold or silver sparkles...add a ribbon around the top and place a small votive candle in the jar.  Hint:  Make sure the candle will fit nicely inside ~~ not all jars are the same shape!

Helping Hands Potted Plant 
Pink, Purple or colors of your own choosing and Green construction paper
Tacky glue
scissors
Straws
Flower Pot
Styrofoam, or floral foam

Trace and  cut around child's hands six times on colored paper.  From green construction paper cut 6 leaves.  Print out a list of chores ie. Helping Hand  Setting The Table, Helping Hand Walking the Dog, Helping Hand with the lawn...... Have the children select 6 of these and glue them on the helping hands.  Glue hands to straws, add leaves.  Place Styrofoam in flower pot and poke straw stems in.

Picture Frame 
jar lid; photograph of child; glue; magnets; ribbon

Place a jar lid (baby food jar lid works well) on the photograph you wish to frame and trace aaround it.  Cut out the photo and glue it inside the lid.  Tie a ribbon around the outside of the lid.  Glue a magnet onto the back of the lid and place it on the fridge.

Picture Soap
bar of soap; photo or other picture; paint brush; small empty can; glue; wax; hot water

Glue a photo or picture cut out of a magazine onto a bar of soap.  Melt wax in a small empty can in a pan of hot water.  To waterproof the pic, dip a paint brush in melted wax and paint over th epicture.  Your child can take a bath with his special soap, or save it to give as a gift.

Framed Flowers 
Go on a walk with the children and pick some pretty spring flowers and leaves.  Make shavings of brightly colored crayons with a grater or knife.  Place a a piece of wax paper, wax side up, on top of several layers of newspaper on your work surface.  Arrange the flowers, leaves and crayon shavings on top of the wax paper, then cover with another piece of wax paper, wax side down.  Place several layers of newspaper over top and iron thoroughly until the crayons are melted.  Hang to dry.  Cut finished craft to fit inside a frame! 

Or make a smaller version, and glue to one half of a folded piece of construction paper - it makes a unique and beautiful Mother's Day Card!

The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe
She had so many children she didn't know what to do.
She gave them some broth and a big slice of bread
Kissed them all soundly and tucked them in bed.

Five Little Pigs (Finger Play)
Five little pigs went out to play.
The first little pig said,
"Let's go to the woods today."
The second little pig said,
"What will we do there?"
The third little pig said,
"We'll look for our mother."
The fourth little pig said,
"What will we do when we find her?"
"We'll hug her and kiss her and kiss her!"
Said the fifth little pig.

Two Mother Pigs
Two mother pigs lived in a pen, (two thumbs up)
Each had four babies and that made ten. (Wiggle four fingers on each hand)
These four babies were black and white.  (Wiggle four fingers on one hand)
These four babies were black as night. (Wiggle four fingers on the other hand)
All eight babies loved to play.  (Wiggle eight fingers)
And the rolled and they rolled in the mud all day.  (Roll hands)
At night, with their mother,
They curled up in a heap, (Make fists, palms up)
And squealed and squealed
'Til they went to sleep.  (Tuck thumbs under fingers)

Ten Fluffy Chicks
Five eggs and five eggs 
   Hold up five fingers and five fingers.
That makes ten. 
   Wiggle ten fingers.
Sitting on top is the Mother Hen 
   Lock fingers together, knuckles up.
Crackle, crackle, crackle, what do I see? 
   Clap hands.
Ten fluffy chickens as yellow as can be. 
   Hold up ten fingers.

Five Little Chicks
   This one works very nicely on the felt board.
Said the first little chick with a queer little squirm, 
"I wish I could find a fat little worn." 

Said the next little chick with an odd little shrug, 
"I wish I could find a fat little slug." 

Said the third little chick with a sharp little squeal, 
"I wish I could find some nice yellow meal." 

Said the fourth little chick with a sigh of grief, 
"I wish I could find a little green leaf." 

Said the fifth little chick with a faint little moan, 
"I wish I could find a wee gravel stone." 

"Now, see here," said mother hen from the green garden patch, 
"If you want any breakfast, just come here and scratch!" 

To go with anything:

A piece of me
I give to you
I __________ (painted a flower, made an ashtry, etc)
to say "I love you."

I hope you will save it
And look back someday
At the________we shared
On your special day. 
 

To go with Bath Salts:

Here's a gift for Mother's Day
I'll try my best in every way.
But if you get upset with me,
Relax and soak! Don't you agree? 

Here's a little gift to soak your cares away,
So you can have a happy, happy, happy, Mother's Day! 
 
 

To go with a cup and or tea bag:

A cup of tea to say thank you
For all the things you've done
And wishes that the day will bring
You happiness and fun.
Happy Mother's Day. 

I'll try my best in every way,
Then open up this gift from me,
Relax and have a cup of tea! 

I'm not always just perfect,
Even though I try.
Sometimes when I'm not so great,
You give a little sigh!

On days like that I wish
I could give you cause to smile
And have you put your feet up,
To rest a little while.

