Where would we be without the special mothers in the world? The ones who encourage us, push us, and let us know that anything is possible! Mother’s Day is a universal opportunity to show the special woman in your life just how much she’s appreciated! And with Mother’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking of ways to make the day extra special.
Whether you’re the mom looking for unique activities to bond with your daughter or a thoughtful child who wants to make Mom feel loved, we’ve got some great ideas that are fun and easy to carry out! It doesn’t matter if your mother-daughter dynamic is creative, active, or low-key; we’re sure one of these fun plans will spark some creativity that you can use to plan the perfect day.
Mother-Daughter Activities for Mother’s Day 2024
When planning any mother-daughter activities, the key should be doing something you’ll both enjoy. However, daughters, if you’re really looking to make Mom feel special, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone for the day to do something that means a lot to her.
If that’s not in the cards, don’t worry. You can still plan a day full of quality time and making memories, even on a budget!
Creative Activities for Mothers & Daughters
- DIY Spa Day
Fun, easy, and budget-friendly—you can’t go wrong with a mother-daughter DIY spa day! While heading to your local spa can quickly get expensive and time-consuming, an at-home spa day promises to be lots of fun and tailored to your favorite pampering!
Spend the afternoon in your comfiest clothes, painting each other’s nails, whipping up homemade face masks and body scrubs (or just indulging in your favorite pre-made concoctions), and relaxing to the scent of your favorite candles!
If you want to level up your spa game, try making an at-home hair mask or moisturizer, and don’t forget some refreshing drinks to keep you nice and hydrated!
- Jewelry Making
Making jewelry together is a timeless activity that’s perfect for creative souls. If Mom’s your BFF, why not make her a bracelet or necklace telling her so? Or, use this opportunity to show off your unique senses of style with earrings, bracelets, and necklaces that you’ll both love showing off all year!
Jewelry making is a versatile activity, and you can use many different materials. Don’t be afraid to experiment with beads, clay, recycled materials, or anything else that catches your eye!
You can really personalize this experience by going to your local craft store and picking out individual pieces that speak to you. Or, grab a pre-made jewelry kit and go with the flow to save a few extra dollars and some hard decisions.
- Painting Class
A painting class can be the perfect way to get out of the house and explore your creativity with a little extra direction. Many different kinds of painting classes are available, so you should be able to find one suitable for the ability and the age range of all daughters involved.
These classes are also very convenient because they provide the space, materials, and guidance for your project. Plus, once you're done, you won’t have any messes to clean up or extra materials lying around your house.
Outdoor Activities for Mothers & Daughters
- Bike Ride or Hike
A bike ride or hike can be the perfect way to bond if you're both active, outdoorsy people! Choose a local park or trail, grab plenty of water, and head out to enjoy the beauty of nature together.
Be sure to choose a path or trail suitable to both of your activity levels to ensure everyone enjoys themselves. And don’t forget to plan travel time into your schedule. If you don’t want to spend your whole day out, pick something closer to home so you’ll still have time for a special dinner or other bonding activities.
Last but not least, make sure you’re both dressed for the day with activewear that’s comfortable and stylish while also providing sun protection!
- Picnic in the Park
Not in the mood for a day on the trails? No worries! How about a quiet picnic in the park? We recommend picking out your favorite local park in advance and scoping out a couple of spots that would help create a special atmosphere for Mom (i.e., probably not next to the kid’s splash pad or in golf frisbee territory).
You can keep this simple and fun with childhood classics like PB&J sandwiches, juice boxes, cookies, and chips. Or, elevate the scene for a more adult version with simple substitutions, such as tea sandwiches, lemonade or wine, macrons, and fresh veggies.
Be sure to bring a large, comfy blanket, bug spray, and a sun umbrella if your local park has few trees or shady spots.
- Garden Day
Another excellent way to spend some mother-daughter bonding is with a day in the garden. If this is something that you used to do together or always talked about but never got to, this Mother’s Day is the perfect opportunity! It’s an easy way to create a relaxed yet nostalgic atmosphere.
If you already have the garden and tools in place, that’s wonderful! Do any necessary weeding, then head to your local garden center and go wild, picking out your favorite flowers or veggies to plant together. Be sure to do some research on the climate and your preferences.
But if this is a brand-new endeavor, you may want to do a little advanced planning. For example, purchasing a raised garden bed to fill with soil will be simpler than digging a new garden from scratch. You can also opt to plant in pots or hanging baskets to decorate a porch or backyard space instead.
And remember, this should be fun—not a chore! So, throw on some music, take lots of pictures, and bring plenty of refreshments to keep the mood light.
Relaxing Activities for Mothers & Daughters
- Movie Marathon
This is a busy time of year. So, if your mother-daughter duo wants to spend the day relaxing to the max, how about a movie marathon? Snuggle up in your comfy clothes and favorite blankets and settle in.
Take the opportunity to break out all your old favorites or maybe binge on movies you’ve never seen but both want to watch. We recommend that you do research ahead of time to make sure that any new picks will be enjoyable for both of you.
Don’t forget to stock up on snacks in advance so you don’t have to leave the house once the show begins! We love a classic movie theater theme with buttered popcorn, boxed candy, and sodas. But if there’s a special treat that you two used to share during childhood movie nights, be sure that makes an appearance, too!
- Tea Party
A tea party is a classic mother-daughter activity that you can execute in a couple of different ways.
A backyard tea party with nice china, pretty dresses, and actual tea is always special if younger kids are involved. It’s an excellent way for children to feel fancy and make memories without too much pressure. Plus, it’s pretty easy to set up and clean up for a no-stress activity. To make things even easier, purchase a few tasty items in advance to minimize prep work.
But if this is a teen girl and Mom activity, why not take the tea party to the next level? Many hotels and coffee shops offer an afternoon tea experience in posh atmospheres that make you feel like you’re in high society! These often cost upwards of $60 per person, so keep that in mind. But it’s a fantastic opportunity to dress up, eat delicious cakes and sandwiches, and be waited on hand and foot.
- Museum or Art Gallery Visit
Looking for an activity that requires no prep but keeps your minds engaged? A museum or art gallery visit could be just the thing! For mothers and daughters interested in history, art, and learning, a lazy morning or afternoon spent wandering around a museum or gallery is positively refreshing!
If you’ve done this before, it can be sentimental to pick a place that you’ve both enjoyed in the past and rediscover it. This is also a great opportunity to visit somewhere new that’s caught your attention and explore it together.
If your city has a local art district, you can even make a full day of this! Take your time wandering from one gallery or installation to another, sharing your thoughts, discoveries, and favorite pieces with one another!
Bonus idea: take lots of pictures (where allowed) to capture those special moments and compile them into your own unique artwork with a scrapbook!
Closing Thoughts for Mother’s Day 2024
As you can see, there are tons of wonderful ways to spend Mother’s Day, making Mom feel like the star of the show. No matter what you decide to do, make sure to let her know that while this day’s about her, she’s appreciated all 365 days of the year.
And if you want to grab a special gift that she’ll love using year-round, why not head over to Stelle and take a peek at our wide collection of women’s athleisure and activewear? We’ve got plenty of great options that will help Mom feel comfortable and empowered to take on every day, whether she’s working out, chilling at home, or taking on the corporate sector.