60+ Nice Things to Do With Your Mom She’ll Appreciate

Do you want to show your mom how much you appreciate everything she does for you, but aren’t sure where to start? Look ahead to our list of over 60 fun things to do with your mom she’ll love. Here you’ll find the perfect activity for you and your mom, whether she craves relaxation, culture, or adventure.

Nice Things to Do With Your Mom

Fun: Karaoke, shopping spree, movie marathon.
Thoughtful: Time capsule, gratitude jar, volunteer.
Creative: Photoshoot, paint and sip, flower arranging.
Food-related: Cooking class, wine tasting, fancy dinner.
Relaxing: Spa day, afternoon tea, gardening.

Section 1 of 13:

Fun Things to Do With Your Mom

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Take your mom on the ultimate shopping spree for the perfect adventure. Hunt for bargains, splurge on that luxury item she’s always wanted, or spend hours getting lost at vintage shops. You both may find that one thing you’ve been looking for, and have a great time together along the way.
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Zoo Kids, adults, and moms can discover how fun the animal kingdom can be when visiting the zoo. Feed the seals, check out the raucous monkeys, and explore the many fantastic creatures you find. Spend time getting to know more about the cutest (and strangest) animals you don’t get to see every day.^{[1]
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Karaoke Belt out your favorite tunes as a mother-daughter or mother-son duo. Head to a karaoke bar together or make your quest to perform one of the fun things to do with your mom at home. Find out which songs she loves singing most and watch her enjoy rediscovering them again.
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Farmer’s Market Take a trip to the local farmer’s market to see what's in season. Enjoy samples, learn about vegetables you’re unaware of, or make a list for a recipe you’ve never tried before. Have fun trying to find the most unique products sold by local farmers and vendors you can enjoy at home later.^{[2]
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Test your mom to see how smart she is when it comes to answering trivia questions. You both can play various games of trivia at home together or head to a local pub quiz. Spend time discovering more about each other and different topics she's clearly brilliant with.

Section 2 of 13:

Thoughtful Things to Do With Your Mom

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Take the time to sit down with your mom and create a time capsule you can open in the future. Decide what special items you both can put inside and how best to personalize the collection of memories. Think about what it may feel like for you, your children, or grandchildren to open it one day.^{[3]
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Gratitude Jar Consider all the things you and your mom are thankful for and write them down to place inside a gratitude jar. It makes a wonderful Mother’s Day gift she can open up anytime she needs a reminder about what’s important. Or, you can take it home with you and enjoy the experience of looking at it for the very same reasons.
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Volunteer Spend the day finding out what’s most important in life by volunteering with your mom. Choose a cause that’s close to her heart, whether working at an animal shelter or reading to seniors. When you help others together, you both can re-discover the most meaningful parts of yourselves and each other.^{[4]
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Trace Family Tree Sit down with your mom and try to record your family tree. Start with her family and add on other branches, until you’ve re-acquainted yourself with possibly unknown parts of your family. You’ll also find out more about her family life growing up than you might have known before.
When you can’t bring your family to your mom, you can make your mother happy with a thoughtful virtual family reunion instead. Use video conferencing to set up a call where she can “visit” with family that she hasn’t seen in a long time, discover long-lost relatives, or chat with her grandchildren. Gather snacks and pop open some champagne so it truly feels like a party.

Section 3 of 13:

Creative Things to Do With Your Mom

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Rediscover glamour by arranging a photoshoot for you and your mom. Visit a portrait photographer or put together a DIY shoot, complete with costumes, backdrops, and fun photo props. Frame the best among the photographs and give them to your mom as a Mother’s Day or birthday gift.^{[5]
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Art Exhibition Attend an art exhibition that features works you both enjoy. If you know she loves a particular genre or artist, find out where the art is being shown, and surprise your mother. Bonding over creative ideas can help bring you both even closer together and help her appreciate art.
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Paint and Sip Double the creativity and the fun by heading to a paint and sip with your mom. It’s one of those fun things to do with your mom on the weekend that she may not expect. Get in touch with your inner artist(s) and have a glass or two of Pinot Noir while you’re at it.
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Crafting Discover (or rediscover) a craft your mom loves by attending a crafting class. Whether she likes paper crafts, textiles, or knitting, you’ll both have a ball trying your hand at a new or favorite craft together. You may find out the craft she once loved is worth taking another look at.^{[6]
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Attend a flower arranging class to discover how creative you and your mom can get with petals and stems. Try to design a bouquet together while thinking about texture, color, and types of flowers that pair up well. The best part is, she can take your beautifully crafted flower bouquet home and enjoy it for as long as it lasts.

