Spring Archives - Mother 2 Mother Blog

End of Year Budget Friendly Teachers Gifts

May 22, 2018 by Rhonda Gales 2 Comments

It is hard to believe that another school year is coming to a close. My granddaughter will be entering second grade in the fall, and my grandson will be entering six grade. He was the inspiration for starting this blog, and he will be walking through the doors of junior high. Where has the time gone.

It’s always nice to thank our teachers for their dedication, and helping our children reach another milestone in their life.

Smart Cookie – Our first budget friendly teacher’s gifts is cookies. Who doesn’t love cookies. You can bake a batch or pick up a half dozen at your local bakery. Wrap them in cellophane with a cute ribbon and attach this free printable. You can use twine, colorful baker’s twine or ribbon. So cute.

Apple Mason Jars – Second, another one of our favorite budget friendly teachers gifts are anything in an apple theme. These mason jars are adorable. Fill them with candy, and pass them to your teachers.

Crayon Wreath – Next, what a cute idea for a kindergarten or first grade teacher. You can purchase the wreath form and chalk board from Michaels. Add other embellishments, and you will have the perfect gift for a teacher.

Mani Thanks – Also, I love this idea. It’s a perfect gift for someone who has worked with children for most of the year, and now they’re ready to relax. Home manicures can be relaxing and fun. I love these colors too.

Terra Cotta Apples – Next, these apple terra cotta pots are adorable. They’re great for hiding classroom material, and keeping areas neat and organized. This should definitely go on your budget friendly teachers gifts list.

Thank Your for Helping Me Grow – Unfortunately, I’m receiving a 404 Error for this adorable pot. Black chalk paint was used for the base, and a yellowish orange for the rim. Purple petunias were used in the pot. This is so cute, I just couldn’t leave it off the list.

Thank You for Helping Me Bloom – This is a cute idea for a girl’s gift to her teachers. The post has templates for the printables.

Thanks for Your Thyme – As a gardener, I love plants. I love the Thyme and Bloom ideas. This is a perfect idea for older children.

Finally, I hope that y0u will use a few of these ideas to make end of year gifts for your children’s teachers. They are unappreciated and an underpaid. I know, I have 3 teachers in my family. They will love the gift.

Filed Under: Crafts, Fall, Spring Tagged With: gift ideas, teacher gift ideas

17 Kid’s Spring Crafts

May 1, 2018 by Rhonda Gales Leave a Comment

Spring has arrived finally. Most kids will want to get outside and enjoy the warm weather and fresh air. However, spring brings rainy days. All is not lost, rainy days are perfect for doing crafts with the kids. We have rounded-up 17 kid’s spring crafts to occupy them on rainy days this spring. Our round up contains crafts for all ages:

Hand Print Book Marks – This one of my favorite crafts. The handprints will make perfect mementos for Mother’s Day. Also, they’re perfect for holding their place in books on their summer reading list.

Butterfly Snack Bag – Next, I think these snack bags are so cute. I’ve made these for my grandchildren and one of my nieces. Pretzels and cheese are a favorite and apple slices and grapes make great snacks too. I actually purchased colored clothes pin, chenille pipe cleaners and wiggly eyes from the dollar store.

Sheep Craft – This adorable sheep is perfect a rainy day. White card stock and cotton balls are the stars. Add a little bow and a face and she’s good to go.

Paper Bag Butterfly – Save a few lunch bags for this craft. In addition to the lunch bags, you will need heart shaped doilies from the Dollar Store and Do A Dot Markers.

Plastic Fork Tulips – Additionally, these fork tulips are so cute and one of my favorite kid’s crafts. They would make a great Mother’s Day gift too. White plastic forks from the dollar store, paint, green construction paper and your creativity is all you need.

DIY Easter Button Egg – This DIY button egg is so cute. Let the kids pick out the craft buttons in their favorite colors and than start gluing. The blogger provides an egg template. Note: This craft calls for a hot glue gun, so it is not recommended for small children unless you will be using craft glue.

Tissue Paper Butterfly – This tissue paper butterfly is budget friendly and easy to make. Purchase supplies from your local Dollar Tree.

Handprint Bouquet – This handprint craft is so cute. Also, this is a great Mother’s Day or birthday gift for grandma, Auntie, a God Mother or a just I love you gift. I love the pastel colors used in the crafts

Mason Jar Picture Frame – Mason Jars aren’t just for canning foods. They’re perfect for drinks and crafts. This picture vase is a great gift idea for Mother’s day or a birthday gift. Furthermore, why not paint it red for a Christmas gift. Use your imagination for the color of the jar. Also, I’ve seen the frames at the Dollar Store.

