Mother's Day Recipes and Ideas for Kids to Cook

Mother's Day is a wonderful time for kids to help in the kitchen and make something special for Mom. Whether you want to plan breakfast in bed, set up a tea party, make a simple dessert, or add a few sweet handmade touches, these Mother's Day recipes and ideas can help make the day feel extra special.

Mother's Day Breakfast in Bed Ideas

Breakfast in bed is one of the easiest and most loved Mother's Day traditions. Some of these recipes can be started the night before, which helps the morning go more smoothly.

Cinnamon Rolls in the Bread Machine

This is a make-ahead idea that works well when an adult helps with the bread machine and baking.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup warm water
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1 egg, room temperature
• 1/2 cup instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 cups flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons yeast

Directions

1. Add ingredients to the bread machine in the order listed and use the dough cycle.
2. When finished, roll the dough into a rectangle.
3. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with brown sugar, cinnamon, and raisins if desired.
4. Roll up, slice, and place in a 13x9-inch dish.
5. Let rise for 30 minutes to 1 hour and bake, or refrigerate overnight and bake the next morning at 350°F for 20 to 25 minutes.
6. Drizzle with cream cheese frosting.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Younger kids can help measure ingredients, sprinkle cinnamon sugar, and place the sliced rolls in the pan.

Chocolate Waffles

Chocolate waffles are a fun Mother's Day breakfast to serve with strawberries, peaches, or whipped cream.

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Preheat the waffle iron.
2. In a mixing bowl, stir together flour, cocoa, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Add milk, eggs, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth.
4. Pour about 3/4 cup batter or less onto the hot waffle iron and cook until done.
5. Serve with sliced strawberries, peaches, or whipped cream.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Let kids whisk the batter and help choose fun toppings. An adult should handle the hot waffle iron.

Egg Casserole

Egg casserole is a simple overnight breakfast idea that can be assembled ahead of time and baked in the morning.

Ingredients

• Bread slices or torn bread pieces
• Cooked crumbled bacon, cooked sausage, or ham cubes
• 8 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

1. Grease a 13x9-inch baking dish and cover the bottom with bread.
2. In a bowl, beat together the eggs and milk, then stir in the cheese.
3. Pour the egg mixture over the bread and sprinkle with ham, bacon, or sausage.
4. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
5. An adult should bake at 350°F for 40 to 50 minutes, until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can tear the bread, crack eggs with help, and sprinkle the cheese over the casserole.

Mother's Day Lunch Menu Ideas

If you want something more filling than tea and sweets, these lunch ideas work well for a Mother's Day meal and can still feel pretty enough for a celebration.

Chicken Caesar Salad

This quick salad works well for a Mother's Day tea party lunch.

Ingredients

• 3 cups rotisserie chicken
• Shredded or bagged romaine or iceberg lettuce
• 1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 cups croutons
• 2/3 cup Caesar salad dressing

Directions

1. Place the lettuce in a large salad bowl.
2. Shred the rotisserie chicken and add it to the bowl.
3. Top with Parmesan cheese and croutons.
4. Add dressing just before serving or serve it on the side.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can help tear lettuce, add toppings, and toss the salad gently.

Pita Sandwiches

These easy pita sandwiches work well for lunch and can be filled with tuna salad, egg salad, or another simple filling.

Ingredients

• 1 can tuna, drained
• 2 to 3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
• Mayonnaise
• Chopped celery or pickles, optional
• Pita bread
• Shredded lettuce

Directions

1. Mix tuna, chopped eggs, and a small amount of mayonnaise in a bowl.
2. Add chopped celery or pickles if desired.
3. Open the pita bread and fill with the mixture.
4. Add a little shredded lettuce and serve.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can mix the filling and stuff the pita pockets with a spoon.

Stuffed Tomatoes

Stuffed tomatoes make a pretty Mother's Day lunch and can be filled with tuna salad, chicken salad, or another favorite mixture.

Ingredients

• 1 large tomato per person
• 1 can tuna, drained and flaked
• 4 teaspoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon chopped celery

Directions

1. Mix the tuna, mayonnaise, and celery.
2. Cut the stem off each tomato and scoop out the inside, leaving a shell.
3. Spoon the tuna mixture into the tomatoes.
4. Place on a baking sheet and broil 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 4 to 5 minutes until heated through.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Older kids can scoop and fill the tomatoes, but an adult should handle the broiler.

Mother's Day Tea Party and Fun Drinks

A tea party makes Mother's Day feel extra special. Even if Mom does not drink tea, she can still enjoy a pretty table, a fun drink, and time spent together.

Add a Craft to Your Mother's Day Celebration

Along with cooking, you can add a handmade touch with a Mother's Day card or activity.

Try these Mother's Day Crafts and Note Card Activities for an extra fun project to go with your meal or dessert.

Pretend Tea Punch

This warm fruity drink is a fun pretend tea to serve at a Mother's Day tea party.

Ingredients

• 1 small package cherry gelatin
• 2 cups boiling water
• 4 cups apple juice

Directions

1. Mix the gelatin and boiling water in a medium bowl until dissolved.
2. Pour into a pitcher and add the apple juice.
3. Stir well and serve warm.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can help stir and pour once an adult handles the hot water.

You can also serve fresh lemonade. Find a simple version in our Assistant Chef lesson.

Mother's Day Desserts

Desserts are a simple and sweet way for kids to make Mother's Day feel special. You can keep it easy with cookies, brownies, or a pretty parfait.

Cookies are always a great choice. See more ideas on our best cookie recipes page.

Best Brownies

These easy homemade brownies are a simple dessert to make for Mother's Day.

Ingredients

• 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 10 tablespoons butter, cut into chunks
• 3 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 1/4 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch baking powder

Directions

1. Melt the butter and chocolate in the microwave.
2. Pour into a mixing bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients.
3. Grease a 13x9-inch pan and pour the batter into it.
4. Bake at 350°F for about 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.

Kid-Friendly Tip: Kids can help mix the batter and smooth it into the pan before baking.

Fruit Parfait Ideas

Fruit parfaits are easy to assemble and look pretty for a Mother's Day dessert.

Ideas

• Pudding or yogurt
• Sliced strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or other fruit
• Whipped cream
• Brownie pieces
• Yogurt
• Granola or chopped almonds
• Crushed cookies, nuts, graham crackers, or cereal

Directions

1. Choose a glass or dessert cup.
2. Layer pudding, yogurt, fruit, brownie pieces, or other mix-ins as desired.
3. Top with whipped cream, granola, crushed cookies, or another topping.
4. Serve right away.

Kid-Friendly Tip: This is a great no-bake recipe for kids because they can layer the dessert all by themselves.

Homemade Spa Day

A homemade spa day is another fun way to celebrate Mother's Day. After breakfast or dessert, help Mom relax with a simple at-home spa idea.

Other Mother's Day Ideas

More Kids Cooking Activities

Easy Breakfast Meals

Find more simple breakfast ideas kids can help make.

Waffle Recipes

See more waffle ideas for breakfast in bed.

Cookie Recipes

Browse favorite cookie ideas for Mother's Day treats.

Parfait Ideas

Try pretty layered desserts that kids can assemble.

Homemade Spa Recipes

Add a relaxing spa idea to your Mother's Day plans.

Kids Cooking Party Ideas

Use more party-style ideas for celebrations and special days.

What Is Your Mother's Favorite Recipe?

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