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55 DIY Mother’s Day Gifts That Show You Really Care

Gather the kids and create one of these easy, adorable, and affordable Mother's Day crafts with supplies you already have on hand.

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DIY Mother’s Day gifts she’ll keep forever

They say that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach and some tasty treats, but the way to a mom’s heart is definitely with a homemade present. You may still want to buy her an amazing Mother’s Day gift, but pairing it with something that you—or the little ones in her life—have made just for her will truly make her day and is a great (and affordable) Mother’s Day idea. Like any personalized gift ideas, DIY Mother’s Day gifts show that you’ve taken the extra time to really think about her and what would make her smile.

Not sure where to start and not particularly crafty? No worries! We’ve rounded up the sweetest, easiest Mother’s Day crafts that you can make with items you might even already have in your home (as well as a few kits that come with everything you need). So, rummage through your craft cabinet, raid your recycling bin, and have some fun with it! Whatever DIY gift you choose to create will help to make this Mother’s Day one she’ll never forget. If you also want to buy something but you’re running late, we’ve got ideas for some great last-minute Mother’s Day gifts, Mother’s Day gifts on Amazon, and Mother’s Day gift baskets too. Now, let’s dive into these extra-special gifts for Mom!

Gemstone Soaps
Via abeautifulmess.com

Gemstone soaps

Your mom already shines brighter than any diamond, but she’s still sure to love the glitz and glam of these gorgeous gemstone soaps. Not only can you customize them with her favorite colors and scents, but she will be super impressed with your DIY skills. Talk about a win-win! While you’re at it, make a few extra and save them for when you need a thoughtful hostess gift.

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Shoe Bin
VIA LETSDIYITALL.COM

Shoe bin

Is the mom in your life obsessed with shoes? If so, make her this cheery DIY shoe bin to store her everyday faves neatly and stylishly. Although this more-involved craft should be spearheaded by an adult, kids can join in on the fun by customizing the bin with paint, decals, and more. If you really want to go all out, include a new pair of summer sandals as a surprise.

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Bathtub Tray
Via ellaclaireinspired.com

Bathtub tray

She spends so much time taking care of others, it’s important to remind her that she needs to take care of herself too. Encourage a little time in the tub by making this perfectly sized bathtub tray to hold her favorite bath items, a mother-daughter book, and a beverage.

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Leather Envelope Clutch
Via aliceandlois.com

Leather envelope clutch

This Mother’s Day DIY is classy, cute, and simple to make. While it does require a trip to the fabric store to pick up some leather (real or faux), cotton fabric, and brass studs, the no-sew technique makes it completely worth it. If crafting’s your thing, pick up a few of these crafting kits to make all sorts of gifts for your loved ones—and yourself!

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Dry Erase Glass Calendar
Via somewhatsimple.com

Dry-erase glass calendar

Organization meets beautification with this pretty but practical DIY Mother’s Day gift. A glass frame, vinyl letters (or calendar printables), a Sharpie, dry-erase markers, and your family’s list of activities are all you need to put together this calendar she’ll use all year long. No matter what you’re giving her, of course, don’t forget to include a sweet and funny Mother’s Day card.

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Final 2 Courtesy Ashley Langston At Frugal Coupon Living
VIA FRUGALCOUPONLIVING.COM

Teacup card

If she always has a cup of tea in hand or you can’t resist a good pun and want to tell her that she’s “tea-rrific,” this is the card for her. Using an egg carton for the cup, this teacup card is a cinch to whip together with card stock and leftover pattern or scrapbook paper. Write one of these Mother’s Day quotes inside the card and you’re all set!

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Succulent11 Courtesy Holly Bertone Pink Fortitude
VIA PINKFORTITUDE.COM

Succulent planters

Transform plastic recyclables into a lovely collection of rustic succulent planters. You just need twine and decoupage glue for this Mother’s Day gift. Your mom can display her succulents on a sunny windowsill, desk, or bedside table, and she’ll think of you every time she looks at them. Even better? Succulents are among the houseplants anyone can grow.

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i whaley love you plaque mothers day craft idea
Via craftprojectideas.com

“I whaley love you” plaque

Kids will have a whale of a good time creating this adorable sea-themed sign. To start, you’ll need a piece of scrap wood or a pre-stretched canvas. Use acrylic craft paint to color the background with Mom’s favorite color, then use craft paper to create the cute little whale. Create the message above the whale with paint, or use paint pens to make it even easier. A sweet gift from the heart might make the mom in your life shed a few tears, as will these sentimental Mother’s Day songs.

