A Kid-Made Coupon Book for Mom: Ideas by Age

By Kelly · Updated 2026-10-17

Handmade coupon books are a standard for Mother’s Day or birthdays because they offer personalized help and shared experiences. Tailoring the tasks to a child’s developmental stage ensures that the coupons are realistic for them to fulfill independently or with minimal supervision.

Coupon Ideas Categorized by Age

• Ages 3–5: One big hug, five minutes of quiet time, picking up five toys, clearing a plate from the table, or a 'get out of a nap' pass.
• Ages 6–8: Watering the indoor plants, setting the table for dinner, folding a basket of towels, reading a bedtime story to a younger sibling, or matching socks.
• Ages 9–12: Washing the car, making a simple lunch or snack, walking the dog, sweeping the kitchen floor, or 30 minutes of tech support for phone apps.

The Toddler Sticker Book

ages 3-5 · 15 min · about $3

• 3x5 inch index cards
• Washable markers
• Assorted stickers
• Hand-held single hole punch
• 1/4 inch satin ribbon

1. Have the adult write one simple task on the center of each index card using a dark marker.
2. Let the child decorate the edges of each card with stickers. Ensure they do not cover the text.
3. Align 5 to 7 cards and use the hole punch to make a single hole in the top left corner of the stack.
4. Thread a 6-inch piece of satin ribbon through the hole and tie it in a double knot to secure the book.
5. Safety note: An adult should handle the hole punch if the child lacks the grip strength to prevent pinching.

The Illustrated Chore Book

ages 6-8 · 30 min · about $4

• 8.5 x 11 inch 65 lb white cardstock
• Paper trimmer or scissors
• Colored pencils
• Standard stapler
• Washi tape

1. Cut the cardstock into four equal rectangles (approx. 4.25 x 5.5 inches each) using scissors or a paper trimmer.
2. Ask the child to write a specific chore on each card and draw a small illustration of that chore next to the words.
3. Stack the finished coupons with a plain piece of cardstock on top to serve as a cover.
4. Staple the left-hand side of the stack twice to bind the book.
5. Cover the staples with a strip of washi tape to prevent sharp edges from scratching and to decorate the spine.
6. Safety note: Supervise the use of the paper trimmer and stapler closely.

The Service Ribbon-Bound Book

ages 9-12 · 45 min · about $5

• Kraft cardstock or heavy construction paper
• Fine-point black ink pens
• 1/8 inch hole punch
• Embroidery floss or thin twine
• Ruler

1. Measure and cut the cardstock into 2.5 x 7 inch strips to mimic the shape of traditional checkbook coupons.
2. Write out detailed service descriptions, such as 'Good for one 20-minute car wash' or 'One homemade afternoon snack'.
3. Use a ruler to draw a vertical dotted line one inch from the left edge of each card to create a 'tear-off' perforation guide.
4. Punch two holes on the left side of the stack, inside the 1-inch margin.
5. Thread the embroidery floss through the holes and tie a decorative bow to bind.
6. Safety note: When using fine-point pens, ensure the workspace is protected from ink bleed-through.

To make the coupons easier to remove without destroying the binding, you can use a sewing machine with no thread to 'sew' a perforated line across the cardstock before assembly.