Mother’s Day is Sunday, May 10, and there are plenty of ways to celebrate the mamas in your life! Whether the kids are making breakfast in bed or you’re heading out for brunch, the weekend can also include something that feels special to you.
On Mother’s Day, it’s okay to skip the usual kid-centered plans and choose an outing you really want to do! The kids may prefer a day at the arcade over time spent at a garden, but this is your day mama! One of my favorite Mother’s Days was one we spent at Wave Hill in the Bronx, but there are plenty of other beautiful local gardens, from NJ Botanical Garden to Rutgers Gardens to Grounds for Sculpture to choose visit right here in NJ.
My other favorite thing to do on Mother’s Day, when it’s feasible, is a spa day (okay, spa hour). At Alchemy Mind & Body, they have outdoor hydrotherapy tubs that you can soak in before or after your treatment (now that is a Mother’s Day dream come true!).
A few moire inspired ways to celebrate: Treat the fam to a staycation, like at the ultra-luxe Pendry at Natirar. Hike nature trails, book a service at the spa, sit for high tea, or take a cooking class at Ninety Acres.
Atlantic City is another fun option, with the Mother’s Night Overnight Package May 8 to 10 at Bally’s Atlantic City including a dining credit each night – you can add on Breakfast in Bed for Two.
Cape May is never a bad idea and one of my favorite things to do there is railbiking with the fam. Or plan afternoon tea at a lovely tea room in NJ.
Here are some other fun ways to spend Mother’s Day:
May 6
Moms’ Night Out: Stitch & Sip
The Nest, Englewood
Join Embroidery Babes for a lesson on how to chain stitch embroidery on clothes and accessories while you sip on a handcrafted drink.
May 7
Mamas Night Market on the Farm
Needle Creek Brewing, Pennington
This free event is open to mamas and non-mamas for a night of shopping, socializing and time at the farm (with a beer if you’d like, too).
May 8
Mother’s Day Celebration
Hamilton Park, Jersey City
JCFamilies has planned an afternoon for moms and kids with a photo corner, arts & crafts, music, performances, cookie decorating, giant bubbles, flowers for moms, a picnic, and more family activities.
May 8-9
Mother’s Day Maker’s Market
A Maker’s Circle, Pottersville
Nine local artisans will sell handmade goods, including pottery, fine art, jewelry, embroidery and farm goods.
May 8-10
Alvin Ailey American Dance Company’s Mother’s Day Performances
NJPAC, Newark
There will be 5 brand-new performances in addition to returning favorites.
May 9
Financially L.I.T. Mother’s Day Market
KIPP High School, Newark
More than 100 student CEOs and local vendors will prove Luxury Is Teachable (L.I.T.) during this massive Mother’s Day market, where kids will sell apparel, beauty products, baked goods and handmade crafts.
Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea
Robbinsville Branch of Mercer County Library System, Robbinsville
Aside from tasting tea, the group will play games, talk about the way mothers have influenced the world of tea drinking, and bless the mothers.
Mother’s Day Open Swim
Five Star Swim School, Cherry Hill and East Hanover
Moms swim free in the heated saltwater pool with their kiddies.
Azalea Festival
Sayen Botanical Gardens, Hamilton Twp.
During this pre-Mother’s Day tradition, walk through a magnificent display of over 250,000 flowering dogwoods, azaleas and rhododendrons through the walking paths, fountains, bridges, lakes and gazebos.
Mother’s Day Dinner
Hidden Spring Lavender & Alpaca Farm, Skillman
You’ll be surrounded by the peaceful lavender fields and gentle alpacas as you dine with music playing in the background. Stroll around the farm after, meet the animals, and take photos in the fields.
Mother’s Day Carriage Rides & Barn Swallow Celebration
Howell Living History Farm, Hopewell Twp.
Treat mom to a horse-and-buggy ride around the farm. At 2 pm, a county naturalist will be on site to provide an up-close look at swallows, bats, owls and insects that are essential to the ecosystem where farmers raise their crops and animals.
May 9-10
Asbury Park Spring Bazaar
Grand Arcade of Convention Hall, Asbury Park
There will be 30+ sellers, live music and DJs, lots of food, face painting, a photo wall, a DIY hat car, and custom art from kids’ drawings.
Make Mozzarella With Mom
Annabella’s House of Mozzarella, East Rutherford
The family can attend a hands-on mozzarella making class, during which Mom will get a free glass of peach sangria, and everyone will snack on Italian apps. You’ll take home the mutz for Mother’s Day dinner.
Snow White
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center, New Brunswick
Celebrate Mother’s Day watching Princeton Ballet School’s dancers, ages 6 to 26, during their one-hour version of Snow White. Prior to the 11 am show on Saturday, you can add on a meet-and-greet with the ballerinas where you’ll learn some of the steps from the show.
Mother’s Day Celebration at Sesame Place
Sesame Place Philadelphia, Langhorne, PA
Join the Furry Friends “Mommy & Me” Dance Party, make a Mother’s Day craft, and make a resy for the the Mother’s Day Dine with Elmo & Friends. Crime-fighting superheroes Catboy, Owelette and Gekko from PJ Masks will strike a super pose at Meet & Greets throughout the weekend.
May 10
Mother’s Day Picnic & Craft Fair
Valenzano Winery’s Event Grounds, Shamong
You’ll get a free wine tasting and a souvenir glass. The whole family can come for the marketplace, food trucks and live music.
Main Street Pops Artisan Markets
770 Jackson Street Plaza, Hoboken
The popular monthly market showcases a curated selection of unique, handmade treasures from local artisans.
Spring Blossom Festival
Riamede Farm, Chester
Tour the historic apple orchard on the hayride. Each pink and white bloom you see could eventually become an apple. There will be live acoustic music, a variety of food trucks and craft beer, 40 craft booths, apple cider donuts for sale at the farm store, and garden plants for sale. Pick peas and flowers in the fields, and sign up your kid to make a painted pot with a plant.
Toast to Mom : Mother’s Day Wine Class
La Otra / Lita, Aberdeen
Toast to Mom with a flight of four springtime wines, plus snacks from the Team Lita Kitchen.
Mother’s Day Open Swim
Five Star Swim School, Deptford, East Brunswick, Eatontown, Edison, Galloway, Princeton
Moms swim free in the heated saltwater pool with their kiddies.
- Jennifer Amato contributed to this story.
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