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Love Book Courtesy Marina With Mommysnippets Dot Com
VIA MOMMYSNIPPETS.COM

Love book

What better way to make a mother (or grandmother) smile than with a love book? All you need is some card stock or craft paper for the “pages” and a metal ring or even some pretty ribbon to hold it all together. Simply have your little ones write down or tell you what they love about the recipient and decorate the pages. Looking to add some comedic relief? Slip a few mom memes she’ll find hilariously relatable among the pages of heartfelt descriptions for a DIY present that’s both loving and funny.

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FEELPIC/GETTY IMAGES

Bedazzled pots

For this DIY Mother’s Day gift, give an old pot a makeover. Add a couple of coats of chalk paint, and decorate with gem stickers once the paint dries. There’s no right or wrong here—have fun! Just note that these pots are for decorative purposes only; you should not plant directly in them, since they’re not weatherproof. Instead, slip a potted plant inside the bedazzled pot. Pair this DIY gift with a printable Mother’s Day card to complete the present.

Craft Stick Mother’s Day Sign Courtesy Craft Project Ideas E1588867343640
VIA CRAFTPROJECTIDEAS.COM

Craft-stick Mother’s Day sign

Popsicle or craft sticks are a versatile and inexpensive crafting medium—and they work in a ton of different simple kids’ crafts that are easy to make and great to gift. Use them to make a sweet sign to let a mom know how much you appreciate everything she does. To save time on painting, you can even pick up colored craft sticks.

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Upcycled Mother’s Day vase

Mom will marvel at just how resourceful you are when you hand over this custom vase made from an upcycled plastic jar. To create this homemade gift, paint a clean plastic jar in her favorite color, and then use washi tape and ribbon to add some unique decorations. If you really want to go the extra mile, place the vase on a tray for the perfect Mother’s Day brunch setup.

Mothers Day Handprint Bouquet Courtesy Craft Project Ideas E1650057758928
VIA CRAFTPROJECTIDEAS.COM

Handprint bouquet

Capture a moment in time with this beautiful handprint bouquet she can keep forever. The “flowers” are made by painting little hands, stamping them onto paper, and then cutting them out. The handprint flowers are held up by wood dowels embellished with pipe cleaners. This DIY Mother’s Day gift is easy and fun for kids of all ages. If you’re looking for real blooms, check out these gorgeous Mother’s Day flowers.

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Send A Hug Craft Pagingsupermom.com2
VIA PAGINGSUPERMOM.COM

Send-a-hug craft

What could possibly be better than getting a hug? How about sending a hug—one made out of wrapping paper, that is! For this simple craft, have your child lie down with arms outstretched (as if they’re about to give someone a giant hug) and trace the outline on wrapping paper. This is an especially great Mother’s Day gift for Grandma if she lives far away. Simply pop it in the mail!

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Rose Heart Card Sthree 3 Courtest Ottawa Mommy Club
VIA OTTAWAMOMMYCLUB.CA

Rose-filled heart card

It’s a fact: Moms love homemade cards. This particular one is adorned with perfect paper roses, and even though it looks elegant and professional, it’s super easy to make. All you need is colored craft paper, scissors, and glue. Once all the roses are assembled, glue them onto a folded sheet of paper and consider adding a Mother’s Day poem inside the card for an extra-special touch.

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Moms Flower Box Courtesy Craft Project Ideas E1614712956133
VIA CRAFTPROJECTIDEAS.COM

Flower box

Everyone knows flowers make a terrific Mother’s Day gift, but this year, put a DIY twist on the classic present by making Mom her very own flower box. Using pom-poms, craft sticks, and skill sticks, you can create this sweet flower box that she’ll adore. This homemade craft is perfect for young children, and it makes a wonderful hands-on activity. Just remember that adult supervision is needed when handling the hot glue.

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ANGELINA ZINOVIEVA/GETTY IMAGES

Pasta card

Dried pasta is another multipurpose crafting material you already have in your pantry, and you can use multicolored bow-tie pasta to make a fun, colorful Mother’s Day card. If you only have plain pasta, don’t worry—you can dye it using an 1/8 cup of white vinegar and 20 to 30 drops of food coloring. Glue the colorful pasta onto card stock, and make the vase out of paper or a piece of burlap.

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PHYNART STUDIO/GETTY IMAGES

Conversation rocks

Forget conversation hearts. This Mother’s Day, it’s all about conversation rocks. This clever gift requires a rock from your backyard, some paint, and a whole lot of creativity and love. Paint a sweet message (like one of these heartfelt mother-daughter quotes) on the surface of the rock to let her know just how much she means to you.

