Yahoo Lifestyle 57 Special Mother’s Day Activities
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1) Make pottery.
Working together to make art won't just allow you to leave with a one-of-a-kind piece. You'll be able to bond as you explore a new activity. Because it's so relaxing, you may find Mom opening up like never before.
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2) Let her create a signature scent.
If your mom has a hefty fragrance collection, sign her up for a make-your-own-perfume class. She'll get to leave with a one of a kind scent, and every time she wears it she'll be reminded of the time she spent with you.
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3) Visit an amusement park.
For the mom who's always seeking adventure, a trip to your nearest amusement park will be a welcome surprise. Not only will you be able to treat her to her fill of funnel cakes and caramel corn, but you'll get to see her face light up when you all sit next to each other on her favorite ride. If you ask us, it's a win, win.
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4) Have a backyard BBQ.
Sure, backyard barbecues are often associated with Father's Day, but Mom loves her burgers and dogs, too, so why should Dad get all the fun? If the weather cooperates, fire up the grill!
Find more than 70 of Good Housekeeping's favorite grilling recipes »
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5) Invite her to high tea.
Whether you make the brews and treats yourself or head out to an official tea house, Mom will love sipping her beverage out of fancy china and snacking on tea sandwiches.
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6) Make something totally unique.
If you do a DIY craft project (like this recipe box from Club Crafted), write a poem or come up with a silly dance, you know your mom will love it because it is 100% you. No one can one-up a one-of-a-kind experience! You can make them for her and present them to her, or involve her in their creation.
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7) Have a make-your-own pizza party.
DIY pizza: It's a craft (depending on how artfully you place the toppings), an activity and a meal all at once! Start with basic pizza dough, then everyone gets to add their favorite toppings. Mom gets first pick, of course.
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8) Have a Mother's Day book club.
Sometime before the big day, Mom gets to pick a book and everyone reads it. On Mother's Day, everyone gathers together to discuss. If the kids are still little, this could be modified to be a read-aloud of Mom's favorite picture books.
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9) Watch home movies.
Whether this involves digitizing old VHS tapes or getting video files off your phone and onto the TV, dig into the family archives and host a home-movie marathon. She'll get emotional seeing how much everyone has grown.
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10) Host a lawn-game tournament.
Croquet, cornhole, bocce, outdoor Jenga or horseshoes — what's your family's game of choice? Split into teams and drum up some friendly rivalry — while soaking in rays — with a backyard challenge. Make it an annual event, and pass around a trophy to the winner each year.
Find the Good Housekeeping picks for some of the best lawn games »
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11) Break a sweat together.
If Mom's a fitness buff, whether she likes pilates, Zumba, basketball or any other heart-rate-increasing activity, join her in a workout! She'll feel the endorphin rush for the rest of the day (though only some of that will be from the exercise).
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12) Make a memory book.
On Mother's Day, have her go through everybody's camera rolls and Instagram feeds and choose her favorite photos. Not only will she have a great time re-living the year, she'll give you the inspiration you need to make a memory book, like this one from Artifact Uprising. You can make it a yearly tradition.
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13) Craft the perfect playlist.
Songs about mothers and Mom's favorite songs can come together into the perfect playlist to put on during brunch or dinner. You can either make it for her, or take turns being DJ and alternate picks.
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14) Play a family board game.
If Mom likes to strategize, challenge her to a friendly board game competition. (And, no, you don't have to let her win just because it's Mother's Day.)
Find the best family board games, as selected by the Good Housekeeping Institute »
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15) Head to the beach.
Depending on where you are, it might not be perfect swimming weather yet. But the sun, the waves and a good book are the perfect ingredients for a relaxing Mother's Day, and she might want to stroll down the beach and look for shells.
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16) Pick your own fruit.
This activity is especially fun if you have a lot of kids who want to get in on the action. Then, when you all get home, you can whip up a treat for Mom with your selections. (Maybe give her a strawberry in a Champagne glass while she waits.)
Find Good Housekeeping's picks for the best strawberry recipes »
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17) Get theater tickets.
