58 Fun Mother's Day Activities to Plan for Your Mom
The best ideas involve spending time together.
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This year on Sunday, May 12, we’ll all be celebrating our moms, grandmothers, and maternal figures for Mother’s Day. And while a thoughtful card or gift basket is a great way to show your love, Mother’s Day is, well, a full day, so fill it with an activity or two that your mom will love. Whether it’s breakfast in bed or a full-blown soiree, planning an activity tells your mom that she means the world to you. After all, your mom might appreciate the gift of time with you more than a card or present, even though those are very nice. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed planning a Mother’s Day activity. After all, your mom is probably the one who always gives you advice on where to go and what to do in life. How can you ever begin to repay that? If a Mother’s Day gift doesn’t feel like enough, or if your mom just isn’t into material things, opt for an event or experience.
You can’t go wrong with tried-and-true Mother’s Day ideas like a manicure, brunch, or a spa day. They’re classics for a reason, and any one of the three is sure to be appreciated. But if you want to branch out, try an experiential surprise like a picnic on the beach or a photo shoot just for Mom. You could also pick an outing that gets the whole family involved and encourages new happy memories, like a hike or pottery class. Or, if what you mom really wants (or needs) is some quiet time away from the family, you could set her up for a solo endeavor. Start planning now, and you’ll have a wonderful day dedicated to Mom all mapped out by the time May 12 is here.
More ideas for a perfect Mother's Day:
Go for a Run
If your mom is a Turkey Trot fanatic, indulge in her beloved pastime and offer to join her on a run this Mother’s Day. The temporary exertion will be well worth her joy. Just be sure to follow up the run with a delicious brunch that'll give you time to catch up.
Take a Park Walk
If the weather allows, spend some time outdoors and opt for a walk around a local park. This is a great way to spend quality time with the whole family that doesn't require planning a secondary activity. Also, you'll get to see a bunch of spring flowers at peak bloom.
Try a Theme Park
Is your mom secretly (or not so secretly) an adrenaline junkie? If so, why not spend Mother’s Day as a family at a regional theme park. Or, if there’s one in particular that she’s been dying to visit, make a vacation out of the holiday.
Read Her Favorite Book
Share in one of your mom’s favorite reads this Mother’s Day. A little family book club is a great way to spend the day, and your mom will feel loved knowing everyone is invested in her hobby.
Build a Fort
While typically for little ones, a fort is a cozy place to spend a rainy Mother’s Day. Set up her favorite movie, read a book, or do a puzzle—once you’re inside, the possibilities are endless!
Learn Her Favorite Song
Whether your mom loves classic rock, classical music, or pop hits, take some time this Mother’s Day and learn to play her favorite song. Then, during brunch, you can serenade her with the tune. Bonus points if she’s musical and you can spend some quality time learning it together.
Host a Game Night
Let mom's competitive nature shine through, and give her the quality time she really wants, with a family game night complete with score boards. Mom is sure to be the MVP.
Learn a New Skill
Take a step into the unknown and bond with Mom by learning a new skill together. Maybe it's woodworking, a new workout class, or a mindfulness activity. Take time out of the special day to do something unfamiliar.
Paint Pottery
An activity perfect for all ages, painting pottery is a great way to unleash your creativity and spend time together. Use your artistic ability to paint her a mug or a keepsake vase for her Mother's Day flowers.
Cook a Family Recipe
Everyone has a favorite food—your mom included. Learn to cook her favorite meal or family recipe and present it to her as a Mother's Day gift.
Watch Mom's Favorite Movie
Whether Mom is a horror fanatic or a rom-com buff, sit down after dinner and let her pick the movie this time. Then surprise her with her favorite movie candy as a late-night snack.
Host a Picnic on the Beach
Set up a picnic on the beach with her favorite foods and family members. Then let her spend the day jumping in the waves, building sandcastles, or lounging on the beach with a book.
Set Up a Photo Shoot
Surprise mom with an impromptu photo shoot set-up with a make-up artist and new clothes to make her feel like she's a star on Mother's Day.
Grab Theater Tickets
If mom is a theater fanatic and still talking about when you saw Hamilton together treat her to a night on the town with tickets for an upcoming play or musical in your area. You can even take it up a notch by booking tickets now for a Broadway play in New York City in the future.
Write a Thank You Letter
Growing up, your mother has always taught you the importance of sending a thank you card after you receive a present. This year, why not sit down and write mom a thank you card for all the wonderful gifts of wisdom she has given you over the years? You will both probably end up in tears.
Get the tutorial at Lovely Indeed.
Host a Karaoke Party
Bring the karaoke session home and perform one of Mom's favorite tunes. And show her the latest TikTok dances to accompany her vocal skills. We promise Mom will enjoy a spirited performance from the whole family.
Build a Mother's Day Basket
Create a basket full of mom's favorite things so she can enjoy a day of rest and relaxation just the way she likes it.
Get the tutorial at Room for Tuesday
Start a Mother Daughter Book Club
One of the best ways to stay connected with your mom is by having a common interest, and you're guaranteed to stay in touch with a book club just for the two of you. Each month one of you can be responsible for choosing a new book, and you can discuss it over a cup of tea and dessert.
Host a Cookout
Grill mom's favorite kebabs and let her rest in the hammock all afternoon. Make it feel extra special by decorating the outdoors in her favorite colors and giving her a flower crown to wear all day.
Move and Groove at a Dance Class
It's no secret that most moms like to dance. In fact, she was probably your first dance partner. So sign her up for the grown-up version of a mommy and me dance class so you two can groove to her favorite tunes.
Angela Belt is the contributing Assistant Shopping Editor at House Beautiful. She's also an interior designer and is the host of her own podcast, The Mood Board. When it comes to design, she's an esteemed expert with some of her work also appearing in HGTV, Better Homes & Gardens, The Washington Post, and more.
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