Tulip Potato Prints – So, who knew that potatoes could be used to make beautiful art. Potatoes were used to make this adorable tulip bouquet. I’ll be trying this one with my granddaughter for sure. We’ll be making bouquets for all the ladies in the family.

Plastic Bottle Planters – What a great way to recycle plastic bottles. It’s also a great way to introduce children to growing plants or flowers. It could lead them to wanting to plant vegetables and herbs. Petunias, parsley, marigolds are few suggestions for the planter.

Toilet Paper Roll Bunnies – Save a few of your toilet paper rolls for this craft. Add in white paint, construction paper, a black marker and buttons. Your on your way to making these cute little bunnies.

Cupcake Liner Birds – Cupcake liners are the stars in craft project. Pick up a pack at your local dollar store.

Pom Pom Chicks – These puffy little pompoms make cute little baby chicks. They would be great on a card, and with a little help a perfect craft for toddlers.

Paper Plate Whale – This paper plate whale is one of my favorite kid’s spring crafts. It’s a nice break from the flower bouquets and handprints. So, sit your so or grandson down and put him to work. I’m already picturing it on grandma’s refrigerator.

Kid’s Egg Carton Art – Cardboard egg cartons make great kid’s spring crafts like these beautiful flower bouquets. Save a few and help your kids make these flower bouquet for grandma or an aunt. Some paint, chenille pipe cleaners, buttons, and a ribbon can be purchased from the Dollar Tree.

Egg Carton Flowers – Here’s another egg carton craft. Again, egg cartons are great for gardening and crafts. Save your cardboard egg cartons to make these cute egg carton flowers. They will make a perfect Mother’s Day or any day gift.

Finally, we hope that you like a few of our kid’s spring crafts, and you will spend time on a rainy day making them.

Filed Under: Crafts, Spring

18 Mother’s Day Crafts

April 25, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

18 Mother’s Day Craft Ideas For Kids

It is hard to believe that Mother’s Day is around the corner. First, I’ve been searching for a few kid’s Mothers Day crafts to make with my grandchildren. I think kid’s Mother’s Day crafts are the perfect gift for their mother and their other grandmother. Fortunately, I found quite a few adorable Mother’s Day crafts that would be perfect gifts for this special occasion.

I always try to find a variety of craft ideas to offer the kids. I never know what will inspire them. One day they love markers and crayons, the next day it could be finger paints. So, I look for projects that require materials that I have on hand or that I can purchase from the Dollar store. You how much I love that store.

Anyway, I wanted to share my roundup of kid’s Mother’s Day crafts with you. I hope that you will be inspired to make a few gifts with your children or grandchildren:

1. Picture Flower Pot – The Daily Craziness. So creative! First, who would think to add pictures to a flower pot. I love the thought of creating the flower pot as shown, and than placing a pot of tulips inside of it. Also, the pot of tulips can be planted in the yard on or after Mother’s Day. Furthermore, the pot can be used in the summer for herbs. Mom and/or grandma can place it in the kitchen window.

2. Button Bouquet – Pinterest. Sorry, but I was unable to locate the craft on the site referenced. It seems pretty simple to make, so bring out that jar of buttons, make a pretty bow and a few stem. Finally, start gluing. I think the kids will have fun placing the buttons to make the bouquet.

3. Heart House – Crafty Morning Great way to show mom how much you appreciate the home she has made for you. A few craft sticks, buttons, cut out heart, some glue and you’re good to go.

4. Hand Print Flower – Nifty Mom. Simple enough to make with a toddler, finger paints and some card stock.

5. Teacup – Mr. Printables. It’s actually an invitation for to a tea party. But it was so adorable I thought it could be adapted as a Mother’s Day gift. What’s better than a tea party invitation from your son or daughter.

6. Hand Print Vase – Love Bugs and Post Cards. Also, this could be a fun project. Coming up with reasons why the kids love mom or grandma and tracing little hands can be a great way to start a Saturday.

7. Watering Can Mother’s Day Card – Crafty Morning. This project is at the top of my list. I will be changing the blue hearts with water drops. This blogger has several other Mother’s Day projects on her site, so be sure to check them out.

8. Mother’s Day Coupons – Penny Pinching Mom. I love this idea. You print the coupons, color them, and than give them to mom. The coupons are for 1 breakfast in bed and 2 loads of folded laundry. How cute is that.

9. Mom Deserves A Hand – Happy Home Fairy The card is a free printable. Head to Bath & Body and let the kids pick out their favorite scent for mom. Clever idea.

10. Bottle Cap Flower – Crafty Morning This is an easy craft to make in little time. You will need to collect beer bottle caps, stock card, glue and a Sharpie. I saw this card on another site with a twist, the word MOM had been added to the top 3 caps for a personal touch.