You can go to a play or a musical — lots of towns even host outdoor theater events. But if you're still leery about heading to a theater, there are places that let you stream plays and musicals in the comfort of your home, like BroadwayHD or the UK's National Theatre, which lets you see shows with world-class casts for prices you'd never get if you'd bought tickets.
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18) Make a scrapbook.
Break out those old photo albums, print some of your phone pics and transform them all into something beautiful. (Newbies? You can get started by finding ideas online.) You and Mom can each work on your own scrapbook pages and bind them together when you're done.
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19) Spruce up the garden.
Gardeners know that Mother's Day is the perfect time to start planting seeds. Get the whole family outside and digging in the dirt together. Every time she sees them, she'll be reminded of the special day — it's the gift that keeps on giving! Some flowers that are fairly easy to maintain include sunflowers, marigolds and sweet peas.
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20) Complete a jigsaw puzzle.
Find a puzzle with an image you know your mom will love (or make a custom one using a photo of the two of you) and put it together over wine and snacks. You'll be amazed at how much chatting you can get done while puzzling.
RELATED: Last-Minute Mother's Day Gifts That You Can Still Buy Online
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21) Book a weekend getaway.
There's no day like Mother's Day to be impulsive! Book a weekend trip for the two of you at a cute B&B in a city Mom has always wanted to visit. Don't have the cash to go far? Try a staycation instead.
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22) Take a flower arranging class.
Mother's Day arrives just as spring is in full bloom. Take advantage of the season by going to a flower arranging class with Mom. This year, they can be done virtually, so it doesn't matter if Mom is long-distance, she can still have her own Mother's Day flowers to show off at the end.
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23) Bake dessert together.
Mother's Day wouldn't be complete without something sweet. If your mom loves to bake, whip something up together.
Find 50 Mother's Day dessert recipes that can double as gifts »
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24) Head to the farmers market.
There's nothing like waking up with the sun and going to the farmers market on the weekend. Pick fresh produce and discover new favorites with Mom, coffee in hand.
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25) Serve breakfast in bed.
More like brunch in bed — let her sleep in, then enjoy flapjacks and snuggles! Don't forget the coffee and/or mimosas!
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26) Enjoy a brunch outing.
It so happens that Mother's Day falls on Sunday every year, which is also the universal day for delicious brunch. Treat Mom to her favorite place — just remember to call ahead to make a reservation, as seating this year might be limited.
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27) Take an online cooking class.
Get out of your comfort zone at an adventurous cooking class where the two of you can learn a new recipe together. Whether you're both seasoned home-cooks looking to try a new technique or beginners who are just starting out, there's a class that you'll both enjoy.
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28) Book her a massage.
Mom will truly appreciate you going out of your way to set her up with a massage appointment. Join her if you can, and turn it into a fun spa day!
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29) Treat her to a luxurious blowout.
Help Mom feel like the queen that she is by giving her a well-deserved blowout. If she has a favorite hair stylist, make sure to book time with them. Or, ask friends and family for recommendations!
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30) Get on the water.
Take advantage of the warm May weather by going kayaking, paddle boarding or surfing with Mom. You can even bring the whole family!
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31) Take a tour of historic sites.
If your mom loves history, gather the family for a tour of nearby historic sites. The beautiful weather and landmarks are sure to make her day even more memorable, and they'll make for some great snapshots.
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32) Go to a concert.
Depending on where you live, music performances might be starting up again — especially outdoor ones, which we all know are the best anyway.
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33) Raise a glass.
Take Mom to an outdoor bar and treat her to whatever her heart desires. It's a day dedicated to her after all. Or, find out her favorite and see if you can learn how to make it yourself!
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34) Take a paint and sip class.
If everyone's 21 and up, sign yourselves up for a painting and wine event. You'll sip, laugh and take home a beautiful creation to remember the day.
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35) Hunt for deals at a flea market.
Your mom is the best at finding epic deals, so why not join her for a little shopping? Head to a flea market or antique shop to add to your collection. You never know what you'll find.
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36) Belt it out at a karaoke night.
Channel your inner Beyoncé and rock out to your favorite tunes. Hair brushes work well, but you can elevate your karaoke experience even more with an at-home system that'll keep the entire family entertained for hours.
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37) Book a family photo shoot.
