A Mother’s Day Art Project Kids Can Actually Make (Without a Trip to the Craft Store)

Mother’s Day is coming, and if your child has suddenly remembered this approximately 14 minutes before the holiday… we’ve got you covered.

We created a fun step-by-step YouTube art lesson where kids can make a colorful floral wreath for moms, grandmas, aunts, or really anyone special in their life. It’s sweet, creative, and surprisingly relaxing to make.

Best of all: You probably already have everything you need sitting somewhere in your house under a pile of random markers and old homework.

The Project: A Floral Initial Wreath Mother's day art

In this lesson, kids create a personalized floral wreath featuring the first letter of someone special’s name right in the center.

“M” for Mom.“G” for Grandma.“A” for Auntie.Or honestly… “D” for Dog if your child decides the family pet deserves one too.

We support artistic freedom here.

The project starts with simple pencil sketching and turns into a colorful floral design packed with flowers, leaves, dots, swirls, and all kinds of creative details.

No two wreaths end up the same, which is part of the fun.

Supplies We Used

We used:

• Pencil

• Eraser

• Sharpie

• Watercolors

• Paintbrush

• Water cup

• Paper towel

• Something round to trace

We used an empty watercolor palette to trace our circle, but a plate, bowl, paper plate, or random kitchen object works perfectly too.

But Here’s the Important Part:

You do NOT need fancy art supplies.

Seriously.

This project also works with:

• Crayons

• Colored pencils

• Markers

• Paint

• Whatever mystery art bin supplies your family has managed to collect over the years

The goal is creativity- not perfection.

If the flowers turn neon purple and blue? Great. If the leaves are rainbow-colored? Amazing. If someone accidentally makes their wreath look like a taco garden? Even better.

Step-by-Step: How We Made the Floral Wreath

Step 1: Trace a Big Circle

We started with pencil by tracing something round onto our paper to create the shape of the wreath.

This helps kids keep all of their flowers and leaves arranged in a nice circular shape as they build their design.

No compass required. We are fully team “random kitchen plate.”

Step 2: Draw a Big Initial in the Center

Next, we added a large letter in the middle of the wreath.

Kids can:

• Draw bubble letters

• Write in cursive

• Add swirls or curls

• Keep it simple or fancy

This is where the project becomes personal and meaningful.

Step 3: Paint Big, Loose Flower Shapes

Before worrying about details, we focused on adding large colorful flower shapes around the wreath.

Some flowers were:

• Round

• Oval

• Four-petal flowers

• Dot clusters

The key was keeping everything soft, colorful, and loose at first.

This part is especially fun because there’s really no wrong way to do it.

Step 4: Add Leaves and Greenery

Once the flowers dried a bit, we started connecting everything together with leaves and greenery.

We used little “V” shapes and pointy leaves following the curve of the circle.

The greenery helps make the wreath feel full and connected.

Also, suddenly at this point the artwork starts looking VERY impressive.

Step 5: Add Tiny Details

This is where kids really get into it.

Using smaller brushes, darker colors, crayons, pencils, or markers, we added:

• Flower centers

• Dots

• Swirls

• Lines

• Patterns

• Extra petals

This layering step makes the artwork feel rich, colorful, and full of personality.

Step 6: Outline with Sharpie

At the very end, we used Sharpie to outline:

• The letter

• Flower shapes

• Leaves

• Fun little details

This makes everything pop and gives the wreath a finished look.

Kids LOVE this step because suddenly the whole project looks extra bold and professional.

Why Kids Love This Project

There’s something magical about art projects that start simple and slowly become more detailed.

This lesson is especially great because:

• Kids can work at their own pace

• There’s no “wrong way” to do it

• It encourages creativity and decision-making

• It looks impressive even for younger artists

Also, kids LOVE outlining things with Sharpie. It makes them feel extremely professional.

A Few Fun Things We Talk About in the Video

During the lesson, we:

• Turn simple shapes into flowers

• Layer colors to make artwork more interesting

• Add details slowly instead of rushing

• Use darker colors for depth

• Keep our wreath shape nice and round

We also remind kids that art does not need to look exactly like the example.

Actually, the weirder and more personal the details become… the better.

The Best Part

This project becomes an actual keepsake Mother's Day Art Project.

Not a worksheet. Not a craft that disappears into the backseat of the car. Not slime.

It’s something meaningful that someone can hang up, save, or smile at every time they see it.

And because kids personalize the letter and colors themselves, every wreath feels unique and thoughtful.

Watch the Lesson and Create Along With Us

Grab whatever supplies you have at home, clear a little table space, and join us for this fun floral Mother’s Day project. We can’t wait to see what your young artists create.

Happy creating from Viridian Art.