Embrodery Kit
Via Merchant

DIY floral embroidery

Is the mom in your life the crafty type herself? If so, then she’ll absolutely love this embroidery kit. It’s just under $12, so you can afford to buy two—one to make for her and one for her to make herself. Choose from a variety of floral patterns perfect for spring days (and also for beginners).

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Making Paper Flowers Crafts For Mother S Day Or Birthday Step
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Paper flower bouquet

Kid-ify a Mother’s Day classic with this adorable paper version of a bouquet. First, cut two pieces of construction paper into a kite shape for the bouquet holder. Then cut one of the kites in half, and staple or glue that half to the full kite to make a pocket to hold the paper flowers. From there, create as many flowers as your heart desires. The best part? They’ll never wilt!

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MELPOMENEM/GETTY IMAGES

Mom ornaments

Who says ornaments are just for Christmas trees? To craft these Mother’s Day ornaments, pick up some metal letters and a heart, and string some twine through the loops to create the perfect hanging centerpiece.

Diy Candle Making Kit
Via Merchant

Candle-making kit

What mom can resist the scent of a newly burned candle? This DIY candle-making kit comes with lavender and vanilla essential oils to create two fragrant candles, but you can always swap those scents with her favorites for an extra-personalized gift. And don’t forget to attach a card stock gift tag with a motherhood quote on it.

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Mothers day Gifts Photo Magnets Getty images 179706988
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Personalized photo magnets

You can never have too many magnets on the fridge, and this is especially true when those magnets include cute photos of your favorite tot. These are super easy to make with stick-on magnets, and the sentimentality of the gift is sure to make Mom happy.

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NIALL_MAJURY/GETTY IMAGES

“Thank you” jar

We all know that moms are superheroes, and Mother’s Day is the perfect time to express our gratitude. What better way to do this than with a DIY thank you jar? All you need for this quick yet meaningful craft is an old Mason jar and some scraps of construction paper. Write what you are most thankful for about your mother, from the little everyday things to the big ones.

Diy Heart Trio String Art Kit
Via Merchant

String-art hearts

The heart is a universal symbol of love, and this DIY string-art heart kit is the perfect way to show your love for Mom. It’s also customizable (you can choose your string colors), simple, and beautiful—the best combination for a Mother’s Day DIY.

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Mom Jar
VIA FREEBIEFINDINGMOM.COM

Mani-pedi in a jar

Rather than give your mom a gift certificate to the local beauty salon, pamper her in the comfort of her own home by creating a mani-pedi moment in a jar. The simple assembly makes this the perfect DIY Mother’s Day gift even for the craft-challenged. And you’ll certainly get extra brownie points if you throw in a free foot massage with it! Here are a few more things the two of you could use for a relaxing spa day at home.

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Beginner Learn To Crochet Kit Penguin
Via Merchant

Crochet plushie

Kids grow up, but this adorable little penguin will never leave the nest, making Mom smile now and throughout the years. The beginner crochet kit includes a step-by-step tutorial, a downloadable pattern PDF, and all the materials you need to bring your plushie friend to life.

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Creation A Greeting Card For The Mother S Day By The Child Step 6
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Button-head card

Get creative with this quirky idea. All you’ll need is some card stock, markers, glue, and, of course, buttons. Have the kids make button versions of themselves and Mom, and then decorate everyone as they see fit. It’s a fun twist on a classic craft that will make her smile.

Moms Recipe Holder Courtesy Craft Project Ideas
Via craftprojectideas.com

Recipe holder

Use the ever-so-versatile craft stick to make a recipe holder. This craft comes together quickly with craft glue and paint. Present this DIY gift to Mom along with some family recipes printed on four-by-six-inch cards.

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Paper butterflies

This stunning Insta-worthy craft is better suited for older children or even adults, since an X-Acto knife is the best tool to use in order to carve such ornate detailing into card stock. Follow a template, or, if you’re feeling extra creative, freehand the designs on the butterfly wings.

Birds Kids Craft Stained Glass Sun catcher Kit
Via Merchant

Stained-glass birds

Stained glass has never been so easy to make! This suncatcher kit will create beautiful stained-glass birds using stencils, tissue paper, and glue. This is a great Mother’s Day craft for grandmothers to do with their grandchildren, or mothers to do with their young kids.

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Happy Mothers Day
TOLGART/GETTY IMAGES

Wooden heart plaque

Create a lovely rustic wooden heart for your special person this Mother’s Day. Michaels sells heart-shaped wood plaques for just $4. From there, you can decorate it by either painting directly on the heart or attaching the perfect sentiment, like in this example. Or take this sweet gift in a funnier direction by writing a hilarious mom joke on it.