What's a better memory than a family photo? Hire a photographer to take countless pictures you'll enjoy for years to come. The more generations of moms, the better.
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38) Make a DIY sundae bar.
Turn your kitchen into an ice cream parlor (and promise her you'll clean up after). Pick your favorite toppings, like maraschino cherries and hot fudge and place them in a row. Everyone can go down the line and make the perfect ice cream sundae.
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39) Let her sleep in.
For Mother's Day (especially if it's her first one), give her what she's been desperately craving: a few hours of uninterrupted sleep. You and baby can go somewhere out of hearing range and let Mom catch those much-needed ZZZs. Gift her a lavender eye pillow to make it extra relaxing.
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40) Go swimming (or hang poolside).
Take advantage of the warm early-summer weather and spend a day relaxing at the pool. Let Mom kick back in the sun with a good book while dad handles sunscreen duty. Make it even better with a fun pool float.
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41) Head to yoga.
If your mom can't get enough "omm," the whole family can join her for a yoga session. Many studios offer family classes that are designed for both parents and children.
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42) Go wine tasting.
If the kids are all 21+, then head to a nearby winery for a Mother's Day tasting. Or, if she's not a "wine mom," try a local craft brewery or distillery instead. At the end of the tasting, make sure to grab a bottle or two of her favorite to take home.
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43) Watch a baseball game.
Mom loves to root for the home team as much as anyone! Take her out to the ball game this Mother's Day. Or go for a minor-league game, where tickets are usually cheaper, the vibe a lot more casual and sometimes you can see stars on the rise. Either way, nachos are on Dad.
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44) Take a family bike ride.
Get the whole crew up and moving around town. You can deck out Mom's bike with some pretty flowers.
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45) Plan a picnic.
We're sure any mom would love some fun in the sun with her favorite foods and favorite people. Don't forget a tricked-out basket with supplies.
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46) See a movie.
When's the last time she got to watch something that wasn't a kid's show? Have someone else babysit and take Mom to a movie for a few hours.
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47) Make a delicious dinner.
If she's always the person making the meals, give her a night off by making a scrumptious Mother's Day dinner. Take it one step further by setting the table and doing the dishes.
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48) Let her Netflix binge while you clean.
Set her up with some popcorn and a glass of wine and get scrubbing. She'll get some much-needed "me time" and she'll get to enjoy a nice, clean house after!
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49) Book mani/pedis.
Nothing says, "You're the best" like a good foot scrub and a fresh coat of polish. You can often find good deals on luxurious mani/pedis on Groupon. Or, just head to your local salon up the street.
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50) Make her a fizzy bath bomb.
Love arts and crafts? Make the mom in your life a refreshing bath bomb to help her relax and recharge. Gift her a face mask and a bottle of wine too to ensure she has a relaxing day.
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51) Deck out the dining room.
Centerpieces are pretty, but decor that displays her name in fresh flowers on a lattice wall? Yep, that's the winner.
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52) Set up a scavenger hunt.
Get the kids involved in making a scavenger hunt list. Then, split the family into teams and have them complete the list. We love the idea of including items like "take a video of yourself telling a someone three things you love most about Mom" or "find a flower outside to give to Mom."
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53) Plan a day hike.
Help Mom get back in touch with nature by spending some time in the great outdoors. You could make it a family outing, or if you know she's been itching to get back to some more challenging trails, hire a sitter for a few hours.
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54) Stroll through a botanical garden.
By early May, flowers will definitely be blooming, which means taking a stroll through a nearby botanical garden is a gorgeous and thoughtful way to celebrate her on Mother's Day.
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55) Sign up for a tee time.
Whether you just go driving, do all 18 holes or just head out for a family game of putt-putt mini golf, Mother's Day is a great day to get out on the links. Even if you bogie all your shots, it's a good way to get some fresh air.
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56) Go to a museum or gallery.
If there's a new exhibit or gallery she's been wanting to check out, the whole family can make a day of it. Some museums may even offer special Mother's Day tours and events she's bound to love.
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57) Help her explore a passion project.
Maybe she's always wanted to try her hand at photography, or maybe she wants to learn how to make French cuisine. Whatever her interests are, there's probably a class or workshop in your city where she can explore a new passion or rekindle an old one.
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