48 Fun Mother’s Day Activities to Make Mom Feel Special

You’ve found the perfect Mother’s Day gift (or DIY’ed something heartfelt) and written a thoughtful message in her card. Now all that’s left is to plan some fun Mother’s Day activities to make her feel like queen for the day. We’ve got you covered for May 14 with 48 ideas for all ages. Now, that’s a lot to choose from, so here are a few guidelines for deciding.

Mother’s Day Events in the Capital District

Celebrate mothers, grandmothers, and the special women in your life this Mother’s Day! Read below for our list of family-friendly local events to celebrate Mother’s Day.

Need some ideas for what to give mom this Mother’s Day?

Try one of these suggestions from our Albany editor: Easy Mother’s Day Gifts That Kids Can Make or Do Themselves

Here are some of our favorite quotes about mothers to use in your Mother’s Day card:

• “God could not be everywhere, and therefore he made mothers.” -Rudyard Kipling
• “All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother.” -Abraham Lincoln
• “Life began with waking up and loving my mother’s face.” -George Eliot
• “Men are what their mothers made them.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “It’s not easy being a mother. If it were easy, fathers would do it.” -The Golden Girls
• “The moment a child is born, a mother is born also.” -Rajneesh
• “Motherhood is always an act of courage.” -Stacy Schiff
• “Biology is the least of what makes someone a mother.” -Oprah Winfrey
• “There’s no way to be a perfect mother and a million ways to be a good one.” -Jill Churchill
• “If evolution really works, how come mothers only have two hands?” -Milton Berle
• “The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother.” -Theodore Hesburgh

Are we missing a Mother’s Day event? Let your local editor know.

48 Fun Mother’s Day Activities to Make Mom Feel Special

You’ve found the perfect Mother’s Day gift (or DIY’ed something heartfelt) and written a thoughtful message in her card. Now all that’s left is to plan some fun Mother’s Day activities to make her feel like queen for the day. We’ve got you covered for May 14 with 48 ideas for all ages. Now, that’s a lot to choose from, so here are a few guidelines for deciding.

Eat together: You can surprise her with a Mother’s Day breakfast in bed, a big family brunch in her honor, or a meal out at her favorite restaurant. Whichever route you go, the rule is she doesn’t have to lift a finger—especially when it comes to doing the dishes. (Live far apart? See idea 16 on this list for a work around.)

Do what she loves: While it’s fun to try new things, choosing an activity based around her hobbies or favorite places to go tells Mom that this day is all about her. Is she a crafter extraordinaire? Take on one of these Mother’s Day crafts or spring DIY projects together. Is she an adventurer? Explore a small town off the beaten path or take a hike in the great outdoors.

Don’t overthink it: Simple Mother’s Day activities like having a long chat, taking a leisurely stroll, helping her with something on her to-do list at home, or streaming a Mother’s Day movie together accomplish the main goal of spending quality time with Mom. As long as you do that, you are golden. Read on for more ideas.

Take a Mother’s Day Selfie

Eva-Katalin // Getty Images

Whatever Mother’s Day activities you choose, document it with a pic. If you’re not together, send her a sweet throwback photo of the two of you along with a thoughtful message.

Present a “Mom” Show-and-Tell

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Recently the Country Living editors had a lot of fun reminiscing about the tried-and-true products we love because our moms loved them first. Translate this into a Mother’s Day activity that’s easy to do at home by filling a box with all the everyday things in your life that have a sentimental “mom story” attached. Take out the items one at a time and tell about it. (For instance, our home and style editor’s go-to tub of Wright’s Silver Cream is a throwback to her mom’s designated “Silver Polishing Days.”) If your siblings are gathering with you too, they can also get in on the fun by bringing their own items.

Plant an Herb Garden Together

Karl Tapales // Getty Images

The fruits of your labor are sure to inspire family gatherings all spring and summer long with dishes enhanced by freshly harvested herbs. Think easy shrimp scampi with flat-leaf parsley or mojito watermelon with mint. Yum.