11. Love You Bunches – Crafty Morning Next, this craft is perfect for toddlers. It requires finger paints, stock card, and the joy of sticking your thumb in the paint. I would suggest making dots on the stock card and using the dots as a guide for the shape.

12. Folding Craft Stick Flowers – Danielle’s Place I loved the idea of the gift folding and being wrapped with a simple ribbon. My initial thought was to put a magnet on the back and stick it on the refrigerator after grandma or mom opens it or hang it with a pretty ribbon. Be creative.

13. Fingerprint Flowers – Crafty Morning Fortunately, we found a few crafts for adorable for little fingers, And you don’t need a lot of materials to complete the project. If you don’t have scrapbook paper, stock card or construction paper should work.

14. Picture Monogram – BHG Mother’s Day crafts allow us to get creative. So, creativity will help make this a great gift. You can use either M for mom, G for Grandma or Gigi, or N for Nana.

15. Lion Card – Crafty Morning This little card will be easy to make with a fork, marker, a piece of stock card. And you can get the eyes from your local craft store. I actually found a bag of eyes at the Dollar Tree for a buck.

16. Love You To Pieces – Clip Zine. If you’re like me, there’s always a puzzle laying around with missing pieces? Recycle it and make this adorable gift for mom or grandma.

17. Hand Print Towel – This Simple Home. Cute! This is a great idea for Mother’s Day, Christmas or a birthday present.

18. Hand Print Bouquet – Simply Sweet Teaching Last, but not least. I love the idea of using hand and foot prints in children’s art. Also, hand and foot prints can be framed. Furthermore, the prints can created on a background other than black. I do love adding the year to the print though.

Finally, we hope that you will think our kid’s Mother’s Day crafts will make great gifts too. They’re actually quite inspirational. Pick out one or two and start crafting with the kids. Please leave me a comment and let me know your favorites.

Filed Under: Crafts, Spring Tagged With: kid's activities, kids crafts, Mother's Day

9 Paper Plate Craft Ideas For Kids

April 7, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Today, I’m sharing ideas for paper plate crafts for kids. April showers bring may flowers. They also bring the children inside. With that comes boredom, fights, and too much free time. My grandchildren love to do crafts and I love paper plate crafts. So, I decided to do a round up of paper plate crafts that I thought kids would find interesting. This paper plate roundup focus more on paper plate crafts for boys. I have found that there a tons of crafts and other projects for girls, but not much for boys.

Furthermore, I think we forget that little boys need and want to work on their creativity too. However, this roundup does have a few crafts that girls may be interested in. There are many girls who love Spider Man, pirates and police car too. Also, I love the simplicity of most of the crafts. Paper plates, paint, numbers etc. Most of the items if not all can be purchased from the Dollar Store.

Let’s check out the paper plate craft ideas for kids roundup:

1. Giraffe – First, I found this giraffe on Zayit and Ziva. I love the little spots on this guy. Looks like a fun craft to make with kids of any age.

2. Pirates – Ships Ahoy! I found these pirates on How Wee Learn. This would be a great craft to make at a Pirates birthday party.

3. Clock – I found this clock idea at Storytime Kate. I loved this idea. It’s a great way to start teaching my grandson how to tell time.

4. Owl – I found this little guy on Crafts by Amanda. This looks easy enough for a toddler to work on also with assistance.

5. Police Car – I found this police car on Terrific Preschool Years. I love this idea. It’s a great time to have a conversation with your child about the police and their importance.

6. Saw – Sixth, I found this saw idea on Easy Preschool Craft. This is a perfect idea for Father’s Day.

7. Sun – I found this ray of sunshine on About.com. I think this would be a great craft to make with my granddaughter. The little hand prints for the rays are perfect.

8. Spider Man – I found this Spider Man plate on In the Playroom. This is a great craft idea for all the little guys who love Superheroes.

9. Paper Plate Goose – I found this swan on Making Learning Fun. This is a great site for craft ideas for kids of all ages.

Last, I hope you like my paper plate craft ideas, and find something to make for a rainy day. Which is your favorite?

You may also like: Kid’s Garden Crafts Roundup

Filed Under: Crafts, Spring Tagged With: kid' paper plate crafts, kid's activities, kids crafts

How To Make A Frugal Easter Wreath

March 27, 2015 by Rhonda Gales

Do you like my frugal Easter wreath? Since winter is officially over, I removed my winter wreath. My daughter and her family will be visiting next week for Easter, so I wanted a casual wreath to welcome them. The wreath is only going to be up for a few weeks, so I didn’t want to spend a fortunate purchasing one. I had a old wreath laying around, so I headed to the Dollar Tree to for items to make one.

I purchased 2 bags of plastic Easter eggs, a bunny and a handful of flower sprigs. The total cost for items $10.00. Not bad for a wreath that will be hanging 2 – 3 weeks, what do you think?