Mother and daughter doing something fun on Mother's Day — iStock

Make Mom Smile! Here Are 50 Fun Things to Do for Mother's Day

Your mom will love spending Mother's Day with you no matter what—but she'll love it even more if she doesn't have to plan it.

Author:
Maryn Liles
May 10, 2024

Planning the most memorable Mother's Day doesn't have to break the bank or be super complicated. These 50 ideas for things to do for Mother's Day won't just tell your mother she's loved, but they'll show her first-hand.

From pampering Mother's Day activity ideas—like serving her breakfast in bed—to unique Mother's Day ideas that'll melt her heart—like DIY-ing a scavenger hunt for her with a gift at the end—we promise she'll love just about every idea and activity on this list. Check out these 50 things to do for Mother's Day with your mom.

Related: 30 Funny Mother's Day Cards To Give Her The Best Gift This Year—Laughter!

50 Things to Do for Mother’s Day

Mom and family on a picnic for Mother's Day — iStock

1. Plan a picnic.

2. Set up a scavenger hunt with a gift at the end.

3. Decorate a pillowcase with fabric paints.

Fun pasta Mother's Day craft to do with Mom — iStock

4. Make a DIY Mother's Day card.

5. Cook her a special dinner.

6. Serve breakfast in bed.

Related: Americans Spend How Much on Flowers for Mother's Day?! 25 Interesting Mother's Day Facts To Share This Year

Mom getting a back massage for Mother's Day — iStock

7. Treat her to a professional massage.

8. Go glamping.

9. Hang a gallery wall of family photos.

10. Take her to the movies or a play.

Clean living room for Mother's Day — iStock

11. Clean the house.

12. Book a surprise weekend getaway.

13. Go for a hike to see a waterfall.

Mom and her kids on an amusement ride on Mother's Day — iStock

14. Take her to an amusement park.

15. Put on a homemade play or magic show.

16. Take her to a painting or flower arranging class.

17. Write her a sentimental letter.

Mom and family at the farm riding horses for Mother's Day — iStock

18. Go horseback riding.

19. Compile a cookbook of your favorite recipes together.

20. Make her a bouquet of foraged flowers.

21. Give her a manicure.

22. Take her out bowling or to the batting cages.

Mom and dad and daughter on family road trip for Mother's Day — iStock

23. Go on a spontaneous day trip.

24. Take her to a flea market.

25. Go stargazing.

26. Paint a birdhouse together.

Son feeding mom fresh fruit on raspberry farm for Mother's Day — iStock

27. Go berry picking.

28. Play cards.

29. Visit a butterfly house or go to the zoo.

30. Go to a baseball game.

Young mom doing yoga with young daughter for Mother's Day — iStock

31. Try a workout video or yoga class together.

32. Draw silly family portraits of each other.

Mother and her daughters making pottery for Mother's Day — iStock

33. Make pottery together.

34. Go rock climbing.

35. Plant a veggie garden.

36. Surprise your mom with a piñata.

37. Treat her to a makeup application at the mall before taking her to dinner.

38. Take her to a bookstore and tell her to pick out five new reads.

39. Have cozy family time around the fire pit.

40. Make a scrapbook.

Woman measuring a mother for clothes — iStock

41. Book her an appointment with a personal shopper.

42. Plan an upcoming vacation together.

Family bicycling down the coastline — iStock

43. Ride bikes downtown.

44. Make a family time capsule.

45. Gather the extended family on Zoom for a virtual family hangout.

46. Book her a pampering spa day with a friend.