Top 30 Mother’s Day Activities That Is Both Fun and Meaningful

mother's day activities

There’s no shortage of Mother’s Day gift ideas out there, but what about Mother’s Day activities? Don’t get me wrong — buying a gift for your Mom is always nice. But how about doing something more meaningful this year? There are so many ways to spend time with your Mom on Mother’s Day. And if you’re having trouble deciding, have no fear! I’ve put together a list of fun, exciting, and meaningful Mother’s Day activities that will make you both smile!

Top 30 Activities on Mother’s Day

1. Cook A Family Recipe

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, you may be in need of something to show Mom how much you love her. That doesn’t mean she wants flowers again though! I suggest cooking her a meal. After all, you got to eat it too, right? Find a recipe for Mother’s Day that you and your spouse / kids can prepare for her. And make sure you’re nice enough to clean up afterwards as well. Dessert is optional.

1 mothers day activities mom and daughter cooking

2. Go Boating

When you get up on Mother’s Day, instead of popping Champagne to celebrate a half day off, go boating with the whole family! You don’t have to go far, but you can work together to set a course and try not to run aground. You’ll make memories and never forget who got your boat stuck in the mud or ran into a buoy.

2 mothers day activities family go boating

3. Craft a Wreath

Did you know that you can make a Mother’s Day wreath with your Mom? It’s true! Have her gather some pinecones, silk flowers and pretty ribbon. Then she can sit back and watch You make the wreath. The best part is she’ll have memories of crafting the perfect Mother’s Day gift with her child.

3 mothers day activities craft a wreath

4. Schedule a Fishing Trip

Do you have a mom? Then, you know what it feels like to want to take her on a special trip. With Mother’s Day comes a perfect opportunity just for that. So, relax and stop trying to find great gift ideas. We can do one better: we’re going on a fishing trip with your mom!

4 mothers day activites schedule a fishing trip

5. Help Tackle Her To-do List

If your mom is always complaining about how messy her house is, spend some time helping her clean up — or at least pitch in with childcare so she can get things done herself. It’ll make both of you feel better about being in the house and give her some extra energy for other projects later on.

5 mothers day activities help mom to do list

6. Sing Karaoke

This Mother’s Day, you can show your mom how much you appreciate her by organizing a karaoke party for her. Karaoke is a great way to get everyone in the family together, and it’s a fun way to let your mom know that she is special.

A karaoke party can be done at home or at a club. If you want to do it at home, it’s best to have an indoor space where everyone can gather around and sing. You’ll also need some refreshments available for guests who want to take a break from singing.

6 mothers day activities sing karaoke

7. A Deep Conversation

When’s the last time you asked Mom how she was doing, and really listened to the answer? For most parents, there’s no better gift than meaningful conversation. So pour a pitcher of lemonade, park it in the porch rocking chairs, and prepare to sit a spell.

If you’re like me, you’ve probably spent years trying to avoid this kind of talk. After all, isn’t it better just to send her a card on her birthday? Isn’t that what real children do? Well, yes — but there’s something about face-to-face communication that makes all the difference in the world.

7 mothers day activities a deep conversation

8. A Bike Ride as your Mother’s Day activities

If you are new to riding or have not ridden in awhile, May is a great time to get back on the saddle. The roads are clear of snow, but the weather is still cool enough for layers of clothing and extra protection from wind and rain.

Bike riding is a great way to get exercise and enjoy nature at the same time. And if you don’t own a bike, no worries! Many towns have bike rentals available throughout the year so that you can enjoy biking without having to worry about maintenance or storage issues (and it’s fun!).

8 mothers day activities a bike ride with mom

9. Celebrate her love of design

Women love beauty, but they often have a hard time defining it. They may tell you that a room looks “cozy” or “romantic” or “warm,” but when it comes down to actual colors and textures, they’re likely to be at a loss for words. And yet, this is exactly what makes them great interior designers! They can sense what feels right and wrong without being able to name it.

But if we want our wives to feel confident in their own instincts and get excited about new projects around the house, we need to help them understand how we see things differently than they do. So instead of just saying “That’s nice” when you notice something new she’s done with the living room décor, try telling her exactly why it works for you — even if it doesn’t seem obvious at first glance.

9 mothers day activities celebrate her love of design

10. Head to the Zoo or Aquarium

If she loves animals, take her to the zoo or aquarium. If she loves nature, take her on a hike or camping trip. Get creative! Choose an easy day trip location. When planning a trip with mom, pick one that will be easy for both of you to get to and back from without much fuss. It should also be easy for her if she needs to bring any extra items like medicine or snacks for herself or anyone else who might be coming along (like grandma). Bring a few extra things in case of emergency situations like rainstorms or flat tires! You don’t want anything dampening your fun day out with mom!

10 mothers day activities at the aquarium

11. Encourage Self-Care

You can do this by booking a treatment at a local spa and surprising her with it on Mother’s Day. If she likes to stay in on weekends and relax, then book her for a massage at home. The best part about this idea is that it’s easy to pull off from anywhere in the world with the help of online services like Soothe and Giftcardmall.