Section 4 of 13:

Food-Related Things to Do With Your Mom

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When you’re next in the kitchen with your mom, choose a special family recipe that she hasn’t made in a very long time. You can even surprise her by gathering all the ingredients necessary to make it. Help your mom prepare and cook the meal that you both can enjoy together afterward.^{[7]
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Cooking Class Indulge your mom’s love for cooking by introducing her to something new with a class. She can learn the art of pasta making or the intricate process of her favorite French pastry. You’ll both come away with a newfound ability to use in the kitchen and some tasty treats to sample.
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Wine Tasting Discover what goes into your mom’s favorite wines by taking her to a tasting. If attending a winery isn’t in the budget, gather a few wines at home and try to figure out what notes you taste in each variety. Pair up your wines with some delicious foods that complement the flavors well.
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Mimosa Brunch Don’t think of brunches with endless mimosas as something you only do for your friends. Instead, take your mom to brunch and treat her to a gourmet omelet, stack of French toast, or basket of pastries. Indulge her love for mimosas and you’ll both be laughing and telling stories to each other in no time.
Treat your mom to a fancy dinner at the trendy new restaurant in town. It may be a luxurious steakhouse or a sushi bar she wants to try. You’ll both get to experience a new and exciting cuisine and enjoy each other’s company.^{[8]
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Section 5 of 13:

Relaxing Things to Do With Your Mom

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Help your mom relax with an unforgettable spa day that you get to enjoy too. She can get a mani/pedi, find serenity with a massage or facial treatment, and sip lemon-cucumber water in between a series of treatments. Don't forget your matching bathrobes!^{[9]
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Botanical Garden Celebrate the seasons by visiting a botanical garden so your mom can smell the flowers and gaze upon nature at its best. Pick a special day to check out an exhibition with her or relax beneath the cherry blossoms. This nature-friendly excursion can help recharge her batteries when she needs a break from life.
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Wellness Retreat Go for the ultimate spa day by traveling to a wellness retreat with your mom. Spend your days doing yoga, practicing meditation, and learning mindfulness. You’ll both come back ready to tackle any challenges life brings to you.
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Afternoon Tea One of the most relaxing things to do with your mom is enjoying an afternoon tea service. You can attend high tea at an elegant establishment or create your own tea time at home. Sample tea cakes, cucumber sandwiches, and as many varieties of tea as you like.^{[10]
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Cut work, school, and any other responsibilities you both have to enjoy a beach day. Bring your towels, sunblock, and a good book so you can bask under the sun and swim in the waves. Spend quality time with your feet in the sand chilling out with your mom by your side.

Section 6 of 13:

Cultural Things to Do With Your Mom

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Find out what musical act or performance your mom dreams of seeing and make it happen for her. Whether you attend a concert or an outdoor festival, she’ll know how much you appreciate her. Plus, you’ll help her create a memory she’ll keep for a very long time.^{[11]
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Museum Bring some culture into your mom’s life by going to a museum to see art, history, or science-related exhibitions. Make it possible for her to look at her favorite painting in person or see artifacts from a time in history she feels a connection to. You can both museum hop if you want to experience more than one collection of exhibits at a time.^{[12]
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Music Lesson Help your mom discover her inner musician by attending a music lesson with her. She may be a beginner or be able to recall how to play an instrument from her past. Remind her why she loves piano, cello, or the guitar at the same time you’ll introduce her to something new.
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Theater An afternoon or evening at the theater is an entertaining way to spend a day with your mom, especially to celebrate Mother’s Day. See a comedy, the latest drama, or a musical you both can sing along to. Combine your trip to the theater with a special meal or a few cocktails so you chat about the show.^{[13]
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Poetry Reading If your mom loves the written word, bring her along to hear a poetry reading. There’s nothing as moving as hearing a beautiful verse read by the person who wrote it. It’ll help her learn more about appreciating poems while touching her deeply as she listens.
Make your mom’s favorite part of her city or town mean something more to her by taking her on a historical tour. You can see famous public buildings, go on a walking tour of an old neighborhood, or see historic homes you might have missed. She’ll appreciate the new experience that teaches her about the place she lives.