So the next time you're tired,
And it's because of me,
Please sit down and relax a while,
And have a cup of tea!

Here's a gift for Mother's Day:
With this gift, I’m trying to say
Thanks for all you do for me,
Relax and have a cup of tea!

YOU DESERVE IT! 

For a card:

To Mother:

Every mouse
and bumble bee
Every bird
up in a tree

Every caterpillar
and lady bug
Loves to feel his mother's hug

Every bear
so fat and funny
Loves his mother
more than honey

Just as woodland
creatures do
Mother that's how
I LOVE YOU! 

To go with stepping stones:

When you step upon this stone
Just think about how much I've grown.
I made this in my own special way
To show you my love on mother's day. 

This is to remind you
When all the years go by
That i'll always love you
When times are low and high.

This stepping stone will survive
Through heat and snow and rain
Just like the love between us
It will never strain. 
 

To go with a flower:

A mother's love
and tender care
makes happiness
bloom everywhere. 

I used my thumb and fingers too
To make this flower just for you.
It doesn't smell, it doesn't grow.
It's from me to let you know;
Love you Mom?
Love you not?
Love you, Mom!
Love you a lot!
 
 

Overnight Brunch Casserole 
16 slices sandwich bread (square one)
8 slices deli ham
8 slices processed cheese

Egg Mixture
6 large eggs
3 cups milk
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
2 small green onions, chopped
1 small green pepper, chopped

Topping (for next morning)
1/2 cup melted butter or margarine
2 cups crushed potato chips

Trim crusts from bread and put in 13X9 pan.  Place 8 bread slices on bottom of pan; layer ham and cheese slices; then cover with remaining bread slices.  Beat eggs, add milk, Worcestershire sauce, dry mustard and salt.  Stir in green pepper and onion.  Pour egg mixture over bread layers.  Refrigerate overnight for flavors to mingle.

In AM remove from fridge and drizzle with melted butter.  Sprinkle on crushed potato chips.  Bake uncovered in a 350o over for 45-55 minutes - until bubbly and completely heated through.  Let stand 10 minutes before serving. 

Raspberry Fruit Dip
250ml raspberry flavored yogurt
250ml of whipped topping (like Cool Whip)

Combine yogurt and whipped topping well.  Chill for at least one hour (or overnight).  Makes 2 cups. Serve with cut up fruit - strawberries, honeydew melon, grapes, watermelon, cantaloupe, orange sections, peaches, pears., pineapple, bananas, papayas, apples...

Strawberry Butter
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1/2 cup Strawberry Jam
1/2 Fresh strawberries, mashed

Beat butter until soft and fluffy.  Add jam and beat well.  Mix in mashed strawberries. 

Cinnamon Butter
1/2 cup softened butter or margarine
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tblsp. milk
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Beat until blended and fluffy. 

Prize Coffee Cake
2/3 cup white sugar 
2 tablespoons shortening 
1 egg, beaten 
1/2 teaspoon salt 

Topping:
1 teaspoon cinnamon 
1 cup chopped nuts 
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 1/4 cups all purpose flour  2/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar

Combine all ingredients for topping.  Grease and flour an 8" square cake pan.  Blend sugar and shortening together.  Stir in beaten egg.  Mix salt, baking powder and flour together.  Add vanilla to milk and add to batter alternatively with dry ingredients.  Spread a little of better into prepared pan' sprinkle half of topping on top.  Cover with remaining batter and sprinkle with remaining topping.  Bake at 350F for 40-45 minutes. Allow cake to sit at room temperature in pan on cooling rack for 10-15 minutes before serving. 

Spice 'n' Coffee Cake
1 cup all purpose flour
1 cup brown sugar
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon mace
1/4 tsp. nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. dry instant coffee
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 egg
1 cup sour cream
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Combine flour, brown sugar, salt, cinnamon, mace, nutmeg and instant coffee.  Cut in butter until mixture is the size of large peas.  Beat egg, stir in sour cream and baking soda.  Pour all at once into dry ingredients, mixing just enough to dampen.  Spread into a greased and floured 9" square cake pan.  Sprinkle top with nuts.  Bake at 350oF 40-45 minutes or until done. Serve warm or cold.  Cut in squares.

Apple Coffee Cake

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/3 cup butter

Topping:
1 medium size apple
1 tblsp. lemon juice
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp. baking soda

1/3 cup brown sugar
3/4 tsp. cinnamon

Prepare topping first.  Wash and core apple but do not peel.  Slice apple very thin and sprinkle with lemon juice; cover and set aside.  Combine brown sugar and cinnamon.  Stir flour, baking powder and salt together.  Cream butter; add sugar gradually, beating well.  Beat in eggs.  Combine baking soda with sour cream and add to batter alternately with dry ingredients, blending well.  Pour batter into a greased and floured 9" square cake pan.  Sprinkle with 1/3 of brown sugar cinnamon mixture.  Place apple slices on top and cover with remaining topping.  Bake at 325oF 50-60 minutes.  Serve warm. 

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