🌿 My Special Person is Like Nature: A Meaningful Activity for Mother’s Day (and So Much More)
This activity was inspired by my own family’s morphing and changing. I wanted to honor step-parents, aunts and uncles, neighbors, grandparents, etc that shape young lives but are always left out of the traditional Mother’s Day and Father’s Day crafts and activities. I hope you enjoy!
Looking for a simple SEL activity that helps kids slow down, reflect, and express appreciation in a meaningful way?
This “My Special Person is Like Nature” printable is one of those rare activities that feels just as good to do as it does to give.
Instead of another quick card or worksheet, this activity invites kids to think a little deeper—connecting the people they love to the natural world around them.
🌎 Why This Activity Works So Well
Nature gives us powerful, easy-to-understand examples of care, strength, and growth.
🌞 The sun helps things grow
🌳 Trees provide shelter and stability
🌊 The ocean is strong and steady
🌸 Flowers bring beauty and joy
When kids compare someone special in their life to nature, they’re doing more than writing—they’re building empathy, observation skills, and emotional awareness.
❤️ A Thoughtful Alternative to Traditional Mother’s Day Activities
While this activity works beautifully for Mother’s Day, it was intentionally created to be inclusive and flexible.
Every child’s story is different—and this printable allows them to choose:
- A parent
- A grandparent
- A sibling
- A caregiver
- Or any special person who supports them
That means every student can participate comfortably and meaningfully.
👨👩👧 Use It All Year Long
This isn’t just a one-day activity—it’s one you can come back to again and again.
Try it for:
- 💐 Mother’s Day
- 👔 Father’s Day
- 👵 Grandparents Day
- 🧡 Siblings Day
- 🌿 SEL lessons and classroom community building
- ☀️ Summer camps and homeschool reflection time
It’s especially helpful for mixed-age groups, where younger kids can draw and dictate, and older students can expand their writing.
✏️ What Kids Will Do
With simple, guided prompts, students will:
- Choose a special person in their life
- Compare them to something in nature
- Explain their thinking through writing
- Create a drawing to match
- Share a message of appreciation
The included word bank makes it easy for all learners to get started, while still allowing for creativity and personal expression.
🌱 Low Prep, High Impact
If you’re a teacher, parent, or camp leader—you know the value of something that’s:
✔ Easy to use
✔ Flexible across ages
✔ Meaningful without extra prep
This is one of those activities you can print and use right away—no complicated setup needed.
💛 A Small Moment That Sticks
Sometimes the simplest activities create the biggest impact.
Taking a few minutes to reflect on someone who helps us grow, feel safe, and stay strong is a powerful experience—for kids and the people who receive their work.
🌿 Grab the Free Printable
You can download the “My Special Person is Like Nature” activity here!
Community-supported education • Free & $0.99 resources made possible by your support
I’d Love to Hear From You!
If you use this activity, I’d love to know how it goes in your classroom or at home! Feel free to tag me on social media @creativebrainsgrowhere — I love seeing how learners explore science through hands-on creativity!
As an educator, author, and illustrator, your reviews and feedback help me continue creating meaningful, kid-friendly resources that support curious minds.
Thank you, and have a fantastic week!
— Julianne (J)
creativebrainsgrowhere.org
@creativebrainsgrowhere
❤️This resource has been donated to educators by CreativeBrainsGrowHere.org
Follow on social media @CreativeBrainsGrowHere ❤️ Donate Here
Standards Alignment
CCSS (ELA)
- W.K.2 – W.3.2: Informative/explanatory writing
- W.2.8: Recall information and experiences
- SL.K.1 – SL.3.1: Participate in collaborative conversations
SEL Competencies
- Self-awareness
- Social awareness
- Relationship skills
NGSS Connections
2-LS4-1: Observations about the natural world
K-LS1-1: Understanding needs of living things (connections to nature)
Yes! This resource uses inclusive language (“special person”) so every student can participate comfortably.
This printable is designed for K–5 and can be easily adapted. Younger students can draw and dictate, while older students expand their writing.
Yes! Just print and go—perfect for busy teachers.
Absolutely. It works well for SEL lessons, family units, gratitude activities, and spring themes.
Yes, it supports Common Core writing and speaking/listening standards, along with key SEL competencies.
Yes! This activity is ideal for homeschool, nature camps, and mixed-age groups thanks to its flexible format.
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