Section 7 of 13:

Adventurous Things to Do With Your Mom

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Pick one of your mom’s favorite spots and whisk her away on an impromptu weekend vacation. You might just stay at a hotel in the city closest to you or get on a plane and head somewhere new. She can decide what she wants you both to do during this getaway or you can surprise her with a well-thought-out itinerary she’ll enjoy.
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Scavenger Hunt You’re never too old to go on a scavenger hunt with your mom. If you’re still a kid or teenager, it’s an even better opportunity to share one of your favorite experiences with her. Plan a scavenger hunt yourselves or find one nearby that requires no preparation except to show up and start searching.
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Road Trip Get behind the wheel and take you mom on a fun-filled road trip you’ll both love. Plan the length of the trip, where you’ll stay if going overnight, and the activities and sites you want to show her. Getting away from home can allow you both to talk about anything with hours in the car to idle away.
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Helicopter Ride Be bold with fun things to do with your mom by treating her to a once-in-a-lifetime helicopter ride. Wherever you fly over, she’ll get to see the place from a new angle (and one she won’t forget)! Create an experience for her that will become one of the memories she treasures for life.
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Escape Room You don’t have to leave town to have a full-fledged adventure with your mom in tow. Visit an escape room where you can both team up and use your combined wits to solve clues and puzzles. Once you break out of the escape room together, you’ll know what a great pair you make.
Meet challenges when your mom is the adventurous type by going on a zip line ride with her. The initial fear you both feel will soon disappear once you get the proper training, jump off, and say “wheeeeee…” The view from “up there” will bring back the happiest memories for her because she shared it with you.

Section 8 of 13:

Playful Things to Do With Your Mom

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Introduce or re-acquaint your mom with her spiritual side by getting her a tarot card or astrological reading. Whether she thinks of it as good fun or takes the process seriously, you can transport her into a mystical realm without going far at all. Get her a set of tarot cards she can use at home to remind her of your special day.
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Board Games When you need things to do with your mom at home, a day of playing board games can save the day. Choose among favorites you remember growing up, some new and unusual games, and ones she may have played as a child. A little healthy competition with your mom is all you need when it’s in the name of fun.
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Amusement Park Whether you’re still a kid or a full-fledged adult, turn the tables on your mom by taking her to the amusement park. Choose one she’s experienced fond memories of, so you can go on rides, play games, and eat everything in sight. She may feel tuckered out by the end of the day, but she’ll be smiling.
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Read Childhood Book Take a step back in time with your mom by your side to read your favorite book from your childhood. Whatever classic children’s book you choose, it’ll feel good to read the words she once read to you as a child. It’s a purely nostalgic trip down memory lane you’ll both end up appreciating.
Did you love playing dress up with your mom as a child? If you’re still young, make a day of putting on fancy clothes, shoes, and jewelry and getting into character. If you’re grown up, it’s the perfect opportunity to revisit this meaningful bonding moment between a mom and her child.

Section 9 of 13:

Educational Things to Do With Your Mom

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Create a new opportunity for your mom to learn something new by enrolling in a class. Experience the class or workshop together to understand more about a culture, a language, or a new skill. You can support and cheer each other on while you get smarter one step at a time.
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Visit Farm Few outdoor experiences are as rewarding as visiting a working farm. Whether it’s fall apple picking or summer flower gazing, you can both commune with nature while learning more about what goes into having a farm. Visit with the animals there and walk through the fields for an experience she’ll always remember.^{[14]
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City Trip Wherever you live, it’s easy to show your mom somewhere new by touring your local city. Take her places she’s never been before, whether on a tour, to a new eatery, or an undiscovered park. She’ll return home feeling like she’s been on a short, incredible vacation with one of her favorite people.^{[15]
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Book Club Get your mom more involved with the books she reads by inviting her to join you at a book club. Make sure the discussion centers around a title she loves or is currently reading. By discussing the plot, characters, and meanings behind the story, she’ll enjoy a whole new perspective with likeminded people.
One of the simplest things to do with your mom at home is take the time to have a thoughtful conversation with her. Bring out old family photos or movies to get her talking about her childhood, or discuss topics she feels passionate about. When two family members can come together and find meaning in conversation, it’s sometimes the greatest gift of all.^{[16]
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Section 10 of 13:

Active Things to Do With Your Mom

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Get moving with your mom by enrolling in a dance class together. Does she miss her old ballet moves or has she always wanted to take a hip hop class? Whatever she’s interested in, you can learn new skills alongside her and have fun sweating and moving at the same time. Treat yourselves to a special meal or a few fun cocktails after you’re done moving around.
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Yoga Bring some zen into your mom’s life by doing yoga with her. You can take a class or just find a program you can both do at home. Consider her physical abilities and how much of a beginner or advanced student she may be. Use breath, movement, and the art of yoga to achieve that post-yoga glow.
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Bike Ride When you can’t bring nature to your mom, take her to nature instead. Go for a bike ride on a trail you know she’ll enjoy. Be sure the activity level and difficulty of the ride suit her, while planning an outdoor trip she’ll love. Head to the park, the country, or a new part of town you both want to explore from your bikes.^{[17]
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Hiking A hike with your mom can be as challenging or relaxing as you’d like. Go for a short, gentle hike that’s more like a walk through nature or pick a trail you know will get her sweating. Seeing the trees, mountains, and lakes on your own two feet is a great way to bond with her and enjoy the outdoors.^{[18]
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Strap a pair of skates on your mom and hit the rink or the ice with her. You can choose to stay indoors or ice skate in an outdoor rink if she’s in the mood for a winter wonderland. Warm up with some hot chocolate or a comforting meal together once you’re done with your skating.

