Sweet and simple Mother’s Day crafts for kids that double as keepsakes—easy, meaningful, and made with love.

How to Make a Pop-Up Hug Card for Mother’s Day (With Free Printable!)
How to Make a Pop-Up Hug Card for Mother’s Day (With Free Printable!)


Make a pop-up hug card for Mother’s Day! DIY tutorial with free printable template and photo personalization for a heartfelt gift.
DIY Pop-Up Hug Card for Mother’s Day—Personalized With Your Child’s Photo
Looking for the sweetest way to make Mom’s day? This DIY pop-up hug card for Mother’s Day is as heartfelt as it gets! With arms that pop out for a big paper hug and the option to add your child’s photo, it’s a keepsake she’ll treasure forever. The best part? You can grab my free printable template to make this project super easy. Gather the kids and let’s get crafty for Mother’s Day!
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Watch the Video: Pop-Up Hug Card for Mother’s Day
Looking for some crafty inspiration? In my quick video tutorial, I’ll show you how to make this sweet pop-up hug card for Mother’s Day, from decorating the template to adding your child’s photo. Plus, we pair the card with a Shrinky Dink handprint flower keychain—making a heartfelt gift duo Mom will love. Gather your supplies and craft along!
Best Practices & Tips
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Print the template on sturdy cardstock for best results.
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Let kids decorate with stickers or glitter for extra fun.
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Size your child’s photo to fit the card face.
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Use strong glue for the pop-out arms.
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Add a special handwritten message inside.
Ready? Hit play and create a Mother’s Day surprise she’ll never forget!
Watch the Video: Pop-Up Hug Card for Mother’s Day
Looking for some crafty inspiration? In my quick video tutorial, I’ll show you how to make this sweet pop-up hug card for Mother’s Day, from decorating the template to adding your child’s photo. Plus, we pair the card with a Shrinky Dink handprint flower keychain—making a heartfelt gift duo Mom will love. Gather your supplies and craft along!
Best Practices & Tips
-
Print the template on sturdy cardstock for best results.
-
Let kids decorate with stickers or glitter for extra fun.
-
Size your child’s photo to fit the card face.
-
Use strong glue for the pop-out arms.
-
Add a special handwritten message inside.
Ready? Hit play and create a Mother’s Day surprise she’ll never forget!
Grab Your Free Pop-Up Hug Card Printable!
Want to make this craft even easier? I’ve put together a free printable version of the pop-up hug card so you can get started right away—no fancy design skills needed! Just download the template, print it out, and let your child add their personal touches. It’s a super simple way to create a heartfelt, handmade card that Mom will treasure. Click below to grab your free template and get crafting!

Materials
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Permanent markers (THIS is great for fine lines)
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A small photo of your child (headshot works best)
- Free printable pop-up hug card template
- Scissors
- Glue stick or double sided tape
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Permanent markers (THIS is great for fine lines)
-
A small photo of your child (headshot works best)
- Free printable pop-up hug card template
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
You’ll need cardstock or thick paper, scissors, a glue stick, coloring supplies, and a small photo of your child’s face (optional). If you’re using the printable, print it out now. If you’re drawing your own, sketch and cut out the main card shape and arms.
Step 2
If you’re using the printable, cut out the card and arms along the dotted lines, then color and decorate however you like. If you’re making your own DIY version, use your cardstock to draw and cut out a T-shape: a rectangle for the body with wide arms extending out from each side (so it looks like a person with their arms out for a hug). Cut out this T-shaped card, then decorate the card and arms. You can glue a small photo of your child’s face at the top or draw a face in the head area.
Step 3
Fold the main card in half horizontally to make a strong crease. Open it, and then fold in the opposite direction to reinforce the crease. Keep the card folded horizontally. For the arms, fold each arm forward and backward a few times along the fold lines to make them flexible, then tuck both arms inside the card’s flap so they are hidden when the card is closed.
Step 4
If your design includes a front and back cover (like the printable shown), use a glue stick to attach the covers onto the card base.
Step 5
When the card is opened, the arms will pop out and spread wide—just like a big paper hug!
Step 1
You’ll need cardstock or thick paper, scissors, a glue stick, coloring supplies, and a small photo of your child’s face (optional). If you’re using the printable, print it out now. If you’re drawing your own, sketch and cut out the main card shape and arms.
Step 2
If you’re using the printable, cut out the card and arms along the dotted lines, then color and decorate however you like. If you’re making your own DIY version, use your cardstock to draw and cut out a T-shape: a rectangle for the body with wide arms extending out from each side (so it looks like a person with their arms out for a hug). Cut out this T-shaped card, then decorate the card and arms. You can glue a small photo of your child’s face at the top or draw a face in the head area.
Step 3
Fold the main card in half horizontally to make a strong crease. Open it, and then fold in the opposite direction to reinforce the crease. Keep the card folded horizontally. For the arms, fold each arm forward and backward a few times along the fold lines to make them flexible, then tuck both arms inside the card’s flap so they are hidden when the card is closed.
Step 4
If your design includes a front and back cover (like the printable shown), use a glue stick to attach the covers onto the card base.
Step 5
When the card is opened, the arms will pop out and spread wide—just like a big paper hug!
More Printable Mother’s Day Cards!
Need more printable Mother’s Day cards? We have lots more to download and print to make a Mom’s day extra special! From adorable handprint flower cards to a superhero mom candy bar template, a “My Mom and Me” printable booklet, and a personalized 3D Mother’s Day card, there’s something here to warm every mother’s heart. Let’s dive in and explore these heartfelt creations!

Handprint Card

Superhero Mom Candy Template

My Mom and Me Printable Booklet

Personalized 3D Mother’s Day Card

Mother’s Day Hug Card

Mother’s Day Flower Gift

Tear-and-Reveal Personalized Card

Thread-a-Shape Card!
Why a Pop-Up Hug Card for Mother’s Day Makes the Perfect Keepsake
There you have it—a super sweet pop-up hug card for Mother’s Day that’s as fun to make as it is to give! Whether you used the free printable or created your own T-shaped card from scratch, this craft is sure to put a huge smile on Mom’s face and give her a hug she can keep forever. Don’t forget to save or share this pop-up hug card idea for Mother’s Day with friends who want to make their celebration extra special. Happy crafting, and happy Mother’s Day!


Why a Pop-Up Hug Card for Mother’s Day Makes the Perfect Keepsake
There you have it—a super sweet pop-up hug card for Mother’s Day that’s as fun to make as it is to give! Whether you used the free printable or created your own T-shaped card from scratch, this craft is sure to put a huge smile on Mom’s face and give her a hug she can keep forever. Don’t forget to save or share this pop-up hug card idea for Mother’s Day with friends who want to make their celebration extra special. Happy crafting, and happy Mother’s Day!
What’s Next?
Mother’s Day Crafts for Kids – Cards, Keepsakes & More
How to Make a Pop-Up Hug Card for Mother’s Day (With Free Printable!)
Make a pop-up hug card for Mother’s Day! DIY tutorial with free printable template and photo personalization for a heartfelt gift.
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