The Frugal OT Series: Mother’s Day Blooms

May’s Dollar Tree Activity of the Month: Mother’s Day Blooms

As a mom, I know how special it is to receive a handmade Mother’s Day gift from my child. The time and energy spent to make something memorable for Mommy is priceless and preferred over any store-bought gift. I save them for as long as they’ll hold up. Mother’s Day is just around the corner so now is the time to create sweet and unforgettable gifts for moms. This craft is sure to bring a smile to any mom’s face, it’s just so cute. A great way to celebrate Mother’s Day while working on fine motor skills. Perfect to do during therapy sessions, as a class, and/or at home. All the supplies can be gathered for pennies on the dollar at your local Dollar Tree.

Skills Addressed:

• bilateral coordination
• eye-hand coordination
• fine motor strengthening
• fine motor control 
• grasping skills 
• cutting skills (snipping)
• handwriting skills
• executive functioning skills (focus attention, remember multi-step directions, initiate and follow through with the task)

How To Make Mother’s Day Blooms:

It is always helpful to present the child with a model so that they can see what you expect them to do.

I recommend cutting the pool noodles ahead of time and setting them aside. It’s also a good idea to color and spray the coffee filters ahead of time to allow time to dry. This craft is ideally done over two sessions.

Instructions:

• To prep for this activity, the adult needs to cut the pool noodle into 1″ discs. Set aside. One disc makes one flower. Prepare as many as you need.
• Use several different colored markers to color the coffee filter making sure to provide good coverage.
• Place the coffee filter on top of a paper towel. Spray the coffee filter generously with water.
• To add another fine motor challenge, use a dropper bottle to add more water (optional: add food coloring to the dropper bottle).
• Allow the coffee filter to dry. 
• Measure the circumference of the disc.
• Cut a piece of green construction paper the length of the circumference, approximately 8″ x ~3″ width. (I prepped green paper strips cut to size ahead of time as well). 
• Use Legiliner to make a line or draw a line for the child to write on. (I have no affiliation with Legiliner, just a happy customer!)
• Have the child write “Happy Mother’s Day, Love (their name and the date/year).
• Make grass by snipping the paper.
• Fold the paper over a pencil and roll it to curl the grass.
• Place the grass around the disc and secure it with tape.
• Using brown paper, trace the disc and cut it out. Fold the paper in half and cut a small slit near the edge. This will be the dirt. 
• Using a crayon, color the popsicle stick green to make the stem of the flower.
• Slide it through the slit in the brown paper and place it on top of the disc. 
• Push the popsicle stick into the pool noodle.
• Once dry, fold the coffee filter in half, then again and again (into eighths).
• Glue the folds of the coffee filter together at the base.
• Fold the coffee filter over the top of craft stick to secure it in place. Add more glue if needed.
• Puff and arrange the coffee filter to resemble a flower. 

Done!

How To Make Mother’s Day Bloom’s:

How To Offer the “Just Right” Challenge:

This craft provides a great fine motor challenge as is. It also requires many steps to complete. There really is no need to “grade up” or make it harder. But here are some suggestions for making it easier.

Grade Down (Make it Easier)

For younger or less skilled children:

• Use a trigger spray bottle instead of a pump spray bottle as they are easier to use.
• Provide a model of the greeting for the child to copy. If unable to copy, have the child trace it.
• Draw lines to help the child know where to snip.
• Assist by holding the grass in place around the disc while the child secures it with tape.
• Fold the coffee filter in eights for the child while he/she assists by patting the paper to form the creases.
• Assist with gluing the folds together at the base of the coffee filter to ensure the flower doesn’t come apart.

As always, have fun!

Disclaimer: 

The Fun Strokes blog is designed for educational and informational use only for teachers, therapists, and parents. It is not intended as medical advice or therapeutic treatment that would be provided in an individualized treatment plan. If you suspect a child has delays, please consult an occupational therapist.