Handmade Recycled Craft Blue Card Paper In Hand Shape With Heart Inside With Text
PORNPAK KHUNATORN/GETTY IMAGES

Hand hearts

This DIY Mother’s Day gift is sure to warm the hearts of both kids and mothers alike. Just have your child trace his or her hand on one side of a folded piece of paper. Cut around the outline, unfold, and watch as one hand becomes two! Then add a special message on the palms of the construction-paper hands.

Easter Rag Wreath Craft Kit
Via Merchant

Springtime wreath

Wreaths in May? Absolutely! Bring some extra springtime cheer into your mom’s house with this pretty springtime rag wreath craft kit, which comes complete with fabric daisies and tassels. Add a wooden heart, if you’d like, for a little extra sweetness.

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Paper teddy

This DIY Mother’s Day craft is for any kid with a cute and cuddly side. To create this beary adorable little buddy, grab some construction paper, markers, and glue. Cut out a long strip using brown construction paper for the body of your newest furry friend. From there, glue add-ons such as eyes, ears, and a nose, as well as hearts cut out of red paper. Just watch out for cuteness overload!

Personalized Rainbow Craft Kit
Via Merchant

Personalized rainbow craft kit

Just like a rainbow can brighten a rainy day, a mom can make any day feel that much better. Convey that sentiment with this personalized rainbow craft kit. You can choose the color scheme of your rainbow and even add a name on the wooden base. Here are more Etsy gifts you can’t go wrong with.

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Funny Paper Caterpillar Of Red And Pink Paper Hearts
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Heart caterpillar

Most moms have a silly side, and this DIY caterpillar is the perfect way to bring it out this holiday. For this fun craft, you’ll need pink, red, and black construction paper, plus glue and googly eyes. Create the lovebug by gluing paper hearts in a row. Add legs, antennae, and a sweet face to finish off your cute and crawly creation.

Background Of Red And Blue Hearts Or Valentines On A Black Background A Gift For The Holiday Of Valentines Day Handmade
ALEKSANDR ZUBKOV/GETTY IMAGES

Felt hearts

Mothers have hearts of gold, so why not show that using…felt? Trust us: Stitching together these little felt hearts takes minimal effort (think felt, thread, and a needle), but giving them as a present makes a big impact on the big day. Looking for another way to make the day special? Watch one of these Mother’s Day movies with your mom.

Embroidery Kit Canvas Bag
Via Merchant

Embroidered tote bag

We all know the power of a mother’s purse. This Mother’s Day, create the ultimate tote for Mom using this embroidered canvas tote bag kit. You can choose between three unique floral designs for this DIY bag, which, of course, is roomy enough to hold everyone’s stuff. But the best part of this present is that every time she uses it, she’ll think of you.

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Diy Soap Kit Cocoa Butter Soap
Via Merchant

Homemade soap

Pretty soaps are one of life’s little luxuries. This soap-making kit comes with everything you need to create four to five colorful and silky-smooth bars of cocoa butter soap. While this may not be a trip to one of the most luxurious spas in the world, the thoughtfulness of this Mother’s Day DIY is sure to tug at Mom’s heartstrings.

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Flat Lay Of Handmade Felt Doughnuts With Colored Chocolate Are On A Beige Linen Background Concept Romantic Valentine S Day Gift Card Mothers Day Card Mothers Day Soft Sweets For Pretend Food
EKATERINA REKINA/GETTY IMAGES

DIY doughnuts

Looking for a new twist on the typical Mother’s Day breakfast in bed? If so, these felt doughnuts are the answer. All you’ll need for this project is some colored felt, a needle, and thread. Bonus: With this DIY craft, you’ll be able to make mouthwatering treats without having to clean a single dish.

Diy Macrame Planter Kit With Beads
Via Merchant

Macramé planter

Is your mom a plant lady? Then she’ll absolutely adore this retro way to house her leafy friends. This DIY macramé planter kit includes a wooden hoop, four wooden beads, rope (in customizable colors), and an S-hook to hang your creation from. You can even find specific plants for your mom to go along with the planter. We recommend these indoor plants that do well in small spaces.

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Mothers Day Getty images 940834174
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“I love you, mom” garland

This Mother’s Day craft doubles as a gift and a decoration. It’s the perfect multitasker, just like Mom! For this project, you’ll need red construction paper or felt to make the heart shapes, some thick twine, and clothespins. Use colorful pens to write out sweet Mother’s Day messages on the hearts.