11 mothers day encourage self care

12. Throw a Tea Party

Mother’s Day happens during that lovely time of year when the weather is delightfully warm (but not hot) and the trees and flowers are in bloom, so why not take the party outside with a garden tea party—either together or remotely? Send a snack-filled Country Living gift basket, or even better, get one for yourself and one for her, and you may nibble on lemon shortbread cookies from lovely al fresco settings even if you can’t be in the same area at the same time.

12 mothers day throw a tea party

13. Visit a Local Farm

Visit a local farmer’s market. Farmers’ markets are a great place to find seasonal produce at reasonable prices. You’ll also be supporting local farmers, which is good for both your health and the planet. If there are no farmer’s markets near you, look around for pick-your-own farms. Some farms even have “pick-it-yourself” days, where customers can come in and pick their own produce! Buy fruits and veggies from local growers at your local market or grocery store. By buying locally grown produce, you reduce transportation costs (and therefore pollution), thus helping the environment!

13 mothers day activities visit local farm

14. Take and Art Class

When you think of mother-daughter time, your mind may be filled with visions of shopping trips and pedicures. But there’s something to be said for taking an art class together. Ceramics, painting, crafts, or watercolors—the possibilities are endless! Get your hands dirty together and possibly go home with a beautiful new piece to hang in your home. 1. Painting classes: Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced painter, there are plenty of options for all skill levels. Local art stores often offer night classes that allow you to paint away stress and learn new techniques from experienced artists at the same time. These classes are often offered on weekends so they can fit into busy schedules more easily than weekday classes would during the week. 2. Ceramics classes: If you’ve ever wanted to try your hand at making pottery or porcelain objects, now is the time! There are dozens of ceramic schools across North America that offer classes in ceramics and other types of pottery like stoneware and porcelain. Many schools even offer weekend workshops where students spend their Saturday morning learning

14 mothers day activities take art class

15. Make Mom a Playlist

Songwriters have always written heartfelt lyrics about moms and daughters. Make a playlist of the greatest Mother’s Day songs for her to remind her how much you love her. There are so many styles of music, that when it comes to Mother’s Day songs songwriters have plenty to choose between. From rock, folk and country to R&B, pop and everything in between: there’s something for everyone. Take this playlist with you and share the day with loved ones going over the best Mother’s Day songs one by one.

15 mothers day activities make mom a playlist

16. Watch a movie together

You’ve probably spent a lot of time in front of the TV, so why not spend it “with” your mother? If you want to go the additional mile, ship her a cup and a toasty pair of socks ahead of time, along with a recommended tune-in time of a favorite movie—bonus points if it features mother-daughter interactions, like Steel Magnolias. Then plan a phone or FaceTime call to discuss favorite phrases and topics such, “Dylan McDermott simply gets more attractive, don’t you think?” “Did you know Shelby’s house is now a real-life bed and breakfast?”

16 mothers day activities watch a movie with your mom

17. Sip “Mom”-osas at a Brunch

With a happy hour, you can bring the entire family together from all around the city. Make a creative mimosa recipe ahead of time and name them “mom”-osas! To generate a giggle, encourage each family member to bring a humorous ingredient for the recipe to the “party.” It’s such a nice day out; why not get the family together during the long weekend? It’ll be a great excuse to pull out those Hawaiian shirts and empty cans of spray-paint. Sure, it might be a bit hazy outside because of the wildfires, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some fun. How about some rounds of a fun summer activity: Monopoly! You know how much your kids hate getting property they already own so why not cut them off at the pass and throw in another player card?

17 mothers day activities Mom osas at a Brunch

18. Make Her Heart Race at an Amusement Park

If your mom’s the thrill-seeking type, and you want to give her a day at the amusement park, she’ll go nuts for this outing. All of her favorites are there — hot dogs and games are aplenty, and there are enough roller coasters to quench anyone’s thirst for speed. She’ll need a hat, of course, but you can pick out that souvenir on the way home.

18 mothers day activities Amusement Park

19. Treat Her to a Blowout

Few things feel better than getting your hair professionally cared for. However, having it styled after? That’s what I call luxury. Take her to the hairdresser and reward her to a gorgeous new cut, blowout, or both! You spend a lot of time trying to find the right shampoo and conditioner. But do you ever check out the hair salon? There are few things that feel better than having your hair properly cared for. But having it styled after? Now that’s luxury.

19 mothers day treat her to a blowout

20. Flip Through an Old Photo Album

More time spent at home means more time spent sorting through family photographs. Create a bespoke picture album emphasizing memorable memories together from the past using a site like Artifact Uprising or Shutterfly. Think family trips, birthday celebrations, holidays, and more. Order a copy for yourself and your mother, then read it together in person or over the phone to remember those carefree days. (After all, isn’t it true that more images of grandkids are just what she requires?)

