There’s no doubt that mothers and other caregivers are important figures in our lives. They teach us, guide us, influence us, and cheer us on. Note that not all of us have mothers in the traditional sense and may turn to other family members or loved ones for advice, support, or encouragement. So, this Mother’s Day, let us celebrate not only the women who gave birth to us but also the amazing role models who have enriched our lives.
Fun Mother’s Day Activities for Primary and Middle School Students
For all the teachers out there wondering how to celebrate Mother’s Day in school, look no further! From making card to crafting decorative vases, explore fun Mother’s Day classroom activities for students.
1. Making Cards
Cards allow students to express gratitude and appreciation for the women or caregivers in their lives. It’s also an opportunity for students to get creative! You will need:
- Construction paper (various colors)
- Crayons, colored pencils, and/or markers
- Scissors
- Stickers, glitter, and anything else you can think of to make the cards colorful and fun!
While the specific writing requirement attached to this activity will vary depending on the age group, one idea is for middle schoolers to write one to two properly structured paragraphs. You may ask them to provide reasons to celebrate their caregiver, or to write a reflection on their favorite memory with this person.
2. The Something Special Awards
In this Mother’s Day activity for elementary students, children can showcase their artistic skills to create an award for their mothers, caregivers, or other role models in their lives. You will need:
- Crayons, colored pencils, and/or markers
- Glue
- Scissors
- Colored construction paper
- Award ribbon
You can discuss with your students the ways in which their mothers, caregivers, or role models have done something special for them and have them express their thoughts visually. The “something special” can also be as broad as these women simply being an integral part of your students’ lives! Your students can decorate their awards in any way they want. Afterward, you can encourage them to show fellow classmates the awards they have made.
3. Write a Poem
Poetry writing is a wonderful way for students to show they care for, appreciate, or admire someone. An original poem to a mother, caregiver, or another woman role model in a student’s life can be a beautiful gift.
Teachers can encourage their students to write the poem in whatever style they prefer, whether it be freeform, a haiku, or any other form of poetry. It would be great if the students who want to try their hand at reading aloud have a chance to perform in front of the class!
4. Design a T-Shirt
Designing a T-shirt is a fun opportunity for students to express gratitude toward their mom or another person they care about. Best of all, this Mother’s Day school idea can be a blast for multiple age groups! Fill your T-shirt station with plain white cotton T-shirts of multiple sizes, and allow students to use fabric markers, glitter, and anything else you think will give those shirts some pizazz.
5. The Bulletin Board
Teachers can set up a bulletin board for students and ask them to answer a question such as “What Do You Love about Your Mom or Caregiver?” Then, students can write a few things they love most about the parent or role model in their lives. If they would like, students can add a photograph of their caregiver to go along with their entry. The finished product is a beautiful display for all the moms and caregivers to see and appreciate. Snap some photos and share them with the class, and prominently display the bulletin board for others to see!
6. Creative Couponing
Students can create a booklet of coupons where they promise to give back or do something nice for those who care about them. This is a fun Mother’s Day activity for middle school students. They can produce coupons depending on what they think their mother or caregiver would like. An example of a great coupon is: “One night I’ll help you make dinner.” This encourages involvement with the family while also teaching the student a bit about collaboration skills and cooking basics.
7. Make Mini-Books
A great Mother’s Day activity for primary school students, Mother’s Day mini-books are books that your students can create either online or by hand. This activity can help expand students’ vocabulary and encourage literacy.
There are different resources you can use to format mini-books for free. You may need the following:
- Printer and paper/cardstock
- Scissors or paper cutter
- Hole puncher
- Ribbon
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
The writing prompts you assign will vary depending on students’ grade levels. Some examples:
- Write a narrative about your favorite memory with your mom or caregiver.
- Tell the story of your typical day and how your caregiver helps you along the way.
- Have students write a list about their caregiver, listing one item with an accompanying drawing on each page (e.g., “Why I Love My Mom So Much”).
8. Read Mother’s Day Books
Picking up a Mother’s Day book—and telling your mom or caregiver about it at the end of the day—is a great sentiment. Here are some wonderful, illuminating reads about mothers and motherhood for different age groups:
- The Mother’s Day Mice by Eve Bunting and Jon Brett (Pre-K–3)
- En las Piernas de Mamá/On Mother’s Lap by Ann Herbert Scott and Glo Coalson (Pre-K–K)
- Mothers Are Like That by Paul Carrick and Carol Carrick (Pre-K–K)
- Lullaby (For a Black Mother) by Langston Hughes and Sean Quails (Pre-K–3)
- Because Your Mommy Loves You by Andrew Clements and R. W. Alley (Pre-K–3)
- Find a Stranger, Say Goodbye by Lois Lowry (Grades 7–12)
- The Turner House by Angela Flournoy (Grades 9–12)
9. Decorative Vases
In this Mother’s Day activity, students can make their mom, caregiver, or role model a vase to hold their favorite flowers, decorated as they wish. You will need glass bottles, colored tissue paper, white glue, and sponge brushes or small paint brushes. This activity can also double as an art lesson.
10. “Memories of Mom” Writing Assignment
In the week leading up to Mother’s Day, teachers can ask their students to choose from a list of writing prompts that have to do with their mother or caregiver. Some examples of Mother’s Day writing prompts are:
- My Favorite Holiday Memory with Mom/Caregiver
- A Funny Moment with Mom/Caregiver
- The Best Advice My Mother/Caregiver Ever Gave Me
A paragraph response to the prompt is great, though of course the requirements will vary depending on the age group. Students can even compile a response to a different prompt each day over a few days as a longer Mother’s Day school project, and the end result is a heartfelt, touching book to give to their mom or special person in their lives.
11. Research Mom’s Family History
Family trees can help us better connect to our family—both past members and those currently living. Having middle school students learn about their mom’s or caregiver’s family history can help them bond with one of the most influential women in their lives.
In class, have students create a maternal ancestry family tree, leaving spots where they’ll later fill in names. How students design their trees is up to them! Then, outside of the classroom, have students ask their mothers or caregivers to help them fill out their family trees—going as far back as possible; this part of the assignment might take more than a day if their moms or caregivers must dig for any missing information.
This activity might inspire students’ moms or caregivers to share more about their families. Students can ask questions to spark a more in-depth conversation, such as:
- What are some memories you have of your mom?
- What were the occupations of your mother, grandmother, etc.?
- Do you have any photos of your family to share?
If there’s room on their trees, students can add this additional information.
Share Your Mother’s Day Classroom Activities for Students
How do you help students honor their mothers, caregivers, or role models? Share your favorite Mother’s Day celebration ideas in school via email at shaped@hmhco.com or reach out on Twitter (@HMHCo) or Facebook.
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of HMH.
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This blog, originally published in 2019, has been updated for 2023.
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