Section 11 of 13:

Things to Do With Your Mom at Home

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Start a book of memories by helping a mom make a scrapbook she’ll cherish. Gather old family photos, mementos, and items from her past that help tell the story of her life. Making homemade scrapbooks allows her to see her precious memories in one place and show her how much you care about her life’s journey.
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Puzzle If you need things to do with your mom at home or it’s raining outside, sitting and working on a puzzle together can be incredibly rewarding. This is especially true if your mom is elderly and can’t get out as much as she used to. Enjoy making the puzzle pieces fit while having a pot of tea or a sweet treat together.
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Gardening Explore the serene feeling that comes with gardening by tackling a backyard project with your mom. Plant an herb garden, prepare the space for harvest, or create an array of colorful flowers to cheer up your mom when she needs it. Get her started so she can continue to garden in her spare time, which is a wonderful way to enjoy nature and relax.^{[19]
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Bake a Cake Treat your mother on her birthday by baking a cake together. Choose her favorite flavors and start from scratch (or make additions to a box mix that’ll help it stand out). Enjoy the sweet treat together with a cup of coffee or tea.
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Redecorate a Room Offer your time and effort to help your busy mother out by redecorating a room in her home. Decide on a new look, find some interesting new items, and get to work. You can repaint, rearrange furniture, or add accents to the room so it looks like a new space.^{[20]
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There’s no need to head to the salon if you and your mom want to give each other a makeover. Gather all your beauty supplies and take turns creating a new look that the other will love. Re-vamp everything from hair and makeup to jewelry and accessories. You can even swap looks for the perfect mother-daughter switcheroo.

Section 12 of 13:

Things to Do With Your Mom on a Budget

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You may be a kid or an adult who loves to dance because their mom taught them how to. Take a few hours in the day to have a full-fledged dance-off with your mom. See who can last the longest by playing fun music and dancing like no one (else) is watching; it’s free and it’s fun!^{[21]
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Snowball Flight You don’t need a budget to have fun with your mom when it’s snowing outside. Bundle up and head outdoors to have an epic snowball fight to brighten her day. Once you’ve had enough, you can both go inside and enjoy some hot cocoa and warm up by the fire.
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Movie Marathon Choose a bunch of movies you both love and settle in on the couch to watch all of them together for an entertaining low-budget option. Grab some popcorn or get a supply of tasty movie theater-approved snacks you can enjoy. Laugh, cry, and think about as many thrillers, comedies, dramas, and epics as you can handle.^{[22]
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The Library If you’re looking to spend a nostalgic day with your mom, take her to the local library. It’s absolutely free, and you can scour the shelves for your favorite books, do local research on that haunted house down the street you’ve always wanted to look into, or even watch a film in the viewing room. You can also usually catch a special reading or event if you check out the schedule ahead of time.
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Online Concert You don’t have to spend money or head out of town to watch your mom’s favorite artist perform. Find a popular online concert to stream to her living room TV and settle in to watch. You can pair this option with snacks, cocktails, dessert, or another activity to do while watching (like playing a puzzle or knitting).
You’ll have more fun than you thought possible when you help your mom clear out excess stuff from her place. Try to make a small difference in each room by removing or cleaning out at least one thing for her. You may discover old photos or mementos you can both recall and laugh about while improving her living space one room at a time.

Section 13 of 13:

How to Spend Quality Time With Your Mom

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When you want to spend quality time with your mom, don’t try to squeeze her into your busy schedule. Wait until you have ample time to take her somewhere special or dedicate at least a couple of hours to a mother-child activity. She’ll appreciate you taking the time out of your life to do something nice with her.
Decide whether you’d like to get involved in an activity-oriented day or a more leisurely one. If you think she’s bored, make plans to take her somewhere special that will surprise her. If you know she needs a break, schedule a quiet time when you both can have a DIY spa day or watch movies together.
You’re both taking part in the activity, but the focus should remain on your mom. It’s wonderful to get her out of her comfort zone, but be sure she’ll enjoy the activity or plans you’ve made for her. For example, if she’s mentioned not enjoying a particular cuisine, don’t take her to a restaurant that only serves that cuisine in the hopes she’ll change her mind.
You don’t need to plan an expensive dinner or getaway to spend quality time together. Meet her for lunch if she’s going to be nearby, or invite her over to your place when you know she needs a pick-me-up. There are many free or low-budget activities and options for things to do with your mom which won’t be hard to plan regularly.