20 mothers day Looking at old photo album

21. Say Cheers

When was the last time you took your mom out on a date? Did you take her wine tasting? Or to see a Broadway show? No? Well then, it’s probably time you did! She deserves it, right? Don’t worry — I’ve got your back. Grab a few bottles of fine wine and set up a romantic evening for the two of you. If you need some ideas for where to take her or what to do together, check out this list of easy cocktail recipes. We have everything from Champagne cocktails to delicious margaritas that will transport her to an exclusive bar in New York, Los Angeles, or one of the fanciest restaurants in town! Take your mother to a fun new cocktail bar or become her personal mixologist! If you’re looking for some inspiration, have a look at these simple cocktail recipes. They’ll take her to the most upscale martini bar in town!

21 mothers day bring her to a cocktail bar

22. Buy Her Tickets to the Big Game

A new study from the Florida Gatorade Sports Science Institute reveals that out of the top 13 MLB teams, mom’s favorite team is in the bottom half of the league. But don’t worry—Mom is still rooting for them, despite their shortcomings. Now you can enjoy your summer even more by bringing mom to a game and watching her root for her fave team. Since you bought the tickets, concessions are on Dad!

22 mothers day Family trip to the Big Game

23. Host a Bingo Night

A lot of parents with kids love the old standard game of Bingo. Who doesn’t right? Well if you are trying to make Mom’s day a little more special, why not try something new with “Bingo”? Why not play a custom version of Bingo that revolves around her favorite things. I find this is a great way to have everyone having fun but also getting to know one another on a different level.

23 mothers day Host a Bingo Night

24. Rent Her Dream Car for the Day

So you’ve decided to spend some time with the family on Mother’s Day. But your mother keeps hinting she would prefer a more exciting outing? That’s fine, I’m sure all moms do that. I usually visit my parents in Sacramento and they get a little restless after an afternoon of playing cards and watching the Sterling Brunch on TV. Why not surprise mom by taking a spin in a classic car she’s always dreamed of driving? The local Classic Car Club has an extensive list of classics that you can rent for the afternoon. Just have her drive it around town and everyone will be happy!

24 mothers day Rent her dream car

25. Set Up a Scavenger Hunt

Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and if you’re like 90% of Americans, you might be stumped as to what to get your mom. Boring necklaces, aromatherapy pillows, and ceramic frogs, why must you taunt me? I’m here to tell you that you don’t have to spend a lot of cash on gifts that any other woman would use. Why not give her something she’ll treasure for a lifetime​? ​What about hiding clues all over the house, leading up to an ah-mah-zing mother’s day gift?

25 mothers day Set up a Scavenger Hunt

26. Go shopping

For some moms, the only thing better than a spa day is a day at the market. Whether she heads to her favorite store or goes antiquing at a local flea market, spend the day on a shopping spree just for mom. From jewelry to clothes to home décor, she’ll love your help picking out something special.

26 mothers day go shopping

27. Head to the Beach

What’s one day you wish you could spend with your mother? Is it a special occasion like your birthday? Or just a standard day like this past Mother’s Day? Give me a specific scenario in which you would spend the day at the beach with your mom.

mother's day at the beach

28. Visit a museum

Visiting a museum with your mom can be daunting. It feels like you’re sitting through an extra-long art history class with someone who not only doesn’t care about the artwork, but is also a strict teacher—if the class even has tests. However, if you don’t live near the ocean or mountains, and have no desire to go trekking through Europe or South America for various reasons (cost, time away from family, etc.), then a museum may be your next best option for a fun outing. Museums contain art of various kinds (paintings, artifacts, sculptures, etc.) that are interesting in their own right and make wonderful conversation starters.

27 mothers day visit a museum

29. Conduct a Mother’s Day Interview

Mother’s Day is this Sunday, May 12th. This is the perfect opportunity to extend a token of gratitude to the woman who carried each one of us for nine months, nurtured and taught us as we grew, fed each of us our most embarrassing food fads (mac & cheese? really?), and was always there when we needed her. Sounds like an undertaking to me. What can you do? Well, instead of going out and buying those flowers that you’ll forget to take home or pay attention to by Sunday afternoon, why don’t you interview your mom or another special lady in your life? It could be a fun activity and it could relieve some stress after the long week at work (afterall – it’s called Mom’s Day).

28 mothers day conduct a mom interview

30. Go Camping

Even if Mom’s not the outdoorsy type, she can definitely get behind a luxe take on sleeping under the stars, or even a fun backyard campout. What to know what’s trending and what they’ll love? We’ve done our research and found pieces that are up-to-the-minute but made with elevated materials — think spun gold and topaz gemstones — all in one of our Mother’s Day slide show galleries. And don’t worry, there’s still a little something for more adventurous moms too, like pajamas that look like your favorite soft pretzels.

29 mothers day go camping

Summary

One of the best things about being a mom is that you’re constantly on display! But in order to keep a little slice of privacy and get some much-needed “me time,” there are plenty of fun and meaningful activities to celebrate mother’s day. Remember, everyone will be paying tribute to their mom this month, so try not to get too hung up on her birthday—you might miss out on something truly special! Happy Mother’s Day from Drama Shirt!