Cricut mugs
VIA CRICUT.COM

Personalized mug

Because what hardworking mom doesn’t need coffee in the morning? Make her caffeine fix extra amazing by creating a personalized mug for her. You can use Cricut’s Mug Press for a state-of-the-art yet totally unique mug, or if a younger craftsman wants to make this present, acrylic paint on a ceramic mug will get the job done. Add one of these other gifts for coffee lovers for the perfect package.

Making Gift For Mothers Day By The Child Getty images
13-SMILE/GETTY IMAGES

Floral fan

Summer is right around the corner, and what better way to beat the heat than with a handmade fan? All you’ll need for this super easy DIY is card stock in a variety of colors, scissors, glue, and ribbon. Fold one piece of card stock back and forth to create the effects of a fan. Then tie at the bottom with a piece of ribbon, and decorate as you like.

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MARINA BOGACHYOVA/GETTY IMAGES

Self-care box

This DIY self-care gift will help Mom get the pampering she deserves. While this may require a quick trip to the store to pick up some goodies to fill your wicker basket with, it will certainly be worth it to see the joy on her face.

Log Cabin Bird House Kit
Via Merchant

Birdhouse kit

One of the best things about springtime is waking up to the sound of birds chirping. Capture the joy of the season with a homemade birdhouse that you get to assemble and then paint. This also happens to be a perfect at-home activity whenever you need to keep little ones busy, so you might want to buy an extra. Here are more gorgeous ideas for a DIY birdhouse that you’ve never thought of.

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Painting Leaves Getty images 614537360
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Painted leaves

This Mother’s Day craft is for all the mothers out there in tune with nature. Next time you go for a walk around the neighborhood, pick up a few leaves to bring home and paint with beautiful designs, using your choice of colored acrylic paint. Not only is this gift cheap and unique, but it’s also incredibly versatile—Mom can use these lovely leaves as centerpieces, bookmarks, wall art, and more.

Dress Card Getty images 1147533052
DETRY26/GETTY IMAGES

Paper-napkin dress card

For this super easy craft, all you’ll need is a napkin (preferably sporting a fun pattern). Fold the napkin like an accordion to make the dress pleats. Then, on a piece of card stock, draw the bodice of the dress. Glue down the pleated napkin, and watch as your creation comes to life. This is the card of every fashionista mom’s dreams.

DIY Dreamcatcher
Via Merchant

Dream-catcher kit

Protect your mom’s precious moments of shut-eye with a dream catcher. A traditional dream catcher is a handmade willow hoop used in certain Native American cultures as a talisman to protect sleepers and ward off bad dreams. This DIY kit makes it easy to create one yourself.

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bookmark Getty images 1139019466
WESTEND61/GETTY IMAGES

Personally decorated bookmark

This Mother’s Day craft goes out to all the bookworms out there. If your mom loves nothing more than cozying up with a good book, this is the perfect homemade gift for her. Simply cut thick pieces of card stock into strips shaped like bookmarks. From there, it’s all about the decoration. Whether you want to go for a sophisticated watercolor look or a free-for-all bedazzled take, anything goes as long as you have fun with it. Pair it with one of the best new fiction books and she’ll be ready for her favorite type of R&R.

The Complete Cheese Home Making Kit
Via Merchant

Cheese-making kit

If your mom loves anything she can put on a charcuterie board, she’ll fall head over heels for this DIY cheese-making kit. Everything you need comes right in the kit, so it’s the perfect one-stop shop. If your mom decides to move to France and open her own cheese shop after receiving this gift, well, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

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Diy Resin Art Kit
Via Merchant

Resin-art kit

Is Mom dreaming of the beach? With this DIY resin art kit, you’ll be able to create a beautiful wave scene for her out of resin, shells, and crushed glass. This sophisticated art piece can hang in any beach bum’s living room. One word of warning, though: This craft shouldn’t be attempted by young children, as it contains small glass fragments. But older kids and adults will love doing the project—and seeing the gorgeous result. Maybe this will inspire you to plan a mother-daughter trip to one of the best beaches near you.

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DIY Ring Display
Via themerrythought.com

Ring display

Stackable rings are in this season, and if you have a style maven of a mom, you already know this! Help her show off her ring bling with this DIY display. All you’ll need is a pine board and table saw. Adults, make sure to take the lead on this one, as you’ll be dealing with a sharp blade. Kids can follow up by painting the jewelry holder or picking out some new cocktail rings to go in it.

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Additional reporting by Debbie Wolfe.

Lucie Turkel
Lucie Turkel is a lifestyle and culture writer covering the latest in holidays, books, movies and television, and e-commerce for RD.com. She graduated with an individualized major in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies from the University of Connecticut.